Using storytelling in an interview

Question: Can you tell us about a time when you had to handle a difficult situation at work?

Candidate A (Regular answer):

Yes, I remember one time when I had to deal with a customer complaint. The customer was upset about a delay in the delivery of their order. I apologized and explained the situation to the customer. Then, I contacted the shipping company and worked with them to expedite the delivery. In the end, the customer received their order on time, and they were satisfied with the outcome.

Candidate B (Storytelling answer):

Absolutely! It was a busy day at work, and I received a call from a customer who was extremely upset about a delay in their order. The customer had a special occasion coming up and was counting on the delivery to arrive on time. I could sense the urgency and frustration in the customer's voice, so I listened carefully to their concerns and apologized for the inconvenience caused. As I was talking to the customer, I recalled a similar experience that I had gone through as a customer myself. I shared my experience with the customer, and we bonded over the shared experience. It was a turning point in the conversation, and the customer calmed down a bit. I assured the customer that I would do everything in my power to resolve the situation. I contacted the shipping company and explained the situation to them. I worked with them to expedite the delivery and provided regular updates to the customer. Finally, the day arrived, and the customer received their order on time. They were so happy and grateful that they sent a thank-you note to the company. It was a satisfying experience for me, knowing that I had turned a difficult situation into a positive one.

In this example, Candidate B's storytelling answer provides more detail, context, and emotion than Candidate A's regular answer. It also shows the candidate's problem-solving skills, empathy, and ability to connect with others. This makes Candidate B's answer more memorable and impressive than Candidate A's answer.

Using storytelling to connect with others

You a new employee at a company and struggling to connect with your colleagues. You notice that many of your colleagues had been working together for years and had developed close relationships based on shared experiences and interests. 

During a team meeting, you share a story from your childhood about how you overcame a fear of public speaking. You explain how you had been asked to give a speech in front of your entire school and was terrified at the thought of standing in front of such a large audience. However, you practiced your speech every night for weeks, and eventually overcame your fear by focusing on the message you wanted to share. You felt proud of yourself for facing his fear.

After you share his story, your colleagues respond positively, sharing their own stories and experiences. They felt inspired to share their own struggles and successes. 

Through his storytelling, you can break down barriers and connect with colleagues on a deeper level. By sharing personal experiences and insights, you can build trust, respect, and collaboration in workplace, ultimately contributing to a more positive and productive work environment.

Using storytelling to be a better leader

Imagine you're a people leader at a tech company, and you need to implement a major change in the team's development process. You want to get the team's buy-in for this change, but you know that it might be difficult to convince them to adopt new practices.

To help your team understand the benefits of this change, you could use a metaphor or analogy to illustrate your point. For example, you could compare the development process to a car engine. You could explain that just like an engine needs the right fuel and maintenance to run smoothly, the development process needs the right tools and practices to function efficiently.

You could also use an analogy to show how this change will benefit the team. For instance, you could compare the development process to a marathon. You could explain that just like a marathon requires training and endurance to succeed, the development process requires discipline and consistency to produce high-quality results. By adopting this new change, you'll be giving the team the training and tools they need to succeed in the long run.

By using metaphors and analogies, you can help your team understand the benefits of this change in a way that's relatable and easy to understand. This will make it easier for them to buy-in to the change and feel motivated to implement it effectively. Remember to keep your analogies and metaphors simple and relevant to your team's work and goals, and be sure to answer any questions or concerns they may have about the change.

Using storytelling for your elevator speech

Question - Tell me something about yourself.

Answer: Your background + a short story from your life

When I was in college, I started a small business selling handmade jewelry. I was passionate about creating unique pieces that reflected my personal style, and I wanted to share that with others. At first, the business was just a side project, but as it grew, I found myself spending more and more time on it.

One day, I realized that I was spending more time on my business than on my coursework, and I knew I had to make a decision. I could either continue down the path of entrepreneurship and see where it led me, or I could focus on my studies and pursue a more traditional career path.

Ultimately, I decided to take a risk and continue building my business. It wasn't an easy decision, but it taught me a lot about the importance of taking calculated risks, being adaptable, and staying true to my values.

Over time, I grew the business from a small online shop to a thriving retail store with a loyal customer base. Along the way, I faced many challenges and learned a lot about leadership, teamwork, and strategic planning.

later in life I completed my education online. However, I have learning everything on the job from real life experiences.