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 more than 18 months. This person is looking in academic, archives, library vendors/service providers, public, school, and corporate libraries, at the following levels: supervisory, department head, senior librarian, branch manager, director/dean.
This job hunter is in a city/town in the Midwestern US and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Salary, Responsibility, Challenge
Where do you look for open positions?
MAME MI, ALA Joblist, listservs, and Linkedin
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?
All of my materials are gathered so I spend 30-60 minutes tailoring things to the specific job.
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
Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Be honest and clear about compensation and responsibilities.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Minimize written requirements unless they are key to the position.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Having a vision that exceeds expectations of the employer.
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 