On The Job Hunt? Never Be Afraid to Tell Your Story

The term "Once upon a time...", is not only meant for bedtime stories. It's an integral of the job search process.

This post is based on a quote by actress Angie Dickinson, but it also contains elements from the Foreword of my new book, Tell Stories Get Hired. Credit for the Foreword goes to Sharon Graham, one of Canada's foremost Career Strategists.

While Dickinson's quote may relate to life in general, this post is written from a job search context and targets job seekers, mid-career professionals, managers and executives. It is also relevant to people in career transition, and even those who are happy at work. We all need to learn how to tell our stories.

Sharon states, "When it comes to job search, we cannot underestimate the importance of storytelling. If you can articulate your value effectively, you can succeed in your job search. Career storytelling can help you build credibility, but its benefits don’t end there. It can also help you to identify your dreams, strengthen your values, find your true assets, and build your self-confidence."

Never be afraid to tell your story. Storytelling is a technique you must use to communicate why you are the best person for the job. It's a strategy you should employ when networking to demonstrate your industry expertise. You cannot afford to be seen as 'a shrinking violet', "someone who is shy or modest and does not like to attract attention." Don't be afraid!

Your story should be interesting. When writing your resume, when networking, or during an interview, create a vivid and interesting picture of what role you played in the story. Were you the lead actor, or did you play a supporting role? In fact, take them on a ride in your CAR, and explain the Challenges you encountered, the Actions you took, and the Results.

Your story is unique. Even if your story is similar to someone else's, it's not the same. Find ways to showcase your uniqueness. Brand your story in a package that stands out. According to Sharon, "Our current job search environment is very competitive and the only way to differentiate yourself is to tell “unique signature stories.”

Your story is worth sharing. If you don't toot your horn, no one will know you are coming. Don't expect the interviewer to read your mind to determine how great you are. One of my clients lost out on a promotion to project manager because he assumed his boss knew what he had done. He failed to share his success stories.

It's your story. If you accomplished it, it's yours, so claim it. If you don't, others will autograph your work with their name on it. Too many people complain that their bosses or coworkers have taken credit for their work. Don't let that be you...tell your story!

Every career has many interesting twists and turns, but few people are naturally confident storytellers. Most people find the thought of having to “sell” themselves to recruiters, hiring managers, and other potential company representatives daunting. You may know what you want to share, but are not certain of how best to do that. That's where storytelling comes in.

Want to learn more about storytelling for the job search? Listen to this podcast, or visit Tell Stories Get Hired to grab your copy of the book.

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Career Coach Daisy Wright works with mid-career professionals, managers and emerging executives creating their career marketing documents, and helping them tell their career stories to get hired FASTER! If you are unsure of your next career move, reach out to Daisy via The Wright Career Solution. She also blogs at Career Musings.