MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Dr. Randall S. Hansen
Quintessential Careers
Phone: 386-740-8872
Fax: 386-740-9764
Email: randall@quintcareers.com
November 13, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF: STORYTELLING THAT PROPELS CAREERS
New book and doctoral research reveal value of storytelling in the job search
(QUINTESSENTIAL CAREERS: DeLand, FL) -– Job-seekers become memorable and trustworthy to prospective employers when they tell stories, according to a forthcoming book and doctoral research conducted in conjunction with Quintessential Careers, one of the Web's oldest and most comprehensive career-development sites, celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.
The forthcoming book, Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling that Propels Careers, extends the ideas of current authors who tout the value of storytelling in organizations. It focuses on a narrow yet powerful use of storytelling – telling stories to advance one's career, whether by moving up in a current organization or landing a job in a new organization. The title comes from the most commonly asked "question" in job interviews, "Tell me about yourself." Composing stories to reveal personal and professional identities in response is just one way job-seekers can use storytelling to propel their careers.
Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling that Propels Careers, which was developed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the founding of Quintessential Careers, establishes that stories paint vivid pictures and help a job-seeker to stand out, as well as explain key life/career decisions, choices, and changes. Stories told in resumes, cover letters, career portfolios, job interviews, and personal-branding campaigns help portray job-seekers as strong communicators and illustrate skills, accomplishments, values, characteristics, qualifications, expertise, and strengths.
"Through telling stories, job-seekers can establish identity, reveal personality, enhance self-knowledge, and build confidence," explains Katharine Hansen, creative director of Quintessential Careers and lecturer of management at Stetson University. Hansen's doctoral dissertation research, which included qualitative interviews with workers and focus groups with recruiters, formed the scholarly underpinnings for the book. "Job-seekers who tell stories also establish an emotional connection between storyteller and listener that inspires the listener's investment in the storyteller's success," Hansen notes.
Entry by Kathy Hansen. Learn more.
