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And that’s it for #CDGCareers2026 Huge thanks to our wonderful speakers. We learned so much from them and we really appreciate them taking the time to come and speak to us 👏👏👏👏 We hope all of our attendees found this event useful and keep an eye on our socials for more coming soon!

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a man in a suit and tie says `` well , my weaknesses are actually strengths '' .

Everyone’s dreaded question: what is your biggest weakness? Johanna says a way around this is to show how you have dealt with this weakness and what you have done to overcome it. #CDGCareers2026

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ALT: a man in a suit and tie says `` well , my weaknesses are actually strengths '' .

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Great points from both David and Johanna. Don’t be afraid to go into the library and speak to people who can teach you more about the role. Also don’t hesitate to reach out to the organisation’s HR department if you have any questions about the position. #CDGCareer2026

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What if you have a presentation? 📊 Here are the skills to get you through it! #CDGCareers2026

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stephanie @stephaniechen.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

To summarize the final points, it is always good to summarize. ;) Dr Johanna Archbold closes out her slide deck with these final thoughts. #CDGCareers2026

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Reposted by LAI CDG

From public to academic libraries, demonstrating your competency is key - great to see @johannaarch.bsky.social reinforcing points from David's presentation @laicdgroup.bsky.social #CDGCareers2026

Grade 6s - professional roles which are trusted to represent the library. Here's the key skills after bringing in your academic skills. 🎓

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Grade 5s are next up - do you have the skills to manage a desk? 🫵 Do you have ideas of improvement? ✒️ Give examples. Show that you have these examples that show the fine details.

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What are we looking for with Grades 3 and 4 for Librarians? Competency is key. Make that clear in your interview. 📒 #CDGCareers2026

stephanie @stephaniechen.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Next up, we have Dr Johanna Archbold from ATU Library. She has an over 10 year hiring manager career. She is going to set out her discussion about what hiring managers are looking for. Looking forward to hearing her speak! #CDGCareers2026

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Reposted by LAI CDG

Some tips on answering interview questions from David: use real examples and the STAR method. Be concise and clear. It's okay to talk about failures, just be sure to also talk about how you learned from the experience @laicdgroup.bsky.social #CDGCareers2026

stephanie @stephaniechen.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Reposted by LAI CDG

Competency based interviews: remember to always have a backup! @laicdgroup.bsky.social #CDGCareers2026

The closing minutes of an interview are an opportunity to reinforce your suitability for the role. Keep it brief, but use this time to hit on any points you may have missed. #CDGCareers2026

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a man wearing a white hoodie that says superdry on it

Be aware of word counts on application forms. Going above the word limit suggests an inability to communicate concisely and effectively. #CDGCareers2026

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ALT: a man wearing a white hoodie that says superdry on it

Don’t forget to highlight your soft skills and have examples to back them up. Some examples of soft skills include communication, adaptability and professionalism. #CDGCareers2026

Clear, concise communication is extremely important. Use real examples, demonstrate what you learned and be prepared for follow-up questions. #CDGCareers2026

First impressions DO matter. There are countless studies to back this up. Pay attention to things like presentation, eye contact, punctuality and your demeanour. #CDGCareers2026

a man sits at a table with two bottles of water in front of a sign that says tnt

We’re all terrified of freezing in a job interview. So what do we do if it happens? David says take a glass of water and allow yourself a second to pause and reset your focus. #CDGCareers2026

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ALT: a man sits at a table with two bottles of water in front of a sign that says tnt

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Preparation is key when it comes to job interviews. It’s not enough to simply Google the organisation - David outlines there’s a lot more to it than that. #CDGCareers2026

What do interviewers look for?? Four key pillars to pay attention to include communication, evidence, culture and professionalism. #CDGCareers2026

And we’re off! First up this evening we have David O’Brien. David was appointed Cork City Librarian in 2020 and has served on a number of interview panels over the years. David brings a wealth of experience to our webinar this evening and we are so delighted to have him. #CDGCareers2026