15 Storytelling Interview Questions and Answers

In a world where first impressions matter and small talk is the norm, learning how to tell stories can give you a major leg up in any job interview.

From personal anecdotes to hypothetical scenarios, storytelling is a powerful tool that can help you connect with your interviewer, demonstrate your problem-solving skills, and show off your creativity.

But nailing the perfect story isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the best storytelling interview questions and answers. With these questions, you’ll be able to practice your storytelling skills and make a great impression at your next job interview.

1. What is Storytelling?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of storytelling and how it applies to the field you’re applying for. When answering this question, define what storytelling is and give an example of when you used storytelling in your previous role.

Example: “Storytelling is the art of telling stories that are interesting and engaging. It’s important to use storytelling skills to relay information in a way that makes it more memorable for the audience. In my last position as a marketing specialist, I was tasked with creating content for our company blog. I wrote several articles about different aspects of our business, including our products and services. I used storytelling techniques to make the content more interesting and relatable.”

2. How can you use storytelling to improve your writing skills?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply storytelling to your writing and editing skills. Use examples from previous experiences where you used storytelling techniques in your writing or editing process.

Example: “I use storytelling when I’m working on my own content, but also when I’m helping other writers develop their stories. In my last role as a senior editor, I worked with several freelance writers who were new to our publication. I helped them create compelling characters and storylines that would engage readers. This helped me improve my own storytelling skills while teaching others how to do the same.”

3. Can you explain what a story arc is?

A story arc is a common literary device that helps writers create a narrative. It’s also an important concept for anyone working in marketing or advertising to understand. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have a basic understanding of this concept and can apply it to your work.

Example: “A story arc is a three-part structure that all stories follow. The beginning, middle and end are each part of the story arc. In my previous role as a copywriter, I used the story arc to write compelling ad campaigns for several clients. For example, I wrote a campaign for a client who sold home security systems. I started by introducing the problem—homeowners feeling unsafe in their own homes. Then, I described how our product could solve that problem. Finally, I ended with a call to action.”

4. What are the six key elements of any good story?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of storytelling. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you can apply what you know about storytelling to real-world situations.

Example: “There are six key elements of any good story, and they include conflict, characters, setting, plot, theme and resolution. Conflict is an essential element because it drives the story forward. Characters are important because they help us relate to the story. Setting helps create the mood for the story. Plot refers to the sequence of events in the story. Theme refers to the moral or lesson learned from the story. Finally, resolution ties up loose ends by explaining how the conflict was resolved.”

5. What do you understand about foreshadowing in the context of storytelling?

Foreshadowing is a literary device that writers use to hint at future events in their stories. It’s an important storytelling skill because it helps the audience understand what’s coming and how it relates to other elements of the story. Your answer should show the interviewer that you know how to effectively foreshadow upcoming plot points or character developments.

Example: “Foreshadowing is one of my favorite techniques for building suspense in a narrative. I think it’s important to use foreshadowing sparingly, however, as overusing it can make the story predictable. In my last role, I was tasked with writing a series of short stories about a group of friends who go on adventures together. I used foreshadowing throughout each story to build anticipation for the next adventure.”

6. What is the difference between showing and telling? Which one should you prefer when writing stories?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of storytelling techniques. It also allows you to show the interviewer that you can apply what you know about writing and editing to improve your work.

Example: “Showing is when you use sensory details to describe something, while telling is when you simply state facts or opinions. I prefer showing because it’s more effective at engaging readers and making them feel like they are part of the story. However, there are times when telling is necessary, such as when you need to explain something quickly or when you want to make sure the reader understands something.”

7. What do you need to consider when using imagery in storytelling?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your creativity and imagination to develop stories that are engaging for audiences. Use examples from past experiences where you used imagery in storytelling, such as using metaphors or similes to describe a scene or object.

Example: “I think it’s important to consider what type of imagery I’m going to use when telling a story because it can affect the mood of the audience. For example, if I want to tell a scary story, I would probably avoid bright colors and focus on darker tones like black and red. If I wanted to tell a more uplifting story, I might choose brighter colors like yellow and blue.”

