“If you show up in jeans looking like you just walked through a tornado, you’re crossed off the list immediately.”

The president of the Russian state library Victor Vasilevich Fyodorov. Just, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Please note: this is an anonymous response to an online survey; I do not have any way of contacting the respondent or verifying responses. Their answers may reflect good, bad, or middling hiring practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.  

This person hires for a:

√ Public Library

Title: Assistant Director

Titles hired: Adult/YS Reference Librarian, Teen Services Coordinator, Library Aide, Library Page

Who makes hiring decisions at your organization:

√ Library Administration

√ The position’s supervisor

Which of the following does your organization regularly require of candidates?

√ Online application

√ Cover letter

√ Resume

√ References

√ More than one round of interviews

Does your organization use automated application screening? 

√ No

Briefly describe the hiring process at your organization and your role in it:

When a position opens up a job description is prepared and approved, then advertised by the state library online. The admin team collects applicants and reviews them to see who we want to interview, then convenes a hiring panel of relevant individuals (usually the supervisor of the position and the director/assistant director) with a third for Librarian and higher level positions. Candidates we select to continue do a background check and a city mandated occupational fitness exam, references, and then receive an offer letter. Librarian and higher level positions generally require a second interview.

Think about the last candidate who really wowed you, on paper, in an interview, or otherwise. Why were they so impressive?

The last candidate for one of our librarian positions had many fantastic ideas for the youth space that they spoke fluently about in the interview. It was clear that they had put a lot of thought into the position and wanted it for what it entailed rather than just because it was a job.

Do you have any instant dealbreakers?

Unpreparedness or untidiness at the interview. If you show up in jeans looking like you just walked through a tornado, you’re crossed off the list immediately. If you’re doing a remote interview, clean your room before turning the camera on! I also very much am not inclined to hire anyone who doesn’t have anything to ask the interviewers at the end of or during the interview. Asking questions shows you’re engaged and interested in what the position entails.

What do you wish you could know about candidates that isn’t generally revealed in the hiring process?

How many pages should each of these documents be?

The true reason for why you applied with us. It’s 100% okay to say it’s just because you saw the listing online and you feel like a good fit, we don’t need a made up story about how our library has always been a dream for you! (Unless of course it actually has, in which case, go right ahead!)

Cover Letter: √ Only One!

Resume: √ Two is ok, but no more

CV: √ We don’t ask for this

What is the most common mistake that people make in an interview?

Not practicing responses. There’s a wealth of sample questions at various places online, you should at least have a fluent response prepared for “Why do you want to work for us?” or “Tell us about yourself.” and similar basic questions. Should also run through some scenarios and questions specific to the position. I think a lot of people try to wing their interviews without really preparing beforehand, and it shows.

Do you conduct virtual interviews? What do job hunters need to know about shining in this setting?

Tidy room (or blurred/green screened BG). Tidy appearance. Treat it exactly like you would an in person interview. But most of all make sure you have a decent quality microphone!

How can candidates looking to transition from paraprofessional work, from non-library work, or between library types convince you that their experience is relevant? Or do you have other advice for folks in this kind of situation?

Research what goes on in a library and relate the work through equivalencies. Stocking shelves at a grocery store can have many parallels to keeping shelves in order in a library. Caring for children at a daycare can be very relevant to working in Youth Services. There’s parallels just about everywhere, use your skills to both show you can do the work well but ALSO that you understand what work in a library asks of you.

When does your organization *first* mention salary information?

√ It’s part of the job ad

What does your organization do to reduce bias in hiring? What are the contexts in which discrimination still exists in this process?

Trainings and conscious effort. Our region of the country is not terribly diverse, but we absolutely hear and hire diverse candidates, and I’m not aware of any context in which discrimination exists in our hiring process.

What questions should candidates ask you? What is important for them to know about your organization and the position you are hiring for?

I always like to hear a candidate ask about the interviewers. “What brought YOU to this library?” “What do YOU like about working here?” as it will give the candidate a great picture of what it’s like working there and also is a great way to start a candid conversation in an interview. Never be afraid to make the interview a two way street, it doesn’t have to be just rigidly structured single direction questions. I also like for them to ask about what sort of projects/tasks the candidate would be expected to take on immediately, as it shows initiative and interest in the role.

Additional Demographics

What part of the world are you in?

