Full time schedule, room for innovation, digital responsibilities.

This past June, Greg Bem returned from nearly a year working on libraries in Cambodia and received his MLIS from the University of Washington iSchool. He is currently the coordinator for the Student Media Center located within North Seattle College’s library, and library volunteer at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle, though he is seeking full time employment as a librarian or digital preservationist..He has been looking for a new position for less than six months, in academic, archives, library vendors/service providers, public, school, and special libraries, and Internet library support and systems, at the following levels: Entry level , Requiring at least two years of experience, Branch Manager, Marketer/Communications Officer. When asked about experience with internships/volunteering, Mr. Bem said:

I have interned for four different libraries, and volunteered at over ten organizers doing library-related work.

This job hunter is in an urban area, in Western US, and is willing to move

internationally only.

He can be found on Twitter @bembrarian and keeps record of his conceptual arts projects at gregbem.com

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Full time schedule, room for innovation, digital responsibilities.

Where do you look for open positions?

Indeed.com, local job boards, and INALJ

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I refine my resume first, then write the cover letter. I usually spend 2 hours to prepare for each submission.

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 there is another role I should apply for within the organization (that would be a better fit).

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email

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
√ Other: Preparation of the served community/communities.

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Not be too specific in their application profile, and to be genuinely excited about who they’re trying to hire.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Promptness is a big quality in my book.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Having not been too successful recently in getting a library job, I am not entirely sure; however, I think that clear communication and honesty/integrity are qualities applicants need to maintain.

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

I’m really glad you’re doing this!

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!