The Art of Storytelling & why you need to be good at it.

Let's talk about something that isn't in every job-seeking handbook but is an absolute game-changer when it comes to landing that dream role: storytelling. Whether you're just getting started in your career or eyeing the CEO's corner office, being a good storyteller can make all the difference in how you present yourself, your experience, and, ultimately, your fit for a job. It's not just about listing your skills and experiences—it's about weaving them into a narrative that connects with the hiring manager on a deeper level. Here's why mastering the art of storytelling is crucial at every stage of your career.

Storytelling: The secret sauce for success

First things first: Why storytelling? Why can’t you just rattle off your qualifications and let your resume do the talking?

Because facts alone aren’t enough.

Hiring decisions aren't always made solely on a cold assessment of qualifications. Employers are looking for someone who fits into their team culture, who brings energy, perspective, and problem-solving abilities that align with their company’s needs. The person they hire is going to be a part of their story—so they want to hear yours.

When you tell your story effectively, you go beyond the bullet points on your resume. You add personality and context to your experiences. You take what could be just another job application and turn it into a compelling narrative about why you're the perfect fit for that company and role.

It's about connecting the dots ??

Whether you're fresh out of school or an experienced executive, storytelling is about connecting the dots of your career in a way that resonates with your audience. For someone starting their career, you might not have a ton of experience to list, but you do have passion, drive, and a reason why you want this opportunity. Instead of focusing on what you haven’t done, tell a story about what you have accomplished and how those moments have led you to this point.

If you're a CEO or in senior leadership, your storytelling needs to evolve. At this level, it’s not just about your own journey but how your vision and experiences align with where the company is headed. Your story should convey why your leadership style and track record will take the company to new heights.

In either case, storytelling is about showing progression. How have your skill sets, experiences, and personality traits shaped you into the person standing in front of them today? How have you handled challenges, and how did those moments prepare you for the opportunity at hand? This isn't just a history lesson—it's a story of growth, development, and readiness.

Personality Matters: Be Authentic ???

Your skills and experiences are important, but so is your personality. Employers aren't just hiring a set of skills; they’re hiring a human being who will contribute to the culture and dynamic of the team. This is where storytelling really shines—it allows you to showcase who you are as a person.

Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your story. Are you resilient? Creative? A natural problem solver? These qualities might not fit neatly into a resume section, but they are integral to who you are as a professional. When you tell your story, you have the chance to show these traits in action—how they’ve influenced your decisions, shaped your achievements, and driven you to seek out new opportunities.

Being authentic in your storytelling builds trust and rapport. It shows that you’re not just saying what you think the hiring manager wants to hear but that you’re confident in who you are and what you bring to the table.

Why this matters for every career stage ??

Now, let’s break this down by career stage, because storytelling isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. The way you tell your story will evolve as you gain experience, but the core principles remain the same.

1. Entry-Level Applicants:

For those just starting out, your storytelling is all about potential. You may not have a long list of accomplishments yet, but what you do have are experiences that showcase your drive and ambition. Maybe it’s a challenging project from school, a volunteer role that taught you leadership, or a part-time job where you learned the value of teamwork. The goal is to craft a story that connects those early experiences to the opportunity you’re seeking. Show how your passion and potential make you a great fit for the role, even if your resume isn’t packed with years of experience.

2. Mid-Career Professionals:

At this stage, your storytelling becomes more focused on how your experiences have shaped you. You’ve been in the workforce for a while, so your story should emphasize how you’ve grown professionally, tackled challenges, and developed a specific skill set. Perhaps you’ve led projects, mentored team members, or been the go-to person for solving problems. Your narrative should highlight your achievements while also showing that you’re ready for the next step in your career. Show how your journey has prepared you to contribute at a higher level.

3. Senior Leadership and Executives:

For those in senior positions, storytelling shifts toward vision and impact. You’ve had a long career with many accomplishments, so now it’s about demonstrating how those experiences align with the company's goals. Your story should highlight your leadership style, your strategic thinking, and your ability to drive results. At this level, companies are looking for leaders who can not only manage the present but also shape the future. Your story should convey why you’re the person who can take them there.

How to craft your story ??

So, how do you start crafting your story? Here are a few tips:

1. Know Your Audience: Tailor your story to the company and role. What are their values? What challenges are they facing? How does your story align with their needs?
2. Find the Through-Line: Your story should have a central theme—maybe it's about resilience, adaptability, or leadership. Whatever it is, make sure it runs through your entire narrative.
3. Show, Don’t Just Tell: Use specific examples to illustrate your points. Instead of just saying you're a problem solver, tell a story about a time you solved a major issue at work.
4. Keep It Concise: Your story should be compelling but also to the point. You don’t need to tell your entire life story—just the parts that matter for the role you're pursuing.

The Power of Storytelling ??

At the end of the day, being a good storyteller can set you apart from the competition. It’s not just about listing what you’ve done—it’s about crafting a narrative that showcases why you’re the right person for the job. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re at the top of your game, storytelling allows you to connect with hiring managers on a human level, showing them not just what you’ve done, but who you are.

So, as you prepare for your next interview or update your LinkedIn profile, remember this: facts tell, but stories sell. Craft your story, tell it well, and let it guide you to your next great opportunity.

Not a natural story-teller or not sure where to begin? ??

Believe it or not most people are not natural born story tellers, Oscar winning actors or actually that confident at talking about themselves.

Below is a starter guide on how to get going, but do get going...

1. Truly knowing and remembering your journey: Being about to actually recall the when's, where's and whys is super super important so jot them down like an accurate timeline.
2. Connecting the dots: Why did you move from A to B to C to D, then being able to describe those steps in a fun, accurate and tactical way that makes sense.
3. Listing all your achievements: List out everything that you have a achieved in your career, this is a great exercise to feel amazing about yourself (very important anyway) this also becomes your memory bank for everything you have done so that you can speak about them during an interview. It also allows you to see the big picture of everything you have done, you can wow your audience whilst still being able to go into the granular details
4. Decide what you want to do: Do you actually know what you want to do next? Why that? List it all out to see if it makes sense.
5. Decide what you are relevant for: Do you know what businesses/ industries that your experience is relevant for? List them out.
6. Choose the right target audience: Once you have done the above points you can then start to target the right people to tell your story to because it is important to tell your story to the right people and adjust accordingly to your target audience.

Now you are ready to get going. Excited to see where your career takes you! ??

For advice on your career, for CV design & LinkedIn optimisation or to just have someone in your corner then get in touch with your Recruitment BFF ??

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