Some jobs are just not worth the hassle

This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is not currently employed, was not hired in the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for more than 18 months. This person is looking in academic libraries and archives, at the following levels: director/dean.

This job hunter is in a rural area, in the Midwestern US and

would prefer to live near my wife.

Where do you look for open positions?

ALA Joblist

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?

Depends on how serious I am about the job. In most cases, I have somebody else take a look at it before I send it out.

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
√ Other: Drives me crazy when employers don’t call you back after an interview. If I’ve traveled and burned vacation, the least you can do is tell me that someone else has been hired by phone.

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Other: Time with colleagues.

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

Have a realistic expectation about how many hoops to jump through. Don’t ask for letters of recommendation. Ask for contacts. Ask for transcripts of the final pool. Some jobs are just not worth the hassle. Know what you want before you advertise.

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

Cut down the paperwork.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Right place at the right time. By the time you’re a finalist, it probably comes down to intangibles.

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!