A friend recently told me a beautiful story about him and his mom. He fondly remembered meeting her after school daily when he was about seven years old at a store where she worked and sharing Hostess orange cupcakes with her while she worked so she could be with him before her shift was over.
The story stayed with me because I doubt my friend realizes his incredible story telling power. He just tells it like it is but his imagery is so strong and unforgettable that you can’t help but form a mental picture of the experience. Even though he never states this, the cupcakes are a metaphor for a connection, a bond, a relationship between him and his mom….one that obviously was very very strong. I have similar imagery that connects me to my father…football and salted peanuts, just to name a few.
People who make strong connections between tangible outcomes and feelings tend to make good interviewers. That’s because they can successfully leverage the connection between concrete evidence and the passion behind their accomplishments. How can you make better use of imagery when communicating strong stories of professional success? Consider these typical interview questions.
- Tell me about yourself.
- What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
- Describe a situation where you were under a very aggressive deadline.
- What would your boss say about you?
- What are your top strengths?
All of these common interview questions provide an opportunity to tell a powerful story about your work history. And powerful stories during interviews are the gateway to a connection with the interviewer. Don’t be afraid to talk about the hurdles you faced in past positions and how you overcame them. Consider explaining your feelings of pride over particular career accomplishments. Your passion for what you do will come through and can help the hiring manager conclude that you are a perfect match for their open position. The passion behind your stories of success is like the icing on the (orange) cupcake.
The dog in this picture, Jammy, belonged to my friend’s mom before she passed away. Jammy remains a living connection to his mom and a daily reminder of her impact on his life. Today is Jammy’s birthday and he sent me this picture of her eating an orange cupcake to celebrate. The picture speaks volumes about my friend and his life stories. What stories can you tell during your interviews to speak volumes about yourself?