it would not have taken me 3 years to get a PART-TIME job

This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for more than 18 months. This person is looking in public and special libraries, at the following levels: senior librarian.

This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Southern US and is willing to move anywhere within a certain area –

I limited my applications to that area.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Security, challenges and pay.

Where do you look for open positions?

Local papers, ALA Joblist, LinkedIn, County/State/City joblists, any online media I could think of, friends and family.

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Other: I want to see it but am resigned to having to find it on my own, if I can.

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

It depends on what they want, minimally two to three hours, sometimes depending on the complexity of their requirements up to eight or ten.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ Other: I hope not!

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
√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary

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

Be honest in their descriptions. I won’t apply for a job for which I am unqualified, but when I apply for a job where I exceed all the desired qualities, I find it extremely frustrating to hear nothing and then find out someone got the job who on the face of the description is far less qualified than I am.

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

Just keep the applicants informed. I can understand not wanting to send personal emails or make personal phone calls, but there must be some automated packages out there. In a few instances I have gotten emails that told me my application was received and I would hear from the employer again only if I were selected for an interview. Some simply said application received. Some say call to find out where the process is – if you put that in – answer your damn phone or respond to the messages left on your phone. I have gotten notices that I did not receive a position as well. I would so love to see some information in that type of email as to why another candidate was chosen but I do understand how dicey that situation can become.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Hah – if I knew that it would not have taken me 3 years to get a PART-TIME job. I do like this job and it pays well, so I don’t have to work full-time, but I would rather be FT.

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!