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.

Interviewing: Step 1

I am heartened by the fact that I got to schedule three phone interviews last week with three different universities looking for academic librarians. I have had two of them, and one is scheduled in January. I am thankful that the first interview went better than I expected. I’m feeling hopeful that I will get invited for an in-person interview for this particular position after the new semester begins.

The reason why it went well I think is because I really connected with the person giving the interview. One of my strengths is connecting with people, and I’m trying to use that to my advantage in the interview process, by viewing these phone interviews as opportunities to connect with and meet new people.

The second interview did not go as well since I did not feel that I had adequate time to prepare. Thankfully, in both interviews, I was asked similar questions, and now I know how to better prepare for the next one in January.

Over the break I’m definitely going to do some research on the trends in reference and the challenges that reference librarians face. I’m also going to formulate a response to the question about the challenge of providing service to a diverse communities of patrons and brush up on my knowledge of trends in information literacy instruction.

I am excited about the changes to come and hopeful about my future. It is a good place to be in the midst of all the bad news about the economy.