√ Northeastern US

What’s your region like?

√ Rural

Is your workplace remote/virtual?

√ Never or not anymore

How many staff members are at your organization?

√ 11-50

Is there anything else you’d like to say, either to job hunters or to me, the survey author?

The job market for librarians can be rough if you only look locally. I always advise aspiring librarians to look nationally (or even internationally, as an ALA approved MLIS isn’t just good for the US but Canada too!) for good opportunities. If you widen your search, and are open to a faraway move, it can actually be relatively easy to find a job! I’ve worked in all four corners of North America and two countries while climbing up through libraries, and compared to trying to search for a job just where I was, it’s a relative breeze.

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Make sure to save job postings, both so you have it available while preparing your application but also for future comparison to other jobs you might apply for.

Richard Bee was born and raised in rural Manitoba. He began his librarian career working at a local university library for over a decade, then went to pursue his MLIS from the University of Alberta. Upon graduating in 2017 with his MLIS, he has worked three public library management jobs throughout Canada, two of which were maternity leave contract positions.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ Less than six months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ I’m unemployed 

Where do you look for open positions?  

Partnerships Job Board; University of Toronto iSchool Job Board; local and regional job boards

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Department Head

√ Senior Librarian

√ Branch Manager 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library

√ Public library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Canada 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area

√ Rural area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Other: I am able to move, but I am trying to stay where I currently am due to personal reasons

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

Competent management and governance; salary that will allow me to comfortably support myself; professional fulfillment

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

To date: 5 in total 

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Having a good reputation 

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

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

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

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Poorly worded and vague job descriptions; lots of jargon and ‘business speak’ used in the posting

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

Depends on the type of job and if I have previously applied for a similar position before, but I would say an average minimum preparation time is 1 hour

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

I first review the job posting and find the specific details about expectations and qualifications. I then look through my current resume to see if it reflects that I possess those qualifications and modify the resume accordingly. After that I then work on the cover letter, where I emphasize the specific knowledge and experiences I possess that I believe are most applicable to the position I am applying for.

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

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

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

3 weeks maximum

How do you prepare for interviews?

I research the organization and find important information (i.e. mission statement, strategic plan, annual reports) to study, which is particularly important if the interview requires doing a presentation, (which I have done twice for job interviews). I then review the qualifications of the posting to determine which are the priority ones that may be the focus of the interview, and whether I need to refresh myself on terminology and concepts for the position that I may be ‘rusty’ on or do not possess much current familiarity with.

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

I used to hate the standard ‘tell us about a time you faced a difficult situation at work’, but having worked in public libraries for several years I now have quite a few experiences to pick from to answer that question very thoroughly! 

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ I don’t know  
  • Had an interview and never heard back   √ I don’t know  
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ Happened once  
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Not Applicable
  • Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable 

If you want to share a great, inspirational, funny,  horrific or other story about an experience you have had at any stage in the hiring process, please do so here:

Horror story:

After I had graduated with my MLIS, I was applying for as many jobs as possible. One position I applied for was for a permanent public library branch manager position in rural Canada (in a Prairie province, which is kind of like the American Midwest I think?). I had no public library experience at this point, and no personal desire to work in public libraries, but I figured ‘Hey, why not apply? I might get an interview experience out of this if I do’ and I sent the application.

Well lo and behold I receive an email back asking for an interview. We set up a time and day for the interview (which was held over Skype), and on the day of the interview it was myself and two Board members of the public library conducting the interview. The interview goes fairly well and they let me know they’ll contact me within the week about the decision.

A few days later I receive a phone call from one of the Board members. She tells me they want to hire me, but asks if I would actually be willing to accept the position as a 1 year contract instead of as permanent. According to her, they wanted to give a current staff member, who had just left on maternity leave, an opportunity to apply for the position. I thought that was pretty considerate of the Board, and given the fact that I wasn’t certain if I wanted to work in a public library job, I accepted the position as a 1 year contract instead of as permanent (I then signed a contract a month later for a 1 year position). 

Fast forward several months, and a different staff member and I are talking about the position of the person who supposedly didn’t get a chance to apply. During the conversation, it is revealed that not only did the person apply for the position, they in fact actually got the job. I then spoke with this person (she came into the library quite a bit to visit staff and for personal use, and the two of us got along quite well), and we discovered that the Board member who offered me the job not only lied to me about her not getting a chance to apply, this Board member also told her that I would just move into her old position once my contract was done (her position was unionized btw and the branch manager position was out of scope), which was something I never agreed to do or had even been asked about. 

