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 academic, public, and special libraries, and library vendors/service providers,, at the following levels: entry level and requiring at least two years of experience.
This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Midwestern US and is willing to move to a limited list of locales.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Salary, benefits, stability
Where do you look for open positions?
listserv, company sites
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ Other: Yes, but I don’t think it’s a red flag when it’s not there
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
I’ve never tracked, but I spend several hours customizing a resume and writing a cover letter.
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
√ 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)?
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Be very clear about expectations.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Communicate more.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Figuring out what you have that the employer needs. Understanding the company culture.
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!
