A Five-Step Framework for Interview Success outlines a strategy for preparing for job interviews in the library sector. The framework includes: 1. Extensive background research on the organization, institution, national and international developments in the field. 2. A career SWOT analysis and skills mapping to identify strengths and areas for development based on the job description. 3. Focusing on demonstrating competencies and currency of skills, even for tasks not directly experienced. 4. Emphasizing effective communication during the interview. 5. Highlighting value-added skills to distinguish yourself from other candidates. Following this framework allows applicants to learn as much as possible about the role and employer to perform at their best

1. A Five-Step Framework for
Success in Interviews
Marie O’Neill, Head of Enhancement

2. Biography
Marie O’Neill, Head of Enhancement, CCT College Dublin
•MA in Information and Library Management, Northumbria University &
Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies, University College
Dublin
•30 years experience in library sector (Including the libraries of University
College Dublin, Dublin Business School, Technological University Dublin,
King’s Inns, the Welsh Office and the Oireachtas).
• Originator and founding member of the MSc in Information and Library
Management at Dublin Business School.
•Founding member and Managing Editor for 2 years of DBS Business Review
(which is indexed on the DOAJ and EBSCO databases)

3. Biography Continued
Council member of the Library
Association Of Ireland
 Committee member of the Library
Publishing Group of the Library Association
of Ireland
Committee member of the IFLA Special
Interest Group on Library Publishing

4. A Five-Step Framework for
Interview Success
1.Background Research
2. Career SWOT
3. Skills Mapping with a focus on competencies
4. Communication
5. Valued Added

5. International National Institutional Library
Future Proof Interview Success Through Extensive
Background Research

6. 1. Background Research
Organisation’s working culture and values and your
alignment with them
i. Library
Library’s Strategic Plan
Library Website
Library’s social media platforms (gives a sense of how they support library users on the ground)
Slideshare search of staff members (gives an idea of Library’s research and professional interests
etc.)
Google News search of Library (gives an idea re newsworthy developments e.g. new building at
RCSI; 3D Printing at Maynooth University Library; Special Collections, National Library of Ireland etc.)
Institutional Repository (often has a category for research by library staff)
PDF search of the Library to reveal additional reports on initiatives re information literacy, open
access or other initiatives
Talk to someone in a similar role to the one that you are being interviewed for in an equivalent
library

7. ii. Institutional
Institutional strategic plan. What are the mission,
vision and values of the organisation and how is the
library positioned in relation to this. If you are applying
to a public library is there a strategic plan at county
level?
iii. National Developments
e.g. New Strategic Plan for the public libraries
iv. International Developments
e.g. Open science at European level, Plan S
Background Research Continued
https://assets.gov.ie/4278/111218115931-
79413828933647aaa21ce9157ee170ba.pdf

8. Slideshare Search, Maynooth University Library

9. Why does such extensive research matter?
Due to the complexity of interview board
People prepare for interviews as if they are
being interviewed by a line manager solely!
The reality is an interview board can comprise a HR Manager,
personnel from County Councils, university registrars, librarians
from other institutions and more. These are often the
interviewers that can throw curve ball questions which can
reduce your marks
Study the makeup of the interview panel
If you aren’t provided with the details of who makes up the
interview panel, the line manager of the Interviewing librarian
can also be present for example. Study the profiles of panel
members. Their professional and research interests will inform
questions

10. Examples of actual interview questions asked in libraries that
interviewees could not answer due to insufficient background
research which resulted in the loss of valuable marks
1. Who in the County Council signs the cheques for public library services in the
region?
2. What do you envisage as being the impact to day-to-day library services re
the library becoming part of a technological university?
3. How would you expand business information services in a public library?
Speaking to a library staff member in an equivalent library service in advance of
an interview is often the quickest way to get an overview of a library service
and its broader operating environment. Augment this with the reading of
relevant reports at institutional and sectoral level.

