Tag Archives: librarians

by | December 30, 2012 · 8:00 am

They Integrate What They Learn Early on in the Interview as They Progress

Folger Shakespeare Library, ca. 1932-1950, from the collection of Cornell University

 

 

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring committee.This person works at a library with 50-100 staff members.

What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?

Positive attitude
Paying attention – do they integrate what they learn early on in the interview as they progress through the various steps?
Thoughtful, honest answers

Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?

No, but I get very annoyed when someone doesn’t address ALL of the job requirements from the posting in the cover letter or CV.

What are you tired of seeing on resumes/in cover letters?

Objective statements. You want a job, I know, that’s why you’re applying.

Is there anything that people don’t put on their resumes that you wish they did?

Something pertaining to the more abstract ideas in the job posting (if I ask for someone who deals well with change, give me an explicit example).

How many pages should a cover letter be?

√ As many as it takes, but shorter is better

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?

√ .pdf

Should a resume/CV have an Objective statement?

√ No

If applications are emailed, how should the cover letter be submitted?

√ We don’t accept email applications

What’s the best way to win you over in an interview?

Ask lots of good questions, make sure you address the full question, be honest. And show a little of your humor!

What are some of the most common mistakes people make in an interview?

Not being comfortable with the choices they make – if you want to use Prezi for your presentation, make sure it’s seamless. Or powerpoint, for that matter. And giving different answers to different groups based on what you think we want to hear – we DO talk to each other.

How has hiring changed at your organization since you’ve been in on the process?

We have become much less brutal, and tried to turn the interview into a learning experience for everyone.

Anything else you’d like to let job-seekers know?

Please be sure that you are qualified for a job before you apply – even if you’re not experienced, talk about how your experience will help you do the job. THAT is what I want!

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by | December 29, 2012 · 8:00 am

Professional Librarians are More Formal than Staff.

Job Interview by flickr user dichromatic winson

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a member of a hiring or search committee.  This librarian works at an organization with 100-200 staff members in a city/town in the Northeastern US.

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ Probably, yes (but it’s ok if the candidate wears something a little less formal)

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ Counts as a suit

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ False

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ No, but it’s not a dealbreaker

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ I don’t care, as long as it’s not over-the-top

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

t-shirt or other very casual clothing

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ Single, simple necklace, bracelet, and/or ring
√ A few simple necklaces, bracelets, and/or rings
√ All of the simple necklaces, bracelets, and rings he or she can load on
√ Arty or more elaborate necklaces, bracelets, or rings
√ Nose Ring (nostril)
√ Eyebrow Ring, Monroe piercing, septum piercing, or other face piercing
√ Earrings
√ Multiple Ear Piercings

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ All of them, even pink

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ Be fairly neutral

What This Library Wears

How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?

Professionally, but not in a complete suit. I might wear a jacket with skirt or pants or a dress.

On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:

3

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Other: we do not have a written dress code, workers wear clothes that range from Business casual to casual. Professional librarians are more formal than staff.

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply

√ N/A: We wear what we want!

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: Job Interview by Flickr user dichromatic winson

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Filed under 100-200 staff members, Academic, City/town, Northeastern US, What Should Candidates Wear?

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by | December 19, 2012 · 8:00 am

I Helped Her Dress from my Closet (I Have a Lot of Eileen Fisher…)

job interview by flickr user evamaria N

 

 

 

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian from a city/town in the Southern US.  This librarian works at a library with 50-100 staff members and has been a member of a hiring or search committee.

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ Other: depends on the setting. For academic libraries, yes, if possible.

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ Counts as a suit

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ I don’t care

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ Other: depends on the setting. I would, but I might wear slacks to get around the problem.

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ I don’t care what’s on the face, it’s what’s in the brain that counts

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

We had one candidate whose luggage went missing. I helped her dress from my closet (I have a lot of Eileen Fisher, which is very flexible in size) and the big box store, but I don’t think she felt comfortable.
____________________________________________________

We had a candidate for a different job who wore a very short skirt, great shoes, and bare legs. She had the legs for it, but it caused a lot of comment. I think it was a test (of us, by her). She didn’t take the job.

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ Other: There aren’t any rules about this, but I think elaborate piercings would push some buttons.

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ All of them, even pink

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ Other: My opinion is that they should be neutral, so we don’t get distracted at the outset by the outfit, but it’s their choice.

How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?

Only to the extent that I feel that they are taking us and the position seriously. If it feels like we’re being disrespected, that’s a problem. But I don’t insist on anything over clean and neat, myself.

What This Library Wears

How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?

Normal work clothes– a dress or nice slacks and a blouse, but not too formal.

On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:

4

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Other: we don’t have an official code, but it’s higher de facto than khakis and a polo shirt for professionals, most of the time.

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply

√ Logos/band insignia/slogans
√ Other: nothing too low cut, no skin showing at the waist, no logos on tees for staff, except U. related. No profanities, no nude pictures, etc.

Librarians at your organization wear: Please check all that apply

√ Name tags

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: job interview by flickr user evamaria N

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by | December 18, 2012 · 8:00 am

I See the Appeal of Wearing Your Personality as a Sort of Sign

suit by flickr user pretendtious

 

 

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian from a city/town in the Southern US.  This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members and has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee.

