Library Assistant

[Peppette]

I recently applied for a job as a Library Assistant and didn't even get as far as the interview, now another library assistant job has come up nearby and I don't know how to ensure they notice my application among the many they must receive. I thought I did very well with the first application but obviously didn't and I'm not entirely certain what to do beyond highlighting why my skills match the skills that are asked for in the advert.

I have a degree in creative writing, have worked in computer companies so am very computer literate, have extensive customer facing roles, I read like there's no tomorrow and I really believe like this would be the perfect job for me. I am returning to work after having children (I said this in the covering letter, should I perhaps leave it out this time and just pretend that work gap isn't there?) but it is a part time job so I can handle the hours well. I was going to ask for volunteer work in the local library after the summer hols to boost my CV but now this job has come up already and there's no volunteering been done yet!

I was wondering if anyone had an idea of what specifically they could be looking for? It could just be bad luck but I'm hoping for advice to ensure that I do everything that I can on the application!

Thanks!

They probably think you’re overqualified. A library assistant is on the same level as a shop assistant. You basically stamp the books out and stick them back on the shelves.

I used to work as s library assistant a few years ago. I applied for a similar role recent and like you I didn't even get an interview. .I honestly believe it's just due to number of applications. lie they just get rid of a random selection

@Paulinna

They probably think you’re overqualified. A library assistant is on the same level as a shop assistant. You basically stamp the books out and stick them back on the shelves.

so not true! I ran children activities, reading groups, enrolled members, processed new stock, weeded old stock, helped customers with their many and varied queries, ran I T help sessions....ad well and stamping dates and shelving

They get a huge number of applicants, some of whom have probably volunteered in a library before, or have worked in similar environments recently. The most important thing really is to show that you can confidently communicate with a wide range of people; from rhyme time for babies to elderly people who are lonely and you might be the only person they speak to all day.

There are hundreds of applications for each position. They’re like gold dust.

I work as a volunteer library assistant and don’t even get shortlisted for paid positions in local libraries, even though I submit good applications. It seems likely to me that in any particular library the post will almost certainly go to someone who already works there as a volunteer. Sadly, my library is too small for there to be any paid positions.

Read the job description. It sounds obvious but make sure you are showing in your application how you can do all the essential and desirable elements of the person spec. Some library assistant jobs are more admin based than others, it depends what sort of library it is, and you will get loads and loads of applicants, ranging from "ooh, it looks like a nice little job" through to people with prior experience or qualified librarians. We have several qualified librarians working as library assistants where I work.

Reading a lot is great in a public library but I've been working in [non-public] libraries for 20+ years and have never had the opportunity to read at work, unless you count reports. If I had £1 for every application I've read saying "I enjoy reading and read regularly...." however, I'd be very rich.

If it is a public library job, and reading is a bonus, make sure you do read. Daft as it sounds, people do get caught out at interview by being asked what they're reading now and they flounder and can't name anything.

Best of luck with your application.

I agree about the gold dust thing though. We've had 2 x PT library assistant jobs to interview for, previously, and had over 120 applicants as a local major retailer had just announced redundancies. If you have a disability, make sure you declare it as you get interviewed if you can show you just meet the essential criteria. Otherwise, tailor your answers for the type of library e.g. have you got customer service experience with their clientele (young children, the elderly etc.), IT skills showing someone else how to do basic IT work etc.

The library assistant jobs in my library go to people who volunteer in the library. It seems to be that someone does some hardcore volunteering over a number of months/ years and then when a job comes up, they apply and get it. It’s often very well qualified people too, a couple of former teachers.

@Paulinna

They probably think you’re overqualified. A library assistant is on the same level as a shop assistant. You basically stamp the books out and stick them back on the shelves.

This is so ignorant & untrue it's unbelievable.

I'm a senior manager in a university library. Almost all our newly recruited library assistants have degrees, most have p/g qualifications & will go on to work as librarians later.

Very few libraries 'stamp books' anymore. Library assistants are required to answer queries, source information, deal with online resources, run events, manage social media accounts and so on.

@tootingbeclido

I used to work as s library assistant a few years ago. I applied for a similar role recent and like you I didn't even get an interview. .I honestly believe it's just due to number of applications. lie they just get rid of a random selection

It is due to number of applicants, you're correct. We get 100s of CVs for each role.

We'll prioritise those with experience. Volunteering seems like a good idea to get some.

I read like there's no tomorrow

It depends on the library but I'd usually run a mile from a candidate who said this.

It is not too bad in a public library, where recommending leisure reading is relevant. But in an academic library, reading or your love of it is irrelevant, the job is much more varied, and saying this indicates a lack of understanding of the role.

Hello, I am a qualified librarian. Straight out of library school it took many, many applications to get a library assistant job. Funding cuts = few jobs. I often found that councils were only allowing short term contracts which meant that once the contract was up they had to advertise but often the person who already had the job, reapplied and got it again. This was all part of money saving. Have a look at the CILIP site, as others have said carefully match each of your experiences and skills to those in the advertisement and make it obvious with the linking. Do not put as your top qualification for the job is that you love reading books. Whilst a knowledge of literature is useful in order to help and recommend it is not the top skill that you need. I was fortunate, I worked for 7 months post qualification in varied temporary library assistant jobs, then a year as senior library assistant at the institute I am at now before becoming the librarian which I've been doing for 9 years now. If I left I know finding another job within the library sector would be incredibly hard.