So my first ever post-MLIS job ended up being a maternity leave coverage in disguise…

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Be open and forthright with interviewees throughout the application and interview process; let interviewees know about the outcome of the position regardless of whether they got the job or not.

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m somewhat depressed 

√ I feel alone in my search 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

Mostly unhealthy ones, like being on YouTube a bunch or playing video games for hours on end, but I do hang out with friends nearly every weekend, so that is at least a healthy bit of self-care.

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

To job hunters: make sure to save job postings you applied to, both so you have it available while preparing for a potential interview and to have for future comparison to other jobs you might apply for.

Do you have any comments for Emily (the survey author) or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Thank you for taking the time to create this survey. I hope the results will be helpful for future job hunters, and that you’re able to get a rich set of data to analyze!

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2017

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ After graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Less than six months after graduating 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Full Time

√ Contract 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

There were some job hunting workshops available through my school and the local student chapter of CAPAL if I remember correct.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?

If you’re able to move, then be prepared physically and mentally to move far away in order to get your first professional job.

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Communicate frequently and personably

Goose hunting in Klamath County, Oregon, OSU Special Collections via Flickr Commons
Goose hunting in Klamath County, Oregon, OSU Special Collections via Flickr Commons

Please note: this is an anonymous response to an online survey; I do not have any way of contacting the respondent or verifying responses. Their answers may reflect good, bad, or middling job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ Less than six months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ Looking for more money

√ Looking for a promotion/more responsibility 

√ I want to work at a different type of library/institution

√ I want to work with a different type of collection 

Where do you look for open positions?  

USAjobs, Twitter, professional listservs

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Supervisory

√ Department Head

√ Senior Librarian 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library 

√ Special library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Mid-Atlantic US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, to a specific list of places 

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

Good pay, pleasant working environment, interesting work.

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

exactly 2

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

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

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

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

4-6 hours 

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

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

√ Other: Prior to checking references

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Not Applicable
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Not Applicable
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ I don’t know 
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Not Applicable
  • Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable

If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?

A combination of pay rate offered and holding out for a better position applied to (but not yet selected to interview for)

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Communicate frequently and personably.

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m optimistic 

√ I’m frustrated 

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This is how the system is designed. It’s heartless and cruel. You are not a bad job prospect.

Goose hunting in Klamath County, Oregon, OSU Special Collections via Flickr Commons

Please note: this is an anonymous response to an online survey; I do not have any way of contacting the respondent or verifying responses. Their answers may reflect good, bad, or middling job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ Six months to a year 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ I’m underemployed (not enough hours or overqualified for current position)  

√ Looking for remote/virtual work (or at least hybrid) 

√ My current job is awful/toxic

√ I’ve been threatened at my job or had to deal with hostility/danger/scary behavior from the public or coworkers 

√ I need more flexibility in my schedule (to care for dependents or otherwise)

√ Because I reassessed my priorities after COVID 

Where do you look for open positions?  

INALJ, Linkedin, Twitter, TLA JobList, Libgig

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Requiring at least two years of experience 

√ Senior Librarian 

√ Clerk/Library Assistant 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library 

√ Library vendor/service provider

√ Public library

√ Special library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Southwestern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, within my state 

√ Yes, as long as at least some of my moving costs are covered 

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

Better pay, good benefits, more stability, to get away from coworkers I neither trust nor feel comfortable being around.

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

I estimate six jobs, so far. The last time I tried looking it was almost 2 dozen, before I gave up and stopped. It was too self-harmful.

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Having a good reputation 

√ Funding professional development

√ Prioritizing EDI work

√ Prioritizing work-life balance

√ Other: Disclosing accurate salary

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

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

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Describing an environment as a family, lack of good upward mobility for staff, lack of living wages for library staff.

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

2-3 hours

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Resume then reference contacts then cover letter. I need to spend the most time on the letter.

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Other: I’d prefer any communication honestly. Many do not bother to at all, or leave it to me to log back in to their job site to see I’ve been rejected.

