Job Hunter Follow Up: Anonymous 4

This person took the Job Hunter’s survey on December 28, 2012. Her responses appeared as I make sure that I qualify first and foremost.

Your Background and Situation

How long has it been since you got your library degree?

2 years and change

How many years of library work experience do you have?

3 years and roughly six months

How many years of work experience outside of libraries do you have?

8 years or so

How old are you?

late twenties

What’s your current work situation?

Employed part time as an intern at a university library

Are you volunteering anywhere?

no

Your Job Hunt

How long have you been job hunting at this point?

2.5 years

What kinds of jobs are you currently applying for?

roughly entry level, archives

Approximately how many positions have you applied to?

oh man I don’t even want to think about it

Approximately how many interviews have you gone on?

2 in person, about 10 – 15 phone interviews

How do you prepare for interviews?

research the company more; look at the interview database questions. I try to go over previous questions that I’ve asked (if I remember) and prep my answers

Have you traveled for interviews? If so, who paid?

Yes; they paid for only my first night of the hotel stay. I paid for the rest of it (thanks to a snowstorm)

Have you declined any offers?

no

What do you think is the biggest obstacle in your job hunt? How are you working to overcome it?

I’m hunting out of state/area. I just try to make my cover letter the strongest I can

Have there been any major changes in your job hunting strategy? Are you doing anything differently than from when we last heard from you?

Not really, just really working on my cover letter and resume

State of the Job Market

What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve seen on a job announcement?

knowing uber specific software

What was your favorite interview question? What was the worst?

I absolutely hate the strengths and weaknesses question. It’s pointless. I think my favorite is asking what I am truly passionate about

Any good horror stories for us?

no, thank goodness!

Has job hunting been a positive or negative experience, for the most part?

Definitely negative. Not to much the people but the lack of communication.

Would you change your answer to “what’s the secret to getting hired”?

Live in an area you can connect with the most people.

Anything else you want to tell us?

If you’re an employer looking to hire, please communicate! Even if you don’t end of bringing me in for an interview (of anything) just email me back. It’s not that hard. That’s the thing that annoys me the most.