Nailing the Library Interview

Updated 3/4/2013

Getting that librarian position can be a daunting process. First, you write your cover letter and resume. You wait. Maybe you wait some more? Then comes a telephone interview, followed by the all important on-site interview. After all of this work, hopefully a job offer is the end result!

This page spotlights:

Questions that may be asked during library interviews
Questions that YOU might want to ask of potential employers (don’t forget: you’re interviewing them too!)
Links to library job postings, job hunting and career advice
Interview pitfalls to avoid

I created this resource after cleaning out an old file cabinet in my office where I came across interview questions from my first librarian job search in 2002. The questions I saw formed a great resource, so I have tried to provide links to those documents in their electronic format, as well as provide links to newer resources.

Since my first library job, I’ve served on a number of search committees and have formulated my own questions that I like to ask potential librarians as well. I hope you find this resource useful. If you come across FREE articles or sites that might make a good addition, let me know. Best of luck with your job search.

This page has the following sub pages.

22 Comments »

22 Responses

on February 21, 2011 at 11:18 pm | Reply Interviewing Advice « LIS Conversations After Class

[...] in Interviewing at 10:18 pm by melissaautumn There’s a page full of useful information and good advice on interviewing at Mr. Library Dude. The page includes potential interview questions, questions you can ask the [...]
on March 9, 2011 at 4:53 pm | Reply Got a Bun in the Oven? Illegal Interview Questions « Mr. Library Dude

[...] Nailing the Library Interview [...]
on July 28, 2011 at 10:24 am | Reply Joni Scheller

Thanks especially for the “questions to ask”. I usually have a hard time with that one and you had some great ideas.
on September 11, 2011 at 6:38 pm | Reply Leah Hopton

[...] For example, Joe Hardenbrook’s Mr. Library Dude blog contains a very useful page all about Nailing the Library Interview. Re:Generations, a blog geared towards new academic librarians has a number of informative posts on [...]
on September 25, 2011 at 11:11 am | Reply lillie

what do you wear for a library job interveiw?
- on September 25, 2011 at 4:07 pm | Reply Joe Hardenbrook
  
  Hi lillie,
  
  Generally, business professional attire will be appropriate. It’s always OK to dress conservatively for an interview. The Hack Library School blog has some helpful comments on a post they did on “Job Tips for Future/Recent LIS Grads”: http://hacklibschool.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/job-tips/
on September 27, 2011 at 7:46 am | Reply Nailing the Library Interview | Job Searching for Librarians and Archivists | Scoop.it

[...] Nailing the Library Interview Getting that librarian position can be a daunting process. First, you write your cover letter and resume. You wait. Maybe you wait some more? Then comes a telephone interview, followed by th… Source: mrlibrarydude.wordpress.com [...]
on October 13, 2011 at 4:36 pm | Reply My poor neglected blog | Digital Carrie

[...] I spent about 4 hours researching interview questions & how to ace a Skype interview. I found a fantastic blog about library interviews, and I literally wrote out my answers to most of the questions and practiced them with my partner. [...]
on November 17, 2011 at 11:01 am | Reply Buried « metamayhem

[...] Nailing the Library Interview by Library Dude: Lots of great questions to think about as you’re preparing for the interview. [...]
on January 20, 2012 at 9:38 am | Reply Do you have any questions for us? | INALJ (I Need a Library Job)

[...] resource from Mr. Library Dude called “Nailing the [...]
on February 29, 2012 at 9:03 am | Reply Job Hunting, Part 3: Useful Resources « Reference Ninja

[...] Mr. Library Dude: I try to follow this guy pretty regularly. This page in particular has lots of good advice on library interviews of all types. [...]
on March 25, 2012 at 2:49 pm | Reply Phone Interviews | Confessions of A Library Student

[...] Mr. Library Dude is one of my favorite library blogs. This isn’t specifically targeted towards phone interviews. He gives a lot of practical advice while entertaining you along the way. [...]
on May 22, 2012 at 6:55 pm | Reply Starting Out « MS Reference Librarian

[...] position). I don’t want to list out all the resources I found helpful yet, but one example is “Nailing the Library Interview” from the blog Mr. Library [...]
on January 30, 2013 at 2:27 pm | Reply Erica Leduc

I just got a call from my local library about coming in for an interview, its for a clerk position, not as prestigious as a librarian, but I am really excited about the possibility of working with books and in the community!
- on January 30, 2013 at 3:14 pm | Reply Joe Hardenbrook
  
  That’s great…I think any experience is good experience! Best of luck!
on February 4, 2013 at 5:45 pm | Reply Christine

I just wanted to thank you for running this wonderful blog. Ever since I can remember, my dream has been to work at a library. I am seventeen now and just got my very first job- at the library! Without a doubt the valuable advice you have compiled here helped me a ton during the whole process. Thank you again!
- on February 4, 2013 at 8:42 pm | Reply Joe Hardenbrook
  
  Thanks, Christine! Best of luck in the future!
on March 12, 2013 at 8:08 am | Reply MLA DEAL Career Post 12: It’s All About The Interview | Development of Emerging & Aspiring Librarians

[...] Use Mr. Library Dude’s Nailing The Library Interview Guide to identify and prepare responses to five common interview questions. Then identify at least three questions you would feel comfortable asking a prospective employer in the interview process. http://mrlibrarydude.wordpress.com/nailing-the-library-interview/ [...]
on April 15, 2013 at 2:38 pm | Reply Mr. Library Dude’s Library Interview Questions | Bibliographic Sketches

[...] Despite the lighthearted blogger name (it was given to him by a student) this is a good and professional list of links and questions for those preparing for library interviews. It is part of his larger site for librarian job-seekers: Nailing the Library Interview . [...]
on April 22, 2013 at 3:38 pm | Reply More Library Job Search Related Links For Those in the Same Boat… | bittybookworm

[...] Library Dude‘s blog section called Nailing the Library Interview, including 4 very useful [...]
on May 9, 2013 at 4:09 pm | Reply Resource Round-Up: Prepping for Interviews | Hiring Librarians

[…] Mr. Library Dude’s Nailing the Library Interview […]
on May 17, 2013 at 11:36 am | Reply Blog Series: Tips Learned From Serving on a Hiring Search Committee: The Interview | Sarah Deringer

[…] Mr. Library Dude’s Advice: http://mrlibrarydude.wordpress.com/nailing-the-library-interview/library-interview-questions/ […]