The ability to effectively communicate your skills and experiences is the key to standing out in interviews. Storytelling is a powerful technique. By crafting compelling narratives that showcase your skills, you can leave a lasting impression on interviewers and increase your chances of standing out in the interview process against others in a competitive market. 

The Art of Storytelling in Interviews

Storytelling is more than just recounting past experiences; it is about engaging your interviewer and proving your value as a candidate. 

By sharing compelling stories that highlight your skills, achievements, and impact you can demonstrate your fit with the company culture, communicate your ability to build positive work relationships, illustrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills, convey passion and purpose, and provide concrete evidence of your accomplishments.  

This approach makes your interview memorable and sets you apart from other candidates, leaving a lasting impression on the hiring manager. 

Crafting Your Interview Experience 

Before heading into an interview, it is essential to prepare in advance. Identify key experiences and accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and suitability for the role. 

Consider how each story aligns with the description you are interviewing for and company culture, and tailor your storytelling accordingly. By researching the company and tailoring your stories in advance, you can ensure that you are ready to effectively showcase your most relevant skills throughout the interview. 

Present Your Stories with the STARCH Method 

As a leading total talent solutions provider across the Carolinas with over 22+ years of experience in matching top talent with top opportunities, AccruePartners has put an innovative twist on the renowned STAR method by incorporating "CH" for change, emphasizing reflection and adaptability.  

The STARCH method is used to help you formulate strategic answers for behavior-based interview questions. When presenting your stories in an interview, the STARCH method can be a valuable tool. 

STARCH breaks down as follows: 

1. Situation/Task: Begin by clearly describing the Situation or Task you were faced with. 
2. Action: Explain the specific Action you took to address it. 
3. Result: Highlight the positive Result or outcome of your actions. 
4. Change: Reflect on what Change you would make if faced with a similar situation again. 

By using the STARCH method, you can provide structured, insightful responses that effectively demonstrate your capabilities for the role. 

The STARCH Method in Action:  

Interview question:

“Tell me about a time that you had to manage multiple responsibilities. How did you handle that?” 

Answer:
Situation / Task: "As Controller at XYZ Company, my primary responsibilities were restructuring the accounting systems, elevating talent within the accounting department, and implementing a new ERP system. Nine months into my role, I identified a discrepancy of $5.5 million in unapplied cash, leading to further investigation that unveiled additional underlying financial irregularities."

Action: "After identifying the problem, I immediately scheduled a meeting with the CFO to assess its business impact. We decided that resolving the matter within 120 days was imperative. Once we evaluated our internal resources, it became evident that our current capacity would not meet this deadline. Therefore, I developed a business proposal to enlist a third party in hiring a combination of consultants and contractors to complete the project within 90 days. Subsequently, we partnered with a third-party Talent Solutions firm to assemble the team."

Result: "The Talent Solutions firm appointed a consultant with relevant ERP expertise to lead the build out of the team that would execute the project in 90 days. This consultant played a pivotal role in vetting and selecting five additional contractors for the assignment. Together, the team diligently researched and allocated all cash to its corresponding invoices and customer accounts successfully within the 90-day timeline."

Change: "One adjustment I would make next time is to reorganize the project team structure. Rather than engaging one consultant and five contractors, I would opt to assemble a team of three consultants to minimize potential downtime. While we successfully resolved the unapplied cash issue in 90 days, I believe we could have completed it in 60 to 75 days by leveraging additional consultant expertise."

Made, Saved, and Achieved Moments 

When preparing for interviews, structuring your responses using AccruePartners’ MSA (Made, Saved, Achieved) framework is crucial. It’s the why behind your bullet points that effectively showcases your accomplishments and contributions. Here's how to effectively frame your experiences:  

Made: Highlight instances where you've developed impactful processes, created metrics to measure success, authored essential manuals, or initiated innovative projects that added substantial value to your team or company.  

Saved: Demonstrate how your efforts in projects or tasks have resulted in significant time, resources, or monetary savings for the company. This could include reducing headcount, streamlining processes, or implementing automation to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness. 

Achieved: Showcase your achievements by focusing on measurable outcomes such as increased revenue, market share expansion, reduced attrition rates, or any awards and recognitions earned during your tenure. Share specific examples where your actions directly contributed to the success and growth of your organization.  

By structuring your interview responses around Made, Saved, and Achieved moments, you not only provide evidence of your capabilities but also present yourself as a results-oriented candidate who can deliver value to prospective employers.  

Strategic Storytelling: Tips for Success 

Practice: Practice telling your stories beforehand to ensure you deliver them confidently and effectively during the interview. 

Be Authentic and Engage with the Interviewer: Showcasing authenticity is crucial for leaving a lasting impression. While it's natural to feel nervous, preparation empowers you to highlight why you are the perfect fit for the role. Let your personality shine through by smiling and actively engaging with the interviewer. Know your selling points and reiterate them throughout the interview. Treat virtual interviews with the same professionalism as in-person ones and avoid talking over the interviewer. 

Tailor Your Stories to the Company's Culture and Job Description: Customize your stories to align with the company's culture, values, and job requirements. This demonstrates your understanding of the company and your ability to meet the requirements of the position. 

Keep Your Stories Short yet Comprehensive: While it is essential to provide enough detail to highlight your skills and experiences, it is also crucial to keep your stories concise. Aim to strike a balance between being detailed and to the point, ensuring that you capture the interviewer's attention without overwhelming them with unnecessary information. 

Mastering the art of storytelling in interviews can significantly enhance your chances of success. By preparing your stories, utilizing the STARCH method, and following these tips for success, you can stand out as a candidate and leave a lasting impression on interviewers. 

Ready to Take Your Interview Skills to the Next Level? 

Contact AccruePartners today to discover how our subject matter experts can help you prepare for your next interview. From resume building to mock interviews, we offer a range of services designed to boost your confidence and maximize your chances of success. 



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