Tag Archives: jobhunting

Health Insurance

Lake 'Hunt', c1910sThis anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for Less than six months. This person is looking in Academic libraries, Archives, Library vendors/service providers, Public libraries, and Special libraries, at the following levels: Entry level and Requiring at least two years of experience.  Here is how s/he describes her experience with internships/volunteering:

Independent study organizing archives for local non-profit
Paid internship with a Smithsonian Institution archive
Slightly more than 1 year of volunteer work (1-2 hrs/wk) in tech. services department of local public library while in library school
About 4 months of volunteer work (2-6 hrs/wk) at a NARA installation prior to beginning graduate school

This job hunter is in a city/town in the Southern US and is not willing to move.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

The chance to use and expand my professional skills
Money
Health insurance

Where do you look for open positions?

Professional listservs
INALJ
Archives Gig
other library job listing websites
SAA job board
employer websites

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

1. Read the application instructions.
2. Tweak my resume.
3. Draft the cover letter.
4. Revise the cover letter.
5. Revise the cover letter again.
6. And again.
7. Finalize cover letter and resume.
8. Complete online application, which often entails typing out what’s already in the attached cover letter and resume.
9. Submit the application.

The application process usually takes me 2-4 weeks, most of which is consumed by cover letter revision.

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 tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
 Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Other: Any method of contact is okay with me.

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Tour of facility
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Actually state what sort of work they’re hiring for in the job announcement. If you’re looking for somebody to take on all of your electronic records management and preservation duties (and do basic library instruction on the side), don’t make out that the job is an archival processing position with some incidental other tasks, ’cause that ain’t really what you’re hiring for.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Get rid of those stupid application questions that basically require applicants to type out information that is provided in cover letters and resumes anyway.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

I think it comes down to how one presents oneself, how diligent one is in seeking out job opportunities, and whether one can find a place that fits one’s skills and personality.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job - Do you need one?  Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, Archives, City/town, Job hunter's survey, Public, School, Southern US

Write the Sweetest Rejection Letters

Eerste Wereldoorlog, luchtoorlogThis anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is not currently employed, has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for More than 18 months. This person is looking in Academic libraries, Public libraries, and Special libraries, at the following levels: Entry level. This job hunter is in a rural area in the Western US and is willing to move to the Eastern US.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Congenial working conditions
salary & benefits
professional development

Where do you look for open positions?

Alerts from particular employers
ALA joblist
INALJ
SLA
USAjobs

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√  No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I review and reread the job posting several times. I consider whether I have a reasonable “argument,” that I am a candidate for the job. I consider how to address weak spots. I review my resume and tweak it if I need to. I write a cover letter. Then I go online and complete the application. It takes 2-8 hours.

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

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Simplify and clarify the job posting. It’s easier for a candidate to determine whether they’d be a good fit that way. Some of the job postings I’ve seen want a candidate to do everything and be qualified for everything. I’ve seen job postings offering ten dollars an hour and requiring years of experience for a person who will do everything, even walk the dog. It’s just crazy.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

More communication. Write the sweetest rejection letters. I wish employers would be more honest. Sometimes I know that is not possible, but I would like to know if the interview process is a charade (that is, they already have someone in mind) or if I actually have a chance.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Knowing people before the job posting.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job - Do you need one?  Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, Job hunter's survey, Public, Rural area, Special, Western US

Why Is the Position Vacant?

The finish of the duck hunt at the New Zealand Division water sports, World War I, 7 Jul 1917

This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is not currently employed, has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for Less than six months. This person is looking in Academic libraries and Public libraries at the following levels: Department Head, Senior Librarian, Branch Manager, and Director/Dean. This job hunter is in a rural area in the Southern US and is willing to move anywhere.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

1. Respect
2. A chance to use my talents
3. Interesting

Where do you look for open positions?

INALJ!
Also state library websites,Library Job Postings on the Internet, networking, and friends who are not librarians.

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I have a basic resume that I use for most jobs and a specialized one that I use for the few jobs that I have special expertise in. I have slightly different sets of references for different positions as well, although two or three are always the same.
Anywhere from 15 minutes to several days. It depends on what is asked for.

