There have been candidates that have been so dour that we have no interest in them

Hey hey, original survey!  This bad boy is still going, and coming up on two years of collecting responses!  If you are someone who hires librarians, and you want to take this, go here: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibsurvey

This anonymous interview is with someone who works in a school library with 0-10 employees.  When asked, “are you a librarian?” this person responded, “it’s complicated.” This person has been a member of a hiring committee.

What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?

Someone who smiles and is willing to learn.
An honest resume (not overly inflated)
Someone who understands what the job he/she is applying for.

Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?

Typos!!!
Also, incomplete applications.
Sounds pretty basic, but people submit some pretty sketchy things.

What are you tired of seeing on resumes/in cover letters?

cliches

How many pages should a cover letter be?

√ Only one!

How many pages should a resume/CV be?

√ As many as it takes, but keep it short and sweet

Do you have a preferred format for application documents?

√ No preference, as long as I can open it

Should a resume/CV have an Objective statement?

√ No

If applications are emailed, how should the cover letter be submitted?

√ As an attachment only

What’s the best way to win you over in an interview?

Smile!!! There have been candidates that have been so dour that we have no interest in them. Let your personality shine through so that you are memorable. There are many people who can do the job and most people are trainable. We want to find the person who will be enthusiastic and fit in with others.

What are some of the most common mistakes people make in an interview?

Answering the question with just one sentence. People need to elaborate or give an example of the skill we are looking for. They also need to be careful to not talk too much.
Don’t say, “I would like this part-time position to get my foot in the door.” The position you are applying for is the one you are applying for…not one three years down the road.

Anything else you’d like to let job-seekers know?

We cannot ask, but are often curious about lapses in employment. If you volunteer the information it shows that you are up front about things. There is no shame in taking time off to raise a family or take care of parents. We really like giving people a chance to start up again.

Photo: Librarian by Flickr user Super Furry Librarian via Creative Commons License