This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for a year to 18 months. This person is looking in academic, public, and special libraries at the entry level. Here is this person’s experience with internships/volunteering:
I have had one internship at a university library.
I volunteer at a local Church library.
This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Northeastern US and is not willing to move.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Location, type of environment, pay.
Where do you look for open positions?
City websites (for public libraries), ALA Joblist, TLN Job board, SLA Michigan Chapter Job Listing, MLA Jobline & Careers.
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ Only for certain kinds of employers
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
Polish Resume, Compose Cover Letter, Research Company. Usually I spend about an hour or two over the course of a couple days (depending on how much time I have).
Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?
√ No
When would you like employers to contact you?
√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me
How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?
√ Phone for good news, email for bad news
Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Be very clear in their posting about what is expected and required of a candidate.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Let applicants know if they got the position in a timely manner, give feedback on interview. Make interviews more casual.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Saying all the right things in an interview!
Are you hunting for a new LIS job? Take the survey! http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibJOBHUNTERsurvey
This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 