Blow Your Horn

Job search studies regularly show that it is not the best qualified candidate who gets the job most of the time. Instead, it is the strongest communicator. Why?

We live in a storytelling culture. We learn about each other and the world around us through story. Think of all the time you spend reading newspapers, magazine, blogs, or watching tv, DVDs, movies, or listening to radio. audiobooks, or podcasts. We are immersed in story.

A resume, a job search, an interview, a negotiation are each just another narrative, a chance to tell your story. Strong communicators have a gift for storytelling. Who is the most popular person at a party, wedding, dinner, or special event.? The one who tells the best jokes, the most interesting stories, the fascinating anecdotes. We are storytellers and listeners first and foremost.

A successful career transition or a job search requires some storytelling competence, not for its own sake, but for the sake of the listener, i.e. your next employer. Here is how story fits into your job search.

Every organization has goals and objectives. They hire managers to achieve those goals. Managers, in turn, hire staff to do the work under their direction and guidance. These managers have the power to hire (and fire) individuals. In fact, over 40% of jobs are created for individuals who meet face-to-face with a manager outside of a formal job interview process. Why?

We live in a world of adversity. The universe does not facilitate the achievement of organizational goals quickly or easily. In the world of work, formidable obstacles to goal achievement show up as serious problems, impact issues, pressure points, and other variables difficult to control.

Just when a manager thinks they have everything stabilized and under control, another variable interferes. For example, employees die, retire, go on stress leave, go back to school, go on the mommy track, go to court, or go to another part of the country. That is why there are always jobs; a good manager is always looking for good people because they always need new employees to cover the regular turnover of about 25% per year.

One of the reasons I put so much emphasis on having my clients write out their stories about enjoyable events and achievements is to help them build a vocabulary of success, a portfolio of stories. Communicating your stories with clarity and confidence is one of the best things you can do in a job search situation.

The key is to listen first to a manager, listen for the problems, challenges, and other obstacles getting in the way of their organization's goals. Understanding their story is the first step to telling your own story with power and purpose. As every good storyteller knows, first know your audience.

If you take the time to listen, then orient your story for the needs of your audience, you will build rapport and establish top of the mind awareness in the manager. He or she will not soon forget you. And, when they need you, they will hire you.

Read Ton'y's story, and how I helped him transition from a hi-tech career as a product manager to a new career working with NGOs using this storytelling approach : http://www.jobjoy.com/SuccessStories-Details.php?ID=15

Tony changed his career through my JobJoy analysis and report process.. He had a new story to tell, one that communicated a new message. He did not blow his horn in a loud or obnoxious fashion to gain attention; he simply added his own voice to the manager's melody. Now, Tony travel the world, doing what he loves and matters most to him.