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 less than six months. This person is looking in academic libraries, archives, library vendors/service providers, public libraries, at the following levels: requiring at least two years of experience, supervisory, department head, branch manager.
This job hunter is in a rural area in the Southern US and is not willing to move.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Competitive, merit-based pay
Clearly defined chain of command
Clearly defined duties among staff (tired of wearing 17 hats!)
Where do you look for open positions?
professional listservs
state library joblists
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?
√ 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?
√ 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 is the secret to getting hired?
Sometimes it’s all WHO you know…. rather that WHAT you know. Politics as usual.
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!
