By Bob Barner, Commentator
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-838761.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Some time ago a friend of mine, who was applying for a job, asked me to evaluate her job pitch. After listening to her I told her that while she had clearly presented the facts of her job history, something was missing.
What was missing was the story behind the facts. You see we humans are, by nature, meaning-making animals. We use stories to make sense of the experiences that make up our lives. All good stories share a few common characteristics: they are coherent (the facts seem to fit together), they provide a clear picture of the main character (yourself), and they capture the listener's attention (wherever it is that you feel passionate about in your career).
Are you a self-made individual who was able to put yourself through school and develop your skills on the job? Then tell me that story. Is your work and academic life is firmly embedded in the theme of giving service to others? Sounds good, tell me more.
During a job search there are two times when you need to be able to tell your story. The first is the cover letter that accompanies your resume. Employers don't have the time to glue together the puzzle pieces that make up your work history. If your story isn't self-evident they'll simply move on to the next applicant.
The second time is during the interview. Don't wait until the interview to begin to piece your story together. Long silences, meandering stories, and jerky starts and stops don't make a good impression. Instead, plan out how you want to communicate your story. Practice responding to interview questions with a friend or family member, and make an audio recording of your responses to see how you come across. That's about it. You know your story better than anyone else. Tell it, sell it, and others will pay attention.
Bob Barner is Associate Director of Executive Education for SMU's Graduate Program in Dispute Resolution.
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