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ Probably, yes (but it’s ok if the candidate wears something a little less formal)

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ Counts as a suit

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ I don’t care

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ Other: I don’t care

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ I don’t care what’s on the face, it’s what’s in the brain that counts

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

Jeans, probably.

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ Single, simple necklace, bracelet, and/or ring
√ A few simple necklaces, bracelets, and/or rings
√ All of the simple necklaces, bracelets, and rings he or she can load on
√ Arty or more elaborate necklaces, bracelets, or rings
√ Nose Ring (nostril)
√ Eyebrow Ring, Monroe piercing, septum piercing, or other face piercing
√ Earrings
√ Multiple Ear Piercings
√ Large gauge ear jewelry (stretched ears)

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ All of them, even pink

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ I don’t really care how a candidate dresses

How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?

It doesn’t necessarily affect my decision, but it would certainly affect the decision of others who work at my institution. I see the appeal of wearing your personality as a sort of sign to let others know how you will want to be once you begin work, but also be prepared for the rejection based on that alone.

What This Library Wears

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Business casual

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply

√ N/A: We wear what we want!

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: suit by flickr user pretendtious

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by | December 16, 2012 · 8:00 am

We Have Very Little Turnover with Full-Time Staff

A librarian and a teacher, New Ulm Minnesota, 1974

 

This anonymous interview is with a public librarian who has been a hiring manager.  This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members.

What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?

Cheerful attitude, enthusiasm for librarianship, stellar customer service skills

Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?

Failure to follow directions

What are you tired of seeing on resumes/in cover letters?

“would like to work in a quiet atmosphere like the library” !!!

Is there anything that people don’t put on their resumes that you wish they did?

Why they got into librarianship in the first place

How many pages should a cover letter be?

√ Only one!

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?

√ No preference, as long as I can open it

Should a resume/CV have an Objective statement?

√ No

If applications are emailed, how should the cover letter be submitted?

√ I don’t care

What’s the best way to win you over in an interview?

to smile and be enthusiastic

What are some of the most common mistakes people make in an interview?

not asking questions
assuming libraries are quiet places
assuming that because they were teachers, they would be a good fit in a library

How has hiring changed at your organization since you’ve been in on the process?

We have very little turnover with full-time staff and lots of turnover with part-time staff. We also have a lot of full-time staff facing retirement in the next 5-10 years.

Anything else you’d like to let job-seekers know?

Enthusiasm matters more than library experience. And customer service anywhere is important.

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by | December 12, 2012 · 8:00 am

Show Professional Personality

Young Professional Smiling

 

 

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee.  This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members in a city/town in the Southern US.

 

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ Yes, absolutely! It shows respect and professionalism

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ Counts as a suit

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ I don’t care

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ Other: Doesn’t matter, but if I noticed, it would be points in favor

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ Other: Professional grooming (whether it includes makeup or not) shows you care

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

Anything that looks appropriate for the club is not interview appropriate. I’ve had female applicants show up in stilletto heels, short skirts, plunging necklines, choker necklaces with enormous bling, etc. Keep it understated! For gentleman, cleanliness and a tie, at the very least.

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ A few simple necklaces, bracelets, and/or rings
√ Arty or more elaborate necklaces, bracelets, or rings
√ Earrings
√ Multiple Ear Piercings
√ Other: Facial piercings should be small if worn for an interview

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ Natural colors (black, brown, red, blonde, gray)

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ Other: Show professional personality

How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?

Showing some personality is great, as long as the overall effect is professional. I work in an academic library, and we are faculty members. If it isn’t appropriate for a meeting with our provost it isn’t interview appropriate. Our on campus environment is fairly formal, and if someone can’t dress up for an interview, I have doubts about their ability to dress appropriately for work.

What This Library Wears

How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?

Slacks/skirt, blouse/collared shirt, and professional jewelry. If I am the chair of the committee, I may pair a blazer or other more “professional” jacket with that look.

On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:

5

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Business casual

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply

√ Jeans
√ Flip flops
√ Short skirts/shorts
√ Tank tops
√ Logos/band insignia/slogans
√ Sneakers/trainers
√ Other: Jeans/logos/sneakers are okay on weekends

Librarians at your organization wear: Please check all that apply

√ Name tags

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: photostock on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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by | December 11, 2012 · 8:00 am

We don’t have a dress code, but people have been sensible.

Business Woman Smiling

 

 

 

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a member of a hiring or search committee.  This librarian works in a Canadian city/town at a library with 10-50 staff members.

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ Probably, yes (but it’s ok if the candidate wears something a little less formal)

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ Counts as a suit

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ True

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ Either pantyhose or tights. Bare legs are inappropriate

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ I don’t care, as long as it’s not over-the-top

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

Jeans, flip flops.

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ Single, simple necklace, bracelet, and/or ring
√ A few simple necklaces, bracelets, and/or rings

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ All of them, even pink

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ Be fairly neutral

How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?

