Presented at the 10th International Digital Storytelling Conference (20-22 June 2022), hosted by Loughborough University. Reflects upon the creation of a digital storytelling web application to support young people preparing for conversational employment interviews. Full script available upon request.

1. ‘Your Differentiating Strength’:
Applied Digital Storytelling for
Employment Interview Preparation
R I S E U P ! R E C O N N E C T . R E B U I L D . R E C R E A T E .
Leah Henrickson
University of Leeds
L.R.Henrickson@leeds.ac.uk
twitter.com/leahhenrickson

2. 'Tell us about
a time you
demonstrated
[soft skill].'

3. 'What I've realised is that these
experiences that seem like a liability
are actually your differentiating
strength. The
secret is to
transform how
you perceive
your own story.'
Aimée Eubanks Davis

5. Owning your insights
What story do you want to tell? Why is this story important? Why is this story
important now?
Owning your emotions
What emotions does your story prompt you to feel?
Finding the moment
What was/were the moment/s when things changed? Were you aware of any
changes at the time?
Seeing your story
What images do you imagine correspond with your story? Why?
Hearing your story
What sounds, in addition to your own voice, might correspond with your story?
Why?
Assembling your story
What structure might help you most effectively communicate your story?
Sharing your story
How might you present your story to others? For example, will it speak for itself, or
will you introduce or paraphrase it?
The 7 Steps of Classical DST

8. What are the correct questions to
ask WITO users to prompt them
to think of and write a ‘good’
(i.e. critically self-reflective and
comprehensible) story? How might
WITO help users identify key
moments in their lives to provide
evidence of soft skills? Where is
WITO's meeting point between
the storyteller (user)
and story listener (employer)?

9. WITO's 7(ish) Steps of Storytelling
Perceptions of
professionalism
Professional/
personal divide
Appreciation of
'life scars'
Owning your
emotions
Identification of
appropriate
personal stories
Iterative critical
self-reflection
Recognition of
personal growth
Owning your
insights
Curation of
past experiences
Value of
everyday
ups and downs
for employment
contexts
Finding the
moment
Generic image
fit for purpose
Final app
to support
customisation
Inspiration through
own inspiration
Seeing your
story
Clear structure
Free text boxes
Interfaced breaks
Assembling
your story

10. Sharing Your Story
W H E R E I S W I T O ' S M E E T I N G P O I N T
B E T W E E N T H E S T O R Y T E L L E R ( U S E R )
A N D S T O R Y L I S T E N E R ( E M P L O Y E R ) ?
Currently in development: WITO digital business cards

11. Self-reflection
Self-empowerment
Interpersonal connection

12. Thank you!
Leah Henrickson
University of Leeds
L.R.Henrickson@leeds.ac.uk
twitter.com/leahhenrickson