Monthly Archives: December 2014

Ryan Dreier took the Job Hunter’s survey on December 31, 2012 . His responses appeared as Appeal to Library Schools. We then followed up with him on January 22nd, 2014.

Your Job

What’s your current work situation? 

I work as a Page and Volunteer Coordinator at a public library.

Did you relocate for your job? If so, who paid?

Yes, though I moved in with my partner so there was little relocation costs. I paid for the cost.

How did you find the listing for your job?

I believe that I found the listing on inalj.com.

Did you meet all of the required qualifications? How many of the desired qualifications?

Yes, I met all the required qualifications. The only desired qualification that I didn’t meet was having previous work experience in a library setting.

What was the application process like? How many interviews did you do?

I had one interview with three current staff members.

How did you prepare for the interview(s)?

I prepared for a few hours, I was nervous about specific questions regarding library automation systems which I had little experience with.

Did you know anyone in the organization that hired you? If so, how?

I didn’t know anyone!

Is your job commensurate with your skills, experience and expectations?

Yes.

Is the pay scale higher or lower than you were looking for?

About what I was looking for. It was a full time position with benefits, so that influenced my decision to take the position.

What do you think was the biggest obstacle in your job hunt? How did you overcome it?

Getting the experience in a library. I overcame this obstacle because I had a lot of experience working with and managing volunteers. A component of the position that the library was really looking to strengthen.

What set you apart from the other applicants? Why did they hire you?

I think it was my experience working for a non-profit and the large base of volunteers in which I was able to successfully manage. I also had recently acquired my MLIS.

Your Job Hunt

How long did it take to find your job?

After getting my MLIS it took me two and a half months. However, my current position is a paraprofessional position that does not require the degree.

How many positions did you apply to?

After completing my proficiency exam to get my MLIS, I probably applied to roughly 12 different positions, both full and part time.

How many interviews did you go on?

One.

What was your work situation while you were job hunting?

I worked full time at a large non-profit. I was responsible for special events and volunteer services at that organization.

Were you volunteering anywhere?

I volunteered the summer of 2009 at a public library. I has also recently completed a 150 hour internship at an academic library.

Did you travel for interviews? If so, who paid?

It was within driving distance, but I paid.

Did you decline any offers?

No.

State of the Job Market

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

I was fortunate to secure a job shortly after gaining my MLIS, so nothing really stands out.

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

The general questions about a time in which I worked on a project? I liked this question because I had sooo many examples from my previous position. So in a certain way this question really helped to boost my confidence in the interview. My least favorite was “Why should I hire you?” I think that like between confidence and arrogance can get pretty thin, and it’s also awkward tooting your horn over applicants you know nothing about.

Any good horror stories for us?

While I was still in school getting my Master’s degree I had an interview for a position as an Adult Services Librarian in which they asked me to demonstrate how to download an e-book to a nook. The nook died. So then they gave me a kindle. I have the kindle app installed on my iPhone so when I went to log in to my account and download a book, the title downloaded to my phone, which I left in my car so it wouldn’t be a distraction. Fail!

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

It was good, but only after getting invited to interview. I remember being frustrated in applying for jobs that I felt overqualified for, and nevering getting a call to interview..

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

I’m not sure that I would, but I got hired despite not knowing anyone who works at the library, so it’s all a mystery to me.

What’s your ideal work situation?

I think ideally I would like to work as either a Teen Librarian or in an academic library as an ILL Librarian.

Anything else you want to tell us?

Hmmm, I think my appeal to my current position was the fact that it would provide me with an opportunity to gain experience working in a library setting. I hope to advance into a professional position at some point.

This originally posted on January 22, 2014. A year two follow up will post in just a few moments.
Ryan Dreier took the Job Hunter’s survey on December 31, 2012 .  His responses appeared as Appeal to Library Schools.

Your Background

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

Zero, I will obtain in May 2014

How many years of library work experience do you have?

Zero, some volunteer experience. I have an internship at an academic library lined up for Spring Semester.

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

Eight, four years for a large non-profit working in volunteer services, four years providing personal care to individuals with developmental disabilities.

How old are you?

Turned 30 this year.

What’s your current work situation?

In school on a part time basis, employed full time.

Are you volunteering anywhere?

Not currently

Your Job Hunt

How long have you been job hunting at this point?

18 months

What kinds of jobs are you currently applying for?

Library jobs, preferably academic. Looking to relocate to the Chicago area.

Approximately how many positions have you applied to?

Honestly, not many 6 to 10, not all of them with libraries.

Approximately how many interviews have you gone on?

Two, one in person, one phone

How do you prepare for interviews?

I’ll review 101 Great Answers to Interview Questions. I’m try to remain relaxed, I get so anxious that I have a hard time communicating and answer interview questions. Sometimes I’ll do a google search and read through indeed articles.

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

Yes, I did.

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?

1. Not having any experience
2. Really looking for a full time position, but I have applied for part time positions

State of the Job Market

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

Basically the job announcement talked about a retirement at the library which was the reason for the opening and that the applicant would have big shoes to fill, they would also need how to say no?

