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 six months to a year. This person is looking in academic and public libraries, at the following levels: requiring at least two years of experience, supervisory, senior librarian.
This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Western US and is not able/willing to move.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
-Great Co-workers
-Decent Pay
-Progressive library open to change
Where do you look for open positions?
Where don’t I!
-ALA Joblist
-CLA jobs
-UCLA Information Studies Page
-INALJ
-Indeed.com (sometimes you find jobs there quicker than in other places)
-City websites
-County websites
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?
Depends on the job. Academic librarian positions take MUCH longer to fill out. Public library applications are usually quicker. I would say for academic about a week or so and public 2-3 days.
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
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Offer great benefits and pay and really tell the applicant why their library is a great place to work.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Academic libraries should have shorter interviews. They are day-long interviews and it is extremely exhausting to be “ON” all day. Maybe 2-3 hours would suffice.
It would be great if all libraries had online application submissions. It takes twice as long to complete a paper application.
Notification at each step in the process would be great!
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
I think personality is a big part of it. If you don’t have every skill needed, but you present yourself as someone who is willing to learn and adapt, then I think you have a good chance.
A GREAT cover letter also helps 🙂
Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?
Maybe you could add common questions you are asked or questions asked for your last interview.
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 