The Hero’s Journey is an ancient story that has been told for centuries. It is the main model of a story that follows specific steps, and it can be used to help you win any interview.
The protagonist in this story is the one who wants something, whether it’s love, money, power, or a dream. They take on a journey where they will face many obstacles, but eventually come out victorious after overcoming these challenges!
You can use these same principles when applying for jobs to make sure you get your dream job!
Who is the protagonist of your story and what does he/she want to achieve in the story?
The protagonist is you, and you are looking for a job! You will take on an interview journey where you face challenges like answering questions correctly or thinking quickly. Along this journey, there might be times when it’s hard to figure out the right answer, but trust your preparation and keep going!
What journey will this person take to get there, and what challenges will they face along the way?
The journey you are about to take is an interview! You might encounter obstacles like answering tough questions or thinking of good examples. These challenges will be hard at times, but don’t lose confidence. You prepared and you will do great!
How did they overcome these challenges, and how did it change them as a person?
You will be able to overcome your interview obstacles by practicing! The more you practice answering questions, the easier it will become. Also, remember that every situation is different so don’t; be thrown when an interviewer asks something new because chances are that you’ve encountered it before!
What was their final victory or accomplishment that made all their struggles worth it in the end?
After you have gone through an interview, make sure to write down what went well and what didn’t so that way next time will be even better. After your second interview, reflect on how much easier everything seemed and how prepared you were to tackle any question that came your way!
Who is the protagonist of this story and what does he/she want to achieve? In other words, why are you applying for a job at Company X as opposed to any other company?
Or maybe you’ve been working there for years already. Try telling your personal story through the framework of this ancient story.
What journey will you take to get there, and what challenges will you face along the way?
What is the company you’re interviewing with like? If it’s a smaller startup, what are some of the challenges that they might be facing right now and how would your skills help them overcome those issues?
What obstacles stand between your protagonist and their goal? In Act II, these problems can be big or small. Sometimes your protagonist will have to solve a puzzle, sometimes they’ll just need guidance from someone who can help them figure it out on their own.
The obstacles are the interview questions! You might think of these as puzzles that you must find answers for by yourself. Don’t worry though- this is what practice was made for!
How did they overcome these challenges or obstacles, and how did it change them as a person? In other words, what are some of your strengths?
One example might be that you had to get up every morning at four in the morning for your part-time job so that way you could work on a project or study before class. You had this crazy schedule but it taught you how to manage your time and prioritize important things!
How will the protagonist prove their worth to achieve this goal? Sometimes your final test might be one last obstacle you have to overcome, or it could simply be a time for reflection on how far you’ve come.
Your final test is the feedback session after an interview. This is where they’ll tell you what they thought of you and what they expect from the next person.
What was their final victory or accomplishment that made all of your struggles worth it in the end? In other words, what skills do you have that will benefit this company and why should they hire you?
Your prior experience working at a startup might be exactly what Company X needs. You’ve had some firsthand experience with some challenges like hiring more people or expanding your customer base, and that’s exactly what Company X is trying to do right now!
What is that final reward or accomplishment, which makes all your struggles worth it in the end? This isn’t always a physical object- sometimes this can be accepted into their school/team/group of friends. Sometimes it’s just relief at knowing you won’t have to go back to the old way of living.
When you get that job offer, it’s like getting accepted into their group! You’ve struggled through many interviews only to be rewarded with an opportunity at this great company. Congrats on your new journey ahead!
Who are you in the context of this story? What makes you unique from everyone else who might be applying for this job? How did you come across this particular opportunity?
What journey have you taken to get here and what challenges have you faced along the way? How has your experience been so far working at Company X, or what are some of the things that interest you about this company in particular compared to others?
How do you solve problems or overcome obstacles? What are your strengths? What kind of skills do you have that will benefit the company and why should they hire you instead of someone else?
You might encounter obstacles like answering tough questions or thinking of good examples. These can be difficult at times but just remember that everyone has gone through these situations before so don’t be afraid to persevere! One of your strengths is that you’re able to come up with creative solutions under pressure!
What are some of the things you’ve done for this company or what will do this job enable them to do? Why should they hire you instead of someone else, and how hard would it be to replace you if need be?
One of the things that you’ve done for Company X is creating a brand new marketing strategy, which increased sales by thirty percent. Another thing is how your work ethic and creativity make you irreplaceable!
Q. Why should they hire you instead of someone else and how hard would it be to replace you if need be?
A. One of your final victories is that you’ve created a brand new marketing strategy, which increased sales by thirty percent. Another thing is how your work ethic and creativity make you irreplaceable!
It’s going to take them months before they could find anyone like you who would be willing to work for the amount they’re offering.
Q. What makes you unique from everyone else who might be applying to this job?
A. You’re a creative problem solver with five years of experience working at Company X where you managed large teams and planned new marketing strategies. You discovered this opportunity through your current boss, who recommended you to the hiring manager after seeing how much potential he saw in you!
Q. What journey have you taken to get here? What challenges have you faced along the way?
A. You’ve taken the journey of working your way up from an entry-level position. You faced many challenges like working under pressure, but now you’re ready for a new challenge where you can really make an impact!
Some of the things that interest you about Company X are their new office building, the way they encourage employees to speak their minds, and how much room there is for growth!
Q. How do you solve problems or overcome obstacles? How will this job enable them to achieve their goals and what kind of skills do you have that would benefit the company if they hire you instead of someone else?
A. It’s important to know how you solve problems or overcome obstacles because it shows that you’re adaptable and can handle any situation. One of your strengths is being able to think outside the box!
Doing this job will enable you to fulfill all your goals, like traveling more frequently with no financial restraints holding you back! You have a lot of skills that would benefit the company like your experience working in a similar industry, how you increased productivity by twenty percent at your previous job, and your natural leadership skills.
The Hero’s Journey is a structure that can be applied to any situation in life. It involves the protagonist who wants something, whether it’s love, money, or a dream, and takes on a journey where they will face many obstacles but eventually come out victorious after overcoming these challenges!
You can use these same principles when applying for jobs to make sure you get your dream job because The Hero’s Journey shows how adaptable someone is – one of your strengths!
These are just some of the steps involved in The Hero’s Journey:
1) The Call To Adventure
2) Refusal Of The Call
3) Supernatural Aid
4) Crossing Threshold
5) Meeting With Mentor
6) Trials
7) Woman As Temptress
Atonement with the Father/Apotheosis/Ultimate Boon.
Use these steps to get your dream job!
Jeremiah O’Brian is a faculty member at the USC School of Dramatic Arts. His exceptionally diverse background – from gritty nuts-and-bolts firefighting to film and theatre credits and accolades – is bolstered by his several graduate degrees.
