Job Hunt: How to Handle an Interview (and the aftermath)

As I sit here, eating orange segments and letting the red polish dry on my toe nails, I realize that I need to update on my interview experience.

Keep in mind that I am no interview expert or anything, but having gone through a few has given me a different perspective.

1. Preparing:

-The first thing I do is look over the job description again and try to assess what the job is about and what skills I will point to.  If the job description involves working with social media, I better be prepared to talk about all aspects of social media!

-The second thing I do (and I think the most important) is too look at the website to figure out a mission statement (what is important to this library?  What programs are they highlighting?) and to poke around in some of the resources to see what I am familiar with.  I found that I've gotten the best responses (smiles and nods) when I have referenced specific things on a library's webpage.

-The third thing I do (perhaps too intensely) is a question drill using some of the questions from the following websites.  It takes some time but helps a textbook over thinker and worrier like myself calm down a bit!  The most valuable thing has been applying the more general questions to the skills I know the search committee is looking for:

     *A great list of library related interview questions and resources over at Mr. Library Dude
     *While not as complete as the first source, there are some more unique scenario questions at SLIS
     *Some really nice tips on how to handle those tough questions, especially salary negotiations at Pennlive

 2. At the interview:

-First off, I try to avoid these interview pitfalls

-This goes without saying but I always arrive early and in a professional looking interview suit.

-One of the main things I focus on is being enthusiastic.  I use good eye contact and showcase my active listening (mainly nodding and acknowledging the question with statements like, "what a great question!" or "that's an interesting question!").  I also try to slip in a statement about how excited I am to be there.  I don't go over board but I always want to show the committee that I am really enthusiastic about this specific job.

-Another tactic I have found to be helpful is in starting a dialogue with the search committee. In other words I don't just want to answer their questions briefly and leave it at that; I try to start a conversation to show I am interested.  So if I am asked about ideas to improve social media outreach, I might explain my experience, give some ideas, and then ask them "well how does that fit in with what you are looking for?"  I feel like this makes me relax and provides a point of connection.

-I try to give really specific examples (i.e. not just "I am good at collaborating with other. I do it a lot at my current job" but instead saying "I collaborate frequently with other grad assistants. The most recent example is on publicity for our gaming night...").

-Ask specific questions.  I like asking more about what they want the person to accomplish first on the job and what the long range goals of the position are.

-Send a thank you note.  Mine is always brief and highlights the things I enjoyed about the library and things I felt were stressed at the interview/tour (book clubs? art shows? a new media lab?).

 3. After the interview:


Unfortunately, this is what I am going through right now.  I had a great first interview for a public library job that would be a great fit for me.  Then, I got called back for a second interview, which also went well (2nd interviews seem to be more about assessing how one would fit in with the staff- I wasn't even asked an formal questions!!).

So once the interview is over and there is literally nothing else you can do except wait, how do you handle that?  I've been trying to keep positive but I am really excited about this job and I know I will be sad if I am not chosen.  To help alleviate that crippling despair if I do not get the job I have worked ahead on some projects so I can take the night off if needed, stocked up on wine, I have a nice stack of funny TV shows, and I have a great support network ready (my best friend told me to call her the minute I find out so I can talk out the pain or the good news).  I've also been throwing myself into looking for other jobs, just so I have other jobs to be excited about if I don't get the job.

I'm learning that the waiting is the hardest part.  Writing cover letters? Easy!  Answering interview questions?  Not so bad!  Waiting to hear about a job you really want?  Heartbreaking and nerve-racking!

I haven't been myself lately because I have been so focused on this one job- I didn't even do much in the way of homework or reading last week because I was just practicing my answers to interview questions over and over. 

Hopefully this job hunting process turns out to be very short!!

