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Interviewing from Both Sides of the Table. My Experiences. Have been a librarian for 26 years Have sat on both sides of the table At ALA placement center And on many other occasions Have had a strong interest in interviewing for more than 20 years. The Institution. The Institution.
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My Experiences • Have been a librarian for 26 years • Have sat on both sides of the table • At ALA placement center • And on many other occasions • Have had a strong interest in interviewing for more than 20 years
The Institution • Get your process together • Think about the interview… • Who you want the candidates to meet • Who you want to be part of the interviews • What you want the candidates to do • What questions you want answered • What questions you will ask of references
Get Your Process Together • Think about the arrangements… • Travel • Accommodations • Meals • City information/tour
Get Your Process Together • Develop your timeline… • Place ad • First cut of the resumes • Telephone interviews • Googling your candidates • In-person interviews • Check references • Extend offer • Send rejection letters
Exercise 1 Can’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Remember You and Your Institution are being Interviewed as Well
Most Importantly… • Know the job you are filling before placing the ad • Start with the job • Revise the job description • Then 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
The Pool of Candidates Potential Pool of candidates Pool of candidates viewing your ad Pool responding to your ad Pool you want Not to scale.
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
Exercise 2 Writing a job ad
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
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 What Attracts/Deters a Candidate
Exercise 3 First Impressions
Initial Judgment • We all make them, so embrace them • Jot a quick note that reflects your initial judgment of the candidate • Set it aside, and start with a blank slate. • Interview, take notes and record new impression • Did your initial judgment impact your final judgment?
First Impressions • They are important • Dress nice and look neat • Watch your body language • Make eye contact • Give a good handshake • Be confident, not arrogant • Be yourself, but be your best self
Before You Make a First Impression – Prepare • Before you apply • Create resume • Develop cover letter • Check references • Before you interview • Gather information and study the institution • Develop and practice answering questions • Create questions to ask interviewers
Exercise 4 Eating in Front of Others
Be Prepared - 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
Develop & Practice Questions • Work with a list of generic questions • Think of other, job/organization specific questions • Write answers to the questions • Practice answering them orally with a partner • Videotape yourself and watch it • 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 their web pages open • Have your practice questions and answer at hand • Write down names, titles • Have the questions to ask ready to go • 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
Exercise 5 Time to answer a question
Answering Questions • Answer the question being asked • Don’t talk too much • Don’t say too little • Work in your knowledge of their organization • Believe in your answers
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
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
