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Step 1
Research the company. Most corporations have websites now, making it simple to go online and gather information about your prospective employer. Learn about their history, their specialties and if possible, the size and collection of the library. Corporate library collections are based upon what information their employees need to do their jobs, so understanding the company will help you understand what type of materials you'll be dealing with in the library.
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Step 2
Meet the job requirements. The job description can include types of collections, databases, and library duties they hope you are familiar with. Be certain that you are capable in each area they require. If you haven't tried (or heard of) a particular database, do research on it. Many research database companies provide a demo online that you can practice with. If you prepare in this way, you can say at the interview that you've seen a demo of the product and feel capable of using it. If you're currently working in another library, ask any experienced coworkers for help in areas you're unfamiliar with.
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Step 3
Stress your strengths. If you've learned how to use a variety of databases and have worked in different departments at your current library job, tell the interviewers about this. Even if the databases aren't ones you'll be using in your new position, the fact that you already have practical knowledge of typical library tools works in your favor. It stresses all that you know, while also illustrating that you are able to learn new skills without any problems.
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Step 4
Show that you are open to learning new ideas and improving yourself. This library could have engineers, medical personnel or advertising executives, all with expansive knowledge of their fields and current trends, especially in technology. They expect their library staff to be able to understand and assist them in their work, and to keep up with all the new ways of obtaining the latest research and information. Letting the interviewers know that you're excited to learn every last detail of their business and how to best serve their workers will make you a very promising candidate.
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Step 5
Stress your initiative and work ethic. Corporate libraries generally have a small staff and some small libraries are run entirely by one person. This means you have a lot of responsibility and will need to be organized, efficient, and hard-working. Be sure to tell the interviewers about any projects you've put together, events that you've run or training sessions you taught. Anything that shows your ability to work on your own and get things done, without constant supervision, is a plus.
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Step 6
It follows that you should also stress the variety of skills that you have. Small staffs means that each member may have multiple jobs, and can include an array of duties you've never had before. I worked for an engineering library where my tasks included periodicals maintenance, interlibrary loan, and taking phone orders for safety manuals. So be sure to mention the variety of skills you possess--even if they're not library related, as it shows the scope of your knowledge and your willingness to perform all sorts of tasks.
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Step 7
Discuss your skills in cooperation. Working for a medical research or law firm library, you might be working closely with company employees for months or even years on the same project, and sometimes with critical deadlines. People skills are also crucial for getting cooperation from other libraries and agencies, so that you can easily obtain necessary documents and information for your company. Be sure to discuss any work you've done with other libraries and any group projects you've participated in.
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Step 8
Show your enthusiasm for library work. If you don't seem all that interested in the job, they won't be interested in giving it to you. Make sure you list any library awards or accolades you've received. Anything that shows your dedication to the field will be appreciated by interviewers. If you're new to the library field, see the Tips section for a very important insider tip about librarians.
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Step 9
Be yourself. Obviously it's important to be professional in an interview, but don't be afraid to let some of your personality and humor shine through. Corporate libraries usually involve working in close quarters with the same few people every day, so if your personality isn't a good fit for the employees already there, the interviewers will know right away. This is a positive thing, because if you don't click with these people, you won't want to work there, either.
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Step 10
Follow the basic rules about interviews for any position. Be courteous, make eye contact with the interviewers, and always thank them for their time. Save questions about salary or benefits until the end of the interview--usually they'll finish up by asking for your questions. Begin any queries with something related to the work itself--specifics about your job duties, how many employees come in for assistance each day, etc. Then you can follow up with questions about scheduling, pay, and job perks.
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Step 11
Follow up. It never hurts to send an email to the interviewer the next day, thanking them for their time and letting them know you look forward to hearing from them. Unless they've specifically told you not to, contact the appropriate person after a few weeks and ask about the status of the position. If the decision is still pending, it's good to just state that you were very interested in the job and were looking forward to hearing from them again. Try to mention some small detail from the interview that will help them remember you. When the decision makers take a while to hire someone, often the candidates will have found other work by the time they make their announcement. Letting the company know you are still an option will help keep you in their minds and may push you to the top of the list.