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

Least favorite: Why should we hire you?

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

Hmmmm, I struggle with this. I’m trying to stay positive. I been fortunate to have some calls without actually completing my degree this spring, so I’m hoping that I’ll be presented with more opportunities at that point.

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

I don’t think I would change it, though I would add that it’s important to stay positive and keep trying.

If you took the Job Hunter’s Survey some time in the last year and are interested in doing a follow-up, even anonymously, please contact me at hiringlibrarians AT gmail.

Lauren Read took the Job Hunter’s survey on December 29, 2012. Her responses appeared as Be Transparent as to Whether You Are Forward-Thinking & Innovative. We last followed up with her on January 29, 2014.

Your Job

What’s your current work situation?

I am a full-time reference librarian for Beaufort County (SC) Library System.

Did you relocate for your job? If so, who paid?

I did follow the job to my new island home (at my expense).

How did you find the listing for your job?

The county was in my long list of public libraries to check periodically for vacancies on their websites.

What was the application process like? How many interviews did you do?

I sent my application, cover letter, and resume to the county government. I was invited to interview (via phone) a few weeks later, received a friendly selection call about a week later, then sent to do a pre-employment screening some time after that.

Did you know anyone in the organization that hired you? If so, how?

Not a soul in the organization — or even the state!

Is the pay scale higher or lower than you were looking for?

It is lower than the starting salary advocated by the American Library Association, but I am satisfied with that for now.

Your Job Hunt

How long did it take to find your job?

5 years

How many positions did you apply to?

about 100 annually

How many interviews did you go on?

I think the fact that I got 4 per year at first but 12 the final year speaks to the economy more than my aptitude.

What was your work situation while you were job hunting?

Over those years, I held mostly individual part-time jobs, working for a coffee shop, a temp agency, a digital marketing firm, a start-up entrepreneur/journalist/activist, and an acupuncture college.

State of the Job Market

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

I [grumble grumble] those announcements for which the decision-makers apparently do not realize the professional standards of the title “librarian” being reserved for ML(I)S holders.

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

A long road though it may have been — I believe due to circumstances not of my own fault — it was a great exercise in steadfastness.

What’s your ideal work situation?

Well, I now have a full-time, professional position in a public library in which I serve adults through reference services, programming, and collection development, so I have achieved the ideal for me! In several years’ time, I will seek opportunities to advance my career.

Anything else you want to tell us?

Now that I am settled with gainful employment, my husband and I have welcomed a pair of library lions — I mean, cats — into our home: Patience and Fortitude.

This interview originally ran on January 29, 2014. A year two follow up with Lauren will post later today.
Lauren Read took the Job Hunter’s survey on December 29, 2012.  Her responses appeared as Be Transparent as to Whether You Are Forward-Thinking & Innovative.

Your Background

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

4+ years

How many years of library work experience do you have?

5+

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

10, excluding Summer jobs

How old are you?

32

What’s your current work situation?

marginally employed (16 hours weekly)

Are you volunteering anywhere?

No, although I have manned information booths at festivals– big patronage!

Your Job Hunt

How long have you been job hunting at this point?

I have been in pursuit of a full-time public library job for 5 years now.

What kinds of jobs are you currently applying for?

My focus is on public librarianship. I consider paraprofessional jobs if they are full-time and other types of libraries on a case-by-case basis. Most positions are Librarian I, although I fit the bill and interviewed for a branch manager position recently.

Approximately how many positions have you applied to?

Cumulatively, I am unsure. 110 in 2013

Approximately how many interviews have you gone on?

2013 was a record-breaking year for interviews: 12 (this year).

How do you prepare for interviews?

I peruse the library’s virtual branch (i.e. their website) to learn what materials, resources, programs, and services they offer. I print out and highlight through newsletters and annual reports, if they have them, noting any partnering organizations or other leads I may look further into. This process usually results in a healthy list of questions I will be asking. And I review those typical questions one is asked … one more time. Mirror-rehearsing is reserved for the day of.

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

Yes. I consider my savings account “the interview fund.”

Have you declined any offers?

No. That’s crazy talk.

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

I believe the obstacle to be competition. I try to stand out through my involvement in NCLA and local community involvement. Although I am willing to relocate, the latter quality will certainly apply to my future home.

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

Lately, I have been able to keep busy with applications while focusing on remaining a North Carolinian, but I am still largely open.

State of the Job Market

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

I just love talking librarianese with my kin. I delight in “what would you do if” questions, but “describe a time when” questions are helpful to the panel though not my favorite to answer.

Any good horror stories for us?

I had to shake off an impression when I pulled into a public library parking lot (to interview) and saw the glaring sign for the gun shop/ shooting range right next door.

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

Naturally, I am beyond ready to move to the next stage already. But overall, as with any job, it’s one at which I have reflected on my improved performance over time. Most jobs don’t involve such narrow chances at “winning,” however.

If you took the Job Hunter’s Survey some time in the last year and are interested in doing a follow-up, even anonymously, please contact me at hiringlibrarians AT gmail.