The Interview: Getting Ready for the Show
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Transcript of The Interview: Getting Ready for the Show
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:[email protected]
Twitter:@LibCareerPeople