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected 

How long do you expect the application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

I honestly have no clear idea — sometimes I hear back within 3 months, others it’s been closer to a year. I’d like for them to provide an ideal timeline, and then notify if something is taking longer than normal.

How do you prepare for interviews?

Reading up on the workplace, studying where it is. 

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened the majority of the time or always 
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Happened more than once 
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ I don’t know 
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Not Applicable
  • Turned down an offer √ Happened once

If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?

The offer was the chance to apply to a job, and the listing did not include salary or relocation costs.  

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Employers have so many transparency issues it’s mind blowing. It feels purposefully designed to maximize anxiety and make people question their self-worth, to the point of desperation. Somehow, a workforce entirely of people devoted to information is god awful at providing it.

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m maintaining 

√ I’m frustrated 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

I go for long periods without looking at all. I also tell myself that I can simply leave this profession and start over since my student loans are forgiven.

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

That it isn’t just them who faces this. This is how the system is designed. It’s heartless and cruel. You are not a bad job prospect.

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2015

When did you start your job search?

√ After graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Hasn’t happened yet – I’m still looking  

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

No. They asked me for money. 🙂

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?

The amount of entry level positions that want intern experiences is awful. Part time students who work while they attend school often can’t GET internships, so we’re left with another hurdle in front of us.

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Applied to a job that required 5 references!!! They sent me 3 rejection letters. Yeesh I get it!

Hunting Party in the Pinelands by the Florida State Archives

Please note: this is an anonymous response to an online survey; I do not have any way of contacting the respondent or verifying responses. Their answers may reflect good, bad, or middling job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ A year to 18 months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ Looking for more money

√ I want to work at a different type of library/institution

√ Looking for remote/virtual work (or at least hybrid)

√ My current job provides insufficient or no benefits (Healthcare or beyond)

√ My current job is boring 

Where do you look for open positions?  

Metro ala Joblist linkedin association of pnw libraries

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Requiring at least two years of experience 

√ Supervisory

√ Department Head

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library 

√ Special library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Mid-Atlantic US

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, to a specific list of places 

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

Money and hybrid work 

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

Lolol I think 64ish 

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits  

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

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

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

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Too many duties the 5 jobs in one

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

Depends on how interested I am but maybe 3 hours 

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

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

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

3 months 

How do you prepare for interviews?

Googling 

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened the majority of the time or always 
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Happened the majority of the time or always 
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ Happened more than once  
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Happened once  
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Happened once  
  • Turned down an offer √ Happened more than once 

If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?

Found out weird stuff about employer

If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?

Money location  

If you want to share a great, inspirational, funny,  horrific or other story about an experience you have had at any stage in the hiring process, please do so here:

Applied to a job that required 5 references!!! They sent me 3 rejection letters. Yeesh I get it!

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Pay more

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m somewhat depressed 

√ I feel alone in my search  

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2018

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ More than six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Less than six months after graduating 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Full Time 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

No

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Stats and Graphs: Why are you job searching?

The 2023 Job Hunter’s Survey collects information from LIS workers who are currently looking for work, crossing multiple experience levels, specializations, and library types. There are 37 questions, including a special section that asks for information about the length of time taken to find the first post-grad school position (which for some respondents was quite a few years ago). The survey opened on February 2nd, 2023. It will remain open indefinitely, but as of February 23rd, there are 412 responses. Most chose to fill it out anonymously, but 30 people did leave contact information. I am posting both individual responses and statistics, as I can get them written up. Given the number of responses, it will most likely take more than a year for me to share them all. 

This is the second 2023 Job Hunter’s Survey statistics post! Please note I don’t use representative sampling, so it would be inappropriate to draw conclusions about the larger population of LIS Workers as a whole.

Question two asks, “Why are you job hunting? (check all that apply)”

I provided 19 possible options, plus the choice of “Other.” All options were chosen more than once, with the most popular being “Looking for more money” (chosen by 181 out of 412 respondents) and the least popular being “Because I’m worried about a possible recession” (only 17 out of 412 respondents).

37% of respondents (the second largest group) chose “This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree,” indicating that while a significant portion of respondents were new LIS grads, the majority were not. This is supported by the answers to a question we’ll look deeper at in the next Stats and Graphs post: “If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)” Only about 30% of respondents (126 out of 412) had a graduation date of 2022 or later.

