[wallflower]

If you don't agree with this slightly-contrived (I'm talking about the 'start with punchline', specifically) storytelling technique endorsed here, at the very least, please be aware of the STAR technique commonly used in behavioral interviews.

One benefit of using the STAR technique is that you are not going to ramble. It should not take you more than 1 minute to fully lay out the Situation, Task, Action, Result. After that "executive summary", if they want you to go more in depth, the interviewer(s) can ask you.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situation,_Task,_Action,_Resul...

[dahart]

You could use the RATS technique. ;)

I feel like STAR is important in the same way and for the same reason as 'start with the punchline'. Both are good ideas, and both are aiming for 'keep it short and relevant.' Which, having interviewed and hired many people over the years, I'd have to say is reasonably good advice.

There are plenty of exceptions to both of these ideas though. I probably have more trouble getting engineers to elaborate on something than I have with them going on for too long. I quite enjoy a candidate who will help me carry a conversation, who will ask questions of me, who will offer and inject relevant or interesting side-details into their story. Going on a tangent isn't a bad thing unless it's negative or irrelevant.

[fecak]

Resume writer here to add that the STAR technique applies to resume writing as well. For any accomplishment on a resume, it's ideal to have these four items covered in at least some detail.

[graphitezepp]

Yeah trying to create a model of 'how you should talk' is probably often counterproductive as everyone responds differently. Your suggestion of STAR is better as it is far more generalized while still giving you a guideline to focus on so you don't get lost or off track.

[ryandrake]

Yup, I've always known STAR as the "gold standard" for these kinds of questions. Also the presentation technique of: "Tell the audience what you're going to say, say it; then tell them what you've said."

[digoM]

+1