This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is not currently employed, has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for Less than six months. This person is looking in Public libraries, at the following levels: Director/Dean. This job hunter is in a city/town, in the Southern US, and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1) I want a challenge
2) Community involvement
3) Be involved with government
Where do you look for open positions?
1) ALA
2) Linkedin
3) Individual 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?
I print the application and fill it out. I spend about one hour on each application.
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
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Get to know the candidate.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Be a little bit friendly
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 