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 libraries, archives, library vendors/service providers, public libraries, and special libraries, at the following levels: requiring at least two years of experience, supervisory, department head.
This job hunter is in an urban area in the Northeastern US and is willing to move
within a commutable distance.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1.Skills that utilize important aspects of LIS education.
2. Salary
3. Location
Where do you look for open positions?
jobs list, blogs, listservs, referrals, email digests
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
30-60 minutes
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
√ 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
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Be honest in their interview
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Follow-up quicker if the candidate is not a good fit
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
There is no secret. Many factors go into choosing the right candidate
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!
