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 a year a year to 18 months. This person is looking in academic, archives, library vendors/service providers, public, and special libraries, at the following levels: entry level, requiring at least two years of experience, and supervisory. Here is this person’s experience with internships/volunteering:
Archive intern/volunteer for an archive processing, digitizing, creating metadata
This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Northeastern US and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Regular work schedule
Professional development
Networking
Where do you look for open positions?
State Library jobsites, Simmons jobline, specific employers websites, SchoolSpring on occasion, ALA job posting
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ Only for certain kinds of employers
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
1-2 hours. I don’t feel confident that my resume is at a professional level, but not sure specifically how to fix it. I spend a good amount of time on my cover letter and researching the locations mission statement, programming, etc
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?
√ 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 do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Be honest about why you are looking for. Also be honest with yourself about the attractiveness if the position. If you are not upfront and have 50 applicants with a ton of experience but an entry level salary, maybe you should bring in a few less experienced applicants. The enthusiasm might make up for their lack of practical experience
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Knowing someone, having a great resume. I’ve never been turned down for a job I interviewed for, but have a hard time getting that interview in the first place
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!
