5. 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
6. 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
7. 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)
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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%)
11. What character traits are most
important to hiring committees?
• Intelligence (176 respondents)
• Enthusiasm (170 respondents)
• Cooperativeness (140 respondents)
13. 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.”
14. 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
15. 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)
16. 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)
17. 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!”
18. 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?
19. 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
