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 academic, public, school, and special libraries as well as non-traditional library jobs, at the following levels: entry level.
This job hunter is in an city/town in the Northeastern US and is willing to move
upstate NY close to elderly parents
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1. encourages professional development
2. job requirements matches up with at least 75% of my skills and experiences
3. working with people who are professional and courteous
Where do you look for open positions?
1. networking with librarians, friends and family
2. professional listserv
3. Linkin
4. Library associations throughout US
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?
1. review it before I fill it out
2.organize the documents I need to fill it out
3. fill it out
4. type cover letter
5. put together required documents(application, cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation, licenses and any other items).
Application time: 1-3 hours
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
√ Other: If I don’t get selected, being told that i would be contacted if another job opening occurs that matches my experience and training
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
√ Being taken out to meal
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
1. use a variety of communication strategies to advertise job openings.
2. Be a company with managers and staff who have a reputation for teamwork and ehtics.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
1. Let the applicant know: a. person(s) who will interview them b. any special location directions c. have the interview in a physical environment that is reasonably comfortable (chairs, round table, minimal noise from outside the room). 2. Lenth of application should be 4pgs max.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
1. I think many times the secret to getting hired can be very subjective in many cases. it sometimes could be being at the “right place at the right time.” Also, some people feel “it’s not what you know ,it’s who you know.” that is the secret to getting hired
Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?
It was very interesting and a good way to get honest feed back from applicants seeking library jobs in this present US economy.
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 