Tag Archive for interviewing

My Best (Worst) Interview

Naomi House standing in front of a mural

by Naomi House, MLIS My Best (Worst) Interview Five years ago I had an interview for a dream job at one of the most prestigious libraries in the country.  I did not get the job and they made the right choice.  I had a great interview despite a wardrobe malfunction and major issues with my online application.  In…

Get Practice Doing the Other Type of Interviewing

by Daniel Geary, Graduate Assistant at Princeton Theological Seminary, Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies, and Rutgers Alexander Library previously published 11/19/2014 Get Practice Doing the Other Type of Interviewing Practicing interviewing is a no-brainer. You spent so much effort crafting a stand-out resume and cover letter being ready for an interview is important. Rehearsing answers and ironing…

8 Reasons Informational Interviews are Useful

by Rebecca Ciota 8 Reasons Informational Interviews are Useful I have always been a thinker and a planner.  My mother recounts several times when, as a child, in a toy store, I would consider which toy would be the best purchase.  If I was like that before I can even remember, it is no wonder…

Over Prepare Then Go with the Flow

by Sarah Porter, former Head Editor, INALJ California previously published 12/17/13 Over Prepare Then Go with the Flow Yesterday I opened a fortune cookie with ideal advice for someone prepping for a job interview. It read: “over prepare then go with the flow”. I am actively seeking jobs and interviewing, as I am relocating to…

Five Tips for Interviewing Candidates Who Use a Wheelchair

by Leigh Milligan, Senior Editor, INALJ Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee Five Tips for Interviewing Candidates Who Use a Wheelchair In September I wrote the blog, Five Tips on Going on an Interview in A Wheelchair. The blog actually was a success, and I received some very positive feedback. One of…

Wardrobe Preparation: the interview

by Dan Trout, medical librarian at Edward G. Miner Library, University of Rochester Medical Center. Wardrobe Preparation: the interview Dress for the position that you want, not for the position that you have. I’ve worn a suit and tie to every interview that I’ve attended. You can always gauge the atmosphere and culture of an…

Library hiring from the other side of the table

George Hawtin, Head Editor, INALJ Saskatchewan Library hiring from the other side of the table In my misspent youth, I served on my hometown’s library board, where one of our duties was to hire a new chief librarian. Later, I served on the selection committee to hire my own replacements at the library board. I would dearly love…

What to Expect When You’re Interviewing: The Fabulous Five

by Amanda Marie Yetter, former INALJ Maryland Head Editor previously published 5/20/13 What to Expect When You’re Interviewing: The Fabulous Five This blog posting was designed for individuals who already have their degree and are now trying to determine the best possible ways to market, flaunt, and gloat about having an MSLS.  So, let me…

Interview Basics for First Time Job Hunters

by Emily Guier, Head Editor, INALJ Wyoming Interview Basics for First Time Job Hunters As the school year winds up, I’ve been thinking a lot about teenagers job hunting for a summer job or internship and approaching the dreaded interview for the first time. A lot of advice I would give a first-time job hunter are…

Free your wardrobe and the rest will follow!

by Lauren Arnsman, Head Editor, INALJ Puerto Rico previously published 4/4/13 Free your wardrobe and the rest will follow! I have a confession: I hate wearing suits. This is one of the things that makes me most anxious about interviews (well, that list is pretty long, truthfully). Anytime I have an interview I go back…

Interviewing for the Job You Already Have

by Katherine Kimball Adelberg, Head Editor, INALJ Michigan Interviewing for the Job You Already Have Three years ago, I graduated with my MLS and applied for a job on a whim. I was thrilled to be called for an interview and had nothing to lose since I already had a good job. Confident and relaxed, I aced the…

Beyond Basics in Job Searches

by Brad McNally, Head Editor, INALJ Ohio Beyond Basics in Job Searches Many job seekers do the same basic things – read job ads, submit resumes, and hope. When I was an undergraduate, I checked the newspaper each day for job postings and then the online job boards for postings in the general area. I…

Anxiety-Free Interview Wardrobe in 20 Pieces or Less

. . by Veda Darby Soberman, Head Editor, INALJ Hawaii Anxiety-Free Interview Wardrobe in 20 Pieces or Less Dressing for an interview can be a challenge. I enjoy fashion, and I usually know how to put together a great outfit, but something about dressing for a job interview can throw me for a loop. I…

The Other Side of the Desk: From an Interviewer’s Perspective

by Sean O’Brien, Head Editor, INALJ Colorado The Other Side of the Desk: From an Interviewer’s Perspective The fall semester is here, which means I have just finished yet another round of student worker interviews. I’ve been doing this for a little while now, and I’ve interviewed quite a few candidates. Some interviews have gone…

Do It Anyway

by Sarah Porter, Head Editor, INALJ California Do It Anyway Do you ever find your “dream job” posted, and feel discouraged from applying for it after reading a long list of qualifications? Some of the wish lists of requirements are so long and comprehensive that only a highly intelligent robot set on world domination could…

You Are Not A Good Fit For This Position

by Gabrielle Spiers,  Head Editor, INALJ Montana You Are Not A Good Fit For This Position Recently I got to be involved in hiring interns which was a very interesting experience partly because I love reading people’s resumes. I find what other people have done work-wise to be fascinating. Part of me wishes that I…

Interviewing Tips for Introverts

by Amanda May, Head Editor, INALJ North Dakota Interviewing Tips for Introverts As an introvert, I dread the interview process.  It feels awkward to sit in front of new people and talk about my accomplishments.  Honestly, it feels like I am just bragging about myself.  Many times, people would tell me to be more outgoing. …

My On-campus Interview

by R.C. Miessler, Head Editor, INALJ Indiana My On-campus Interview Various things running through my head on the week of an all-day, on-campus librarian interview: Is this real? While I have experience being interviewed (as well as interviewing), this will be my first full-blown on-campus interview for a job. It’s kind of nerve-wracking. I kind…

The “Do You Have Any Questions?” Question

by Ashley Crace, Head Editor, INALJ West Virginia The “Do You Have Any Questions?” Question A common piece of interview advice is to prepare questions for the inevitable moment when the interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions for us?”.  Asking questions sounds good in theory, yet it becomes more difficult in practice.  As an…

5 Basic Tips for Doing Well in the Interview

by Sean O’Brien, Head Editor, INALJ Colorado 5 Basic Tips for Doing Well in the Interview So you got the interview!  Congratulations!  But now, you realize, you still have to get through the scariest part; the interview.  But hey, don’t worry, we’re here this month to give you a few basic tips that will help…

Skype Your Way to Success

by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta Skype Your Way to Success As a hiring manager,  working in a public library I found Skype to be an effective tool when faced with the prospect of interviewing candidates from across this vast land.  Although our city had an airport, service was “regional” and the next largest…