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 tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Tour of facility
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
√ Being able to present
√ Other: Being asked if I have any questions

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Be upfront about the job duties and situation. Why is the position vacant? Exactly what do they want or expect from an employee? List the salary range. Benefits are not important to mention unless there is something unusual (no insurance, no retirement, or limited vacation time.)
Absolutely do not use words like dynamic, innovative, or creative. These phrases make me tired just to read them and are a real turn-off. Words like experienced or versatile are acceptable.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Communicate clearly with the candidate. Schedules are always nice. Designate a point person for contact.
Let the candidate know if they did not get the job. Email is just fine for this. I have done a lot of hiring in my time – we set up a generic email to send out instead of mailing typed letters. We did this when we started getting 70 or 80 applicants for positions. We did send letters to the few people without emails but it streamlined the process while still making sure people were contacted.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Convincing the hiring committee that you are the best candidate!
Following the instructions in the application process and being unfailingly polite. Figuring out what is wanted is essential as well but can be a matter of luck. Researching the library is helpful but can backfire if they want to control information. (I have had interviews where people obviously did not realize how much information was available online and were disconcerted when I inadvertently mentioned something.)

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

How do you decide which positions to apply for? (The grapevine is very important also when deciding which positions to apply for, as is background research.)

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job - Do you need one?  Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, Job hunter's survey, Public, Rural area, Southern US

If They Are Going to Weed Out Potential Employees by Their Resumes Anyway, Don’t Expect Every Applicant to Write a Paper or Essay

Rabbit hunting on the Otago Central Railway, ca 1900This 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 More than 18 months. This person is looking in Academic libraries, Public libraries, and School libraries at the following levels: Requiring at least two years of experience. S/he is in a city/town in the Southern US and is not willing to move.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Location
Hours
Opportunity for growth

Where do you look for open positions?

Local sites
LinkedIn
INALJ

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

4 hours

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
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email

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 should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

If they are going to weed out potential employees by their resumes anyway, don’t expect every applicant to write a paper or essay if you are not going to use them. It really wastes a lot of time for applicants. Please ask for those additional items only from people who make it past the first cut.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Knowing someone

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job - Do you need one?  Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, City/town, Job hunter's survey, Southern US, Special

Employers Should Also Never Interview Candidates That They Have No Intention of Hiring

Col. Cody [and] Prince of Monaco (LOC)

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. This person is looking in Academic libraries, and Public libraries at the following levels: Entry level and Requiring at least two years of experience. S/he is in a city/town in the Southern US and is willing to move depending on the location.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

- Good match with my skills, experience, training, and personality
- Physically practical for me
- Located somewhere where I wouldn’t mind living

Where do you look for open positions?

Professional listserv, individual organizations’ sites, Monster

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

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 tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√  Email

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 should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

If someone applied to a job but never got to the interview stage, an employer should never, ever leave a message on that person’s voicemail vaguely stating that they would like to talk to that person about the job that they applied to, only to have that person call back to find out that they didn’t get the job.

Employers should also never interview candidates that they have no intention of hiring.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Be someone with a completely different personality from mine.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job - Do you need one?  Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, City/town, Entry Level, Job hunter's survey, Public, Southern US

Lately I Have Seen Ads That Read Like Wish Lists

Tracy Stoller is an Assistant Librarian in a small urban academic library in the Midwest. Although it began as a part-time paraprofessional position, her job is now full time and professional. Ms. Stoller does a little bit of everything, but she is most proud of implementing a move to a new ILS without much help; she says she is tech-savvy by necessity rather than natural inclination. She has been looking for a new position for six months to a year in Academic libraries, Public libraries, Special libraries, and other positions in higher education, at the following levels: requiring at least two years of experience and supervisory. Here is how she describes her path to librarianship:

Librarianship was a mid-life career change for me–I went back to school for my MLS in my mid-40s after being a homeschooling mom and working in a family business. It was one of the best decisions I ever made, even considering the awful job market that faced me when I graduated in 2010. Although I do have a job in my field (thank the Lord), I am always looking…

Ms. Stoller is not willing to move from her current location. You can find her on Twitter @TracyStoller

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Pay that fits within the average for librarians in my state.
Within commuting distance of where I live, since I cannot move.
Work in academia.

Where do you look for open positions?