Phone interview

Phone interview, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Teal ruffle cardigan: Jcrew
Black dress: Mossimo
Belt: Target
Gray tights: Target
Brown boots: Call it Spring

So I had my phone interview for the job that I was a little wary about. Good news: it went well. Greater news: they really need someone to start right now so, since I can't start till after graduation (May), I was immediately eliminated.

I also got a call back second interview for the job I am really excited about: public library reader's advisory and electronic services. I would basically get to help people with technology, update the library's social media, buy books, and talk to people about books!!

Nee plan for this semester: don't stress so much about the future and apply for jobs that I am excited about. I think I can handle that.

Starts and stripes

Starts and stripes, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Navy jackie cardigan: Jcrew
Red stripe top: H&M
Gray skirt: Jcrew
Gray tights: target
Brown boots: Call it Spring

I took this after my morning Reader's Advisory class which was wonderful! We talked about why we read and how we (as librarians) can encourage people to read.

At this point in the day I am a bit tired after working all day and am sort of disheartened about the job search. I got another interview (by phone). So far I have had two interview invitations from jobs I am not so pumped about and one I am pumped about. I am on pins and needles to find out if I got a second interview for the job I am really pumped about (it's a public library reference job where I would get to do website stuff and it's a decent salary with benefits and pay increases every few years).

I'm trying to figure out a new strategy. Obviously there are jobs with a decent starting salary (I don't need a lot but I am sort of freaked out about loan payments and car payments, etc.) and that really fit my skills, but there are also jobs with a really minimal salary and some things I might not want to do. Bottom line- the job market stinks and I feel I can't afford to be picky. But I'm starting to think I shouldn't just apply for everything- I got the email today about this new interview and my heart sort of sank.

Since it is early enough I might be pickier at the moment and apply for jobs I am actually excited about because getting two out of three interviews to lower paying scary jobs is sort of depressing. At least I got one good interview so far to boost my spirit!

This job thing is crazier than I thought! It's not just making my resume and cover letter shine: it's about gambling. Do I hold out for that awesome job or do I place a safe bet on a mediocre job?

And the waiting....arrg! My supervisor told me that some academic library jobs take months before they even start interviews. The suspense! The suspense!

For now, I'm okay because I still have time. I may, however, be a complete basket case in April.

It takes some time

Caramelized onions, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

So.....blog posting. Opps.

I have not gotten back into the swing of things as I expected. I realized that we are now approaching the end of week 2 of this semester and I still kind of feel like I am on winter break.

I have plenty of work to do (homework and otherwise) but I think the combination of having work and class on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (with only our one hour weekly meeting on Wednesday) and continually applying for jobs on my days off has left me feeling a bit stretched. I only dress librariany when I work and have class but I work so much that I get home late and have no energy. On days off I have been being super lazy (i.e. being a recluse in my pjs). Also, throw in the fact that I have already had two job interviews (yay!) and have had to drive far for them (nay).

I need a nice balance of continually busy with time to relax but I am sure I will get used to this arrangement.

I just need time.

Like caramelized onions.

One thing I did right last week was follow my desire to cook new things. I've never made caramelized onions. They are actually fairly easy but they do take a while. Like an hour, for real.



I used this process.  I tried another recipe and it kind of failed. I think covering them really does help.


To use them I added them to my favorite haphazard pasta dish (whole grain linguine noodles cooked al dente mixed with store bought pesto, huge chunks of feta cheese, and sliced and briefly pan cooked cherry tomatoes). Yum!!

So, we will see how this semester goes. Hopefully I come out of it having a job and having adjusted to this crazy schedule! Yikes!

First day back!

Dreary Cheery, originally uploaded by You dress like a librarian.

Via Flickr:
Yellow jackie cardigan: Jcrew
Red printed blouse: Banana Republic
Gray Skirt: Jcrew
Black tights: Target
Black Flats: Steve Madden

Today marked the end of winter break and the start of my LAST semester of grad school. I am just a little bit excited about it. I have loved all my classes so far but am not super excited about parsing dry textbooks. I enjoy learning but I absolutely one hundred percent love my job (reference, helping people, organizing things) and basically just want to focus on being a librarian instead of also trying to focus on the how to be a librarian meta part.

