Job Interview Dominance using ChatGPT & Unforgettable S.P.A.R. Stories

Anyone who's survived a grueling interview can relate. It often feels like you've gone toe-to-toe for 10 rounds with a skilled opponent, intent on breaking you.

To SPAR (verb): In the context of combat sports (like interviewing for a job!), "to spar" means to engage in a session with another person, simulating a real battle. I contend that sparring enables job seekers to develop and improve their skills and storytelling techniques by practicing the motions of offense and defense required to excel at an interview.

Are you tired of struggling to convey your accomplishments during interviews? Do you find yourself at a loss for words or repeating the same stories to different interviewers? The secret to making a lasting impression and standing out from your competition lies in the power of S.P.A.R. stories. This newsletter will delve into the compelling reasons why breaking down your accomplishments into S.P.A.R. (Situation, Problem, Action, Result) stories can be your game-changer in the job-hunting process and how #ChatGPT is uniquely suited to write memorable narratives and makes the perfect sparring partner.

The S.P.A.R. Advantage:

1. Clarity and Organization: Breaking down your accomplishments into S.P.A.R. stories allow you to present a clear, organized narrative to your interviewer. By identifying the Situation, Problem, Action, and Result of each story, you ensure that you cover all the essential elements while keeping your responses concise and on-point. This not only makes it easier for the interviewer to follow your train of thought but also helps them understand your proficiency at your job.
2. Making an Impact: Humans are wired to remember stories more than facts or figures. By framing your accomplishments as S.P.A.R. stories, you can connect with your interviewer on a deeper level, leaving a lasting impression. This storytelling approach allows you to showcase your problem-solving abilities, leadership qualities, and other essential skills in a manner that resonates with the listener.
3. Outshining the Competition: In today's competitive job market, it's crucial to differentiate yourself from other candidates. S.P.A.R. stories enable you to present your accomplishments in a unique, engaging way that highlights your value and expertise. As a result, you'll be more memorable, giving you an edge over your competition.

I don't need to sell you on the value of Storytelling. Esther Choy wrote a compelling piece for Forbes , 5 Storytelling Tips to Help You Ace Your Job Interview , which is worth a read.

So, what role does ChatGPT play in these S.P.A.R. stories?

I asked Chat what makes him so great at writing S.P.A.R. stories, and this is what he said...

"As an AI language model, I have been trained on a vast range of texts and topics, which has equipped me with an extensive understanding of various subjects and writing styles. This knowledge, combined with my ability to analyze context and generate coherent, engaging, and creative content, makes me well-suited for crafting compelling and imaginative S.P.A.R. stories. My capacity to process and adapt to new information quickly allows me to create tailored S.P.A.R. stories that effectively convey the desired message and resonate with the target audience."

Hmmm... that last sentence was intriguing - can ChatGPT really tailor my S.P.A.R. stories to my target audience? One thing I've learned is that your S.P.A.R. stories are like chess pieces. You pull them out according to your opponent. Always tailor your story selection to your audience.

Here's how I tested Chat to see if he'd tailor my S.P.A.R. stories:

PROMPT: Chat, please create a S.P.A.R. story in the first person out of the following information, but tailor it to the hiring manager. The hiring manager is interested in understanding how I perform under pressure, how I deliver results, and how well I can lead a team.

Mark helped lead the customer experience design team for the award-winning, innovative, tech-fueled, “Imagination Park” Disney Store prototype, including overseeing a team performing consumer insights studies and focus groups on proving out customer journey-mapping hypothesis. Mark drove his team to meet demanding deadlines and helped craft a compelling business case which was presented to CEO Bob Iger and Disney's Board of Directors. Mark helped develop and wrote the details of the selling philosophy, “Mission Magic,” and later performed a road show where he brought real world examples to teams across the U.S. empowering the transformation from value chain to specialty retailer and positioning Disney Stores to be best at consumer engagement, entertainment, and magical culture, leading to 12 consecutive quarters of positive comps and multi-million-dollar annual sales growth.

REPLY: S.P.A.R. Story: Crafting the Magic of Mission-Driven Sales Growth

Situation: I was asked to lead the development of the selling philosophy of "Mission Magic" to transform Disney Stores from a value chain to a specialty retailer.

Problem: The Disney Store Cast Members needed to become "best at" at consumer engagement, entertainment, and a magical culture to drive positive financial results.

Action: I helped codify, test, and later performed a road show bringing real world examples across the U.S. of the "Mission Magic" philosophy, empowering the transformation and positioning Disney Stores as leaders in the entertainment retail industry.

Result: My efforts contributed to 12 consecutive quarters of positive comps and multi-million-dollar annual sales growth, demonstrating my ability to deliver results and lead a team effectively.

