Are you looking for answers to questions like, “how to crack any interview”?

Well, in that case, let us tell you that storytelling can help you a great deal.

A typical interview question looks like, “tell me about a time when…”. Interviewers use this “tell me about a time when” question to find out how you’ll perform as an employee. Learning to tell stories to this question will significantly improve your interview skills, get you in the door for more interviews, and help you land a job you’re ideally suited for. Today, Seekho will take you through the importance of storytelling in an interview and provide you with some essential tips that will help you to excel in this part and ace any interview.

Storytelling – A Powerful & Effective Tool At Helping The Listener Pay Attention.

Not the most exciting part to talk about, but still, it becomes essential for an interviewer to know how a candidate reacts to challenging situations at work. Not all candidates know how to act in those situations, and their answers can be awkward. Tricky interview questions are always easier to answer when you tell a story from your previous experience. You talk about what happened, what actions you took and what you learned from that experience. This storytelling skill shows that you understand the situation, and it allows you to discuss your skills, accomplishments, and character. For example, let’s say you’re asked about a time when you took on a leadership role. You might start by saying: “I’ve been fortunate enough to have many leadership opportunities throughout my career — one of them was leading the rest of my team at a large annual conference.” In that case, interview storytelling can help you a lot. The interview will become a two-way exchange of information. And the interviewer will get to learn more about you, and you get to know more about the company, the job, and how you might fit in.

With that being said, let’s dive into the quick tips of storytelling in an interview.

Key Tips For Story Telling In An Interview

1. Strategise your story

When it comes to stories in any professional situation, think of a strategy. Determine what you want a story to achieve, and develop the right story. After identifying your goals and keeping them in mind as you craft your story, make sure the story’s details will help you achieve those goals. If in case you need to describe yourself, what words would you choose to describe yourself in five characteristics? Think about these ahead of time and write down your answers. This will allow you to reflect on who you are to show your strengths and personality.

2. Pick stories with a relevant message

Think of the various impressions you want to convey to your interviewer, and then recall your life experiences that are most relevant to those impressions. For example, if you want the interviewer to see you as hardworking, think back on an experience that demonstrates that trait admirably. If you want the interviewer to see you as ambitious, talk about the time when you took on a challenge at work or school.  When you think about the impressions you want to give during the interview, try looking back on your life experiences for stories that are most relevant to each impression. Consider both your personal and professional experiences, especially for younger job seekers beginning as freshers.

3. Map out your story

Storytelling is a great way to engage listeners and capture their attention. While interviewing, it can be tempting to rely on this technique, but it’s essential to make sure that your stories are not just entertaining but also productive. Before launching into a storytelling session, you should plan out your story by mapping out the content and taking note of its direction and development to keep it cohesive and focused on the main point. Think of your story like a map — it should have a beginning, middle and end. The beginning is where you introduce your character so that the listener can identify with them. The centre is where the action happens: the plot thickens, complications appear, and obstacles need overcoming. And your conclusion should be where the protagonist learns something or accomplishes something significant in the face of adversity — this is how you tie back to your message or desired outcome.

4. Practice some storytelling sessions with your friends

Storytelling is a skill that can be learned, sharpened and perfected. Practice will help smooth out your delivery and remove some anxiety about telling your stories. So instead of just practising in front of a mirror or writing them down, think about going out into your community and telling your stories to anyone who will listen.

5. Look for the right time to use stories

Using stories in interviews is a powerful technique that can help you create a sense of connection with your interviewer, put yourself in a memorable light and leave a lasting impression. But be mindful and informed while using stories; they aren’t suitable for every situation. Identify the questions and if they come under the category of storytelling interview questions, then only proceed with the story. Think about what kind of story you want to tell: Are you more comfortable sharing an experience or relaying information? In answering open-ended questions (i.e., those that don’t have just one “right” answer), use storytelling to show your personality, sense of humour and leadership qualities. Stories also show your self-awareness; they reveal the things that motivate you and drive you to achieve specific goals or perform particular duties.

Conclusion

So, with this, we hope that you got the tricks of how to crack interviews with stories. By crafting a few good stories and telling them well, you can help ensure that your interviewer remembers you and your stories at the end of an interview. And in such a competitive job market, that kind of positive impression might be the difference between getting the job offer or not!

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