Stop Reporting Work History, Start Telling Job Interview Stories That Sell You

Question for ya… When the interviewer asks you to “tell me about a time when…,” do you: A) Launch into a timeline of tasks you completed? B) Rattle off a list of responsibilities? C) Sound like your own resume? (Oy to the vey.) If so, don’t worry. You’re not alone. But you are probably leaving value on the table. Here is a capital “T” truth… Most people report work history. Few, if any, tell real stories. Almost no one uses those stories to sell who they truly are. But that’s exactly what interview storytelling should be. This week’s podcast is one of the most important lessons I can give you on how to elevate your interview game and position yourself as THE standout candidate. Excitement alert: You will squeal with glee if you’ve ever wondered I’m just a cog in the wheel and my background feels narrow. I’m not sure how to sound valuable or impactful. What you’ll learn alert:The real purpose of storytelling in interviews (big hint: it’s not just to explain what you did). Why sounding “too junior” is a storytelling issue, not an experience issue. Bulletproof way to reframe your stories so they show off your big-picture thinking and leadership qualities. You’re not just there to fill a role. You’re there to drive transformation. To show them what’s possible when they hire you, you need to… 🔴 STOP telling tasks. 🟢 START selling you. You’ve got more to offer than just your recent “job title.” Now it’s time to tell that story. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

I know it’s tempting. A recruiter emails you with your job offer. You want to reply quickly. Clear things up. Maybe even negotiate. But email is the worst place to have that conversation. Why? Have you ever heard of Albert Mehrabian? He developed “The Mehrabian Rule.” Catchy, yes. But more importantly, true. His rule is also known as the 7-38-55 rule. It suggests, that in communication, the impact of any message is divided into pieces. 7% from the words spoken (or, in your inclination, written). 38% from the tone of your voice. 55% from your body language. Now, I realize you might not have my 9 semesters of higher math I needed to endure at THE Iowa State University to get my rarely-used Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, so let me help you with the calculation. That’s 93% of your communication power not at your disposal in an email. When it comes to negotiating your salary, tone, timing, and tactics matter. Plus, the real-time going round-and-round and back-and-forth is somewhat necessary. You basically lose all these necessities when you're using a keyboard! So, what should you do instead? Start by listening to my nifty podcast on Never Negotiate Salary Over Email | Do This Instead. Then do what I teach in the podcast. All that’ll be left after that is for you to think of me with every automatic deposit of your big paycheck! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

Ever felt cornered when a recruiter asks, “What’s your expected salary?” Only you and about a bajillion other job seekers. I’m a little sick and tired of silly recruiters cornering you about this. It’s TOO EARLY in the process to be doing this nonsense. Why do people not show each other their “balance sheets” on the first date, amiright?!?! Even so, your matchmaker Coach here wants you to handle the pressure with grace and simultaneously avoid lowballing or highballing yourself. Here’s the script and I included the backdoors and escape hatches too. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

Lisa asked me a great question the other day. “Coach, how do I know which story to tell in a job interview?” Here’s what I told her. If you want to win the interview, there’s one thing to focus on. Function. As in, what they actually need you to do. Not who you are. Not how nice you seem.What. You. Can. Do. See, you get hired for WHAT you can do. You get fired for WHO you are. So, here’s a quick video to you dial in your focus during the interview. In this shortie (well, Coach Andy’s version of shortie), I walk through: What to look for in the job description. How to reverse-engineer your stories. And how to match what you say to the work they need done. Because if they don’t believe you can do the thing… You don’t get the thing. Hope this helps you dial in and dial up your next interview! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

Worried your age is playing villain in your job search? Lemme tell about Jayme. She joined my Job Search Coaching Program when she was 74. Got a job with Verizon by beating out literally 10s of thousands of people. She says so right here in the over 50 section (but I’m wondering if I should create an over 70 section). 🤔 Then, after five years of that, hopped back into the program (it’s simple with that lifetime access thing) and got another job at 79 years young. If she can do it, you can do it! Age doesn’t need to be an anchor. I like to wear mine (almost 59, but don’t look a day over 57!) as the badge of honor it truly is. But I know employers have biases. So, I want you armed with the same tips Jayme used. And I jammed them into 4 minutes because, well, no one is getting any younger. Amiright?!?!?! I dish out 9 tips to related to how you present yourself and how you search. I touched on sneaky-smart resume tweaks, job search tactical maneuvers, and, of course, storytelling techniques that show your wisdom and prove your value. Gimme 4 minutes and let’s try to turn your job search worries into weapons! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

