Storytelling Techniques for Interviews
and Position Advancement
Presenters: Elizabeth Figa, Ph.D.
and Julia Wright, B.S.
University of North Texas Department of
Library and Information Sciences
Thank you for the Invitation
 Donna Kearley for the invitation
 Greg Hardin for the topic idea of storytelling and
interviewing
Learning Objectives:
 This session will provide knowledge and skills to
 Prepare your cover letter and other included materials to tell your





story
Methods to rehearse for your interview using storytelling
techniques
Practical methods to prepare to field a variety of questions
including the one question that is your greatest fear
How to gather competitive intelligence and organizational
information
Preparing your “giveaway”
What to do when you get home
Current Trends in Library Hiring
 There are positions open
 Competition is high
 There are actions job seekers can take to be optimally
prepared!
 Who here is currently seeking a position o an advancement
opportunity?
 Who here has or knows of a position opening?
Know where to Look and Network!
 Networking results in lots of leads
 Use your library skills to search for position openings
The Application Paperwork
 Optimize your first impression
 Prepare your cover letter and other included materials to tell your
story
* Do not feel forced to conform to a one page resume!*
 Consider enclosures such as:
 Publications
 Samples of course work
 Annotated bibliographic guide
 Business card
Methods to Prepare ( Rehearse)
 Job Description … research on similar positions.
 Be confident in the ways your skills match the position
 Prepare a set of questions YOU would ask the person interviewing for




the job you want
Consider the “common questions”: What interests you about this
job?.
Practice answering those questions … aloud! Over and over.
Ask someone else to do a practice interview with you. Treat it like a
real interview.
Phone interview preparation
The one question that is your greatest fear
Methods to Prepare ( Rehearse)
 Methods to warm up and rehearse for your interview
using storytelling techniques
LIVE/INTERACTIVE
 DEMONSTRATION
LED BY DR. FIGA
Two Case Studies
Case study of the library development job: No direct experience
 Dr. Figa’s Story as a Case Study: Advancement
 Your references can also be your “consultant
 The #1 way to advance in your organization
 ”
Organization Research (Competitive Intelligence)
 Organization website
 Budget
 Departments
 Board members
 Leaders
 Salary range
 Interviewing team
Research
 Google
 Organization
 Interviewing team
 Articles recently written about the organization
 Articles written by leaders in the organization
 Current events within the organization
“Giveaways”
 Be memorable!
 Business cards
 Portfolio
 Bookmark
 Handout
 Paper
Things to do when you get home
 Make notes on the interview
 Document names
 Process Follow-ups
 Thank you notes to all appropriate personnel
 Other suggestions from the audience?
Summary
 Questions from the participants:
 Drawing for Two Certificates
THANK YOU!!
Elizabeth Figa and Julia Wright