This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for Less than six months. This person is looking in Academic and Public libraries, at the following levels: Entry level, Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory, Department Head, Senior Librarian, Branch Manager. This job hunter is in an urban area in the Western US, and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1. An urban location
2. A decent wage
3. A positive, forward-thinking atmosphere
Where do you look for open positions?
http://lisjobs.com/jobseekers/job-ads.asp
http://joblist.ala.org/
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?
It depends on the position and what they require. I typically spend about 1.5 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 tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?
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?
Offer (and list) a decent salary, promote why their library is a good place to work in the job posting. Clearly list the priorities for the position.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
I wish it were quicker and they would communicate a tad more.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Not choking during an interview…
This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 