S1 E5 Resumes and Storytelling

This podcast episode discusses resume writing and interviewing strategies. The hosts emphasize the importance of quantifiable results and metrics on resumes, arguing that simply listing responsibilities is insufficient in today's competitive job market. They then focus on the power of storytelling in interviews, suggesting three key narratives: an origin story, a success story, and a resilience story (a story about overcoming a setback). The hosts advocate for honesty and self-awareness, emphasizing that vulnerability and owning failures can make a candidate more relatable and memorable. 

Incorporating Metrics in Job Resumes

In the meeting, Sam and Ron discussed the importance of including metrics and results in resumes for job seekers. Ron shared his experience of working with a professional to revamp a resume and the recommendation to include more action-oriented and story-driven content. He emphasized the preference for resumes that include numbers and metrics, as they demonstrate understanding of the work's results. Sam agreed, noting that the job search is never over and the need for resumes to stand out in today's competitive market. They concluded that including metrics and results in resumes can make them more attractive to potential employers.

 

Call Center Performance Metrics Discussion

Ron and Sam discussed a call center employee's performance metrics and how they were measured. The employee initially struggled to articulate his performance metrics, but after some prompting, he revealed that his performance was based on customer satisfaction ratings, the number of customers he engaged with, and the number of recommendations he made to the engineering team that were adopted. Ron and Sam agreed that these metrics were key performance indicators (KPIs). They also discussed the importance of separating individual contributions from team efforts in performance evaluations. The conversation ended with a humorous observation about the two sides taking opposing views during the discussion.

 

Metrics and Results in Jobs

Ron and Sam discussed the importance of metrics and results in various jobs, emphasizing that these metrics should drive meaningful outcomes. They used the example of a delivery consultant to illustrate that the work done should benefit both the company and the customer. They also highlighted the significance of quantifying achievements, such as improving sales processes or exceeding quotas, but stressed that these numbers should be believable and contextually relevant. The conversation concluded with the importance of having stories to explain how these metrics were achieved.

 

Storytelling and Networking in Interviews

Sam and Ron discussed the importance of storytelling in job interviews, emphasizing the need to elaborate on the metrics listed on resumes. They highlighted the example of Ron's former coworker, Megan Weber, who had no prior experience in the Cloud business but excelled in her role. Ron also stressed the importance of maintaining relationships within one's network, as it can provide valuable insights and assistance. The conversation concluded with a reference to a previous episode of the Tech Currents podcast, which delved into the concept of a "bar raiser" at Amazon, a special interview team responsible for hiring the best candidates.

 

Improving Communication and Interview Skills

Ron discussed the shift in communication patterns due to increased connectivity and the preference for short, concise messages. He highlighted the challenges of interviewing candidates who struggle to provide coherent, story-like responses. Ron also shared his personal experience of writing daily articles for LinkedIn, emphasizing the difficulty of the task. He suggested that job seekers should practice telling three stories, including an origin story, to improve their interview performance.

 

Origin Stories and Career Development

Ron and Sam discussed the importance of origin stories and proud accomplishments in career development. Ron shared his son's origin story, which revolved around his passion for aerospace engineering and his interest in working for SpaceX or Blue Origin. Sam agreed, emphasizing the significance of passion in one's career. They also discussed the STAR format for sharing success stories, which includes a situation, task, action, and result. Ron used an example of a marketing campaign to illustrate this format. They concluded that these stories should be concise, ideally under two minutes, and should highlight the individual's role in achieving the desired outcome.

 

Overcoming Professional Failure and Learning

Ron and Sam discussed the challenges of recalling and learning from past failures, particularly in a professional context. They agreed that it's common for people to avoid discussing their failures, as they were often discoura