So, I tested the theory with this PROMPT: Chat, the same request, but I would like a S.P.A.R. story aimed at the CFO. The CFO is interested in fiscal responsibility, in profitable growth of the organization, and return on investment.

REPLY: S.P.A.R. Story: Delivering Profitable Innovation with Strategic Customer Experience

Situation: I was a leader of the customer experience design team for the “Imagination Park” Disney Store prototype, a groundbreaking project to reimagine a retail space like no other.

Problem: The project required significant investment, and the organization needed to ensure its success by developing a data-driven, customer-centric approach, weighing the cost of technology and other features against the projected revenue increases the store design would provide.

Action: I led a team that performed consumer insights studies and focus groups to validate customer journey-mapping hypotheses, by hosting dozens of test subjects, while using results to craft a compelling business case to secure organizational support.

Result: The business case was well-received by CEO Bob Iger and Disney's Board of Directors, leading to the implementation of the “Imagination Park” prototype, which contributed to the company's profitable growth and demonstrated my commitment to fiscal responsibility and return on investment.

Subtle, but there are more mentions of the investment, crafting a business case, and the contribution to profitable growth and ROI.

One final, real-world example.

PROMPT: Chat, please write a S.P.A.R. story out of the following information. The intended audience is the HR recruitment manager. Someone who will make the decision on whether my resume is passed on to the hiring manager. I have some insights and know that this HR recruitment manager is a single mother of three children.

Mark had his team perform a thorough analysis of the Disney Store's target customers. His team focused on solving the common problem of "mom guilt" - that pervasive feeling of not doing enough as a parent, not doing things right, or always playing the role of task master. Mark's team created a "celebration" where the team at the store participated in a moment of recognition for a child's personal accomplishment like getting good grades, graduating from wearing diapers to "big boy pants", or losing a tooth. This orchestrated celebration was complete with music, sound and lighting effects, and Disney characters on a screen with a space for the child to take a photograph alongside. One wonderful side effect of this magical moment was that MOM was cast in the role of 'hero'. She obviously had a hand in this, and the child recognized her as the reason for this wonderful moment of attention and recognition.

REPLY: S.P.A.R. Story: Empowering Parents through Thoughtful Recognition

Situation: I recognized the importance of addressing the "mom guilt" issue to create memorable experiences for both children and parents at the Disney Store.

Problem: The store needed a solution that would celebrate children's accomplishments while also highlighting the role of parents, especially moms, in their kids' successes.

Action: I guided my team to develop an in-store "celebration" that recognized children's achievements, complete with a photo opportunity alongside Disney characters, making parents feel valued and recognized for their support.

Result: This innovative approach not only created a positive atmosphere in the store but also helped strengthen the bond between children and parents, demonstrating my ability to empathize with and cater to the unique needs of my target audience.

Did I use that last story specifically because I found out my interviewer was a single mother? Yes. Not in an exploitive or manipulative way - but because the goals of the interview are to BE RELATABLE & BE MEMORABLE.

Yes, the prompts I provided are long and detailed - and with greater detail come greater results, but the ideas came from my resume, LinkedIn profile, and memorable accomplishments in my career. Add in details you forgot or rewrite your prompt to include even greater details for healthier results. Aim to have different S.P.A.R. stories for at least three rounds of interviewing: HR Recruiting Manager, the Hiring Manager and the senior leader involved in the decision-making process. Put yourself in their shoes and describe to Chat what you think they'll be interested most in hearing.

Deploying your S.P.A.R. stories

Getting my stories onto 3 x 5 cards worked best for me. I copied and pasted S.P.A.R. stories from Chat to a Word doc, formatted, printed, cut them out and pasted them onto 3x5 cards. Then it's practice, practice, practice. Practice in the mirror, with your spouse, on your friends. These S.P.A.R. stories should roll off your tongue.

S.P.A.R. stories and ChatGPT can be your secret weapons, the one-two punch in your arsenal that showcases your skills and experience in a compelling, unforgettable way. By incorporating these stories into your interview responses, you can make it easier for the interviewer to understand your proficiency, stay organized in your answers, and ultimately BE THE CHAMP. So, put on your metaphorical boxing gloves, embrace the power of ChatGPT and his storytelling prowess, and get ready to float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, and watch your career soar to new heights.

Oh, by the way, in the situation above, did I make it to the next round? Yes, I did.

Looking for a job? Contact me for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your situation and I'll share how ChatGPT can accelerate your search. I would be delighted if you SHARED this newsletter with your networks and let me know what you think of the content in the comments below. #JobInterviewTips #CareerSuccess #ai