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Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

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Presentation given at the Virginia Library Association annual conference, October 27, 2011. Presenters include: Megan Hodge (Chesterfield County Library), Nicole Spoor (Hampton University Library), Teresa Doherty (VCU Libraries), and Deborah Lammers (Dumbarton Area Library). Results of a survey of hiring librarians, and details about the hiring process at academic libraries and public libraries.
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Interviewing: Tips from the Other Side of the Table Virginia Library Association Thursday, October 27, 2011 1:15 – 2:00 pm #interviewbetterVLA
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Page 1: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Interviewing: Tips from the Other Side of the Table

Virginia Library AssociationThursday, October 27, 2011

1:15 – 2:00 pm

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 2: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Megan Hodge, Chesterfield County Library

Nicole Spoor, Hampton University Library

Teresa Doherty, VCU Libraries

Deborah Lammers, Dumbarton Area Library

#interviewbetterVLA

Who We Are:

Page 3: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Survey

• Disseminated through multiple listservs

• Qualifications to Participate

–Academic or Public Library Staff

–Participated on hiring committee for entry-level librarian since 2008

• 430 respondents–70% academic, 30% public

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 4: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Literature Review

• Applicants spend a lot of time creating resumes and cover letter, but little time preparing for an interview

• Practice, Practice, Practice

• Attitude and Personality are more important than skills, education or experiences

• Don’t forget to interview the library

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 5: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What should you know before an interview?

• Be familiar with the library’s website and social media pages (143 respondents)

• Know about the institution and library (84 respondents)

• Learn library’s mission and strategic plan (65 respondents)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 6: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What kind of experience is important?

• 89.3%-at least moderately important to have ANY type of library experience in ANY type of library

• 88.8%- at least moderately important to have experience in the same type of library as you are applying to

• 85.2%-at least moderately important to have experience specifically related to the position

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 7: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What are some of the things hiring committees look for in a candidate?

• Personality and attitude were important or very important to 98% of the respondents

• Institutional fit was important or very important to 95.3% of the respondents

• Education was important or very important to 89.5% of the respondents

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 8: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Has the economy affected hiring in libraries?

• Over 75% of respondents said that they had seen an increase in the number of applicants

• Most respondents (80.8%) did not change the number of applicants called in for interviews

• “We have a stronger base from which to choose, but only interview the best of the best.”

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 9: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

How to be Impressive!

• Ask lots of relevant questions (19)

• Show passion and excitement for THIS job (14)

• Give a great presentation (11)

• Have a portfolio of great work (9)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 10: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Advice for Newbie Librarians

• Be enthusiastic (75 respondents)

• Connect your experience/skills to the position (65 respondents)

• Gain experience through volunteering or internships (65 respondents)

• Showcase technology skills (45 respondents)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 11: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Respondents Comments• “Put your best foot forward,” because “personality plays a

bigger role than most people think.”

• “We are trying to find somebody who is a good fit for our library.”

• “I think that brand new librarians can be the person to beat. They bring a fresh energy and viewpoint.”

• “Many of the hires I have been involved in during the past 12 years have been new grads, who brought energy and new ideas to the library. I cannot imagine not hiring new grads!”

• “I feel lucky to already have a job, because some of the candidates we get are so smart and creative I don’t think I would be able to compete against them!”

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 12: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Additional Resources

• Ask a Manager blog: http://www.askamanager.org/

• Career Q&A with the Info Career People: http://www.lisjobs.com/careerqa_blog/

• Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? by Ellen Gordon Reeves

• The Librarian's Career Guidebook by Priscilla K. Shontz

• Resume Writing And Interviewing Techniques That Work!: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians by Robert R. Newlen

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 13: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Hiring in Academic Libraries vs.

Hiring in Public Libraries

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 14: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Academic library interview process

• Timeline

• Screening and search committees

• Site visit

• Etiquette counts

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 15: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

It’s a marathon, not a sprint

• September: position is advertised

• November: deadline for applications

• March: candidate visits

• April: offer made

• May: welcome aboard!

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 16: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What does the screening committee do?

