By Danielle DeGroot, University College Writer
Key Takeaways
- Crafting a narrative helps you shift from simply listing facts to telling a memorable story.
- Interviews are short‑memory environments: focus on 2–3 key messages and use story moments to reinforce them.
- Connect emotionally, illustrate with details, and keep your story concise (about 30‑60 seconds) to boost recall and impact.
Acing the job interview can be a momentous challenge, regardless of the stage of career one is in. The art of selling oneself as the best fit for the job, creating a connection with a potential employer, in a very brief time is a form of storytelling. As one of the premier Denver universities, the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies hosted a Career Transition Workshop led by award-winning actor, author, humorist, and educator Matthew Taylor, who tackles the art and process of using the power of storytelling to ace your job interview. He brings 25 years of coaching theater, storytelling, and the art of improvisation, focusing on communication using narrative. The founder of Persuasion Through Narrative has worked with many diverse groups of people; however, he has focused primarily on the legal and educational fields to help develop communication skills using the power of storytelling.ÌýÌý
As Taylor explains in theÌýwebinar, we interview all the time, even if it is not formally labeled as such. Every time we meet someone new, we areÌýessentiallyÌýinterviewing. We want to make a quick connection, have them remember us, and have a finite amount of time toÌýaccomplishÌýthat task. Taylor points out that weÌýactually areÌýin an interview type of situation at least once or twice a day where we need to deliver information that is dynamic, understood, and memorableÌýin a short space of time.ÌýThis is where using storytelling becomes an asset that can set you apart from others.ÌýÌý
Why Stories WorkÌýÌýÌý
Stories are powerful for many reasons; they foster a deep connection onÌývarious levels, often conjuring up personal connections with an audience. We learn and grow from our own experiences, and through othersÌýsharingÌýtheirsÌýwith us. Rather than a simple recitation of the facts, a story makes information interesting, dynamic, and most importantly, something others remember. They evoke emotion, memories, and associations from our own lives.ÌýIn a situation like a job interview, this is exactly what we want;Ìýto get the interviewer to remember who we areÌýandÌýrecall the information we share, then eventually hire us. TaylorÌýdevelopedÌýan acronym of three critical storytelling elements that explains why stories work, he calls itÌýCPR:ÌýÌý
- ConnectÌý– Human beings are social creatures, we want to connect and bond with others, stories help us do this.Ìý“If you do not connect with the person you are talking to you stand little chance of that person receiving any of the information you are delivering,†Matthew Taylor.ÌýÌý
- PersuadeÌý– Stories are persuasive, they have a purpose, to persuade others, aiding the storyteller to meet their goal. Often the storyteller is working to get specific needsÌýorÌýwantsÌýsatisfied, in this case getting hired for a job. Facts alone are not persuasive, wrapping them in a story makes them persuasive.ÌýÌý
- ¸é±ð³¦²¹±ô±ôÌý– Stories are not just about remembering an idea, they allow the listener to recall information in the form of a story. The researcher Bruno discovered that stories are 22 times more memorable than a list or presentation of facts. We remember stories, then tell them forward, spreading ideas and thoughts. In an interview, a story helps the interviewer remember whoÌýYOUÌýare, what the recall andÌýretellÌýis the story you told in the interview.ÌýÌý
How Stories WorkÌýÌýÌý
Memory plays a huge role in how stories work; Taylor discusses the three types of memory humans have and how they play a role in storytelling.ÌýÌý
- Sensory memoryÌýis through our five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Sensory memory is very short-term; in fact,ÌýMiller says this information is stored forÌýjust about 20Ìýseconds.ÌýÌý
- Working memoryÌýis what Taylor calls the dry erase board of life, everything we do has to go through our working memory,Ìýwhich holds information for a brief time. Bits of information are pulled from short- and long-term memory to complete a task. Working memory is limited, it only holds information forÌýa fleeting amount of time.ÌýAccording toÌýfamed researcherÌýGeorge Miller’sÌýresearch inÌý1956, this time lastsÌýonly about 20 to 30ÌýsecondsÌýand holds justÌýseven pieces of information,Ìýgive or take two.ÌýÌý
- Long-term memory is huge and encompasses everything we have ever stored, a vast amount of information. WithÌýessentially unlimitedÌýcapacity,Ìýthe long-termÌýmemoryÌýorganizes, and stores informationÌýandÌýfacts, and events are brought out by cross-connections, or “associations.â€ÌýÌýÌý
As Taylor shares, stories create cross-connections and associations in others’ minds that connect to their own storyÌýas we tell ours. A compelling narrative is not so much about what story one is telling, it is about the personal connection that is being made with the other person.ÌýÌý
Which Stories toÌýTell and WhyÌýÌýÌý
Taylor shares a quote from businessman Peter Guber, author ofÌýTell to WinÌýthat helps define what a story is and why stories work:ÌýÌý
