Interviewing from Both Sides of the Table. My Experiences Have been a librarian for more than 21 years Have sat on both sides of the table At ALA placement.

Interviewingfrom Both Sides of the Table

My Experiences

Have been a librarian for more than 21 years

Have sat on both sides of the tableAt ALA placement centerAnd on many other occasions

Have had a strong interest in interviewing for more than 15 years

The Institution

The Institution

Get your process together Think about the interview…

Who you want the candidates to meetWho you want to be part of the interviewsWhat you want the candidates to doWhat questions you want answeredWhat questions you will ask of references

Get Your Process Together

Think about the arrangements…TravelAccommodationsMealsCity information/tour

Get Your Process Together

Develop your timeline…Place adFirst cut of the resumesTelephone interviews In-person interviewsCheck referencesExtend offerSend rejection letters

Remember You and Your Institution are being Interviewed as Well

Most Importantly…

Know the job you are filling before placing the adStart with the jobRevise the job descriptionThen write the job ad

The Pool of Candidates

At any given time, there is a set of librarians looking for jobs

They range from casual browsers to serious job hunters

Job vs. Job Ad

These need to be as close as possible to get the best match

Job vs. Job Ad

When there is a disconnect…

You get the wrong applicants

Elements of a Good Job Ad

Highlights from the job description Skills, experience and education Job conditions Information about the organization Information about the place Salary – minimum, range Make sure everything is stated clearly

What Attracts/Deters a Candidate

Attracts Tangibles

The job Skills, experience and

education

Intangibles Job conditions Organization Place Salary

Deters Tangibles

Skills, experience and education

Intangibles Job conditions Organization Place Salary

Initial Judgment

We all make them, so embrace them Jot a quick note that reflects your initial

judgment of the candidate Then set it aside Interview, take notes and record new

impression Did your initial judgment impact your final

judgment?

The Candidate

First Impressions

They are important Dress nice and look neat Watch your body language Speak with confidence Be yourself, but be your best self

Before You Make a First Impression – Prepare Before you apply

Create resumeDevelop cover letterCheck references

Before you interviewGather information and study the institutionDevelop and practice answering questionsCreate questions to ask interviewers

Develop & Practice Questions

Work with a list of generic questions Think of other, job specific questions Write answers to the questions Practice answering them orally with a

partner Expect the unexpected

Creating Questions to Ask

Use your research to develop specific questions to ask the institution during your interview Institution related questions: I read that you tried…

How did that work out? Job related questions: How much original cataloging do you do?

Listen to what’s being said, take notes and develop more questions

Work your questions into the interview

Phone Interview

Have research laid out Have your practice questions and answer

at hand Have the questions to ask ready to go Write down names, titles Write down answers you receive Remember they can’t see you

In-person Interview

Bring portfolio with notepad, pen and pocket

Put most important research & information in the pocket

Write down other information that won’t fit Write down questions you wish to ask Listen, take notes, develop new questions

& refer to your notes/questions

Answering Questions

Answer the question being asked Don’t talk too much Don’t say too little Work in your knowledge of their

organization Make your points

It’s Not Really a Lunch Break

Don’t order first Don’t pick the most expensive thing

because it’s free! Don’t order anything messy Don’t forget you’re still being interviewed

Interviewing the Institution

You are interviewing them Make sure it’s a job you want

Ask questions about the job, etc. Make sure these are people you want to

work with

You Want to Be Remembered for Your Answers & Personality…

Weighing an Offer

Salary Benefits Location Environment Job Have all your questions been answered?

Summing Up from Both Sides of the Table Prepare! Success starts with a solid foundation You are selling yourself or your

organization

Congratulations on a Successful Job/Candidate Search!