I am steadily applying for jobs in both the public and academic sector and have actually gotten two interviews already(!!). Things seem to be falling into place but, even so, I know this semester might get a little rocky- the desperation of late spring interviews, pushing through projects when I will be weeks away from being done with that work forever.

I am keeping myself sane with lots of wine and Agatha Christie.

Reorganization

I really love Christmas (like Elf style love) and so I am always surprised to find myself so quietly happy after the holidays are over.  The New Year can be overwhelming but I find myself happy to feel as if I have a fresh start.  I love planning out my week, my month, my year and reimagining my home- everything from moving furniture to changing the pictures or bringing in new fresh scents.

One thing I would love to change is my bookshelves (seen in the background of my everyday outfit pictures).  I've got a great tall one I inherited from my aunt but I foolishly turned down the other one (not enough space in my previous apartment) and have filled the void with crappy (mainly because I put them together myself) $15 Walmart bookcases.  While I would ultimately love built in bookcases in the future, at the moment I would just like some nice matching sturdy bookcases to create a nice library.  I've been casually wondering onto the storage section of Ikea's website for days now.  Since grad school is done in May and I will be forced to move, I don't want to invest now.  However, if I get an awesome job and can afford some matching furniture, the bookshelves are going to be first on the list (such a librarian thing I'm sure, although at least my books are not organized by Dewey Decimal at home!).

So, it doesn't hurt to be prepared by looking longingly at my new fav Tumblr, Bookshelf Porn.  Enjoy.  I know I am!!

New Year, New Librarian

I had an awesome New Year's Eve.  My closest friends and I wanted to go out, have a few drinks, celebrate quietly and go home so we could wake up refreshed and enjoy a leisurely breakfast.  Of course, since we wanted to keep it casual, it got a little crazy.  I mean, not super crazy, but still crazy enough that we all laid around on the couch/floor/bed until late into the afternoon.  Even a few tumblers of champagne will leave me tired and grouchy for a few days- seriously a sign of getting older.

After a few days on the couch, reading and eating leftover holiday cookies (which I pretended made me a lady of leisure but really made me more of a lazy slob) I am ready to get back into the swing of things- finishing some reading for one of my classes this term, applying for more jobs, and cleaning.

I never make resolutions because I don't really like feeling stuck.  I read somewhere that, instead of resolutions, we should vow to do more of the things we like and I think that's always been my philosophy.  I don't necessary want to change because I'm always changing.

Anyways, here are my grad student/librarian "resolutions" (aka things I want to do more of) for 2012

-BE EARLY FOR WORK!! (I am always on time or one minute late if campus is busy and I kind of hate feeling that stressed on my way to work.  So, I am just going to vow to get places early and check my email and chill.)
-Make a new recipe every week (doesn't have to be super extravagant or exotic, just something I have never tried.  Some things in the back of my mind- homemade fish sticks, legit carrot cake, meatball subs, yum!!!)
-In that vein, continue to support local businesses and, likewise, spend time making more homemade food instead of buying prepackaged stuff (when my grad school schedule allows).
-Finish working my way through all of the James Bond films (I love them but am not as excited now that I've hit the Roger Moore ones. I mean, Moonraker is ridiculous- weird villian falling in love scene, awkward astronaughts fighting in space, etc.)
-Apply for awesome jobs and entry level jobs alike.
-Be more confident about my skills and abilities.
-Be brave and fearless about the future.
-Streamline my wardrobe to be more professional. Get rid of sentimental pieces I have not worn in a year or more.
-Read more nonfiction (being an English major has trained me to only browse the fiction section but, dang, narrative nonfiction is pretty amazing!).
-Carve out time to stay in touch with close friends

I think I can manage most of these things!  Happy 2012!