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 more than 18 months. This person is looking in academic and special libraries, at the following levels: requiring at least two years of experience.
This job hunter is in a city/town in the Western US, and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1) being useful, contributing something for the patrons/users
2) working with subject(s) which I know or can learn there
3) receiving support for technology, participation in work structure (committees, etc.)
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist & listservs
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?
if I must fill in the employer’s forms it can take several hours because I have worked for many years and several places; if I can attach my resume and cover letter then I spend most of my time preparing the cover letter based on the order of their requirements, e.g.reference, cataloging, access services. I study what is available on their website to determine what might be addressed in the letter or an interview.
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
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me
How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?
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
√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary
√ Being able to present
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Keep the field open until you have found one or two likely candidates
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
don’t require candidates to fill in forms–this is a waste of time, almost showing a lack of respect for candidates’ time.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Showing something unique and useful which the institution likes. Most important seems to be to fit into the library structure.
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 