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 six months to a year. This person is looking in archives, museums, academic, public, school and special libraries, at the following levels: entry level and requiring at least two years of experience.: Here is this person’s experience with internships/volunteering:
Volunteering: Seattle Art Museum Library, Museum of History and Industry Library
Internship: Nordic Heritage Museum Special Collections Archives
This job hunter is in an urban area in the Western US, and is willing to move:
To locales my wife can transfer
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1. That it’s in my chosen field: information access
2. That it provides me with continuous opportunities to learn and improve my skills
3. That it provides a good income
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist
PNLA Joblist
Northwest Archivists jobs
INALJ
USAJOBS
Greater Western Library Alliance
Area Library, Archives and Museum websites
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?
1. Examine the job ad
2. Look at the organization website
3. Look at the geographical location
4. Tweak my resume
5. Write a cover letter
6. Check my references
7. fill out application.The process takes anywhere from 3 hours to a few days.
Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?
√ Other:I have sometimes found inaccuracies in my resume, which weren’t intentional.
To acknowledge my application, 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
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
√ 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
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
1. A good job description relatively free of jargon or spin.
2. $$
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
provide as much information about the process up front: How the applications will be evaluated, the format of interviews, the expected amount of time for application review, etc.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
preparation and diligence
This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 