INALJ-Naomi rocks!
Indiana University SLIS listserv (open to anyone and jobs are posted on the school’s web site)
Custom delicious.com list I made of libraries within commuting distance

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I have several different styles of resumes/CVs so I take the one that fits the job and tweak it to the ad–changing key words to reflect their listing, removing skills that don’t fit, then write a cover letter from scratch. I probably spend 2-3 hours because I agonize over the cover letter. I have my daughter proofread and edit.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ Other: I may claim competence on computer software, then brush up on them (but only if I am already somewhat familiar with using them)

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ 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

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Tour of facility
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Be realistic in what experience the job requires. Lately I have seen ads that read like wish lists: The candidate has to fill every weak spot in the organization AND have three years experience. If you really want to hire an uber-librarian, then post the salary and make it match the skills.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Post the salary, give a time frame for hiring, send letters out to anyone who is not moving on to the interview process and notify those who are not hired as soon as you are able.

I used to think I would rather get an email telling me that another person was hired, but I recently got a phone call and it was much better. I found that they had hired an internal candidate, but thought I was a strong candidate and hoped I would apply for a job that would soon be posted. That feedback helped a lot and I was able to tell her how much I appreciated being considered and hoped to work for her organization some day in the future.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

You need to be a good fit for the people and the organization–credentials and skills are not enough. Sometimes it is just whether you “click” with them (and whether you and they are having a good day). Library jobs are getting scarce in my area with cutbacks. I am fortunate to have a (not-so-great) job as a librarian, but I am now looking outside of the traditional library area to widen my options.

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

I think many people answer what they think the ideal is for job searches and they do not reflect reality that is a search that goes through HR channels. They are not going list salaries many times, or acknowledge your resume. It sucks, but HR doesn’t care (even when the actual library professionals do), and what we think SHOULD happen doesn’t matter.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, Job hunter's survey, Midwestern US, Public, Special, Urban area

Humility. I Think Employers Are Scared By People Who Think They Know It All

Hunting with dogsThis anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for six months to a year. This person is looking in Academic libraries and Public libraries at the following levels: Entry level. Here is how this person describes his or her experience with internships/volunteering:

University reference field work, part-time work with a public library, part-time with university marketing.

This job hunter is in an urban area in the Midwestern US and is willing to move anywhere.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

I’m was looking for 1) a full time position 2) in my area 3) in a either a technical college or public library.

Where do you look for open positions?

INALJ is my main place. Occasionally I visit USA Jobs and similar government websites. I never use ALA Joblist; it’s sparsely populated and redundant with the other sources I check.

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

Typically I spend an hour to an hour and a half on each application. Typically I use the ad to draft of cover letter and adjust my resume accordingly, and then proceed through the inevitable online application.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

Yes

When would you like employers to contact you?

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

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
Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Be extremely explicit when describing the skills and qualities desired in a candidate, as well as the description of the responsibilities for the position. There are so many advertisments that are choked with jargon and corporate doublespeak, I’ve often second guessed my qualification for an entry-level or non-MLIS position simply because of the strange wording of the ad.
Also, it’s in an employer’s best interest to have a full revised job description prepared before advertising a position.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Humility. I think employers are scared by people who think they know it all. And no matter how much previous experience or training a candidate has, there will still be a period of adjustment after the hire. The key is admitting that you’re not perfect and projecting enthusiasm, determination, and positivity toward any potential obstacles.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, Job hunter's survey, Midwestern US, Public, Urban area

Offer the Applicant a Cool Drink of Water and Show Her Where the Ladies Room Is

Regine KellyThis interview is with Regine Kelly, who is currently employed as an adjunct at a private college. Ms. Kelly has been job hunting for six months, in Academic, Public and Special libraries, at the following levels: Reference and Instruction, Supervisory, Senior Librarian, Assistant Library Director or small library Director. Here is how she describes herself:

I am a service-oriented librarian and an experienced teacher of information fluency skills in both the college and public library spheres. I have experience in access, circulation and reference and have managed and scheduled students, civil service para-professionals and librarian assistants. I have project-management experience in exhibitions and events planning. I have managed facilities projects having to do with the physical plant. I am a writer and poet with two college aged sons.

