School Library Job Interview

jac29

Hi,
Looking for some advice. I have worked in a community library since 2012 but these are under 'proposals to close' so I thought it better I find something else whilst still in employment. I have just had a phone call to let me know I have been invited for an interview this coming Monday in a school library. As I've only had two interviews since I was a teen' I'm not very experienced at them. I have been asked to prepare a ten minute presentation on a specific subject. Has anyone got any tips for me having faced something like this? I feel the better prepared I am the more chance I will have. I don't have power point skills so this will have to be paper based. I thought about doing some hand outs with researched data on the subject and a list of my ideas with background as to how/why I have come up with those ideas. Basically, I will go through these with the interview panel. What do you all think? Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Thanks x

iclayt

Paper is ok as long as you don't just read out what you have given them - give them a list of facts and figures for example, and then talk about them from your own crib notes or memory. Introduce yourself, make lots of eye contact, talk slower than you think you need to, and smile!

What is the specific subject?

jac29

I have been asked to show how the library could be used to improve literacy in the school/how to encourage pupils to use the library. I have just had a quick look at power point and think I might be able to use it if I get some practice in (and get help from one of my kids!) but I will still have a paper version as back up. Good advice about speaking more slowly and using eye contact. That is something I am aware of and I hate it when people don't use it! One of my colleague used to be terrible for looking to the left of me when she spoke and I found it really annoying! Will try to remember build in a 'pause and smile moment' after each section to ensure I do actually remember to smile. I know how valuable a smile can be to build rapport.

Sanne

Just in case they're helpful, MS have some free PowerPoint training videos (for 2013) on their website

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/training-courses-for-powerpoint-2013-HA104015465.aspx

One hint - please don't overdo it with transitions and animations. I've seen some horrible things.....
Also don't overload the slides with information, otherwise people will either be put off or try to read it all while you're trying to talk and not actually listen to you. I tend to limit it to approx. 40 words per slide at any one time.


Even if you go for PPT, I would still do a handout - you can create them within PowerPoint (there's a video about this in the above page).
Also try and engage the audience (do you have any questions? etc)

Also, have you checked if there's a laptop/projector available for you to present?

Good luck!