Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Interview tomorrow for a Library Assistant job

21 replies

domesticsluttery · 25/10/2010 10:03

Any advice?

I've got my outfit sorted (I think). I just need to work on my confidence now...

I've been working in Early Years Education for the past 6 years, so have an interest in children's books. Before that I worked in retail banking and before that in Retail Management, so have customer service experience. Before that I studied Accounting and Economics at university.

The job is part time in the Public Lending Library.

Can anyone give me any ideas on what to say to convince them that I am the right person for the job?

OP posts:
Original poster
domesticsluttery · 25/10/2010 10:28

please?

OP posts:
LIZS · 25/10/2010 10:33

Organisation, interest in range of subject areas, interpersonal skills, team work. Have an example to be able to draw upon.

wishiwerearichgirl · 25/10/2010 10:49

Is it competency based? If it's run by. The county council they usually have competency based interviews, were any competencies listed in job spec? If so, then have a look online for example questions. Prepare a 'why I want the job' answer and think of some questions to ask them , I usually ask what they like/dislike about their role. Good one suggestion on here by someone else was also t ask if you have covered eveything - give them a great opp to bring up any niggles they may have (worked for me!).

Relax, and good luck!

Lilymaid · 25/10/2010 11:06

You might be asked to demonstrate what might seem a very basic competency such as filing books in order. You might also need to show you have some computer skills - so that you can operate the loans system, search for a book or help someone research information.
You also may need to show you can be assertive in difficult situations such as arguments about fines, book theft and misbehaviour in the library.
On the other hand, it is useful to show you are friendly and helpful as you are often dealing with old and lonely people for whom a quick chat with a library assistant may be the only social contact they get that day.

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 25/10/2010 17:48

Thanks.

The job spec said that you needed to provide good customer service, be computer literate and be bilingual. The job involves working at the counter checking books in and out, helping people to use the library including finding books, using computers and accessing information, operating the fine system etc.

OP posts:
Ghoulfriend · 25/10/2010 17:50

Good luck, I would love that job!

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 25/10/2010 17:57

I know Ghoulfriend, I want it soooooo much!

I love books. I have been using this particular library since I was a toddler going to the story sessions. I grew up working my way through the children's library and then moved onto the main section. When my final year university exam results came out I logged onto the internet in the Reference section of the library to find out what I'd got. Once I had children of my own they all joined the same library as babies and went to the story sessions just as I did. I found out about toddler groups and pregnancy yoga classes from the noticeboard in the library foyer.

If you designed the perfect job for me at the moment I'm sure this would be it. It is part time too and fits around the voluntary work that I do in the village primary school. Being PT also means that my mum is able to look after my DC after school and during the holidays so I don't have to organise childcare.

I really hope everyone else that they interview tomorrow is rubbish!

OP posts:
llareggub · 25/10/2010 18:09

Your background sounds perfect, particularly the retail management experience and your love of books.

As others have said, it is likely to be a competency based interview. You'll be scored on your answers, so make sure you answer them fully, even if you've already said it in a previous answer. There is bound to be a question on equal opps, perhaps in a way that focuses on the customer rather than employees. I'd also recommend thinking about the customer experience and how to bring this into your answers.

It might be worth looking to see if other services are delivered through the library, as more and more authorities are moving deliver many services through the library service. Ours does council tax enquiries, benefits, planning advice etc. It is done by a different team but worth being aware of for the interview I think, and also preparing your thoughts about how this may impact upon the role of a Library Assistant.

Good luck!

BlackandGold · 25/10/2010 19:11

Sounds good but why do you have to be bilingual?

Or have I mis-read something?!!

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 25/10/2010 19:12

It is in Wales Grin

OP posts:
LucindaCarlisle · 25/10/2010 21:02

They have groups of toddlers in our library and they sing "the wheels on the bus go round and round" The Library staff welcome them. Also there is Internet access and Art displays.

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 26/10/2010 12:12

Thanks Lucinda, yes they have lots of activities like that there.

Interview is at 3.15 this afternoon. I am so nervous now.

OP posts:
Ghoulfriend · 26/10/2010 16:17

How did it go? What did they ask? When do you find out? Very excited and a wee bit Envy of you! Smile

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 26/10/2010 16:49

It went OK... I think! It was really informal TBH, although both the head of libraries in the county and the head of the library that the job is in were there. They were very chatty and relaxed and didn't ask any of the things that I thought they might.

I think I was the first candidate to be interviewed, not sure if that is a good sign or not!

I will apparently know by tomorrow morning at the latest. Am sitting on the phone...

OP posts:
Original poster
domesticsluttery · 26/10/2010 16:58

Didn't get it Sad

OP posts:
bigchris · 26/10/2010 17:05

Aw Sad
at least you went to an interview though. Also libraries use a lot of temporary casual staff so they might have given one of those a permanent position. It's worth ringing and asking if they need any supply staff to get your foot in the door. Definitely ring for feedback

Original poster
domesticsluttery · 26/10/2010 17:17

He did say that it was very close and that if another job came up I should apply for it.

I wonder whether they had someone lined up for it and that is why the interview was so short and informal.

OP posts:
BlackandGold · 26/10/2010 17:36

Bad luck. Sounds as though you made a good impression though, which is always good.

BeerTrixSixSixPotter · 27/10/2010 07:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ballstoit · 27/10/2010 20:47

In an interview years ago for a Library Assistant jo (which I got!), the questions were all scenario based. The ones that I can remember were

  • a borrower becomes abusive when they disagree with a fine on a book they have returned, what would you do?
  • you have several people waiting with enquiries, how would you deal with this?
  • the phone is ringing while you are dealing with a borrowers request, would you leave the borrower to answer the phone?

Having been on the panel for local authority interviews (posts were in a Children's Centre but I guess they would work in the same way), I know that each question has a possible score and a list of things that would like to be mentioned in the response. The scores are added up at the end, which I think is a far fairer system than the 'face fits' one which has been used by other employers I've worked for.

Hope this helps, good luck!

ballstoit · 27/10/2010 20:48

Doh, sorry I only read the first bit.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page