Queens Library Interview Questions
& Process

This was a virtual interview with a branch manager and a union representative. The interview was about 20 minutes long and the questions comprehensive. I remember discussing my experience working with children, some relevant coursework regarding working with diverse populations and how I was preparing for the role.

The initial interview was pretty standard. They mentioned a decision would be made the next week, but then two weeks passed with no word. When I followed up, they said to email the following week. After another 10 days, I emailed again and got the same response. A further follow-up resulted in being told to just wait. It took nearly two months to get a response, likely because I didn't advance past the first interview round. It's frustrating that they didn't simply inform me I wasn't selected for the next stage and instead kept me waiting, not the job itself, but the lack of communication and being strung along is upsetting.

The hiring process was pretty bad. I applied in July and then got a random call in October, which I almost missed because they wouldn't use email. After some back and forth, the recruiter finally called my cell. I asked for a morning interview to avoid missing work, but they insisted on their chosen time. It was tough to find someone to cover for me last minute. I was interviewed by a panel, and they seemed nice, but they dinged me for not having public library experience, even though my application made it clear I didn't. They gave me a hypothetical about competing priorities (phone, copier, patron computer issue) and asked how I'd handle it, which I had no idea about. Other questions were about dealing with pornography on a computer, an angry patron about fines, and a parent leaving a child for story time. I don't think my answers were great because I've never been in those situations. The job description seemed open to trainees with any library experience, but my lack of public library experience was apparently the dealbreaker. I wanted to know for sure so I could stop checking my phone constantly. They finally told me two weeks later, only after I hounded them, reminding them I had to rearrange my whole schedule and miss work, making a coworker miss their lunch. It was rude to stonewall me after all that. This was actually better than the last time I applied here in 2007. Back then, they knew I was coming from Philadelphia and scheduled me for 10 AM. I had to take a 4 AM train and spend over $120. When I got to the library, the doors didn't open until 10 AM, and my interview was at 10 AM. I didn't get interviewed until 11 AM. I later found out there was a back entrance I was supposed to use, but they never told me. They kept calling my home number in Philadelphia and finally reached my husband at 6 PM the night before. All he got was that the location changed from Jamaica to Flushing. Why not use email if they couldn't reach me? I don't think I'll apply here again, but I'm still baffled they have jobs when I don't. After politely asking if the position was filled, I got the same stonewalling as this time, even after spending money and taking a day off. They really don't respect applicants' time or money.

The team was very kind and the interview setting felt professional. The Zoom call was quite thorough and lengthy, though it didn't feel unpleasant. I felt like I was being treated as a colleague, which I appreciated. Several staff members were present during the interview and took turns asking questions.