This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently not employed, 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, Archives, at the following levels: Entry level, Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory, Department Head, Senior Librarian, Branch Manager, and Director/Dean. This job hunter is in a rural area in the Northeastern US and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Fit, satisfaction, money. I would really like to pay off my student loans before I die.
Where do you look for open positions?
Highered.com, ala job list, inalj.com, chronicle but they seem to be a bit snooty
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?
Research, research, research. Get your ducks in a row and remind your referees that they are listed as a referral. Have someone read what your writing.
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)?
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Give them an idea of the salary and cut the bs language. Tell them what they are going to be doing and stick with it.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
For the all day on sight interview, give the candidate some time to reflect before, during and after running the gambit.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Personality and fit. You can always learn the position but you can’t learn to be a better fit for a position or team. Personalities make a big difference.
Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?
Honesty, more than ever I would like to see honesty in job ads and in interviews!
This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 