This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), and has been looking for a new position for six months to a year. This person is looking in academic and public libraries, at the following levels: Entry level and requiring at least two years of experience. This new grad/entry level applicant has internship/volunteering experience:
2 years volunteering at 2 different school libraries
2 6-week stints student teaching in a library at the elementary and high school level
This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Northeastern US, and is willing to move
but not far.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1. Responsibility
2. Location
3. Something full time!
Where do you look for open positions?
Drexel iSchool’s job listings, NJLA job postings, Local county’s public library websites
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?
Reading the job ad a few times, tweaking my resume, usually writing a completely new cover letter
Takes about 1-2 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
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me
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
√ Being taken out to meal
√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Communication. I hate waiting months without knowing if I’m even being considered for the position.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Who you know
This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 