Job Interview Questions and Answers

I've been asked by a principal in another elementary school to be on the committee that will be interviewing prospective librarians for that principal's building. He has asked me to put together a list of questions I would like to see each candidate address. I started jotting down some notes but suddenly I had an idea. I could remember interviews that I walked out of thinking: these people STILL don't know who I am or what my capabilities are. They asked lousy questions. So, I set about compiling a list of questions that would have allowed me to demonstrate my knowledge and proficiency. These are the things I want to know about the candidates- I've included the responses I would be looking for.

Here goes ...

1. How did you prepare for this interview? I checked out your school district's web site. I was interested to see teachers' web pages, the resources you provide for staff and parents and the library web pages of course.
   
2. Why did you become a media specialist? Because I love the following (in no particular order): kids, literature, getting kids excited about reading, technology and research.
   
3. Do you prefer working in an elementary, middle or high school? Each has its joys and challenges. I love working in high school libraries because I love the opportunity to work one-on-one with students doing research. Middle School students are developing the skills that will lead to independent research. It's exciting to see their growth. Elementary school is the place where I get to really satisfy my yearning to teach and the littles really are my best audiences when reading aloud and storytelling. They hunger to hear a great story and I'm pretty sure that many of them are living in frantic homes, with overworked parents who find it difficult to make the time to read with and to their children.
   
4. What professional organizations do you belong to? The Pennsylvania State Library Association, The American Library Association, The American Association of School Librarians, and the Keystone Reading Association. I am also on the Education Committee of the Arden Theatre, a small, non- profit theatre in Philadelphia. They produce many wonderful children's shows!
   
5. What are you reading now? I am reading The What is The What, by David Eggers. It is a powerful fictional story about the Lost Boys of the Sudan. I have also been sharing Brothers In Hope with my 4th and 5th graders. It is a picture book that depicts the horrors endured by these so- called Lost boys. The kids are deeply moved by their story.
   
6. Describe your ideal job. I would love to work in a school with a principal who is determined to prepare students to be life- long learners. This means recognizing that information literacy is a pivotal, school- wide goal. I would love to work with teachers who challenge me to help them create authentic learning experiences for their students. I would love to work with a parent community that wants to be partners with educators. I want to work in a place that rewards creativity and energy.
   
7. Describe your role in the learning environment. I am a leader and a team player in the fields of literacy and technology.
   
8. What is your greatest strength? I'm flexible and I challenge myself to learn new skills. Weakness? I'm impatient.
   
9. If we were to speak to a random group of your current students, how would they describe you? They would tell you that I do funny voices when I read. They would also tell you that I love it when they teach me something new.
   
10. If we were to speak to a random group of your current teaching colleagues, how would they describe you? They would talk about how excited I get when new books come in. They would tell you that I offer support with respect to technology in the classroom. I have guided many teachers through netTrekker and video streaming. I know that they appreciate how hard I work to acquire the books and other materials for the library that support curriculum and their classroom activities.
    
11. How important is technology and how would you integrate it? Technology is a very important part of being a 21st century learner. It opens up our world. It enables us to acquire information that is current and it enables us to acquire a world view. There are many ways that technology can open up a child's world, but so can reading books. There needs to be both. There needs to be balance.
    
12. Tell us about a collaborative project you worked on and what your contribution was. I am currently involved with the 5th grade teachers in establishing research protocols. Every January, these students embark on a great adventure: their first research project. The fifth grade teachers and I work together to develop the parameters of this project, with my emphasis being on the model of research students must follow as well as the method of citation. Every year, we tweak it and make it better. This year, I provided a pathfinder to conducting research in the library that the students use when they come into the library or go the computer lab.
    

That's all for now. I reserve the right to add/edit this list in the future!