This interview is with a public librarian from a library with 0-10 staff members, who has been a library director and a hiring manager.
What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?
work ethic
friendliness / customer service skills
adaptability
Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?
If the applicant doesn’t come across as someone who can provide cheerful, happy customer service, then I won’t hire him/her.
What are you tired of seeing on resumes/in cover letters?
I can’t think of anything in particular.
Is there anything that people don’t put on their resumes that you wish they did?
I want to see specific skills, in addition to education, previous jobs, and other such things.
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?
√ 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?
The best way is to be happy, genial, and ask questions. Too many people just sit and stare at the interviewer.
What are some of the most common mistakes people make in an interview?
staring a the interviewer without asking any questions
act lazy (slouching, etc.)
How has hiring changed at your organization since you’ve been in on the process?
I look more for functional skills than anything else.
Anything else you’d like to let job-seekers know?
Don’t call me and ask for an interview. If I want to interview you, I’ll ask you to come in.
Hiring Librarians 