ELD members identified the qualities of an effective engineering librarian. These interview questions can target the specific qualities you require. Remember, the interviewer(s) generally speaks too much –80% of the interview should be the candidate speaking and the interviewer(s) listening.
Desired Traits (in order of importance)
- Strong customer service focus
- Excellent communication skills
- An open mind, flexible, creative, energetic
- Enthusiasm for science/engineering
- A team player
- Basic knowledge of resources/tools in their discipline
- Good technical skills
- Good sense of humor
- Willingness and an ability to learn quickly
- Good work ethic, focused
Interview Questions
- What does customer service mean to you?
- What do you find the most enjoyable public service? What do you find the most challenging about public service?
- What are some ways that you may try to promote library services and resources to faculty?
- What is your vision of outreach?
- How are teaching, instruction and consultation related to outreach?
- The person in this position needs to be innovative and proactive. Can you describe some things you have done that demonstrate these qualities?
- Describe a situation that displays superior customer service.
- Tell me about the steps you take in handling an irate patron.
Excellent communication skills
- How do you say “no” to a patron?
- Describe a situation when you experienced ineffective communication. What would you do differently in the above situation?
- How would you rate your communication skills? What have you done to improve them?
- What would you do if you heard a colleague provide a patron with the incorrect information?
- What does the term “two way communication” mean to you? Describe a situation in which you successfully practiced two way communication.
An open mind, flexibility, creativity, energy
- How do you keep fresh on the job?
- Comment on a time when you got behind in your work. How did you handle this situation?
- What two or three accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
- What things frustrate you the most? How do you cope with them?
- Can you think of a problem, when the old solutions didn’t work and describe how you solved it?
- What has been the most difficult decision you have had to make?
- What have you read lately? What are you reading now?
- Do you prefer a job in which you have well defined tasks and responsibilities, or one in which your work changes on a frequent basis?
- Are you a person who likes to try new things or more comfortable with regular routines? Give an example.
- How do you handle stress?
Enthusiasm for science/engineering
- If you were an engineer, what type of engineer would you be?
- What do you most enjoy about working with engineering students and faculty?
- Do you prefer to work alone or in group?
- Tell us about a team or group project you have worked on and how you contributed to the team.
- What role is most comfortable for you on team projects?
Basic knowledge of resources/tools in their discipline
- Which engineering resources would you bring to a desert island?
- Can you describe a reference exchange where you were quite creative in finding what was needed?
- How would you rank your technical skills on a scale of 1-10, 1=being needs some work, 10 =excellent?
- What type of technical support would you expect from your systems support team?
- What is the most frustrating about your current position vis a vis your system support team?
- Humor can take many forms. Is the candidate being sarcastic, subtle, genuine, insincere?
- If someone follows up a critical remark with “just kidding”, he/she isn’t kidding at all, but trying to disguise the message.
- You could ask about a person’s hobbies, what tv shows they watch?
Willingness and an ability to learn quickly
- Describe a situation where you had to learn something quickly.
- How would you go about getting up to speed in this position?
- How would you describe your work style?
- What do you think are the most important characteristics/abilities of a successful engineering librarian?
- Give an example of a project you initiated.
- What are some of the aspects of your current position that you enjoy?
- What are some of the aspects of your current position that you do not enjoy?
- What does success mean to you? How do you judge it?
- In what ways do you make a contribution to your department?
- How do you routinely organize you work in your current position? What happens to your plans when emergencies develop?
- Describe how you schedule your time on a hectic day. Give an example.
- What motivates you?
- Describe your ideal job?
- Why did you choose librarianship as a career?
- How does this position fit into your career path?
- What is most important to you in a job?
- How did your most recent supervisor evaluate your job performance? What were your best points and your areas for improvement?
- Can you give an example of your ability to manage or supervise others?
- How do you feel about the way you are currently supervised? What is your preferred style of being supervised?