10 Stories Every Senior-Level Job Seeker Should Be Ready to Tell

 Adapted from Paul Smith's book "The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell.”

 Having a set of go-to career stories is one of the most powerful ways to communicate your value and stand out in interviews. Stories bring your resume to life, highlight your leadership in action, and help interviewers remember you long after the conversation ends.

 1. Tell Me About Yourself (The Founding Story)

Share how your career started, what motivated you to pursue your path, and the key reason you are perfect for this next role. This sets the stage and humanizes your background. Important: Don’t spend too much time on your background. Emphasize how you align with their role and how you will help them solve THEIR problems.

 2. Leading Through Change (The Case for Change Story)

 Describe a time you led or supported significant organizational change. Show how you navigated uncertainty, built buy-in, and delivered outcomes.

3. Shaping the Future (The Vision Story)

 Tell a story about setting a long-term vision, launching a strategic initiative, or identifying a new opportunity. Highlight your ability to think big and lead forward.

 4. Driving Results Through Strategy (The Strategy Story)

 Share how you influenced company strategy or contributed to business goals. Show your impact through data, decisions, and cross-functional leadership.

 5. Personal Values in Action (The Values Story)

 Show how your values guide your decisions and leadership. Think of a time you stood for something, supported someone, or demonstrated integrity under pressure.

6. Serving Customers or Stakeholders (The Customer Story)

 Describe how you solved a problem or delivered value to an external client or internal stakeholder. Emphasize empathy, outcomes, and relationship-building.

 7. Influencing Without Authority (The Sales Story)

 Even if you’re not in sales, share a time you influenced a key decision, built alignment across teams, or gained executive buy-in. Focus on your ability to persuade and collaborate.

 8. Why You Should Hire Me (How I'm Different Story)

What sets you apart from other candidates? Share a story that reflects your unique strengths, leadership approach, or results that others couldn't replicate.

 9. My Leadership Philosophy (Why I Lead the Way I Do Story)

 Describe the experiences that shaped your leadership style and how you create impact through others. Share how your team would describe working with you.

 10. Why I'd Thrive Here

Share why you’re drawn to THIS company—its mission, leadership, or culture—and how your values and goals align. Demonstrate that you've done your research and are excited to contribute.