Lindsay Olson

The STAR Approach to storytelling

Photo credit: Brian Talbot

Yesterday I wrote about why storytelling will help you land your next job. This is a follow-up post on how to effective tell your stories in a job search.

The STAR Model is a method of answering behavioral interviewing questions. You can also adapt this method to tell stories about your achievements on your resume (bullet points), a cover letter, or non-behavioral interview questions like the dreaded "tell me about you."

Part of your interview preparation should be to write out several examples of your previous successes - just another reason it is so important to keep track of your projects and work achievements. Anticipate what types of challenges you could face in this new role and create 5-7 stories around your previous relevant experience.

To do this, consider using the STAR Model:

S = Situation - describe a situation. This is a where you will set up the plot of your story for the listener. Give a brief outline of a situation you faced and your role.

T = Task - What was the task you had to accomplish? This is your goal or the hoped outcome.

A = Action - What did you do to accomplish the task? Describe what happened and how you attacked the problem through to resolution.

R = Results - What was the result of your actions? Be specific. Try to quantify these results if possible. The more specific you are, the more convinced the interviewer will be you are the person for the job.

Your stories require some thought and practice. Interview questions that begin with "Tell me about a time when...." are answered best using this model, but you can also find opportunities to tell a relevant story in various points in your job search.

Caution:

• When using this approach, be sure to focus on your actions, even if the situation was resolved by the team. It's okay to give credit to your teammates, but don't let the interviewer wonder what part you actually played.
• Be careful to not ramble on. Give concise, but powerful stories and make sure they are relevant to the conversation. Give a specific, measurable result and be quiet. Let the conversation flow from there.
• Your stories should be factual accounts that demonstrate your relevant experience. Opinions and theories can be saved for other types of conversations.
• Don't use the same story for more than one interview question.

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Stories That Stick

Storytelling can help you land your next job

Photo credit: Felipe Morin

Companies hire you based on your experience, ability to solve their problems and how well you fit into the "culture." If you are called in for an interview, you've passed the first step. More than likely the hiring managers have already seen your resume or heard about your work. They know you have the qualifications to do the job - that's why you are interviewing.

The interview is the company's opportunity to evaluate your ability to handle its organizational challenges once you have the job. Since the hiring manager may not be the most skilled interviewer, it's up to you to demonstrate you are up for the challenge. This is why being an effective storyteller is so important.

Stories will help you interview better and land your next gig in a number of ways:

buy Sense and Sensibility
• Stories engage the listener and help you become a memorable candidate. People tend to remember stories more than straight facts. That's why the best history teachers are usually great storytellers. Turning your career accomplishments into short mini-stories makes you a stand out against the competition.
• Stories help build trust with the listener. Stories give more detail to back your claims and explaining the details builds your confidence and the hiring manager's confidence in you.
• Stories reveal your personality and your communication skills. It helps you and the interviewer determine what it will be like to work together.

This is part one of a two-part series.

Part 2: Star Approach to storytelling A History of Violence divx