The Importance of Storytelling in an Interview - Walrath Recruiting

The Importance of Storytelling in an Interview - Walrath Recruiting Theres a reason we all read books, go the movies, and binge watch television. Were all suckers for a great story. Its easy to get lost in a good one, and you may find yourself extremely sympathetic to the characters. While it may not come to mind right away, think about utilizing this occurrence in a job interview. Its one of the best ways to make yourself stand out in an interview, and well go in depth below. Focusing In Although it can be hard to detach yourself from the type of story  youre used to, think of your life as one big narrative. Now focus in on your professional life. Next, focus in on challenges youve faced, and your greatest accomplishments. While it can be hard to think of these particular moments, there is a solution: be proactive. When something youre proud of happens, take note of it. Stories should ultimately aim to bring your resume alive. Telling stories of your professional successes will bring your resume alive. With that notion, you should be trying to have a story for each major point on your resume. Keeping a few stories in your arsenal will also mean youll likely have something for any questions that are directed at you. Whether its a question about conflict, overcoming obstacles, or a great success, you will likely have it covered! Ace the Interview Having a better grasp on your storytelling abilities is a great start to being able to ace the interview. With that in mind, you should be thinking about how to make your story the most impactful it can be. Its been proven that the best stories capture emotions and feelings in the moment. Telling a story also has the added benefit of making the interviewer(s) more sympathetic. Expressing the fear of not meeting an objective, or the overwhelming sense of accomplishment from meeting a deadline is something you should stress in your story. Not only will this make them more sympathetic to you, it will also make them a part of your story. Being able to backup these stories with measurable facts will make them the best they can be, and is your best bet moving to the next step in the hiring process.