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Stand out in your job search by mastering the art of storytelling
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Learn to tell compelling career success stories.
Who would you rather spend an evening with: a person who spouts loads of seemingly useless details or someone who is an engaging storyteller?
Most of us would prefer to hear a compelling story rather than a list of details or random facts. We are especially intrigued by stories which elicit an emotional response. The same is typically true of hiring decison-makers.
Learning how and when to tell an engaging story can truly make you stand out in your job search. Why is storytelling so effective in a job search?
"Storytelling is essentially a way of describing your accomplishments and results. A way of framing your skills," says Katharine Hansen, Ph.D, career author and associate editor of Quintessential Careers (QuintCareers.com). "[It's] a way of talking about yourself and enabling the hiring decision-maker to get to know you."
Hansen has long been an advocate of using storytelling to advance one's career. "Storytelling is so incredibly valuable at every stage of the job search," Hansen says. "I think of it as a stealth technique you can use in your job search. Hiring decision-makers are going to say to themselves, 'Wow, that person really communicated well' but he or she may not be able to put his or her finger on exactly what it was you did that was so memorable."
"They might say something like, 'She gave such great examples of her accomplishments and results,'" Hansen continues, "They might not automatically identify what you're doing is storytelling. But they will identify you as a very memorable and well-spoken job seeker."
What kind of stories should job hunters incorporate in their job search? Most experts that advocate storytelling recommend either a SAR (situation-action-results) formula or a CAR (challenge-action-results formula). There are a number of variations of this formula, yet the idea is essentially the same.
First lay out a situation or challenge you faced in the workplace. Next, tell what actions you took to resolve the situation or overcome the challenge. Finally, tell the results you were able to achieve through your actions. Whenever possible, quantify your results. Explain how much you saved, earned, etc. in dollars and cents or percentages. These types of details, particularly when framed in a well-told career success story, will easily pique a hiring decision-maker's interest.
While you want to tell compelling stories that evoke an emotional connection, not every story is appropriate for a job search. Hansen recommends avoiding the following types of stories:
- Stories that do not relate to the targeted employer. Research the employer and position. Know what the employer's needs are and focus on stories that address those needs.
- Long, rambling stories. A well-told story offers detail while remaining focused. Your story shouldn't exceed two minutes. Practice telling stories to get to the point concisely, yet avoid telling stories in a way that sounds rehearsed.
- Stories that are overly emotional or tragic. Hansen tested these types of stories with a focus group while researching her book. She discovered that people found them depressing and maudlin.
Learning how to master the art of storytelling will make you more memorable and you'll stand out from competitors at every stage of the job search. In future articles we'll discuss how to use storytelling in networking, resumes and cover letters, as well as during the interview process.
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