At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist library users, manage book loans, and support events like storytime.
- Company: Join a friendly library service in the heart of the city.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Perfect for students looking to enhance their CV and gain practical experience.
- Why this job: Make a difference in your community while enjoying a fun, interactive role.
- Qualifications: Good communication skills and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 15 £ per hour.
Working Hours: 5.75 hours per week – 9:45 am – 3:30 pm every Saturday.
Location: Appointed to the City.
Overview: We are looking for an outgoing friendly person with good communication and customer service skills to join our library service. You will provide a quality service whilst meeting the learning and recreational needs of all who live, work or study in the city and elsewhere. This is a full‑time, fixed‑term/secondment opportunity for up to 6 months.
Responsibilities:
- Assist the public in using and accessing library services from the library counters, floors and workrooms.
- Deliver an effective information, enquiry and reader‑development service.
- Issue and discharge books and process new members.
- Support the delivery and development of activities, events and other library offers as required, including reading stories to children and leading Rhymetime sessions.
- Handle cash duties and assist people in using library computers.
- Maintain building security, the appearance of the library for users, stock shelves and process orders of new library material stock.
Qualifications: You will have good communication and customer care skills, be confident working with the public, and be able to deal with challenging service users or disruptive visitors. A team player who is flexible, able to adapt quickly to different work situations and locations, with good literacy and numeracy skills, and able to converse at ease with customers in accurate spoken English.
Equal Employment Opportunity: We are a disability confident employer and comply with the Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. All applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Library Assistant in Essex employer: Portsmouth City Council
Join our vibrant library service in the heart of the city, where we prioritise a friendly and inclusive work culture. As a Library Assistant, you will not only engage with the community but also benefit from opportunities for personal growth and development within a supportive team environment. Enjoy the satisfaction of making a meaningful impact on the lives of residents and students while working in a dynamic and welcoming setting every Saturday.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Library Assistant in Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the library! Before your interview, pop in and familiarise yourself with the layout and services. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you answer questions about how you’d assist users.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since you'll be dealing with the public, try role-playing common scenarios with friends or family. This will help you feel more confident when interacting with library visitors.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your customer service skills! Think of examples from past experiences where you’ve gone above and beyond for someone. We love to see that you can handle challenging situations with a smile!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in our community.
We think you need these skills to ace Library Assistant in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since we're looking for someone with great communication skills, make sure to highlight any relevant experience in your application. Whether it's customer service or working with the public, let us know how you connect with people!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to read through the job description and match your skills and experiences to what we’re looking for. Personalising your application shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the role and understand what it entails.
Be Yourself:We want to see your personality shine through! Don’t be afraid to let your friendly and outgoing nature come across in your writing. A bit of warmth can go a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us directly, please apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know the Library Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to familiarise yourself with the library's services and resources. Understand how they cater to the community's needs and think about how you can contribute to that. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you answer questions more effectively.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role heavily involves interacting with the public, prepare examples of how you've successfully handled customer service situations in the past. Think about times when you went above and beyond to assist someone or resolved a challenging situation. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with users and provide excellent service.
✨Be Ready for Role-Play Scenarios
Interviews for positions like this may include role-play scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your communication skills. Practice responding to common library-related queries or handling difficult patrons. This will help you feel more confident and prepared during the actual interview.
✨Highlight Your Team Spirit
As a Library Assistant, you'll be part of a team, so it's essential to showcase your teamwork abilities. Prepare to discuss experiences where you've collaborated with others, adapted to different roles, or supported colleagues. This will illustrate that you're flexible and ready to contribute positively to the library environment.