• to identify candidates

• to perform background checks

• to summarize strengths and weaknesses of the candidates for interviewing and hiring decisions by the University Librarian and appropriate Associate University Librarian.

(VCU Libraries Faculty Recruitment manual)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 17: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Screening vs. search committee

A screening committee’s job is to screen out the applicants to get a strong set of candidates to interview. It makes recommendations to those who can make decisions about hiring.

A search committee does all that, and can also make the hiring decision.

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 18: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Candidate visit to an academic library

“The purpose of the interview is to both solicit information from the candidate and to provide the candidate an opportunity to assess his or her interest in the VCU Libraries.”

(VCU Libraries Faculty Recruitment manual)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 19: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Sample Itinerary: the day before the full-day

interview

4:00: pick up at airport, drive to hotel

5:30: pick up at hotel

6:00: dinner with library representatives (may be division head, department heads or colleagues)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 20: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Sample Itinerary: morning

8:30: pick up at hotel

9:00: meet with screening committee

9:30: meet with librarians and staff from your department

10:15: break

10:30: presentation to library staff

11:15: meet with faculty

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 21: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Sample Itinerary: afternoon

12:00: lunch with department heads

1:30: tour of the library

2:15: meet with library administrators

3:00: meet with screening committee

3:30: meet with University Librarian

4:00: return to hotel or drive to airport

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 22: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Public Library Interview Process

• Timeline

• The Interview

• Tips from Library Managers

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 23: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Timeline: More Like a Sprint• HR advertises position: 2-4 weeks• HR screens applications: 1-4 weeks• Library screens applications further &

schedules interviews: 1-2 weeks• Library interviews candidates: 1-2 weeks• HR offers employment: within 2 weeks

(approximate times, your mileage may vary)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 24: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Public Library Interview(entry level)

• Lasts about 1-2 hours

• You provide your own transportation, or interview via phone or Skype

• Interview panel is small: 2-4 people

• May be asked in advance to give presentation, story time or book talk

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 25: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Public Library Interview(entry level)

• For YA & Children’s positions, expect questions that test your knowledge of literature for that age level

• Expect “current awareness” questions (trends & issues affecting public libraries)

• Tour of branch or work area

• May meet & chat with some current staff

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 26: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Public Library Interview(entry level)

Most likely, no free lunch.

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 27: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What hasn’t changed

• Dress up

• Be polite

• Defend every item on your resume

• Do your homework

• Send ‘thank you’ notes

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 28: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What also hasn’t changed

The importance of cover letters

•Make it specific to the job you are applying for

•Make sure names are spelled correctly

•Make sure everything is spelled correctly

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 29: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Even more that hasn’t changed

Prepare those you ask for references

•Share your current resume, cover letter and position announcement

•Give them ammunition for the reference call

– projects you worked on for/with them– anecdotes about your interactions– positive comments by patrons, co-workers

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 30: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What has changed #1

Review your social media presence

•Change your Facebook privacy settings to limit access

•Create a professional email address ([email protected] NOT [email protected])

•Be aware of listserv etiquette

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 31: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What has changed #2

Brush up on your presentation skills

•Don’t create victims of “death by PowerPoint”

•Speak to the audience, not to the projection screen

•Spell-check!

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 32: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

What has changed #3

When Skyping, keep the cat out of the room

•See what your camera sees

•Choose a professional background

•Dress for an emergency (head to toe)

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 33: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Wisdom from Public Library Managers

• Don’t discount a job in a smaller library system for your first position

• Look for jobs on city & county websites• Consider Children’s or YA Librarian positions• For public service positions, you MUST like to

work with people

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 34: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Wisdom from Library Managers

• Nights & weekends required• In local government, the application gets you in

the door• Job searching etiquette is important• Applicant pools may be large. Don’t give up!

Good luck!

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 35: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Suggestions from screening committee chairs

• Google yourself and be prepared to explain what you find

• Ask questions of each group you meet

• Act as though you are on stage at all times during the visit

#interviewbetterVLA

Page 36: Interviewing: Tips from the other side of the table

Thanks for coming!

Slide deck is available on SlideShare (search for VLA interviewing)

Any questions?

#interviewbetterVLA


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