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Wednesday 13 June 2012

interview for librarian post: questions to ponder on

here are some questions that I remember from the interview with the UM last two weeks. starting with the one that brought the most stinging effect to me

question: why don't you further your Phd? you can become a lecturer
what i answered: i feel that i dont have the expertise to focus on in writing the theses, so i'm not confident in doing it yet
responded question: u're giving me the impression that once we've given u the training, u'll do your PhD and leave the the library to become a lecturer
me: (fcuk. why did i say that before)...em, actually i'm not interested in teaching, thats why i chose MLIS and not MAESL....

(why why why did i respond with this! i shoud have said stm like: completing a doctoral degree doesnt solely mean that u want to be a lecturer; it is one of the ways to become an expert in certain fields. wouldnt it be a benefit to the institution itself if they have an expert in a particular area? i could become an asset to this library instead)

question: have you ever been to the libraries in any other countries? if you're given enough revenue, what radical changes that you can do to your library
me: change the appearance, upgrade the environment...like having a mini garden in the library, as well as great toilets (yup, i've SAID this. uhhh)

question: what do you think of opening the library 24h? give pros and cons
me: quite ok, it's good especially for those who're doing a research

question: these days, people rely so much on the internet as their first source of information. how can you attract people to come to the library and retain them there
me: i can say there're 2 approaches to this. 1) if we cannot physically pull them to the library, we go to them; that is by developing a virtual library. 2) by being able to provide all materials and assistance needed by the students, like having liaison librarians who really really are an expert in that field and would be able to guide students from A to Z in their study and information retrieval. (duh... if only my words were as organized as this)

question: if there's only 1 vacancy, why should we hire you and not the other persons
me: (I REALLY HATE THIS QUESTION. dont u know how hopeless i m in boosting myself?) err..i'm a very curious person, (....yeah, like, THAT is your most valuable trait ke rubi oiiii) so i'll be willing to learn new things...bla bla...comfortable to work individually and in team...bla bla...


overall thought:

i was clumsy in the interview, there were three candidates with experiences there, so i wouldnt put much hope then. huhuhu

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