Storytelling is often thought of as a helpful way to relate with others, particularly in social settings (or to get all the feels by listening to The Moth). It can elicit emotions, connection, a sense of shared values and experiences… so why aren’t we using this method in professional contexts more?
Sure, we describe brief situational stories from our past jobs during an interview, but could we be sharing more? We’ve been so conditioned to separate emotions from work, that we may be missing out on this crucial instrument of human connection.
(I’m preparing for a presentation next week about storytelling in a professional context and I just had to share some of the highlights!)
Think about the last time you were networking, either on purpose or accidentally. Did one of you get excited about a topic of conversation? Did anyone share a personal story? What do you remember about the conversation? This is where the beloved Maya Angelou’s wisdom comes in: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
This applies to people you are networking with, submitting a cover letter to, and interviewing with. I’m not saying to share your life story at the next interview you attend; I’m saying that if you go into a professional situation knowing that you want to elicit a sense of shared purpose/values/experiences, here are some questions to mull over beforehand, that may dig a little deeper into your story:
- What is something you can’t stop talking about?
- What is your “why,” your ultimate purpose?
- How did you know that this line of work was right for you?
- What is an example of a transformative life or work experience?
- What is rewarding about the line of work you’re in?
Get excited, nerd out, be authentic AND professional… and you will make connections.
NOTE: If you’re struggling with answering some of these questions, you may benefit from career coaching to explore your unique interests, motivations, personality/preferences, values.
You can also check out my Coaching Services page if you’d like to further discover how to package your professional story for employers, professional contacts, or graduate school programs.
Thanks for reading!
