Interviewing and Hiring Library Shelvers

Help for busy supervisors

How to choose the best applicants

What to ask during the interviews

The importance of testing

How to decide who to hire

Todays Topics

You find out they have poor grasp of the alphabet

They quit after two hours because their back is killing them

They tell you they can’t work weekends after all and is that ok?

What we don’t want. You hire someone and:

Minimum age

Alphabet and number skills

Eye for detail

Fit enough

Can take instructions willingly

Works well with others

Who are you looking for?

Can you read the writing?

Did they fill out the whole form?

Can they write a sentence?

Does their employment history look ok?

Do they have additional skills?

What to look for on the application form

I love libraries

I have always wanted to work in a library

I have daytime classes but can work evenings

I can fit library hours around my other job

I can work while my children are in school

I’m a retiree and can work anytime

Do they really want the job?Look for phrases like these

I have to get a job

My Dad says I have to get a job

I need money

I have bills to pay

This job, or just any job?

The application form

A list of interview questions

A copy of written shelving test

An evaluation sheet

A note pad and extra pencils

What’s in your interview folder?

Applicant’s name and the dateUnder child labor laws you must be 16 to work

past 7:00 p.m. during the school year. Are you 16? If not when will you be?

This is an evening and weekend job. Which hours could you work during that time frame?

Could you work those hours the whole school year?

Would you be willing to work evenings and weekends in the summer?

What’s on your list of questions?

Tell me about a time when you showed how reliable you can be

How would you rate yourself on attendance and punctuality?

Could you work 24 hours within a two week pay period and schedule yourself to have no more that three days between workdays?

Shelvers must be able to push heavy carts and to stretch and bend to reach high or low shelves. Do you think you can meet these requirements?

More questions

What would you do if a patron came and grabbed an armful of books that you had just put away and then sat on the floor with them

What would you do if a patron complained to you about library services or material?

Why did you apply for job with this library?Do you like to read? What are you reading now?Do you use this library?What did you like or dislike about your previous

job?

Yet more questions

Pay

Hours

Let them know that libraries are busy places

Ask them if they have any question about the job or the library

Don’t forget to mention these!

To find the bestYou must always test

Never forget!

When the following names are put in alphabetical order which one will come second?

1. Marshall, Charles2. Marshall, John3. Marshall, Thomas Riley4. Marshall, George Catlett5. Marshall, James Wilson

Sample Question

If you arrange this group of numbers in order (starting with the lowest) which one will come third?

1. 870.54212. 870.55213. 860.59244. 870.59235. 870.5663

Sample Question

Name: Paige Booker Date: March 1 2012

Score(1 – 5) Multiplier Total

Accurate 4 x5 20Communication 4 x4 16Reliable 5 x3 15Flexible 5 x2 10Appearance 5 x1 5

Grand Total 66

Evaluation Sheet

Did they follow your instructions about the written and practical tests and did they complete both of them?

How many errors did they make?

Decide how many points to deduct for errors

Scoring for accuracy

Check your notes on the question sheet

Did they give you clear and thoughtful answers?

Did they maintain eye contact and smile?

Did they follow your instructions for the tests?

Did they ask any questions about the job?

Scoring for Communication skills

Were they on time for the interview?

Were they able to give an example of reliable behavior in the past?

Scoring for Reliability

Check their answers to all the questions you asked about job hours

Can they come in at the times you want?

Can they do it all year round?

Scoring for Flexibility

Were they clean and tidy?

Any objectionable words on their clothing?

Were any body parts showing that are normally covered in a workplace?

Willing to comply with library dress code?

Scoring for Appearance

Test Results

Question sheet with your notes

Evaluation sheet and score

Choosing made easy

Can you work with this person?

Are they a good fit for your team?

Can you make an accommodation for someone who may need extra help to succeed?

How well does your staff reflect your community?

There’s no substitute for good judgment

Call your first choice and ask them again if they can work the hours you need

Mention the specific hours in their appointment letter

Write a short letter to all the people you are not hiring and thank them for being interested

Once you’ve made up your mind

Patricia TunstallIndian Trails Public Library355 Schoenbeck RoadWheeling IL 60090

ptunstall@indiantrailslibrary.org

Contact Information