11. 2. Career SWOT Analysis in the context of job description
informs interview prep action plan
“I am not qualified enough for the job” NOT TRUE!
Strengths
e.g. internship in similar
library
Weaknesses
Experience of dSPACE
software desirable
Threats
Teaching experience is
desirable re IL activities. I
don’t have it.
Opportunities
I did my thesis on an area of
interest re the advertised job
Interview
Prep
Although
you haven’t
used dSPACE,
perhaps you
have used a
similar software
Alternatively
perhaps you have
read articles about
dSPACE. You can
also talk to a library
professional who
has used dSPACE.
Perhaps
you
studied IL
on library
course,
attended
LILAC or
did a
thesis re
this area

12. Avoid saying “I don’t know”
(Let’s say you are asked if you have
experience of UX in the library context and
you don’t)
Exposure to, or awareness of an area can still earn you
marks at the interview even if you haven’t directly
experienced a task that they ask you about
Perhaps you attended a conference on UX
Perhaps you read articles on UX
Perhaps you studied UX as part of your library
course
You spoke to a library professional with experience of
UX
Always show awareness. The tone of the interview should
be affirmative not negative even if you don’t know the
exact answer. Just say simply I haven’t directly experienced
that task but I have been reading up it, attending
conferences etc if you have been doing this.

13. Individual Job
criteria as per
the job spec
How do you
meet this
criteria?
Examples of
specific
experience
Competency
demonstrated
e.g.
Leadership,
team working,
customer
focus etc.
Currency e.g. What
exposure or
knowledge do
I have where I
don’t have
direct
experience
IL teaching
experience
Participated
in IL delivery
Taught
academic
integrity and
referencing to
first year
students
Team work
(liaising with
academic
staff),
customer
focus etc.
Attended
conference on
metaliteracy
3. Map your skills to the job spec
with a focus on competencies
and currency using the table
below
The career SWOT and skills mapping exercises help you to identify
strengths to update your CV and inform your cover letter as well as to
prepare for areas where you feel you are weaker. Keep a work diary
to draw from. Always prepare for a competency based interview
even if it not denoted as such. All interviews interrogate
competencies.

14. Currency
A recent graduate can fear applicants who are
already working in the recruiting library. Recent
graduates should emphasise current knowledge
obtained from their course where opportunity arises
What are the key trends in librarianship?
UX
Metaliteracy
Open Science
Library Publishing etc.
This sense of currency can give a recent graduate a
huge advantage
https://www.issuelab.org/resources/27498/274
98.pdf

15. 4. Communication
Dress according to the role that is advertised. Smart casual may
be sufficient.
Have an open, relaxed body language. Remember to smile
occasionally.
Saying too much can be as bad as saying too little. Emphasise
competencies and specific examples to instil confidence.
Be practical. Always show awareness of budgetary constraints,
staff constraints etc.
Show that you are impressed with the recruiting library. This
makes you appear as if you are ready to slot into the library team

16. Don’t complicate the standard interview questions
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
With the recruiting organisation (even if this isn’t the whole truth) growing, developing with the
organisation etc.
What is your greatest weakness?
Choose something that has a positive connotation e.g. occasionally you have an excessive attention
to detail. Always show that is it a trait that you are aware of and have mitigated accordingly.
What is your greatest strength? Teamwork
Be careful of your closing question. Ensure that the question is context specific and realistic. For
example it might not be appropriate to ask a small library about funding for a PhD. The recruiters
may feel that they cannot provide you with a rewarding environment to work in.

17. Transversal Skills
“Core transversal skills are
becoming ever more important to
an individual’s successful and
sustainable employment. They
also enable people to move
between jobs and careers, to
participate in lifelong education
and training and also to improve
the flexibility and competitiveness
of the labour market”
e.g. leadership, team work,
creativity, problem solving
etc.
https://www.education.ie/en/publications/policy-
reports/pub_national_skills_strategy_2025.pdf

18. 5. Value Added Skills
What unique, value added skills do you bring to the
interview?
Consider a MOOC or National Forum for the
Enhancement of Teaching and Learning digital badge
in useful areas such as universal design, academic
writing or online T&L. See digital badges at:
https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/our-
priorities/professional-development/open-access-
professional-development-courses/
Join Library Association of Ireland
Joint IFLA Special Interest Groups etc.

19. Tips for Online Interviews
The same principles of preparation apply
Test your technology (have a contingency plan e.g.
hot spot in case wi fi goes down).
Turn your camera on
Find a quiet spot in your house that is well lit
Dress professionally
Maintain good eye contact
Portray a calm demeanour
https://www.best-job-interview.com/online-interview-
questions.html