Be Unforgettable in Interviews: Making Your Story Your Foundation
Most interviews start off with the candidate introducing themselves. In my organization, people often show a slide with pictures of their family, maybe their trip to Disney World and their beloved pet. When I coach individuals preparing for interviews, I often see them with a fact-based intro slide and a subsequent meticulously crafted talk track detailing their experience, their 90-day plans, and their strategic approaches. These are all about the "what" you've done and the "how" you'll do it in the new role. And yes, these details are important…. BUT if you do this, you are missing a massive opportunity! Scrap the intro where you tell the interviewer facts about your life and accomplishments.
Start with Why You instead:
Imagine an interview where, instead of reciting facts about yourself, you share a powerful personal anecdote. A story that gives the interviewer a fundamental understanding of who you are, what drives you, and the values that shape your approach. This isn't just a nice-to-have; it's the fundamental ingredient that breathes life into the rest of your plan for the role. When they know who you are, the "what" and the "how" suddenly resonate on a much deeper level.
The Science of Connection: Why Stories Stick
Why is storytelling so incredibly powerful, especially when it comes to influencing others and being remembered? It's rooted in how our brains are wired.
When someone presents you with facts, figures, or a list of qualifications, your brain engages primarily with the language processing centers. It's analytical, evaluating the information. But when you hear a story, something remarkable happens:
Neural Coupling: Researchers have found that when we listen to a story, our brains actually sync up with the storyteller's brain. The listener's brain activity mirrors that of the speaker, creating a shared experience. This phenomenon, known as neural coupling, means your audience isn't just passively receiving information; they're actively experiencing the narrative with you.
Emotional Engagement: Stories bypass the purely logical filters and tap directly into our emotions. When a story evokes feelings – whether it's inspiration, challenge, or triumph – it releases neurochemicals like oxytocin (associated with empathy and bonding) and dopamine (related to pleasure and motivation). This emotional connection makes the information far more memorable and persuasive than dry facts alone.
Narrative Transportation: As listeners become immersed in a story, they enter a state called "narrative transportation." They mentally "travel" into the story's world, becoming less critical of the message and more open to its influence. This makes them more receptive to your ideas and more likely to internalize what you're sharing.
Think about it: you might forget the exact statistics from a presentation, but you'll likely remember the anecdote that illustrated the point. Stories provide context, emotion, and a human element that makes information sticky and impactful.
Telling Your "WHY" Story in Interviews
In a job interview, everyone talks about their experience. Everyone can list their skills. But very few can articulate their fundamental "why." This is where your story becomes your most powerful differentiator.
Your "why" story isn't about listing accomplishments (though it might include them); it's about revealing your core motivations, your values, and the defining moments that shaped your professional identity. It answers questions like:
What excites you about your work?
What challenges have you overcome that reveal your resilience?
What values and strengths do you consistently bring to your team and your role?
By starting with a genuine personal anecdote, you don't just present your qualifications; you invite the interviewer into your world. You build rapport and connection on an emotional level, making you stand out from a sea of qualified candidates. They'll remember you, not just your bullet points. This foundational understanding of your character will then lend credibility and depth to everything else you share about your skills and plans.
The power of storytelling is undeniable, transforming how we connect, influence, and are remembered. In interviews, it's the ultimate tool to move beyond a transactional exchange and build a genuine human connection.
In my next post, I'll share a video of my own "why" story from an interview process. Following that, we'll dive into a practical framework for identifying your unique story and distilling it into a cohesive, compelling message that can be told in four minutes or less.
What's a story that has stuck with you?
