Interviewing: Things to think about

I have been looking for a job as an academic librarian. As I’ve stated before, I am very excited that all my phone interviews converted to onsite interviews. If I am given an offer, I will need to relocate.

I still think the reality of moving still hasn’t quite hit me. At my last interview, as I was being shown around campus and the town, the person who was in charge of the tour asked me whether I would rent or buy. Being a native Californian, I was completely floored by this question, mostly because I could never afford to buy anything in CA and had never considered buying something an option. So I think I said something about how buying a house had not really crossed my mind and determined that I would probably want to rent something at first.

I suppose I need to work on my poker face. The truth is that the reality of a possible move hit me in that moment in time. As I got shown around town, I gradually sensed a shift in my mind. The possibility became more of a reality and realized that I could make a life there.

After this interview, I was really excited. I could really see myself working at this particular institution.

The best advice I’ve been given so far has been to just keep the options open…since I’m willing to relocate, it has really broadened my scope and possibilities. Also, to consider what it is that I want to learn. One of the best questions from my interview this week was:

You mentioned you would like to work in a collaborative environment where you learn from others. What is it that you think you could teach us?

What a great question and one that I have been thinking about ever since!

Interviewing, Step 2

As a recent library school grad, I have been applying for many different librarian positions, mostly at colleges and universities. Though this economy is really tough right now, my resume/CV are competitive due to my experience, participation as a presenter in professional organizations, and a second Master’s degree, which I earned prior to my Master’s in Library and Information Sciences.

I have been able to convert every phone interview I’ve had into an onsite visit, and I believe this is due to my ability to connect with people. My outlook on phone interviews is that the people on the panel want to get to know me and learn more about my experiences as well as figure out how well they think I would fit in with their team. I view the phone interview as an opportunity to get to know some new people and as a result, some of my conversations have been learning experiences both on my part and on the part of the panels.

I was thinking today that the transition for me is coming very quickly. I am excited about my future.  What came across in the invitations for onsite visits was that the committees are really excited to have me come.

The process of sending a cover letter and application seems so disconnected. I rarely talk to anyone before I send in an application. So the process is very cognitive and abstract. Most of the time, the institutions are courteous enough to send me an email or letter stating that my application has been received. This lets me know that my application just wasn’t sent out into a void.

Then I get a call to set up a phone interview, and now there is an actual connection with a live person and people, who I may end up working with. I meet them just through a phone conversation and now I get to meet them all in person. So my initial application, seemingly sent into the void, is now connecting me with people who will eventually become coworkers and perhaps friends. I will be building relationships with these people.

This whole process is so weird to me (but good!) because I am more aware of the impending changes that will take place in my life. Taking an offer on a new job will truly change my life.