This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field) and has been looking for a new position for less than six months. This person is looking in archives, library vendors/service providers, public and special libraries, at the following levels: supervisory or senior librarian.
This job hunter is in an urban area in the Northeastern US and is not willing to move.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Interesting work, collegial atmosphere, opportunity for growth
Where do you look for open positions?
Metro.org, SLA-NY, Simplyhired.com, Indeed,com, Archivists.org, nyfa.org, NJLA, NYLA
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)
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
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me
How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?
√ Phone for good news, email for bad news
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 should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Candidates are expected to maintain a high level of etiquette and professionalism during the hiring process, but it is rare that employers show even a minimum level of the same. Form emails acknowledging receipt of an application and notifying that the position has been filled should be the minimum. I think most candidates would be grateful for even that.
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!
