This anonymous interview is with an Academic Librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring committee at a library with 100-200 staff members.
What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?
personality, competence, willingness
Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?
Why’d you get into this profession-”because I like to read…”
What are you tired of seeing on resumes/in cover letters?
Objectives/Purpose statements.
Cover letters NEED to address minimum qualifications and be tailored to each and every job you apply for.
Non-job related interests/hobbies.
Is there anything that people don’t put on their resumes that you wish they did?
More professional involvement
How many pages should a cover letter be?
√ Two is ok, but no more
How many pages should a resume/CV be?
√ As many as it takes, but keep it short and sweet
Do you have a preferred format for application documents?
√ .doc
Should a resume/CV have an Objective statement?
√ No
If applications are emailed, how should the cover letter be submitted?
√ As an attachment only
What’s the best way to win you over in an interview?
Smile! And please dress up…put some effort into it, will you?
What are some of the most common mistakes people make in an interview?
Asking for the question to be repeated multiple times. Pausing too long.
Anything else you’d like to let job-seekers know?
Do your homework! If you can show that you looked at our website, read up a little bit, and can name some of the staff or services, that puts you a step above some others.