Have you ever had a recruiter reach out, spark your interest, and then disappear without a trace? You’re not alone. Just ask JF. (7 times within 3 weeks. Ouch.) In just 4 minutes and 19 seconds, I break down why this happens and what it really means. Here’s the thing: Recruiters aren’t bad people. They’re not trying to mess with you. But the system? It’s messy. Understanding the real reasons behind the ghosting can save you from unnecessary frustration and help you better navigate your job search. Give today’s show a listen to reclaim your peace of mind! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

Happy Sunday. I know many people are at church right now praying and healing and doing a bunch of other beneficial acts.  Need some healing from your job search? Have you ever heard of the “wild horse effect?” Story goes the horses in the African savanna tend to get bitten by bats. The bats draw a miniscule amount of blood, but the horses, because of the minor irritation, go crazy, run around, get exhausted, and basically realize their downfall. All from a tiny little bite that is the equivalent of pinch. I don’t think you need a neon sign to get the analogy, but to give you a scoot, the employers are the bats. I’ve got a little something today to heal those bites so you don’t start running around stressed and exhausted… If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

If you’ve recently been laid off—or just want to be prepared in case it happens—I’ve got you covered today with a step-by-step recovery plan. It’s the final piece in my 3-part layoff series and I’m walking you through 10 critical moves to bounce back faster, stronger, and smarter than before. (If you missed parts 1 and 2, catch the Top 7 Reasons for Layoffs and Questions to Ask to Avoid Them and Layoff-Proof Your Career: 10 Proven Strategies to Secure Your Job.) In today’s comeback session, I covered how to: Quickly gather the right materials from your employer before access is cut. Craft a compelling layoff story that builds confidence and credibility. Take control of your finances and daily routine during the transition. Build a proactive job search plan that gets results Stay visible, sharp, and in demand—even if you’re out of work.  A layoff can feel like a punch to the gut, but it doesn’t have to derail your career. With the right actions, you can turn this setback into a powerful setup for your next big opportunity. Whether you’ve been laid off or think it might happen, this lesson will help you rebuild quickly and reclaim your momentum. You’ll walk away with a clear plan, renewed focus, and a sense of control even in uncertain times. You’ve got this. And I’ve got you! If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

No one ever plans to be laid off—but in an uncertain job market, the most successful professionals are the ones who plan not to be. Last week, I hit the first part one of my layoff survival series with Top 7 Reasons for Layoffs and Questions to Ask to Avoid Them. In my newest lesson, I share 10 powerful strategies to make yourself indispensable at work—the kind of employee companies fight to keep, not cut. I covered: How to consistently deliver measurable results your company can't ignore. The exact skills that make you layoff-resistant in any industry. Smart ways to stay visible (without bragging) and build influence with decision-makers. Why adaptability and financial awareness can protect your role. The mindset shift that helps you spot company risk—and prepare early. If you’re not actively working to become indispensable, you may be more replaceable than you think. Today’s lesson will show you how to strengthen your position inside your company, build long-term career security, and create opportunities even in uncertain times. You don’t need to be worried. You just need to be ready. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy

In today's unpredictable job market, understanding the reasons behind company layoffs is crucial for your career stability. That’s why I not only created today’s lesson for you, but I created an entire trio to, eh, triage your situation and keep you layoff-proof and thriving. First, let’s start with the top 7 reasons companies lay off employees and how you can identify the warning signs early. I covered: The primary factors that lead to layoffs, including financial constraints, restructuring, technological advancements, and more. Key indicators that suggest your company or future employer might be considering layoffs. Strategic questions to ask during interviews to assess a company's stability and reduce your risk of future layoffs. Being informed allows you to take proactive steps to safeguard your career. By recognizing potential red flags early, you can make informed decisions about your current position or future opportunities. I never want you to leave career to chance. Let’s get you equipped with the knowledge to navigate the corporate landscape—and, more importantly, your career—confidently. If you'd like to build a great career and lead a rewarding life, check out some of these other places where I share my teachings: 1. Check out the milewalk Academy, my coaching and training site, for freemiums and premiums. 2. I have hundreds of educational and inspirational videos on my YouTube Channel. 3. Grab any of my three books related to interviewing, hiring, and goal setting. All can be found on my Amazon Author Page. 4. Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter (X), TikTok, Threads, and Facebook. 5. Stay in touch with me in your email inbox by joining my newsletter here! --Andy