Career columnist Liz Ryan, long a supporter of storytelling in the job search, has included storytelling on a list of five new skills job-seekers need:
“I have a strong work ethic and get along with all kinds of people” is
about as compelling as “I had cereal for breakfast” — but, worse, it’s not even believable. Anyone can claim these characteristics, and nearly everyone does. To get a hiring manager’s attention, tell a brief and powerful story that demonstrates what you get done when you work: “When our big Q4 product release was delayed a month, I put together an outbound-calling campaign that kept our accounts from bailing and got us $450,000 in preorders” will let a hiring manager know some of the good things that happen when you showed up, saw, and conquered.
Oh yes, so much more engaging and credible.