Access Services Interest Group

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last person joined: 12 days ago 

Charge: Provides a broad framework for discussing topics and exploring areas of development in the field of Access Services.
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  • 1.  Interview preparation

    Posted Sep 25, 2023 11:58 AM

    Hello All,

    I have been invited to interview for the Circulation Supervisor position with Norfolk State University.   I am an internal candidate and to date am the only person in Access Services.  I have performed many of the tasks in the job description.

    Does anyone have advice on interview preparation, especially as an internal candidate?

    I don't have much time to prepare.  The job interview is this Wednesday, 9/27.

    Thank you!



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    Ariana Curiel
    Library Stacks Manager
    Norfolk State University
    she/her
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  • 2.  RE: Interview preparation

    Posted Sep 26, 2023 09:35 AM

    Make sure to be explicit about exactly what work you do now and what you would bring to the new position. Don't assume the other folks know because they are familiar with you. Know your strengths and how to talk about them. Use internal knowledge to your advantage and show them how easily you could slot into a new position with minimal training. Use the STAR method when you are telling stories, it helps them from becoming rambly, which is one of my issues in interviews. Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

    You may not have time this time around, but hiring librarians has a job interview question repository you can look through to spark some ideas on what questions could be asked. It covers all library roles, not just librarian ones. 

    In my personal experience in public service jobs there is often a question about how to work with difficult patrons or how to handle a disagreement with a colleague/patron. And how to balance competing priorities, sometimes in the form of of __, __, __, and __ happen at once, what do you do? Although I think I got the list ones more from public libraries than academic. 

    Hope this helps some. And try not to be too nervous! You've got this!



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    Lauren Day
    Access and User Services Assistant
    University of Michigan
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  • 3.  RE: Interview preparation

    Posted Sep 26, 2023 10:43 AM

    In addition to Lauren's excellent advice, I would prepare to answer a question about working with a diverse population, especially around student employees (assuming there are some) and patron diversity.  It may also help to be able to talk about how you can contribute to the strategic goals of the library. I wouldn't spend a lot of time preparing for that, but have a general sense of their strategic initiatives.



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    Cordially,
    Dawn Mick
    Access Services Department Head
    Iowa State University
    She/Her/Hers
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