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 and publiclibraries, at the following levels: requiring at least two years of experience.
This job hunter is in an urban area in the Midwestern US and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
I would like to get a public sector job where I actually work for and with the public
More money than my current job
Something to build my resume with and get more experience with
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist, the Wayne State Listserv, websites of individual libraries, INALJ.com
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?
I write a cover letter (oftentimes adding or subtracting parts of other cover letters to better customize for the job), fill out the application if it’s required. It really varies from job to job though because every HR department has different policies and want different information.
Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?
√ Yes
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?
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
√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Be clear about the job requirements and what is being looked for in potential applicants, indicate whether or not there is a training program for the new hire to learn if they don’t know something
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Notify applicants of the status of their application or make it easy for them to find out. If there could be some consistency in the HR process across the industry, that could be helpful.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Persistence
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 