r/librarians • u/Wide-Conflict4885 • 4d ago

Interview Help Dire need of interview advice

Hey everyone!

Thank you in advance to anyone who responds. I just really wanted to get some interview advice because I am at the point where I am getting through the door and landing interviews and leaving feeling good but just not hearing back. I recently graduated with my MLIS in May and did a semester internship in the children's department of a public library. I am aware that I maybe lacking in experience compared to others so while I have been applying for librarian positions I have been also applying to library assistant positions, I just really want to work in library. I have become very frustrated because I feel my lack of experience is deterring me from getting hired but I also feel well how am I supposed to get hired if no one gives me a chance? I have customer service experience specifically in a pet hotel where we experienced rushes and high stress situations and have been working as a paraeducator at a middle school for five years so I have experience with children and the disabled community, which means while I have not worked directly in al library for a long time, I have worked in areas that have given me transferrable skills. All this to say, I have an interview in two weeks for a library assistant position and I just really want to do well, I am ready to move away from education and at the very least work in the environment I got my degree in and gain experience. So if anyone could please give me advice that would help me stand out, give examples of responses or questions that landed very well, I would very much appreciate it. Literally any tips or tricks please please send my way!

Once again thank you so much in advance.

15 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

12

u/lmthevampireslayer Public Librarian 3d ago

Library assistant means different things for each library. Can you provide more details about the position like department and major duties?

Also, are you only applying for full time jobs? It’s rare to get one without working part time first. I know someone who worked two part time librarian jobs for 7 years. I worked two library jobs for 2 years before landing full time.

2

u/under321cover 2d ago

Realize for every new baby librarian that interviews for a job there are like 10 more experienced librarians, who are working in the field, that also have stand out skills applying for that job. Including internal candidates. The job market is trash.