Interviewing for Positions in Academic Libraries

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Interviewing for Positions in Academic Libraries
Carolyn Walters
February 14, 2007
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Overview

• Process
• Cover letter/resume
• Interview
• What we are looking for in a candidate

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Process

• Position vacancy
• Search committee
• Membership
• Human Resources
• Dean of Faculties
• Affirmative Action
• Advertising
• Library web site
• Chronicle of Higher Education
• ALA JobList

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Cover Letter and Resume

• Address the required qualifications
• Address deficiencies positively
• Give examples
• Provide relevant references that can address
  required qualifications
• Give me a reason to keep you in the pool, but
  more importantly, dont give me a reason to
  eliminate you

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Interview

• Length depends on the position
• Meet with
• Human Resources
• Search Committee
• Department
• Supervisor
• P and T Committee
• Relevant Groups
• Open Meeting

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What we (I) look for

• Objective
• Required Qualifications
• Preferred Qualifications
• Subjective
• References
• Ability to demonstrate with examples

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Descriptors

• Collegial
• Collaborative
• Flexible
• Visionary
• Works well with others
• Leader
• Self-aware

• Self-starter
• Curious
• Engaged
• Professional
• Teacher
• Creative
• Innovative
• Positive

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Descriptors

• Own the Job
• Outreach
• Responsible
• Service-oriented
• Enthusiastic
• Motivated

• Salesperson
• Marketer
• Dynamic
• Technologist
• Communicator
• Problem-solver