Yesterday, I interviewed for my library dream job. It was a phone interview for a teen librarian position at this really amazing, super innovative library that just happens to be the closest library to our new house. Hello, universe, I see you!
While traveling back to SF, I spent a whole bunch of hours prepping for a lot of questions that I didn’t get asked (sidenote: how cool is this Hiring Librarians’ Library Interview Question “Database”?). I did the interview an hour after our flight got in from San Jose, on about 4 hours of sleep and a butt load of adrenaline. Afterwards, I preceded to anxiously analyze each of my answers, agonizing over how I was a great fit values-wise, but less so experience-wise. I mean, I’ve never been in charge at a library, and my time in Silicon Valley kind of convinced me that “emerging tech” is just a fancy word for “fad”. I kept thinking to myself “why did my first interview with a library have to be for my dream job?” I mean, pressure much?
The interview didn’t go poorly, but I still would not be surprised if I didn’t get a follow-up. I only have one semester of my MLIS under my belt, and it really is the first interview I’ve had since moving to Denver. I’m not saying I won’t be slightly heartbroken, but there is still a part of me that is encouraged that I even got the phone interview. Seriously, this is an amazing library. I’m a little thrilled.
There is a part of me that’s trying to talk myself into not being heartbroken. It’s been a rough year, and I can’t help feeling like “Hey, universe! I SEE YOU.” But after spending some time with colleagues in SF, and some time on LinkedIn seeing that there is, in fact, more out there – I know the right thing will happen. Both of my jobs since college have been really special – and I don’t have to settle for not-special, even if I don’t get this one.
I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like me.