Re: Inteview questions -- 2 messages Stephen D. Clark 29 Oct 1999 11:08 UTC
2 messages: 1)-------------------------------- -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Inteview questions ---Reply Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 11:25:21 +0000 From: "Fiona A. McPherson" <Fiona.McPherson@FCT-CF.X400.GC.CA> I think this is of interest to more than just a few of us, so I'm responding to the list. L.H. Kevil's response was good to see, and I printed it out, but I would like to share some ideas and experience with you all on this too. In the past few years we've interviewed for this position several times (no, we're not such a bad place to work... just timing, I think.;-) I hope.) As such, we've had an opportunity to see, in rapid succession, how successful our interview questions are in helping us determine the best person for the job. Our Serials/Bindery Clerk is responsible for all parts of the Serial record: initial set-up on our automated system (brief bib. record, check-in schedule, subscription, copies, and purchasing/claimining info, & etc.); generating & processing claims; the usual check-in, labelling, routing, and mailing of serials; and the binding of parts of multiple copies of some serial (law reports, mostly) publications. When interviewing for the position, we include some practical questions -- which I find help us to narrow down our list of candidates -- after we've asked the more general types of questions. These are questions aimed at determining "knowledge" and "ability": What is a serial publication? What is a monograph? How often is a bi-annual publication published? What is a semi-annual? What is the difference between a bi-weekly and a semi-monthly publication? And then we might ask a question related specifically to publications that seem to be peculiarly prevalent in law libraries (maybe science or business types have something similar which is peculiar to their serials).... What is the nature of a serial looseleaf publication? We also have a written exam where we include a check-in and claiming exercise. Although this is difficult to do when we are working with an automated system, we give the candidate four or five make-believe titles, claim periods, schedules, and check-in records and then we ask the candidate to identify those issues which should and shouldn't be claimed. This may be one of the most enlightening questions we have. We also maintain holdings summaries and will ask a question where a person is asked to write a holdings summary for a publication's current inventory. For binding, we give them the unbound issues for some "normal" and some "trick" publications ask them to write up binding directions. In response to one of the other questions to this list.... We have all the answers to all the "practical" questions. For the more 'warm & fuzzy' kinds of questions, we have an outline of what we are looking for in a response. So, the answer is "yes" we have answers, per se, to guide us. I hope this helps you! I know that I wouldn't mind hearing more ideas about what people are finding as useful indicators as interview questions for one of the more difficult positions we have to fill, and keep filled, in technical services. Trying to find out a person's ability for attention to detail is one of the key components for success. And, Good Luck! Fiona A. McPherson Collection Development Librarian Federal Court of Canada Library 2)------------------------------ -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: Inteview questions -- L.H. Kevil -Reply Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 11:40:52 +0000 From: "Fiona A. McPherson" <Fiona.McPherson@FCT-CF.X400.GC.CA> Sorry, just one more message on this... We set out our points system for questions before we start interviewing and weight them according to those areas we are more concerned about. Also, in the oral interview, we ask a candidate to name as many bibliographice elements of a serial record that they can (via a few different questions) and give points for each one they name, as well as ask candidates to name all the bibliographic utitilities (electronic or paper) which could also be referred to when working in serials, and points for each. Fiona A. McPherson Collection Development Librarian Federal Court of Canada Library