“A story is a vehicle that allows you to put the facts in an emotional context.â€ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Taking the factsÌýthatÌýyou want to share, then framing them in a compelling narrative, in an interview, through a cover letter,ÌýandÌýeven in a resume, is a form of storytelling. As with any storyÌýnarrativesÌýneed to have structure.ÌýTaylor usesÌýGerman playwrightÌýGustav Freytag’sÌýpyramid toÌýillustrateÌýhow this type of story should be structured.ÌýÌý
The exposition starts at the bottom of the pyramid.ÌýThis is particularly importantÌýin storytellingÌýand shouldÌýincludeÌýthe inciting incident;Ìýwhat happened to break the routine and start the action. Rising actionÌýthenÌýleads to the top of the pyramidÌýandÌýthe climax of the story. Falling action leads to the bottom of the pyramid, in most cases,Ìýthe resolutionÌýor other end to the story.ÌýÌý
Storytelling TipsÌýforÌýYour InterviewÌýÌýÌý
Taylor explains in theÌýwebinarÌýhow developingÌýa good storyÌýto sell yourself sets up the entire framework ofÌýacingÌýan interview.ÌýYou must tell people the facts, then tell them a story, thenÌýretellÌýthem the facts.ÌýInterview stories should be simple.ÌýÌý
- The first, and mostÌýcrucial step,ÌýisÌýdeterminingÌýwhat the mostÌýimportant factsÌýare.ÌýThen you must build a narrative that wraps the facts in an emotional context, something others will relate to.ÌýÌý
- Use names and specific details to build an emotional connection.ÌýÌý
- Get right to the story, you do not need to include details that do not matter.ÌýÌý
- Be natural:Ìýremember,Ìýthe story is intended to illustrate the factsÌýÌý
- A story should be made up of small little moments that illustrate the facts you have already told them. Repetition is key to remembrance and recall.ÌýÌý
4 Steps to Crafting Your Interview StoryÌýÌýÌý
- Consider the audience: what do they want, what do they know, what theyÌýdo notÌýknow, and what do they need to know.ÌýÌý
- Start with the end in mind: what do you want them to do or think differently when you are done?ÌýÌý
- IdentifyÌýkey facts and messages, remember they will only keepÌýtwoÌýorÌýthreeÌýthings you say in their working memory.ÌýÌý
- IdentifyÌýwhich brief story moments will illustrate the facts. Ask yourself what is the statement that will make them ask me a question?ÌýÌý
Remember, you want the story to reveal important parts of yourself, inspire trust, compassion,Ìýstability,Ìýand hope. The story should include a moment of reflection and connect with the audience through logos(logic), pathos (emotion), or ethos (credibility or character). Keep it short atÌýaboutÌý30 to 60 seconds,ÌýandÌýmake it feel natural, asÌýunlike a forced story as possible.ÌýÌý
Taylor uses the example of a bankruptcy attorney when asked whatÌýthey do, responding with “I help people,â€Ìýrather than simplyÌýstatingÌýtheir profession,Ìýgrabbing the audience’s interest, and promptingÌýthem to want to learn more.Ìý
“Your story should flow so that all you are really doing is illustrating the facts, hopefully, they will never know there is aÌýstory,Ìý“MatthewÌýTaylor.ÌýÌý
You can watch the entireÌýwebinar, as well as other career development webinars on the University College Vimeo page.ÌýÌý
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is storytelling important in an interview?
Storytelling allows you to connect with interviewers on an emotional level, making you more memorable. It turns abstract skills and achievements into relatable, impactful examples.
How many key messages should I focus on in an interview story?
Aim for just two to three main takeaways. This keeps your message digestible and memorable, given the limited capacity of working memory.
What’s a good length for an interview story?
Keep it between 30 and 60 seconds. That’s long enough to add depth but short enough to hold attention and stay focused.
How can I make my story more engaging?
Use real names, specific details, and vivid moments to draw the listener in. Focus on making an emotional connection while clearly supporting your main message.
What memory theories support using storytelling in interviews?
Storytelling taps into long-term memory by creating associations that stick. Since people can only hold a few items in working memory, stories help them remember what matters most.
How do I know which stories to tell in an interview?
Choose stories that connect directly to your strengths, accomplishments, or values that align with the job. Look for moments that include conflict, action, and resolution — especially stories that naturally prompt follow-up questions.
What structure should I follow to craft a compelling interview story?
Use Freytag’s pyramid: start with the setup or inciting incident, build to a climax, and then end with a clear resolution. This helps your story feel complete, natural, and emotionally resonant in a short timeframe.
How can storytelling help with nerves during an interview?
Storytelling gives you a clear framework and shifts your focus from listing facts to sharing meaningful experiences. It helps you connect authentically, which can reduce pressure and make your delivery more confident.
How can I keep my interview stories brief but impactful?
Stick to a single event or moment that illustrates one key idea. Use only relevant details, aim for 30–60 seconds, and keep the emotional core strong to make it memorable.
What’s the most important goal when telling a story in an interview?
Your goal is to create connection and recall — to make the interviewer remember you and your message. A strong story reveals who you are and invites curiosity, trust, and engagement.
