Published: May 30, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor

As an iSchool student, I have been in the academic librarianship career pathway with the intention of becoming a liaison librarian. I have repeatedly been told by colleagues that the academic library interview process is arduous, and as such have been anxious to interview. I recently got the opportunity to interview for two academic library positions and would like to share what I learned from these experiences.

Getting the Offer to Interview

Having a rough idea of the institution’s timeline for filling the position can be very beneficial if you are actively seeking a job. I was recently offered a virtual interview and in-person interview with two different university libraries. Many times, the job application process can be very uncertain, and institutions may not provide a timeline even if you are selected for an interview. The interview process can also take upwards to six months, so I recommend applying for jobs as soon as possible and expect a few months before you receive any updates. With my experience, both libraries provided information about the interview in the email offer and provided clear timelines of the interview process in information sessions for the position. I was also given options for the interview times and though I did not need it, the hiring committee also gave me the option to interview outside of the offered times if I had any scheduling conflicts.

Preparing for the Interview

Once you receive a notification that you were selected for an interview, preparation for the interview should be a high priority. Both of the libraries I interviewed provided information about the library, the position, employment benefits, and a list of questions that would be asked in the interview. However, this might only sometimes be the case for some interviews.

For interviewees, I recommend studying the institution to find out what type of benefits are offered, the library’s organization structure, and the library’s policies. I also suggest reviewing the job description to get an idea of what type of questions you may be asked, and what kind of type of questions you would like to ask the interviewing panel. Knowing who you will be meeting with can also be beneficial to having a successful interview.

The iSchool provides many helpful tools for the interviewing process, including an LIS-specific Interviewing guide, the training tool Big Interview, and a more general Interviewing guide. LinkedIn Learning also provides some great tutorials on interviewing well, including Expert Tips for Answering Common Interview Questions and Job Interviewing for Leaders and Managers.

For academic library positions, my mentor and friends in the profession also advised me to ask questions about the institution’s DEI policies and how they are being supported, how the library receives funding, especially for the role you are interviewing for, and how the institution supports professional development.

My Interview Experience

Though academic library interviews were markedly different from my past interview experience, I found some similarities in terms of the questions I would be asked and my preparations for my appearance. As a former retail manager, I am confident in my ability to anticipate the types of questions asked in an interview and answer more difficult ones. However, I had to do a lot of research for the interview about the university, the library, and the responsibilities of the role.

For my in-person interview, I was interviewed by four panels composed of different members of the library’s organization for a half-day interview. I was notified in the pre-interview process of the schedule and who I would be meeting with on the day of. Much like a conference, the day flew by, and I had very little downtime to collect myself before I met with the next interview panel. Though I felt I performed well, the longer interview format and structure did affect my ability to shine for each panel.

For my virtual interview, I was interviewed by 2 members of the library’s human resources team in a quick, 45-minute interview. Though the interview was more traditional, my interviewers expected me to understand the university’s and library’s structure and mission, not expressed pre-interview. However, in preparation for the interview, I did meet with a colleague who worked at the institution but did not mention it in the interview.

My Interview Tips

After having time to reflect on both of my interviews, I have some tips to provide for a better interview.

• Research the role and library as much as possible.
• Utilize your networks and meet with colleagues who work at the organization (Don’t forget to mention this in the interview).
• Write down your answers to possible interview questions and bring them with you to the interview.
• Advocate for yourself and request any accommodation you may need.
• Reach out to your interview liaison for any questions you may have to be fully prepared.
• Get a good night’s sleep before the interview.
• Have a relaxation practice (meditation, breathing exercises) to engage with before the interview.
• Reward yourself after the interview!
• Write a reflection that includes what went well, what could have gone better, and any unexpected or difficult questions.
• Write a thank you email.

Post-Interview Follow Up

The hiring committee should provide you with a timeline for notification at the end of your interview or in a follow-up email. An offer of employment may be dependent on a variety of parties and factors, so it can take time before you get an update. If you are not offered a position, always remember this decision is never due to your interview alone, but asking for feedback on your interview can be beneficial in improving your skills.

While I ultimately was not offered a position from either of the university libraries, I was so happy that I got this experience before graduating so I can continue developing my interview skills and ensure that I find the position that’s right for me.

I hope you have a great interview process! If you have any tips to share, please leave them in the comments.