I was surprised that only 96 respondents (about 23%) were looking for remote/virtual work. It has felt like this is something everyone is seeking right now! I do not have a sense of the percent of open jobs that offer remote/virtual work. I imagine it is less than 23% of the total, but I am not at all certain.

I was also interested to note that only 56 respondents (about 13.6%) were unemployed. I have a picture in my head of the LIS job seeker filling her days with applications, but in reality many people are searching for work while trying to fulfill the duties of an existing job – which may be boring, toxic, or otherwise additionally stressful.

Bar Chart illustrating responses to "Why are you looking for work?"  Text of chart follows image
ReasonNumber who chosePercent who chose
Looking for more money18143.93%
This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree15437.38%
Looking for a promotion/more responsibility12029.13%
I want to work at a different type of library/institution10625.73%
I’m underemployed (not enough hours or overqualified for current position)10625.73%
My current job is awful/toxic10024.27%
Looking for remote/virtual work (or at least hybrid)9623.30%
My current job provides insufficient or no benefits (Healthcare or beyond)6816.50%
Because I reassessed my priorities after COVID6716.26%
My current job is temporary6616.02%
My current job is boring6515.78%
I’m employed outside of the field and I’d like to be in it6415.53%
I’m unemployed5613.59%
I want to work with a different type of collection5413.11%
Other4911.89%
I want to work with a different population4711.41%
I need more flexibility in my schedule (to care for dependents or otherwise)338.01%
I’ve been threatened at my job or had to deal with hostility/danger/scary behavior from the public or coworkers297.04%
I’m worried I will be laid off/let go/fired from my current position245.83%
Because I’m worried about a possible recession174.13%

“Other” Reasons

49 people provided their own reasoning under “other” (always in addition to choosing at least one of my options).

While many of these write-in responses were unique, 16 people (3.8%) said they were job searching because they wanted to relocate. Some of those mentioned specific reasons, such as to be near family, climate change, and the political environment. For example, “I’m looking to live in a different area of the country, because politics in my current state make me feel unsafe.”

I see the following additional possibilities for grouping responses: 3 people mentioned their organization’s budget, 3 people were searching because of their current organization’s leadership, 2 people wanted to leave the profession, and 2 wanted to return after being full time caregivers (so, no net change between those last two reasons…).

The full list of “Other” responses is:

Because the administration at my current job is awful/toxic (rather than the job itself)
I want to work somewhere that administration actually cares about serving students and the wellbeing of employees instead of feathering their caps on our backbreaking labor so they can get promoted.
I would like to change job responsibilities (not monitor social media platforms). Do not trust leadership. Am unsure my values align with the values of the organization.
Budget issues in my place of employment
current job NEVER gives raises even COLA is rare and we’re facing big budget cuts which will significantly change the nature of my work in ways I do not want
My entire library team is being laid off
I live in Florida.
I’m looking to live in a different area of the country because politics in my current state make me feel unsafe.
My current location is increasingly environmentally uninhabitable
My job is currently under attack by state government with a particular vendetta against my demographic
I relocated to a new state due to my husband’s job
I want to relocate to be closer to my family
My family is relocating to a different region
Need to be closer to family
Planning to relocate to a different part of the country for family/personal reasons
Looking to move closer to family; looking to get out of Florida because politically it is a hellscape
I want to leave libraries
Looking to possibly get out of librarianship
I’d like to relocate but it’s not urgent and I’m content in my current work so I’m in a position to be selective.
I’m actually near the end of my career (within 5 years I hope). I’m just tired of my long commute. Remote or hybrid work is fine but really I just want to be closer to home. My workplace is about 60 miles from home one way. I’ve been commuting back and forth for 17 years! Should have moved long ago!
I’m looking to relocate
Looking to work internationally; few visa-sponsoring opportunities exist
wanting to relocate
Would like to move.
Returning to work after raising my family
trying to re-enter the workforce after being a SAHM/caregiver for for 15 years
4 years ( had temp post for 3 years but looked for permanent)
Because I reassessed my priorities after a health and age landmark.
Because I want to work in this field
i have had my whole career in one library system and want to explore more
I have many interests (e.g. archives, special collections, special libraries, etc.)
I just like to see what’s out there but I’m not really looking-looking
I like change and like to see what all is out there. Maybe I’ll find something I love
I want to gain library experience
I’m unemployed and about to begin yet another temp/pt job. so thats why above answers chosen
I’ve never been employed full-time
looking for new challenges
Looking for solely remote work
Lost my permanent position due to pandemic
Next step after finishing a LIT diploma
Poor mental and physical health as a direct result of my work
Retired and looking for PT work
taking care of my own mental health
The current work I do is unfulfilling. I want to make a difference. I don’t want to manage people or projects.
want to leave technical services
while the cause of the toxicity has left my institution; the harm they cause in the 3 years they were in charge will take at least 5 years to correct; and that’s truly a very long time to wait for things to be better…

What are your thoughts on these results? Do you have a reason to look for work that is not mentioned above?

