This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position Six months to a year. This person is looking in Academic libraries Requiring at least two years of experience. This job hunter is in a suburban area Western US, and is willing to move Depends on the job.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Interesting work, opportunities for growth, nurturing work environment, progressive office-political atmosphere with real, core sensitivity to diversity issues
Where do you look for open positions?
INALJ.com, professional listservs, Indeed.com
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?
Spend at least 5 hours. Start with cover letter to address minimum and preferred qualifications.
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)?
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Competitive salary and benefits. Indicate the organization’s outlook on work and life balance.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Be more communicative. Be professional. Non – communication = unprofessional, even when there is a flood of applications. High levels of applications seem to occur more often so it is no longer excusable.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Knowing the right people at the site.
For some context, take a look at the most recently published summary of responses.
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 