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 and special libraries at the following levels: Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory, Branch Manager, Director/Dean.
This job hunter is in a rural area in the Northeastern US and is trying to move to a particular area (not the one they’re in.)
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1. A rational boss.
2. A living wage.
3. Closeness to family.
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA joblist, Chronicle of Higher Education, higheredjobs.com, state library board
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
All of the jobs I’ve applied for so far this academic year have had electronic submissions, so it doesn’t take long — maybe half an hour. I don’t tailor my c.v. or cover letter much, since there are usually fairly detailed online applications you have to fill out.
Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?
√ Other: Only once, and I’m feeling weird about it.
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
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?
They should think carefully when crafting the ad about whether a qualification is actually a requirement for the job, or just something they think people “should” have. And they should never, never require actual letters of recommendation before the first cut — I would never ask my references to do that, and so I don’t even consider those jobs.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Treat the candidates like guests.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Having a warm personality, showing interest in other people, and being low-maintenance. Of course you need to actually be qualified as well.
Are you hunting for a new LIS job? Take the survey! http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibJOBHUNTERsurvey
This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 