Ms. Kelly is in an urban area of the Northeastern US, and is willing to move.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

I wish to be able to work hard as a librarian—helping patrons with research, reference and teaching information fluency skills. I wish to be encouraged to professionally develop and add to or change duties as needed (with support if necessary.)
I would rather not to be subject to random political agendas brought on by cuts to library budgets.
I would like to work for a skillful and reasonable mentor, supervisor, boss, head librarian or Dean.

Where do you look for open positions? (e.g. ALA Joblist, professional listserv, LinkedIn)

all these

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I prepare and adjust when needed.
Several hours.

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 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?

√ Email

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
√ Other: Being able to present an information fluency class.

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Employers have the advantage and need to post in the right places and be honest about the position that is really open. Accurate job descriptions.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Make the hiring process transparent. Offer the applicant a cool drink of water and show her where the ladies room is.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Presentation of self and skills, service oriented attitude, friendliness.

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

I am an adjunct at a college very close by where I live
I need a full-time job with benefits
I have public and academic experience and my greatest desire is to be able to work hard as a librarian, teaching information fluency, critical thinking and not be constantly worried that the College Administration is going to seize the library as in a “land grab,” or gut the staff. Librarians teach critical thinking skills and the increasingly larger amount of information available makes critical thinking and finding skills more essential than ever before.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job - Do you need one? Check it out!

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Filed under Job hunter's survey, Northeastern US, Urban area

Go to professional meetings and see who’s there

October 28, 1902 via National Library of Ireland on the CommonsThis 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 More than 18 months. This person is looking in Academic libraries, Archives, Library vendors/service providers, Public libraries, Special libraries, and

anyplace that will hire me

at the following levels: Entry level, Requiring at least two years of experience. Here is how this person describes his or her experience with internships/volunteering:

I had a archives internship and two graduate assistantships, one in archives one as a reference librarian before I graduated. Since then I volunteered for my local archives for 4 years, held about 5 temp positions in archives and worked for my local library part-time for about 4 years. I have become a certified archivist though my volunteer work.

This job hunter is in an urban area in the Northeastern US and is not willing to move.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Someplace in the New York Metro area
With Decent pay, if it’s in NYC I would have to take a train in and that would need to cover it.
A place with a possibility of growth

Where do you look for open positions?

Professional Listservs, LinkedIn, INAJ, Archives Gig, METRO job bank, NY ART job bank

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I usually spent about an hour on it. I read the job posting and try to use the words in the posting in my cover letter. Sometimes I might see if I can find where the job is located and maybe some background on who works there. I used to address my cover letter to the director but recently I favor using Hiring Manger instead. Seems less stalker like.

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?

Email

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?

I think they should put the salary in the posting and decent one at that. They should talk about the probability of growth in the company. They might want to express their involvement in local professional organizations or conferences. Go to professional meetings and see who’s there. The people who go there already on their own dime are the people you want to work for you.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Keep in contact with the candidates. I wish they would be more upfront with your possibility of employment there. One place flat out told me they were legally obligated to interview anyone who showed interest in the position and that I probably wouldn’t be a good fit for what they were looking for. Yeah it was painful in the short term but I also wasn’t sitting by the phone waiting for them.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

I have no idea, if I did I think I would be hired by now. That said I think research on the subject of the work you’re doing, and being personable helps.

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

I would add a question of what a job seeker learned since she/he started his search. I’m not the same person I was when I first started my search and I’ve become much wiser.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!

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Filed under Job hunter's survey, Northeastern US, Urban area

Be Quick About Making Decisions

Farmers' Hunt in Llanbrynmair on New Year's DayThis 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 Six months to a year. This person is looking in academic libraries and public libraries, at the following levels: Entry level.

This job hunter is in city/town in the Midwestern US and is willing to move anywhere.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

1) a salary that I can live off of 2)Good people that I can learn from and enjoy working with 3) a library that isn’t afraid of change

Where do you look for open positions?

listservs

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

Customize cover letter, add resume, convert to PDF. Average time spent on each application that I email 15-20 minutes.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

Yes

When would you like employers to contact you?

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?

Email
:

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
Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

State what experience is required and what they are expecting. Be quick about making decisions because the best people won’t be on the job market very long or take your hesitation/sluggishness for disinterest.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

If you have a pdf application form that I must fill out, make it so that I can fill it out and send it back to you online.
Accept emailed applications.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Applying a lot and being lucky.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, Job hunter's survey, Midwestern US, Public