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Don’t get lost in searching, make sure you take care of your family’s financial needs, the job satisfaction will eventually come.

Bill Chase is an experienced professional and 2020 MLIS graduate of Kent State University, concentrating in archival practices.  He is a passionate historian who seeks to enable others to pursue their own dreams and passions through the power of information.  Having graduated during the pandemic, he continues to seek out his first paid LIS related position while working in an unrelated but non-profit organization.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ More than 18 months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree 

√ I’m employed outside of the field and I’d like to be in it 

√ My current job is boring

Where do you look for open positions?  

Indeed, Archivesgig, SAA job board, ALA job board, normally have to search each organization individually

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Entry level

√ Requiring at least two years of experience 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Archives 

√ Other: Museum

What part of the world are you in?

√ Southeastern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area

√ Suburban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ No 

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

Pay range, location near me, room for advancement

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

40+

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits

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

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

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Temporary or term position without long-term security

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

2-3 hours

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Research the organization and staff 

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

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

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

1 month

How do you prepare for interviews?

Deep dive research on the organization and collections

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

Anything that starts with “Tell me a time when…”

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened the majority of the time or always
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Happened the majority of the time or always 
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ I don’t know 
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Happened once  
  • Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable

If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?

Once, I discovered an error to correct, resubmitted but never called back. 

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Consider people with similar but non-LIS specific experience. 

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m maintaining

√ I’m frustrated 

√ I feel alone in my search 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

Don’t get lost in searching, make sure you take care of your family’s financial needs, the job satisfaction will eventually come. 

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

To employers, include salary please.  Recognize that most positions are underpaid considering the education required.  Don’t be surprised when people jump ship (or industry) to make more money. 

Do you have any comments for Emily (the survey author) or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Thank you for putting this together!

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2020

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ More than six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Hasn’t happened yet – I’m still looking 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Other: Volunteer / Unpaid

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

No

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?

Start volunteering ASAP in library school to get networking and experience or wait to go to library school until after you’re in the field and have LIS experience. 

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I place a lot of weight on retail experience that teaches you how to think on your feet and manage difficult situations.

Amy is the Head of Adult Services for a public library serving diverse suburban and rural communities. Ordering books and managing the reference staff are probably the most visible parts of her job, but she especially enjoys mentoring future librarians and helping her library’s users navigate the complicated world of technology. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, and finds that training transfers well to her work in public libraries. She lives in the Metro Detroit area with her husband, toddler son, tween stepchildren, and two very hungry cats. (Seriously. They’re starving.) 

Briefly describe the hiring process at your organization and your role in it:

We create a job posting, and distribute it through various channels: our consortium’s website, job seeking sites, Facebook, etc. If I’m the hiring manager, job applicants direct their application materials to me via email: application, resume, and cover letter. Sometimes I’m the only eyes on their materials before the interview, but if other senior staff members have time, or it’s an especially important position, I’ll ask for other opinions. I invite the candidates I feel are qualified to an interview with myself and another senior member of staff: typically a director or department head, but occasionally a senior librarian. 

Titles hired include: Librarian, Reference Assistant, Circulation Assistant

Who makes hiring decisions at your organization:

√ Library Administration

√ The position’s supervisor 

Which of the following does your organization regularly require of candidates?

√ Online application

√ Cover letter

√ Resume 

√ References

√ Proof of degree 

Does your organization use automated application screening? 

√ No 

Think about the last candidate who really wowed you, on paper, in an interview, or otherwise. Why were they so impressive?

The last candidate to really wow me had just an incredible job history – she’d switched from archaeology to library science. She had incredible stories that highlighted relevant skills she would bring to the position. In general, that’s what I appreciate most in a good candidate: not necessarily that their stories are interesting or exciting, but that they show the candidate’s best abilities and demonstrate their mastery of the exact skills I’m asking about.

