SUSANNE MARKGREN AND TIFFANY ALLEN

ALA MIDWINTER - PLACEMENT CENTERJANUARY 25 , 2014

The Interview:

Getting Ready for the Show

Library Career People and Career Q&A

Today’s Agenda

Your 30-second commercial (elevator pitch)Interviewing

Remote interviews (telephone, Skype, etc) In person interviews

What to expect and how to prepareInterview prep

The STAR modelWhat to wear (and what NOT to wear)What to bringWrapping up the interview and next stepsConclusion and questions

Your 30-second commercial

Things you LOVE about workThings you do bestThe type of environment you work best inWhat you find most important about

work

Questions to think about:What is your career goal? What skill, strength, or experience do

you have that would help you realize that goal?

What accomplishment proves you have that skill, strength, or experience?

What are you searching for in a job?

Make a brief list for each of the following:

Remote Interviews

By phone: Usually all candidates are asked the same

questions Study your resume: be able to respond

confidently about how your skills and background apply to the vacancy

Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for 20-60 minutes

Dress professionally even though they can’t see you

Breathe and smile and enjoy yourself - it will come through in your voice

Remote Interviews

By Videoconference (Skype or similar) Dress as though you are going to an interview Sit at a desk or table with your materials within reach Practice: ask a friend to do a dry run with you Have a neutral background and decent lighting Check the direction your web camera is facing (i.e., not

up your nose), and remember to look into the camera (and smile!)

Have your materials - resume, job listing, etc. - out of sight in front of you, avoid shuffling papers - keep your attention on your audience

Relax, keep your answers brief, and use normal body language

In-Person Interviews

Can last a few hours, or all day Know what is expected Ask for an agenda, find out who you will meet Will you be asked to do a presentation

Expect to meet with different people Decision-maker (director) Supervisors (upper/mid management) Potential future colleagues and collaborators

Could involve Serial one-on-one meetings Group meetings Tours Social gatherings Or a combination

In-Person Interviews

Group Interviews Meet with 2-8 people (or more) all at once Usually last at least an hour Field several questions from each person in the

room An opportunity to get a sense of the institutional

culture

Behavioral Questions: The STAR Model

Situation Task Action Result

Experience 1

Experience 2

Situation Task Action Result

Needed to create a communications plan

Write a newsletter, start a blog and Twitter feed

Tapped colleagues for web design help and content

50% increase in visits to our library’s main website, via all outlets

Redesigned a study space

Select furniture, etc. to encourage study

Surveyed current library users for ideas

Profiled in local newspaper

Know Before You Go

Try to gain an understanding of the institution and people you will meet with before the interview.Check their website. Is there a:

Mission statement Org chart: tells you who reports to whom, indicates

major departments History of the organization Bios of leaders Statistics - number of students, size of the city/service

area, circulation statistics, market share, etc.

What to wear

What NOT to wear

Game Day

Essentials to bring with you (p. 61) Copy of the job announcement Your resume and cover letter, printed on high-quality

paper (100% cotton) Directions, itinerary, tickets, contact information for

your arrival, receipts (if you are getting reimbursed) Portfolio of any extra materials (i.e., publications,

samples of web designs, etc.) Pen and notebook Emergency kit (brush/comb, breath mints, safety pin,

etc.) Professional-looking bag or briefcase

Sample Questions to Ask Your Interviewers

What is a typical day like for a librarian in this role?How do the librarians work together/collaborate?How (by whom and how often) are the librarians

evaluated on their performance?Is professional development supported and/or

encouraged?What are some new initiatives you are working on?What is the library’s reference/instruction/collection

development philosophy? (tailor to fit the position)What do you (the interviewers) like about your job?

After the Interview

Email to say thank you Follow up with written thank you notes Wait at least 2 weeks before following up on

the status of the search; some will take monthsKeep applying to other jobs - even if your

interview went well, don’t assume you will receive an offer.

Accept LinkedIn invites if they are offered; do not send them yourself.

Be gracious

Questions?

Web Site: http://librarycareerpeople.com

Email:librarycareerpeople@gmail.com

Twitter:@LibCareerPeople