In an increasingly competitive job market, the difference between a successful placement and a missed opportunity often boils down to how well you can present a candidate. For recruiters, this means evolving beyond listing qualifications on a CV to embracing a tool as ancient as humanity: storytelling.
Why Storytelling Matters The concept of storytelling has its roots embedded deep within human history. From the earliest cave paintings to modern-day podcasts, stories are how we understand the world, form social bonds, and, ultimately, make decisions. In the context of recruitment, storytelling isn't about fabricating tales but about framing a candidate's experience, skills, and aspirations in a genuine and compelling narrative. The goal? To move beyond bullet points and create an emotional connection that engages potential employers on a deeper level.
The Anatomy of a Good Story The best stories evoke emotion, offer relatability and impart wisdom. Similarly, a candidate's story should touch on these three elements:
The Beginning (Backstory): This sets the stage for who the candidate is. It could involve their educational background, early influences, or what motivated them to enter their field.
The Middle (Journey): This is the core of the narrative. It includes past job experiences, projects completed, challenges faced, and skills acquired. Here, focus on what the candidate learned from each episode, showing growth and adaptability.
The End (Future Goals): While the 'end' is yet to come for the candidate's career, outline their aspirations and how they align with the prospective employer's mission and objectives.
Concrete Examples
Example 1: The Career Changer
Before: Amy has a degree in journalism but worked for 5 years in digital marketing. She's applying for a media strategist position.
Story Version: Amy grew up with a love for storytelling, a passion that led her to a journalism degree. Realizing the digital shift in media, she took a detour into digital marketing to understand audience engagement in the online sphere. Her five years there weren't a deviation but a masterclass in modern-day storytelling. Now, Amy wants to combine her journalistic roots with her digital savvy to help brands tell better stories as a Media Strategist.
Example 2: The Recent Graduate
Before: Tim is a recent computer science graduate with some internship experience in software development.
Story Version: From building his first computer at age 13 to developing an app that helped local businesses during his senior year, Tim's life has revolved around solving problems through code. His internship stints offered him exposure to real-world coding challenges and teamwork dynamics. Now, he seeks a role that will let him contribute to meaningful projects while continuing to grow as a software developer.
Selling the Story
Once you've crafted a compelling story, how do you effectively present it to potential employers? Here are some tips:
Customize: Tailor the narrative to align with each specific job role or company. Make sure to highlight experiences and skills that resonate with what the employer is seeking.
Go Beyond the Resume: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn or even a personal blog to flesh out the candidate's story. Short video clips or project portfolios can add an extra layer of engagement.
Interview Preparation: Encourage candidates to share stories during their interviews that validate their skills and experiences. This will not only make them more memorable but also substantiate the narrative you've crafted.
Follow-Up: After interviews or meetings, a well-timed story can be a powerful tool for keeping a candidate top-of-mind. Use follow-up emails to reiterate how the candidate's journey makes them a perfect fit for the role in question.
Conclusion
In the crowded recruiting space, storytelling can serve as a decisive edge. It helps employers envision not just a list of qualifications but a living, evolving individual whose skills and aspirations align with their company's goals. More than just a method for selling candidates, storytelling allows us to honor their journey, celebrating each chapter while eagerly anticipating the next.