Do you have any instant dealbreakers?

I can’t say there’s any one thing that will always be a dealbreaker, but what comes the closest is zero work history. It’s difficult to evaluate candidates whose entire experience is either academic (as a student) or volunteer.

What do you wish you could know about candidates that isn’t generally revealed in the hiring process?

For my part-time candidates, how their availability will change after they’re hired! (Because it will! It always does!)

How many pages should each of these documents be?

Cover Letter: √ Two is ok, but no more 

Resume: √ As many as it takes, but keep it reasonable and relevant  

CV: √ We don’t ask for this 

What is the most common mistake that people make in an interview?

Not giving themselves the time and space to think and answer a question fully. If I ask for an example and something doesn’t immediately spring to mind, tell me that, and ask for a minute to think. If you can come up with the example I’m looking for, I’d rather hear that after a moment’s awkward silence than have a quick, general answer that dances around the question!

Do you conduct virtual interviews? What do job hunters need to know about shining in this setting?

Not typically, no.

How can candidates looking to transition from paraprofessional work, from non-library work, or between library types convince you that their experience is relevant? Or do you have other advice for folks in this kind of situation?

When we’re hiring assistants for the public service desks – reference and circulation – it’s all about customer service! There are a wide variety of experiences that fit into that category, and I place a lot of weight on retail experience that teaches you how to think on your feet and manage difficult situations. 

When does your organization *first* mention salary information?

√ It’s part of the job ad 

What does your organization do to reduce bias in hiring? What are the contexts in which discrimination still exists in this process?

Unfortunately, we don’t do anything formal to reduce bias. 

What questions should candidates ask you? What is important for them to know about your organization and the position you are hiring for?

Everyone should ask what a typical day on the job looks like. If you’re considering a position to “get your foot in the door” or gain experience for another position, you should ask 1. what the potential for promotion is and then 2. what opportunities the job provides for you to practice new skills and gain the experience you’re looking for.

Additional Demographics

What part of the world are you in?

√ Midwestern US 

What’s your region like?

√ Suburban

√ Rural 

Is your workplace remote/virtual?

√ Never or not anymore 

How many staff members are at your organization?

√ Other: 40+ 

Author’s note: Hey, thanks for reading! If you like reading, why not try commenting or sharing? Or are you somebody who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers? Please consider giving your own opinion by filling out the survey here.

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Post salary expectations (and then increase them!)

Andrew Harman is a Certified Archivist from Orange, California and historian with degrees from Chapman University. After student work in Chapman’s special collections and archives, he earned certifications through the Society of American Archivists and the Society of California Archivists and returned to Chapman to steward two collections in the library’s special collections. Lacking an MLIS, Andrew has utilized other means of professional educational resources to advance his professional knowledge and hiring potential. 

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ More than 18 months (selectively)

Why are you job hunting?  

√ Looking for more money

√ Looking for a promotion/more responsibility 

√ Other: Issues with current workplace

Where do you look for open positions?  

Archivesgig.com, SAA listservs

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Supervisory

√ Department Head 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library

√ Archives 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Southwestern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Suburban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, anywhere 

√ Yes, within my country 

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

Compensation, culture, work environment

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

Approximately 60

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Funding professional development 

√ Prioritizing work-life balance

√ Other: Culture; giving a sense of the type of work environment

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

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

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Unrealistic requirements for low pay, i.e. MLIS + loads of experience for a low title/pay/etc.

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

Not much; I have materials ready, i.e. general cover letter and CV, just providing some alterations to certain areas to be position-specific.

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Add or edit cover letter template and CV for the specific job.

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

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

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

Two-three months. One month to ingest applications, one week to look over, one week to set up initial/phone interviews, one week to set up first round in-person/zoom interviews, one-two weeks for second round interviews, and maybe a week for finals or offers/rejections. Any org. that is serious about the hiring process should be reviewing applications either on a rolling basis or as a batch at the end of closing the posting and setting aside other duties to get that done in a day or two and move on to next steps.

How do you prepare for interviews?

Review articles on interview questions, best interview practices, etc. Review my own materials, accomplishments, CV and cover letter, etc. Research the organization, their history, their staff, the people with whom I would be working, etc.

