| Your stories should tell about actions that you | | | | use of the story technique or "S.O.A.R": |
| took to bring about positive change. The "SOAR" | | | | Example 1 |
| story technique does just that: A sure-fire | | | | (S) I was selected by top management to lead a |
| method for bridging your qualifications and | | | | corporation into the US market and... |
| successes to the needs the targeted company. | | | | (O) I recognized an opportunity to have a big |
| One of the most important tenets in product | | | | impact on operations at a wholly owned |
| marketing applies here in career planning: | | | | subsidiary. |
| Differentiate your product from others in the | | | | (A) Over a two-year period I developed a |
| marketplace. | | | | cohesive staff which went on to develop 1.5 |
| John Folcarelli, Labor Attorney and Human | | | | million square feet of office properties at $350 |
| Resource Manager for Laidlaw Education: "Most | | | | million which... |
| people involved in planning their career tend to fly | | | | (R) Produced over $25 million of net operating |
| by the seat of their pants rather than exercise | | | | income and $4 million net cash flow for the |
| control over the process as it unfolds. For | | | | corporation resulting a promotion to President of |
| instance, in the interview, instead of simply | | | | the wholly owned subsidiary. |
| reacting to questions imposed by the interviewer, | | | | Example 2 |
| the job candidate can and should attempt to take | | | | (S) The ownership of a physical therapy and |
| on more responsibility for influencing the direction | | | | sports medicine company recruited me to... |
| of the interview." The story technique does just | | | | (O) Lead, grow and concurrently stabilize a $4.7 |
| that. It is a method for bridging your qualifications | | | | million health systems company staffed by 85 |
| and past successes to the needs the targeted | | | | professionals. |
| company. | | | | (A) I developed and executed all business plans |
| Your stories should tell about actions that you | | | | and opened new markets in industrial and |
| took to bring about a positive change. Story | | | | corporate health promotion, ... |
| techniques cover the "before", the "action" and | | | | (R) positioning the company for its very profitable |
| the "after." You can begin by first explaining what | | | | $6.6 million sale, $2.5 million more than the |
| had existed that required your attention: Situation. | | | | ownership had anticipated. |
| Next consider how this new challenge may benefit | | | | A strong, well-articulated philosophy, sound |
| the enterprise and you: Opportunity. Briefly | | | | success concepts and persuasive examples of |
| describe what you did: Action. Lastly, describe the | | | | your successes using the Story Techniques |
| outcome and its benefits to you and the | | | | (SOAR) are essential for securing a quality |
| company: Results. Here are two examples of the | | | | position. |