In today’s job market, having the right experience is no longer enough. Many candidates are rejected not because they lack skills, but because they struggle to explain what they actually do, what they are good at and why it matters.
Recruiters increasingly say the same thing:
“The candidate had a good background, but couldn’t tell their story clearly.”
This article is the first part of a series on storytelling in job interviews. Here, we focus on the most fundamental aspect of all - clarity. Before confidence, before persuasion, before impact, there must be clarity.
You can also listen to this topic on the Business English Talks podcast and download our free eBook “Job Interview Success”.
Why “telling your story” matters more than ever
In 2025 - 2026, hiring processes are shaped by:
AI-filtered CVs
shorter interviews
multiple interview rounds
international, cross-cultural teams
By the time you speak to a human, your CV has already done its job.
Now you must do yours.
A job interview is not a life story.
It is not a list of responsibilities.
It is not a personality test.
It is a structured professional narrative.
The most common problem candidates have
Most candidates believe they are being clear - but from the interviewer’s perspective, they are not.
Typical answers sound like this:
“I worked in different roles, mostly supporting stakeholders and handling projects across departments, and I was responsible for various tasks related to communication, reporting, and coordination.”
This answer is not wrong.
But it is vague, overloaded, and forgettable.
The interviewer is left wondering:
What exactly did you do?
What were you hired for?
What are you actually good at?
Clarity starts with ONE core message
Before you think about storytelling techniques, ask yourself one question:
“If the interviewer remembers only ONE thing about me, what should it be?”
Not three things.
Not everything you’ve ever done.
One.
Examples:
“I turn complex data into clear business decisions.”
“I help international teams communicate effectively.”
“I specialise in improving inefficient processes.”
This is your anchor.
Everything else supports it.
Aspect 1: Role clarity — explain what your job REALLY was
Job titles are often misleading.
Two people with the same title may do completely different things.
Instead of repeating your title, translate your role into outcomes.
❌ Weak version
“I was a Project Coordinator.”
✅ Clear version
“I coordinated cross-functional projects, making sure deadlines were met and communication between teams stayed clear.”
Now the interviewer understands:
your function
your value
your environment
How to structure your answer (simple and effective)
Use this three-step structure when talking about your experience:
Context → Action → Result
CAR
This structure works across cultures and roles.
Example
“In my previous role, I worked in a fast-growing international company where communication between departments was often unclear. - (Context)
My role was to coordinate projects and ensure everyone had the same information. (Action)
As a result, project delays were reduced and stakeholders reported fewer misunderstandings.” (Result)
Notice:
no jargon
no exaggeration
no unnecessary details
Just clarity.
A realistic comparison: unclear vs clear storytelling
❌ Unclear
“I was involved in many initiatives and supported different teams with various tasks.”
✅ Clear
“I supported the marketing and sales teams by preparing reports and coordinating timelines, which helped both teams align their priorities.”
The second version answers unspoken interview questions:
Who did you work with?
How did you help?
Why did it matter?
Why clarity beats confidence
Many candidates focus on sounding confident:
strong voice
polished phrases
rehearsed answers
But confidence without clarity creates suspicion.
Interviewers trust candidates who:
explain things simply
choose words carefully
don’t hide behind buzzwords
Clarity signals:
self-awareness
competence
professionalism
A short exercise (do this before your next interview)
Take one role from your CV and answer these questions in writing:
1. Why was I hired?
2. What problem did I help solve?
3. What changed because of my work?
Then turn your answers into 3–4 simple sentences.
That is the foundation of your story.
What’s next in this series
In the next article, we will focus on:
selecting the right examples
avoiding oversharing
adapting your story to different interview questions
Because clarity is only the beginning - but without it, nothing else works.
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