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

Name a time you encountered a problem/conflict/etc.  These questions test more of a person’s ability to act or massage the truth than it does actually getting at someone’s experience. More general questions are helpful, but asking to recount a specific event and make yourself come off well is a waste of time.

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened the majority of the time or always  
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Happened more than once 
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ I don’t know 
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Happened once 
  • Turned down an offer √ Happened once  

If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?

Location and type of work environment. Upon further reflection, the pay wasn’t right for the location and the work was confidential and I would rather be in an open environment.

If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?

Compensation. I countered, but they could not get close to what I expected for even living costs. Most positions in archives and libraries, non-governmental, are wildly underpaid for a single-person income. 

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Post salary expectations (and then increase them!) and communicate!

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m optimistic 

√ I’m somewhat depressed

√ I’m despondent

√ I’m frustrated 

√ I feel alone in my search 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

None. Do it as infrequently as possible while still getting my CV out there.

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

Most employers do some calculation on cost of living for a couple or family and use the low end number to apply it to these positions. If the position requires a graduate degree plus more than two years experience, a single person should be able to live alone comfortably, period. Take whatever number you have and add 15 percent to it and you might be close to what these professionals deserve.

Do you have any comments for Emily (the survey author) or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Thank you for doing this and I hope you get this out to employers in every way possible. I am of the belief that compensation in these fields, both libraries and archives, is in a sad state and not at all keeping up with inflation and housing.

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

MA History, 2016

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ Six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ A year to 18 months after graduating 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Part Time

√ Contract

√ Temporary/Limited Term 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

N/A

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?

Got lucky; I was contacted by my former supervisor from my student position for a temp opening.

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He wrote me an email telling me I was unqualified for the position and would never be hired by anyone

Czar Ferdinand hunting (LOC)
Czar Ferdinand hunting (LOC)

Please note: this is an anonymous response to an online survey; I do not have any way of contacting the respondent or verifying responses. Their answers may reflect good, bad, or middling job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ A year to 18 months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ I’m unemployed 

√ I’ve been threatened at my job or had to deal with hostility/danger/scary behavior from the public or coworkers 

√ Because I reassessed my priorities after COVID

Where do you look for open positions?  

RAILS, Indeed

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Requiring at least two years of experience 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Archives 

√ Special library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Midwestern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ No 

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

Non-dysfunctional work culture, reasonable hours, non-public facing

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

Just starting to look

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Funding professional development

√ Prioritizing EDI work

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

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

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

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

 # of jobs open at one time; reputation of leadership; complexity of application

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

Usually an hour or more

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Read the job listing several times; tailor my cover letter; check to make sure everything is addressed correctly; follow application directions

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

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

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

Two to three months

How do you prepare for interviews?

Follow guidance from Ask a Manager and practice responding to common interview questions out loud.

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

Why are you here today (yes, I have been asked this at second interviews) ? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened more than once  
  • Had an interview and never heard back √ Happened more than once
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ Happened more than once
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Happened more than once
  • Turned down an offer √ Happened more than once

If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?

Yes. Interviewer told me the work culture was terrible. Another interviewer said I would be responsible for turning the organization around, and this was not an executive position. A third asked me to do a strategic plan for them for free, and when I arrived for the interview the HR person told me I was not qualified for the job I had applied for. She wanted me to interview for a different job I had zero interest in.

If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?

I secured another job that was a better fit.

If you want to share a great, inspirational, funny,  horrific or other story about an experience you have had at any stage in the hiring process, please do so here:

After withdrawing an application from the position where the interviewer told me the work culture was terrible, he wrote me an email telling me I was unqualified for the position and would never be hired by anyone. He was fired some months later.

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Communicate with applicants even if they don’t get the job so they know to move on.

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m maintaining

What are your job search self-care strategies?

Reading

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

Have someone look over your resume and cover letter. Use Ask a Manager. Network. Practice interview questions so you are super prepared. Don’t ever be late for an interview. Follow the directions on how to submit your application. And don’t call unless you’ve been invited for an interview. Never go to a place where you have applied and start questioning staff about the job and application process: it’s weird and makes folks stand out in a bad way. Ok to visit and look around.

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2016

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ Six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Less than six months after graduating 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Part Time 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

Some. Access to their job board and some networking. 

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