Here’s the deal: landing an interview means you’ve demonstrated that you have the skills and experience to do the job. Once you’re seated across from the interviewer, their focus shifts to assessing the depth and relevance of your experience, your technical and soft skills, and your overall fit with the company culture. All of these factors are important in the selection process.
However, during my 25+ years in recruiting, I found that one key element often sets equally qualified candidates apart: the ability to tell their story effectively.
Many candidates freeze up at the thought of sharing their professional stories. They wonder how to summarize their experience, highlight the most compelling aspects, and differentiate themselves from other candidates.
You may have been advised to craft an “elevator pitch” or a “personal brand,” but that can sometimes sound overly rehearsed or inauthentic. When you focus too much on impressing others or saying what you think the interviewer wants to hear, you can come across as disingenuous or fail to highlight what’s truly important and relevant. When you “sell” or “market” yourself, it might feel like you’re trying too hard to convince someone to choose you—and that might lead to feelings of failure if the role doesn’t pan out.
Instead, embracing and owning your unique experiences and strengths allows you to share your story with genuine enthusiasm. This approach shifts the focus from convincing someone to “buy what you’re selling” to finding the right, authentic fit. It improves the odds of finding not just a job but the right job for you right now.
Shaping Your Story: How to Spark a Connection
Being prepared for common interview questions is crucial, but conveying the essence of who you are is equally important. You want to leave the interviewer with something they’ll remember well after the meeting.
A story can spark a connection with potential employers, demonstrating what you bring to the table, describing your fit for the role, and making you a more memorable candidate. In my experience interviewing hundreds of candidates, I might not recall specific answers to questions, but I do remember the essence of the candidates who turned into the best hiring decisions. These candidates didn’t just perform an act—they shared their stories in genuine and inspiring ways.
Consider these five core components of professional storytelling to own your story effectively:
- Career focus. Clearly define the type of work you’ve done and the kind of work you’re targeting. Show the interviewer that you’re not just eager for a job—you’re eager for this job.
- Unique strengths. Identify what sets you apart from others in similar roles. Do you have specialized knowledge or a unique approach to problem-solving?
- Passion. Explain why you’re passionate about pursuing this role. Demonstrating genuine enthusiasm for the work is sometimes as important as proving your skills and experience.
- Connection to the role. Show how your career focus, unique strengths, and passion have led you to pursue the role you’re interviewing for.
- Headline. When you’ve reflected on the components above, think about how to tie the story together with a compelling headline that gets to the heart of who you are.
Check out the example below.
Career Focus: Program Management
As a professional with over 20 years of diverse experiences, at this stage of my career, I am most interested in opportunities to develop creative programs that drive meaningful change.
Unique Strengths: Coaching, Leading and Mentoring
I thrive in situations where I can leverage my strengths in coaching and mentoring people. I feel most accomplished when I’m able to lead a team to build trust, collaborate, and create more impactful outcomes.
Passion: Driving Meaningful Change Through My Work
Working hard to drive meaningful change is something I saw modeled all the way back in my childhood. My mom was a teacher for the underserved, and my dad served in the Peace Corps for corrupt countries.
Connection to the Role:
I’m so excited to be here talking to you about this position at XYZ Company because it’s directly connected to what I most want to do. I’m confident my combination of experience and passion will allow me to make a significant contribution in this role.
Headline:
Passionate Program Developer and Collaborative Leader Advocate for People, Change and Equality
Owning Your Story: Embracing Authenticity and Confidence
The most important aspect of crafting your professional story is the ability to truly own it. After all, if you don’t believe it, no one else will.
Owning your story begins with articulating who you are and identifying the unique gifts you offer. It’s about focusing on your few core strengths and experiences rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Honing in on what makes you exceptional will help you create a compelling narrative that shows how you stand apart.
Once you’re clear on what that story is, it’s time to internalize it. Embrace it and let it guide how you present yourself not just in interviews but in resume writing, networking, and other professional settings. The ability to communicate your story authentically enhances your ability to connect with others and instills confidence in your abilities.
At Transitions Careers, we help people uncover and articulate their unique stories. Learn more about Transitions Careers here and how we can support you with storytelling through interview prep or an expertly crafted resume, LinkedIn profile, professional bio, or cover letter.
