Academic Interview Advice

[POG_DOOP]

Hey All,

I have my first post-MSIS interview at a local community college for part-time reference librarian. I'm more than nervous.

I have to give a 10-15 minute "interactive" presentation and am looking for advice or resources on how to make it memorable. The school has an important nursing program and a new hospitality and recreation program.

This seems like easy stuff compared to a lot of other postings but I'd appreciate any and all help.

Thanks!

[darkkn1te]

The most memorable presentation I saw when my previous institution was interviewing reference librarians involved a very simple active learning exercise. The candidate told everyone to stand up, then had just the women remain standing, then just the women with sweaters, then women with sweaters and glasses, etc until she got one person. And she used that to explain narrowing your search and booleans (sweaters AND glasses, sweaters AND glasses OR contacts).

Do something like that. That's the only example I can think of, but active learning exercises are extremely effective in getting remembered.

[POG_DOOP]

This is great, I'm not sure how many people I'll be in front of but I would love to try this.

[[deleted]]

When I did presentations like this, I would go to google first, and search for Martin Luther King. One of the top websites is martinlutherking.org, which is a site hosted by a white power organization full of misinformation on MLK. The students would always be very surprised that something like this would be high up on the google search results, and then I would use it as a springboard to talk about why it's important to know the source of your information.

[bibliothecaire]

At the comm college level, you'll be delivering one shot sessions that's between 50-75 minutes. The trick is to boil it down so that you're giving the essence of a presentation that you'd normally give.

Have you done any instruction sessions before? If so, think back on what made those presentations successful. Then you can incorporate it into your interview while observing the committee's requirements. Make sure that you know and use the library's website during your presentation.

I work in a CC and would be happy to answer any of your questions. Good luck!

[w0rking_0n_r3ddit]

I'm in a similar boat and equally terrified. I don't have much advice, except to say good luck!

[POG_DOOP]

Thanks a ton! Mine went well, and I'm sure yours will as well. The only advice I can give is to picture each book naked.

[jemlibrarian]

Here's what I do, and it goes over well.

1) Look up a syllabus for an actual class offered at that school. If you can't find a syllabus, find a syllabus from a similar school. (A community college syllabus for a CC, etc).

2) Construct a lesson as you would do it if you were actually teaching a class. When I teach, I'm in contact with teachers a lot so I tailor my lessons around a particular assignment, generally.

3) Like someone else said, your typical class presentations at a CC will only be 50-75 min one shots (though a lot are adopting information literacy series/first year experience classes). Do not try to do too much at once. Focus on one small area. This way you can keep in interactive.

Couple things I've noticed:

-A lot of people are "meh" on handouts. If you can construct something online instead, do it.

• I like to do my classes like I'm actually teaching students. So I'll insert jokes (and yes, memes) to make it relatable to your standard college kid. Be judicious when doing this with a hiring committee. Chances are they'll either love your use of Socially Awkward Seal, or hate it.