I am out of touch with my field. I have an interview. Help!

July 2, 2013 7:49 AM

I have an interview for a great children's library position tomorrow! But I've been out of the library world for 3 years and I haven't kept up at all. How do I approach this in an interview?

I have been out of the library field for 3 years. I left a job when my family moved and have not been able to find a position since. After interviewing steadily for about 18 months I took a job in a similar field that uses a lot of my skills.

I have the skills for this job. And I have an awesome portfolio that contains lesson plans, posters, photos, newspaper clippings, etc from my past positions through my current job. But I can't answer any questions about the current state of children's literature, reference tools or even name my favorite new book. I'm just that out of the loop.

Do I:
A)Spend the day at the library playing catch-up (not the best option, but doable)
B)Do enough reading online to look savvy
C)Be totally honest
D)Some other option I'm not seeing because I'm starting to panic

What do you think? I'm particularly interested in views from librarians, but other people in hiring positions are welcome, too.

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (11 answers total)

Can you get to a library and chat with the librarians there for a bit? I bet a quick brush-up with someone in the field would get you right back on-track.
posted by xingcat at 7:50 AM on July 2, 2013

Skimming a few blogs written by children's librarians or authors will probably help too.
posted by COD at 7:54 AM on July 2, 2013 [1 favorite]

I was recently in a similar situation, interviewing for a job in a field I had been trained in, but hadn't been actively employed in that field for 20 years. I had more than one day's lead time, however, and spent a good week reading in the specific areas I knew the job would include.

I also acknowledged this gap during the interview, but focused on the skills I WAS bringing, my enthusiasm and the fact that technical skills can be quickly acquired, steering the interview into the "do you want to hire a great person that can quickly learn the skills you are looking for, or someone with skills who will be a marginal employee" arena.

Spend the day at the library, talk to some librarians, make sure you do some research regarding that particular location, it's history, strengths, struggles, and programs.

Good luck!
posted by HuronBob at 8:04 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]

Do some light research, talk to librarians, but also be honest! You can't read three years' worth of books in a day. If you show enthusiasm for getting back up to speed that should go a long way in your favor.
posted by clone boulevard at 8:12 AM on July 2, 2013

I have been an interviewer for a youth services position recently. It depends on the library and community of course, but I'd say you want to be able to talk enthusiastically about a couple of books that were published in the past year (at least one for each age group you'd be working with); up to you whether that means reading complete books today or riffing from reviews. Then I'd say look at blogs or journals for trends in programming and services, like how libraries are using tablets, STEM programming, ideas specific to very early childhood or to tweens. And it sucks, but many librarians are going to be age-biased, so the older you are, the more you want to sound in touch with current technology - if you're in your 20s or 30s you'll get more benefit of the doubt on being able to catch up quickly.

I think you could get plenty of talking points and keywords in a couple hours of reading. Doing your research on the library you're interviewing at, and having specific questions for them, goes a long way towards convincing them you're excited about this job specifically. If they're interviewing you, they think you're qualified, and they'll be looking for enthusiasm and fit. Good luck!
posted by songs about trains at 8:23 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]

Be sure to check out whatever programs, databases, special resources, story times, homework help, IM reference for kids, Sunday hours, etc. this particular library offers so that you can (genuinely, I hope) praise their programming. And then look at some other libraries that have exemplary programming, see what they offer that this one doesn't, pick some programs you could be genuinely enthusiastic about, read up on them and be ready to talk about them when they ask you what you'd like to add.
posted by mareli at 8:29 AM on July 2, 2013 [2 favorites]

I don't work in a library but I don't think A and B are practically feasible and therefore I think C is your best and only option. I think as long as you show you have the skills, knowledge, and interest to catch up quickly, they might find you to be an appealing candidate, and they will certainly appreciate your being honest about your situation. If you need any suggestions about good illustrated children's books, feel free to MeMail me.
posted by Dansaman at 8:43 AM on July 2, 2013

I think some quality time in a bookstore (for the most recent stuff!), skimming Horn Book/Publishers Weekly, reading Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, or Fuse #8, or whatever your blogs of choice are, will serve you well.
posted by the_blizz at 8:45 AM on July 2, 2013

I think you should do A and B and then be mostly candid, although I wouldn't say you did all your brushing up the night before. I'd just say you've been out of the field, but that you have done the following.... And then explain what that is. Now, if you have taken time off, surely you have been doing something transferrable to your work. Maybe you read blogs, take part in online communities, do sports, etc. Look at what you have been doing and indicate how that transfers to the current job needs and how it will make you a great librarian, in combination with your existing skills and your willingness and enthusiasm to learn. I don't work as a librarian, but I do help (mostly women) people with workforce re-entry and I think you could take a page from that book, so to speak.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 9:26 AM on July 2, 2013

Go to a library and check out a whole bunch of recent Caldecott and Newbery finalists. Read them. If you are pressed for time, stick to the Caldecotts only, they are generally shorter. If you have no time, check out the lists and google the books so you can have some idea of children's lit trends.

Also think about what kinds of demographics are represented at this library's storytime in comparison to the general demographics of the city. Think about why that is and what you plan to do to reach out to those other demographics.

Ask a lot of questions, listen closely to the responses, and tailor your responses based on what you hear. So if you ask, "Are there any gaping holes in your collection?" and your interviewer says "Well we're always trying to enhance our non-fiction collection..." Mention what you feel makes a quality children's non-fiction book.
posted by donut_princess at 10:02 AM on July 2, 2013 [1 favorite]

So, I recently (like within the last six months) switched from teen services to children's services. I've been to several children's services interviews in the past two years, and I can assure you that you aren't in nearly as bad shape as you think you are. If you have a solid foundation in children's librarianship and you're just rusty, that's miles ahead of someone who knows tons about children's lit but not, you know, about actually working with kids.

Instead of reading tons of books or memorizing titles and lists, I'd hit up some big childlib bloggers to get a feel for trends in the field you may have missed. Off the top of my head (and coming, just today, from ALA annual!) I can tell you that STEM is huge right now. Also, being more inclusive to all types of kiddos (for example by offering special needs story times) is a big topic right now. Also maybe read up a little on apps for kids, and have an idea how you feel about/how you would use technology for toddlers, school age kids, and Tweens. Speaking of Tweens, they're also a big upcoming focus at the moment.

Every Child Ready to Read got an update a few years ago, so if you haven't seem ECRR2, I'd spend a few minutes reviewing that.

Like I said, it's way, way easier to catch up on kidslit from the last few years than to learn about child development and literacy from scratch, so give yourself a break! You'll surely wow them.

If you want to talk more, email me! I interviewed for a children's postion within the past two months, successfully, so I'm happy to pass on my luck!
posted by itsamermaid at 10:32 AM on July 2, 2013