Interview Questions

 

Don't forget the generic questions.  You'd be surprised how many times you will be asked these questions in the course of your career.  Also use these questions as starting points to think of more questions that are specific to the school and the library where you will be working, or to expand them into different areas. 

 

The "are you active in the profession" question may be asked as "how do you stay current in the profession?" And this is where your membership in SSLMA comes to the forefront!!!
 

General questions

1.    Why are you interested in this position?

2.    What accomplishments are you most proud of?

3.    What are your major strengths and weaknesses?

4.    What is important to you in your work environment?

5.    What methods have you used or would like to try to encourage faculty use of library resources and services? Student use?

6.    What are your career goals for the next five and ten years?

7.    Are you active in the profession?

8.    Why do you think you are the best candidate for this position?

9.    What is your style of management?

10. How do you feel about supervising?

 

Specific to job questions

1.    Describe your experience with ______ (school libraries/reference/cataloging/acquisitions/etc.).

2.    What do you consider the key issues facing ______ in the next 5 years?

3.    Have you ever done ______ (author or classroom Skype sessions OR Google Hangouts or new technology)?

4.    How would you handle the transition from ______?

5.    How would you facilitate ______ (reference, collection access, working with teachers, etc.)?

6.    What would you do to make your library program unique and relevant to our school?  

7.    How do you envision your ideal school library?  What would it sound/look/feel like?