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daisy
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 5:33:50 AM
Rank: Member
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/11/2008
Posts: 22
Points: -31
I just learned I made the short list for a job in my own library, the department head position of my department. (Current holder of the job is moving.) I work in a small public services department in an academic library at a private university.

I'll meet the committee in-person rather than over the phone, unlike the other candidates (and yes I'll wear a suit for this first-round). I know everyone on the search committee and have even worked with the faculty member who isn't in the library. One of my close co-workers is on the search committee, though she's been appropriately discrete about the whole thing.

Do you all have any suggestions for me as an internal candidate? Anything I might not think about that makes this different than being an outside candidate?

Thanks.
bcgray
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 11:28:58 AM

Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator , Member

Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 338
Points: 986
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
daisy wrote:
One of my close co-workers is on the search committee, though she's been appropriately discrete about the whole thing.


I am not sure what you mean by this. Is she a close friend and she has not let the search committee know? If so, this puts you in an awkward and dangerous situation. If people already know of your close friendship, it is not a big deal. But things like this should not be hidden.

Brian C. Gray
Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian
Kelvin Smith Library
Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/bcg8
bcg8@case.edu
bcgray
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 11:30:46 AM

Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator , Member

Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 338
Points: 986
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
daisy wrote:
Do you all have any suggestions for me as an internal candidate? Anything I might not think about that makes this different than being an outside candidate?


It actually may be harder for you because every has already got in their head that they know everything about you.

You should treat it like any other interview. Prepare the same way. Your challenge will be trying to stay at an arm's length from the entire situation until the hiring process is over.

Brian C. Gray
Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian
Kelvin Smith Library
Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/bcg8
bcg8@case.edu
daisy
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 1:29:00 PM
Rank: Member
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/11/2008
Posts: 22
Points: -31
Nope, it's not a secret at all. As I said, we have a small department and a small library; our supervisor is leaving, and another person in the department, with whom I work closely, is on the search committee. Everyone knows we work together and collaborate on projects, though we rarely get together outside of work and, for example, rarely have lunch together. We're friendly colleagues. And this information is widely known.

When I said she has been appropriately discrete, I meant that she has maintained the confidentiality required by serving on a search committee. I didn't even know I had made the cut until I heard officially -- she certainly did not tell me.
bcgray
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 6:00:04 PM

Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator , Member

Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 338
Points: 986
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
She has done well based on your follow up post. You never want to harm any candidates chances.

Your challenge will be thinking of the questions you should ask as interviews should always be 2-way communications.

Brian C. Gray
Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian
Kelvin Smith Library
Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/bcg8
bcg8@case.edu
daisy
Posted: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 2:28:56 PM
Rank: Member
Groups: Member

Joined: 3/11/2008
Posts: 22
Points: -31
Good point about the questions--thanks.
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