Having a Rapport with Your Potential Co-Workers

This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has 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, for positions requiring at least two years of experience. This job hunter is in an urban area in the Western US and is not willing to move.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

management style of your potential supervisor, rapport with potential colleagues, room for growth or professional development

Where do you look for open positions?

Everywhere! ALA Joblist, regional listservs, state library joblines, INALJ, etc.

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I adapt my cover letter and resume to the specific place of employment. I usually spend at least a couple of hours doing this — sometimes up to a couple of days to review it myself — and having someone else take a look at it for review.

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?

√ Email

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 department members/potential co-workers

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Provide more detailed job descriptions that better describe the job and the mission/goals of the place of employment.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Acknowledgement and better communication, especially if the position has been filled. It would also be nice for electronic systems to have updates about the process.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Having a rapport with your potential co-workers, presenting yourself professionally (in manner and in dress), and to effectively demonstrate how your qualifications fit the mission/goals of the position/place.

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Great idea for this survey! I love INALJ!

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!