Get Hired! Storytelling for Job Interviews

If you know your audience, you'll know which stories to share.

In this module we’ll discuss why storytelling is the most effective way to share your skills and character in an interview, and we’ll begin preparing for an interview by researching the potential audience you’ll be sharing your stories with. Sharing the right stories for your audience ensures a real connection and a more comfortable conversation.

When you know who you’re sharing your stories with, you understand what will inspire them, what language will resonate with them, and which stories will be the most effective in connecting authentically with them.

There are two versions of the worksheet, one is visibly formatted and the other is an accessible simple form with text fields.

Complete Assignment 1 by downloading and completing worksheet  #1 and answering the questions before beginning module 2, Predict the Questions.

Welcome to module 2!

Believe it or not, you can predict 90% of the questions you'll be asked in an interview if you know the mission and vision of the organization, and if you've carefully reviewed the job description. This module will walk you through how to do that, using an example from a real job posting for a graphic designer.

When you predict what questions will be asked, you can prepare the right stories to answer them. In this module you’ll start to collect the most likely interview questions you’ll face by reviewing the job description and company website.

Complete Assignment #2 and worksheet #2 before beginning module 3, Skills, Values, and Character Traits.

There are two versions of the worksheet, one is visibly formatted and the other is an accessible simple form with text fields.

Congratulations! You're more prepared than most candidates!

You've completed the first two modules, which means that you're already more prepared than the majority of candidates. Does that give you another boost in confidence about your next interview?

So far, you've researched the company and your interviewers, you reviewed the job description for skills and character traits the company is looking for, and you've been able to predict many of the questions you'll be asked.

Now let’s take some time to make sure your skills and values are in alignment with what they’re looking for, and to make sure the job is a good fit for you.

You are interviewing the position and company as much as they are interviewing YOU.

Complete Assignment 3 and worksheets #3 & #4 before beginning module 4, Collect Your Stories.

There are two versions of each worksheet, one is visibly formatted and the other is an accessible simple form with text fields.

Collecting Your Stories with Intention

Now that you’ve created a list of questions you’re likely to be asked, and you’re confident that you know what skills and character traits they’re looking for, it’s time to collect the right stories so you can answer the questions with confidence and competence.

This is your opportunity to connect the dots between what you've done in the past, and how it apply to the job you want, even when they appear to be unrelated.

Before you move on, collect a minimum of two stories for each category.

No need to write out the entire story in full paragraphs, consider jotting down a sentence or two, or a simple phrase to remind you of the situation and some details about it.

In the next module, you'll learn more about how to structure your stories with a setup, a challenge, and a solution. For now, try to think about specific situations or conversations you had that demonstrate those qualities and skills you want the interviewer to know.

Complete Assignment #5 and worksheet 5, Story Portfolio Worksheet Prompts before beginning module 5, Practice, Share, Listen.

There are two versions of the worksheet, one is visibly formatted and the other is an accessible simple form with text fields.

Practice and Listen

Practicing your stories will be the key to making them brief, meaningful, and effective. In this module I’ll share an example of a story and ask you to consider it with these questions in mind: What do you know about me and my work style, simply from listening to the story? What skills did I demonstrate?

Now it’s your turn!

Practice each story at least 3 times. Watch yourself either on video on in the mirror: Do your facial expressions match the emotion you’re trying to share with your story? Do you move your body in ways that seem natural? Is there anything distracting in the way you’re sharing your stories? (Touching your hair, too much talking with your hands, too many filler words “um”, “like”, “you know”.)

Complete assignment #6 and worksheet 6, Collect Your Stories, to prepare two stories to practice in front of your mirror or on your phone to watch later.

There are two versions of the worksheet, one is visibly formatted and the other is an accessible simple form with text fields.

If you loved this course, and know others will benefit from it, please email us a review to use in our promotional materials!

Receive a free copy of my book, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will when you post about the course on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram – tag us and use the hashtags #jobsearchhelp, #jobinterview, and #yourstrengthsareyourstories, take a screenshot and email it to us with your mailing address.