Hey All,

I took part in the PPD interview demonstration last year and want to encourage people to apply this year, regardless of whether you are in your first or second year of the MLIS programme.

The interview itself was conducted by three thoughtful and encouraging members of the LIS professional community, each with very different backgrounds. This was particularly fortunate since all three interviewees last year applied for three very different positions.

They provided instructive feedback, in addition to Anna Cranston’s running commentary.

When I heard about the opportunity last year I felt there was a slim chance that I would apply, since on the surface it seems like a potentially daunting experience. Being interviewed in front of 60 people? Yikes with a capital “Y”! I ended up participating out of a sense of self-improvement, since I can be nervous in situations that I perceive to be high-stress. Harnessing the power of my nervousness I prepared like I had never prepared for any interview before, and that in itself was a valuable lesson.

Aside from the valuable experience of simply applying for a job and preparing for an interview, the interview itself was a great experience, conducted with the utmost respect from all parties, from the interviewers to the facilitators to the audience whose feedback I was also grateful to receive. I was especially fortunate in that I was the first person interviewed, and had the opportunity to learn from the two dynamic and intelligent students interviewed afterwards.

It is highly unlikely that you’ll have the opportunity to take part in such an exercise again, so please do consider taking part. I am very happy to elaborate on my experience or answer questions for anyone that wishes to contact me. Thanks and have a great day.

Kate MacKeigan

kamackei@dal.ca