If a candidate dresses too casually it leads me to believe they don’t take the position seriously, they don’t consider themselves to be professionals, and that they don’t respect me and the time I’ve scheduled to interview them.

What This Library Wears

How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?

I wear a suit, or a very nice blouse and slacks.

On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:

3

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Business casual

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply

√ Other: We don’t have a dress code, but people have been sensible.

Librarians at your organization wear: Please check all that apply

√ Name tags

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: imagerymajestic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Filed under 10-50 staff members, Academic, Canada, City/town, What Should Candidates Wear?

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by | December 10, 2012 · 8:00 am

He …Had Ironed his Jeans and T-shirt and Polished His Shoes

business man

 

 

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee.  This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members in a suburban area of the Midwestern United States.

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ Yes, absolutely! It shows respect and professionalism

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ Counts as a suit

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ True

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ Either pantyhose or tights. Bare legs are inappropriate

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ I don’t care, as long as it’s not over-the-top

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

Looking totally disheveled or wearing dirty clothing would make me not consider the candidate. For woman, anything too sexually suggestive or revealing.

I attended an interview presentation where the candidate’s suitcase got lost in transit. His flight was delayed and got in at midnight and he had to be on campus at 8:30 am (so unable to go shopping for appropriate clothing). He showed up in the jeans and t-shirt that he flew in. He was showered and had ironed his jeans and t-shirt and polished his shoes. Despite this unexpected development he was clean and remained calm and collected.

I have seen others who never bothered to get their suit dry cleaned and the dribbles and wrinkles were distracting and totally unattractive.

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ Single, simple necklace, bracelet, and/or ring
√ Arty or more elaborate necklaces, bracelets, or rings
√ Earrings

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ Natural colors (black, brown, red, blonde, gray)

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ Be fairly neutral

How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?

A candidate showed up for an interview for an hourly support staff position. He had a white long sleeved shirt on and jeans. The shirt’s tails were hanging out, his sleeves were rolled up and both his shirt and pants were full of stains and wrinkled. He did quite well in the interview, but his physical first impression was one of that he didn’t care. I found out that he had shared with one of my staff members that he was working at at coffee shop and had come straight from his early morning shift. I think he should have brought another shirt with him, even if it was a polo, but something clean and ironed. He didn’t get the job.

I had another candidate for an hourly support staff position who showed up for an interview in bib overalls, with one side hanging down, a baseball cap on sideways, which he did not remove, and numerous piercings. His tongue piercing was so distracting that I could not concentrate on what he was saying during the interview. He also asked me what time and date he was starting. Needless to say, he did not get the job.

What This Library Wears

How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?

If it is for a librarian, I would wear a suit. If it is for an hourly staff member, probably a skirt and jacket.

On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:

5

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Other: A step up from business casual. Men wear ties.

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply

√ Flip flops
√ Short skirts/shorts
√ Tank tops
√ Logos/band insignia/slogans
√ Sneakers/trainers

Librarians at your organization wear: Please check all that apply

√ Name tags

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: Andy Newson on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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by | December 9, 2012 · 8:00 am

Thoroughly and Thoughtfully Answer Questions

John Cotton Dana, ca. 1910-1915

This anonymous interview is with a public librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring committee.  This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members.

What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?

Education level. Demonstrated ability to be a self-starter. Library experience.

Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?

Misspelling; poor grammar. Candidate qualifications obviously don’t match stated requirements. Unexplained gaps in employment record, unexplained short job durations. Unkempt appearance.

How many pages should a cover letter be?

√ Only one!

How many pages should a resume/CV be?

√ Two is ok, but no more

Do you have a preferred format for application documents?

√ No preference, as long as I can open it

Should a resume/CV have an Objective statement?

√ I don’t care

What’s the best way to win you over in an interview?

Thoroughly and thoughtfully answer questions.

Anything else you’d like to let job-seekers know?

Don’t leave obvious questions I’ll draw from anomalies (unexplained gaps in work record, why candidate is applying for a job for which they are obviously under/overqualified) in their resume.

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by | December 8, 2012 · 8:00 am

It Never Interfered or Distracted From the Interview

business man with hands in pockets by Ambro on FreeDigitalPhotos

 

 

This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a member of a hiring or search committee.  This librarian works at a library with 0-10 staff members in a suburban area of the Western US.

 

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ I don’t care

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ I do not know and/or care

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ I don’t care

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ Other: irrelevant

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ I don’t care what’s on the face, it’s what’s in the brain that counts

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

breasts overly exposed

Can you share any stories about how a candidate nailed the proper interview outfit, especially if your organization does not expect suits?

librarian w/ 10 years of experience arrived in a long dress w/ a flowing scarf—it was a surprise to me, but she pulled it off—keeping the scarf away from her face—it never interfered or distracted from the interview

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ Other: irrelevant to me

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ All of them, even pink

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ Other: be clean & not distract from the conversation

How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?

very little

What This Library Wears

How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?

slacks w/ blazer

On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:

3

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Casual

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply

√ N/A: We wear what we want!

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: Ambro on FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Filed under 0-10 staff members, Suburban area, Western US, What Should Candidates Wear?

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