So, I go back and forth sometimes about how vocal to be on this blog. I’m really interested in getting a variety of viewpoints, and in providing a forum for people to be honest. That being said, I also have a viewpoint, and to be totally honest, this respondent made me mad. So I wrote a separate post responding to this person. Read it after you read this, if you want.
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 libraries, Library vendors/service providers, Public libraries, and Analytics
(since I have quant and qual research skills),
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 Northeastern US, and is not willing to move.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Since I have an advanced degree (Ph.D.) in addition to the LIS degree I am pickier than most.
Where do you look for open positions?
My list includes over 30 sources. Will not divulge. Take that INALJ.
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ Only for certain kinds of employers
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
Depends on how much I am interested in the job. I have already prepared 5 versions of my cover letter and resume, so I will tweak one of the existing versions. Read it, review it, read it again. Get someone else’s feedback. So, all in all, maybe a couple of 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
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
√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Be specific in the advertisement.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Be specific about hiring timeline.
Acknowledge receipt of application materials.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Networking. It’s all who you know. Especially in the NYC area.
Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?
From a research perspective, your survey questions/question elements need some fine tuning for collecting valid data. Please consult a survey design expert.
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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Hahahahahahahaha what a jerk. None of these are really helpful answers. Why did he (I’m assuming this is a man?) even participate? To show off his superior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research? I have a background in Psychology and know plenty about both/creating surveys and tests/statistical analysis, but I also know that this survey is informational (i.e. to help other people who are also searching for jobs) and not meant to be a comprehensive analysis of job searchers.
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really. i ignore people with a PhD. They don’t’ want to do the day to day work required in our job, and tend to think themselves above it all.
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