Inside An Interview: Understanding What Hiring

Committees Want

ALA JobLIST Placement CenterSunday, June 26, 2011  

12:00pm-1:30pm

About This Presentation

• Topic and Scope• Poll Everywhere• Housekeeping Issues

Who We Are

Teresa Doherty,Virginia Commonwealth University

Megan Hodge,Chesterfield County Public Library

Nicole Spoor,Hampton University

Now tell us a little about you!

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

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

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)

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

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

What competencies are most important to a hiring committee?

• Communication skills (73.7%) and customer service skills (76.7%) deemed very important.

• Familiarity with library technology was third most important competency (32.4%)

What character traits are most important to hiring committees?

• Intelligence (176 respondents)

• Enthusiasm (170 respondents)

• Cooperativeness (140 respondents)

Break!

What is your “elevator speech”?

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.”

Do hiring committees require presentations?

• 55.5% said yes

• 15.5 % said only for positions with instructional responsibilities

• How are presentations evaluated?– Using rubrics and other survey instruments– By hiring committee, but may include others– Looking for communication skills and

organization

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)

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)

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!”

Tough Interview Questions

1.What is your greatest weakness?

2.Why do you want to work in THIS library?

3.How would you enforce a policy you don't agree with?

4.Why did you leave your previous position?

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