Interview Tip: Applying the Seven Elements of Storytelling

April 19th, 2010 by lewis

Storytelling is an important technique for any successful job interview candidate. Stories are engaging, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-remember.

Many corporations offer storytelling classes that help employees develop stories for presentations, media pitches, and online campaigns. I came across the storytelling checklist below. Use it to develop career stories for your next interview.

Step 1: Forge Foundation
  • What is your story’s goal?
  • Who is the target audience?
  • What is the target vehicle and rationale?
  • Who is the messenger or spokesperson?
Step 2: Grab Attention
  • Can you lead with credible data or research?
  • Do you have a news hook?
  • Can you tie-in your story with a current event or trend?
Step 3: Establish Setting
  • What is the business or industry environment?
  • What’s the mood of your customers and employees?
Step 4: Humanize
  • Describe the hero or opportunity of story.
  • Introduce other characters tied to hero or opportunity including villains, obstructionists, or partners.
Step 5: Build Tension
  • Describe potential negative outcome(s).
  • Highlight any obstacles or problems.
Step 6: Deliver the Turning Point
  • What significant change occurs?
  • What is the impact on customers and partners?
  • Is there any shift in industry that results?
Step 7: Communicate the Outcome
  • What was the end result?
  • What is the call to action for the listener?

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One Response to “Interview Tip: Applying the Seven Elements of Storytelling”

  1. April 22, 2010 at 8:23 am, Karl Wolfbrooks Ager said:

    I like this idea. Building a personal narrative. But you have to have the right narrative for the right position, I think. That's what is tricky.