Stories for Work

I was investigating the idea of stories. Here is what Penelope Trunk, The Brazen Careerist, says about the usefulness of weaving story into your professional life. 

Early in my career, I interviewed for a job as a user interface designer. The hiring manager asked me how I got involved in UI design.

I could have said, “I thought it looked interesting so I gave it a try and I was good at it.” But anyone can answer the very standard how-did-you-find-your-career question with that answer.

So instead, I told this story: An old boyfriend was a programmer, and he worked from home, while I was in school. He plastered designs all over our bedroom wall and our living room floor so that he could think them through. Finally, I told him if he was going to mess up the apartment then he had to be the one to clean it, and I handed him the toilet scrubber. We argued about who had extra time for cleaning and who didn’t and finally he said, “Fine. I’ll clean, but you do the UI design.” And to his surprise, I did.

I got the job. And every time I have been able to tell stories in interviews, I have gotten the job.

She goes on to say, quoting someone else, that there are essentially three plots to a story:

1. The creativity plot that involves a eureka moment.
2. The challenge plot that involves overcoming hurdles.
3. The  team or connection plot of coming together.

I'd add a few more-- and maybe these are not the ones you want to tell about yourself at the workplace.

        4.  The erotic love story.
       5.  The tragedy.
       6.  The murder mystery.
       7.  The comedy. 

Comments

[Penelope Trunk]

Definitely the murder mystery! That would be a memorable interview.

I love your photo. It has so much more going on than a standard head shot -- is a story by itself :)

Penelope