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 a year to 18 months. This person is looking in public and special libraries, at the entry level. Here is this person’s experience with internships/volunteering:
I did a few library internships in undergrad, and I also worked part-time in a library for all of undergrad. In library school, I found it difficult to find work the first year but I now work as a library page at the public library, and I also volunteer with computer classes. I am also doing an unpaid remote internship with the State Department.
This job hunter is in a city/town in the Southern US, and is willing to move,
but only to urban or city locations, preferably on the east coast.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
A desirable location, varied tasks, and opportunities for advancement.
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist, INALJ, listserves
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not
Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?
√ Yes
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?
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?
Regular contact with the applications, even if they aren’t selected. It doesn’t take too long to send a form email to people who aren’t asked for an interview or chosen for the job, but saves a lot of stress for the applicants.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Give a good interview. Even if you aren’t the most qualified applicant, rapport with your hiring manager and co-workers, and seeming personable in general, can matter even more.
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!
