2 messages:

1)--------------------------------
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Inteview questions ---Reply
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 11:25:21 +0000
From: "Fiona A. McPherson" <Fiona.McPherson@FCT-CF.X400.GC.CA>

I think this is of interest to more than just a few of us, so I'm
responding
to the list. L.H. Kevil's response was good to see, and I printed it
out, but I
would like to share some ideas and experience with you all on this too.

In the past few years we've interviewed for this position several times
(no, we're not such a bad place to work... just timing, I think.;-) I
hope.)
As such, we've had an opportunity to see, in rapid succession, how
successful our interview questions are in helping us determine the best
person for the job.

Our Serials/Bindery Clerk is responsible for all parts of the Serial
record:
 initial set-up on our automated system (brief bib. record, check-in
schedule, subscription, copies, and purchasing/claimining info, & etc.);
generating & processing claims; the usual check-in, labelling, routing,
and
mailing of serials; and the binding of parts of multiple copies of some
serial (law reports, mostly) publications.

When interviewing for the position, we include some practical questions
-- which I find help us to narrow down our list of candidates -- after
we've asked the more general types of questions. These are questions
aimed at determining "knowledge" and "ability":

What is a serial publication? What is a monograph?

How often is a bi-annual publication published? What is a semi-annual?

What is the difference between a bi-weekly and a semi-monthly
publication?

And then we might ask a question related specifically to publications
that
seem to be peculiarly prevalent in law libraries (maybe science or
business types have something similar which is peculiar to their
serials).... What is the nature of a serial looseleaf publication?

We also have a written exam where we include a check-in and claiming
exercise. Although this is difficult to do when we are working with an
automated system, we give the candidate four or five make-believe
titles,
claim periods, schedules, and check-in records and then we ask the
candidate to identify those issues which should and shouldn't be
claimed. This may be one of the most enlightening questions we have.

We also maintain holdings summaries and will ask a question where a
person is asked to write a holdings summary for a publication's current
inventory.

For binding, we give them the unbound issues for some "normal" and
some "trick" publications ask them to write up binding directions.

In response to one of the other questions to this list.... We have all
the
answers to all the "practical" questions. For the more 'warm & fuzzy'
kinds of questions, we have an outline of what we are looking for in a
response. So, the answer is "yes" we have answers, per se, to guide
us.

I hope this helps you! I know that I wouldn't mind hearing more ideas
about what people are finding as useful indicators as interview
questions for one of the more difficult positions we have to fill, and
keep
filled, in technical services. Trying to find out a person's ability for
attention to detail is one of the key components for success.

And, Good Luck!

Fiona A. McPherson
Collection Development Librarian
Federal Court of Canada Library

2)------------------------------
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Inteview questions -- L.H. Kevil -Reply
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 11:40:52 +0000
From: "Fiona A. McPherson" <Fiona.McPherson@FCT-CF.X400.GC.CA>

Sorry, just one more message on this...

We set out our points system for questions before we start interviewing
and weight them according to those areas we are more concerned
about.

Also, in the oral interview, we ask a candidate to name as many
bibliographice elements of a serial record that they can (via a few
different questions) and give points for each one they name, as well as
ask candidates to name all the bibliographic utitilities (electronic or
paper)
which could also be referred to when working in serials, and points for
each.

Fiona A. McPherson
Collection Development Librarian
Federal Court of Canada Library