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 libraries, Public libraries, and Special libraries, for positions requiring at least two years of experience. This job hunter is in a city/town in the Southern US, and is not willing to move.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Well-matched to my strengths and interests
Professional development opportunities
Positive work environment
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist, regional library association job list, INALJ, Indeed.com
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?
Carefully review the job ad; sometimes check into the employer’s website for mission statement and any other relevant info; tailor cover letter, resume, and any other requested documents to the specific job. Every cover letter gets its own introduction and conclusion, and I will also sometimes change pieces here and there to pair with the language in the ad. For a job I am very interested in, I may spend up to 3 hours on the initial 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?
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?
Advertise with professional associations; be specific in job descriptions.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Be as transparent and forthcoming with communication as their time constraints allow.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Be competent and likeable, and learn to market yourself effectively.
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 