8. Why is it important to avoid clichés when writing stories?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you can think critically about your craft. They want to know that you’re aware of the challenges writers face and how you’ve overcome them in the past. In your answer, explain why clichés are a problem for writers and give an example of when you avoided using one in your own work.

Example: “Clichés are overused phrases or ideas that have become so common they no longer resonate with readers. Writers should avoid clichés because they make their stories predictable and uninteresting. When I was writing my last novel, I knew I had to find ways to avoid clichéd dialogue and character tropes. I did this by researching what makes characters unique and avoiding stereotypes as much as possible.”

9. What is the best way to establish character development in a story?

Character development is an important part of storytelling. Interviewers may ask this question to see how you can develop characters in a story and make them relatable for the audience. In your answer, explain what steps you take when developing a character. You can also mention any specific strategies you use to create compelling characters that people enjoy reading about.

Example: “I think it’s important to give each character their own unique voice and personality. This helps readers connect with the characters more easily because they can understand who the person is based on their dialogue or actions. I usually start by creating a list of traits for each character. Then, I try to find ways to show those traits through action or dialogue as the story progresses.”

10. What are some common mistakes that people make while writing stories?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of storytelling and how you can avoid common mistakes. You can answer this question by identifying the most common mistakes that writers make while writing stories, explaining what they are and why they’re important to avoid.

Example: “The biggest mistake I see people making when writing stories is not having a clear idea of where their story is going. This leads to weak plot lines and characters who don’t have much development. Another common mistake is using too many adverbs in their writing. Using too many adverbs makes it difficult for readers to understand what’s happening in the story because there are so many adjectives being used. It’s best to use strong verbs instead of adverbs.”

11. What do you think makes a story compelling?

This question can help an interviewer understand your storytelling skills and how you apply them to a project. Use examples from past projects or experiences that show how you make stories compelling for audiences.

Example: “I think the most important thing in telling a story is making sure it’s relatable. I always try to find ways to connect with my audience, whether through humor or by showing what makes me unique. For example, when I was working on a campaign for a new line of makeup, I wanted to tell a story about being confident in who you are. So, I told a story about myself growing up as a tomboy and finding confidence later in life.”

12. How can you build suspense in a story?

This question can help the interviewer assess your storytelling skills and how you use them to engage an audience. Use examples from past experiences where you used suspense in a story or presentation to show the interviewer that you know how to build tension and keep audiences engaged.

Example: “I find that using dramatic pauses is one of the best ways to build suspense in a story. I also like to withhold information until it’s relevant, which helps me create mystery and anticipation for what’s coming next. Another way I build suspense is by creating cliffhangers at the end of each section of my stories. This keeps the audience wondering about what will happen next and wanting to continue reading.”

13. How can you tell if a story has too much exposition or not enough?

This question can help the interviewer determine your storytelling skills by asking you to analyze a story and provide feedback on how it could be improved. Use examples from past experiences where you helped improve a story or script, or explain what makes for an effective balance of exposition and dialogue in a story.

Example: “I think there’s a fine line between having enough exposition to make a story understandable and too much that takes away from the action. I once worked with a screenwriter who was writing a movie about a group of friends who were trying to get into a popular nightclub. The writer had one character explaining the entire plot of the movie to another character while they waited in line at the club. It took up almost half of the first act of the movie before we got to any real dialogue between characters.”

14. When does a story end?

This question is a test of your storytelling skills. It’s also an opportunity to show the interviewer that you can apply your storytelling skills in real-world situations.

Example: “A story ends when it has reached its climax and the conflict has been resolved. The ending should be satisfying for the audience, so they feel like their time was well spent. If I’m telling a story to children, I’ll make sure the ending is happy. If I’m telling a story to adults, I may end with a cliffhanger or leave them wondering what happens next.”

15. What types of stories should I write for my blog?

Blogging is a popular way to share your thoughts and opinions with the world. Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience writing for blogs. In your answer, explain that blogging requires different types of stories than other forms of storytelling. Explain what makes these stories unique.

Example: “Blogging is an excellent way to share your thoughts on current events or interesting topics. I find it’s important to write blog posts that are easy to read and understand. You should also make sure they’re relevant to the audience. For example, if you’re writing about politics, you should include facts and statistics in your post. This will help readers learn more about the topic.”