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Librarian Job Hunt:
Apply Yourself
Brian W. Keith, SPHR
Financial and Human Resources Officer
George A. Smathers Libraries
University of Florida
bwkeith@ufl.edu
Overall Advice
-Determine your salary requirements, and
apply accordingly
*Trailing partner?
*Refer to the ARL Salary Survey or
others
-The fewer the better
-The better the better
Overall Advice
-Develop your message
*How your qualifications match the job
*Why the job makes sense for you
-Deliver your message
*Application, interview, reference selection,
etc.
-Do not rely on the search committee to
determine the above on their own
The Job Posting
-Read it and assume it was written
deliberately by intelligent people
-Assess your fit
*Interesting?
*Responsibilities
*Qualifications
-Required
-Preferred
*Salary and location
*Deadline
The Job Posting
-Submit all of the required information in the
requested format
Your Applicant Submission
*These documents are your representative to
the screening committee
*Tailor these documents to information in the
posting
-Explicitly how are you qualified
*Grammar, punctuation and decorum in all
documents and communication are critical
*Enthusiasm preferred
Your Applicant Submission
-Cover Letter
*Use correct address information
*Refer to the correct position, including
requisition number, in the subject line
Your Applicant Submission
-Cover Letter
*Explain your interest -why this is a
good move for you
*Connect your qualifications to the
unique job
*This is your narrative
*This is the mortar for your packet
Technology
*Email
-Use a suitable address
-Treat this as professional correspondence
*Voicemail Message
-Is it suitable for potential employers?
*Social networking
-Do you have a Facebook account?
*Listservs
*Google
*Telephone Interviews
Preparation for Interview
*Practice
-Role play with someone
-Practice touting your strengths get over
being embarrassed
-Practice discussing your weaknesses
-Assess and work on your interview
weaknesses
-Learn as you go on interviews
Preparation for Interview
*Practice
-Prepare for common questions
Preparation for Interview
Prepare for the 6 things interviewers want
to know
1. Do you have the necessary skills,
knowledge and abilities?
2. Do you have the untrainable attributes?
Attitude
Aptitude
Motivation
3. Will you fit in? (Personality)
Preparation for Interview
Prepare for the 6 things interviewers want
to know
4. Do you understand the job and its
purpose?
5. How do you compare to other applicants?
6. Do you want the job and will you stay?
Preparation for Interview
Learn about the organization
Key people
Services and products
Size
Customer population
Structure
Peer organizations
* Latest news
Preparation for Interview
Learn about the position
- What it does
- How it fits into the organization
- Status
Faculty
Tenure
What do those mean?
- Elements of success in the position
Publishing?
Preparation for Interview
Prepare questions to ask and be ready to
interject them to relevant folks throughout
the interviews
Why is this position available?
To whom would I report or, if indicated in the
posting, ask how the reporting would work?
Are there opportunities for advancement?
Preparation for Interview
Prepare questions to ask and be ready to interject
them to relevant folks throughout the interviews
What are they looking for as far as candidate
attributes?
Questions for interviewers or others might
include:
What do you like best about the institution?
What do you like most about your position
here?
What was your background?
Preparation for Interview
Prepare questions to ask and be ready to
interject them to relevant folks throughout
the interviews
Do not ask about salary or benefits
first.
Preparation for Interview
* Stake out the location and parking before
the day of the interview
* Learn who you will be meeting with
Review the itinerary if available
Make some assumptions as to why
and plan accordingly for who to ask
what
The Interview
* Arrive a little early
* Bring extra copies of the same
version of your resume'
* Introduce yourself courteously
* Thank people for their time
The Interview
Appearance
Fresh and rested
Alert
Relax Your talent got you here
Listen
Do not smoke or smell like smoke
Dress for the position, lean towards
conservative
The Interview
Conduct
Learn people's names and positions
Indicate where your previous training or
experience applies
Attitude and demeanor are as important
as responses to questions
The Interview
Conduct
Be polite to everyone
Interested and show it with body
language and feedback to interviewer
Lean forward
Maintain eye contact
Nod your head
The Interview
Conduct
Effective answers to questions
Be positive about your qualifications
Describe how your qualifications relate
specifically to this job
Mitigate weaknesses with your
strengths
Avoid judgmental or negative remarks
about previous employers
The Interview
Conduct
Effective answers to questions
Be brief but thorough in your
communications
Use specific examples from your
experience to illustrate your points
whenever possible
Be sincere and direct
The Interview
Conduct
Don't talk over people
Don't be too serious
Don't look at your watch
Be honest
Be on guard
Ask great questions
The Interview
Conduct
Enjoy yourself, people are going
to be really nice to you
Three Interview Session Phases
1. Introduction
Greeting and small talk
First Impression: Interviewer is
assessing you based on your
demeanor and appearance
Three Interview Session Phases
1. Introduction
Description of the position and
organization
If this is not offered, you might solicit
Frame your answers and questions
based on what you learn
Opportunity for you to ask questions
and fill in gaps in your knowledge
Three Interview Session Phases
2. Middle
Question and Answer
The employer wants to know
Why are you here?
What can you do for us?
How much will it cost to hire you?
Three Interview Session Phases
3. Closing
Ask any relevant question that has not
been answered
Highlight any of your strengths that
have not been discussed
Information on the next step in the
process
When you might hear back
Three Interview Session Phases
For all phases,
sessions
- Get across your information/message
- Do not count on the interviewer to do a
great job
After the interview
- Write down the name and title of the
interviewer or retain their business card
-Follow-up
'Thank you' email or note conveying
your continued interest or not
Call back?
After the interview
In anticipation of an offer, consider
Do you want the job?
How much would you need to be paid?
How will you negotiate your salary?
After the interview
In anticipation of an offer, consider
When would you report for work if
offered?
Notice to current employer
Completion of school
Move and other personal arrangements
What other information do you need:
Benefits
Relocation assistance, if relevant
What you need to know about search
committees
Selection is weeding out
Assessing qualifications takes 2 forms
1. Measurement
Years of experience
Educational credentials
2. Judgment or inference
Good colleague?
Inventive?
What you need to know about search
committees
They have limited means to learn about you
and use those to learn different things
Documents
References
Interview
* Presentation
References
* Select according to what the search
committee is looking for
* Cultivate them
* Coach them
Resume
- Share your cover letter
Sample Documents
* Position Vacancy Announcement
* Criteria Chart
* Interview schedule
* Recruitment checklist
Questions?
Brian W. Keith
bwkeith(@ufl.edu
352-273-2595
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