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 special libraries and corporate knowledge centers at the following levels: Branch Manager, Director/Dean, CKO.
This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Midwestern US and is willing to move for the right salary and benefits.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Role helping customers find information
Pleasant environment and colleagues
Reasonable commute
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist
LAC Group
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?
Checking resume against job skills
Adjusting resume for keywords and maximizing for search criteria
Writing customized cover letter
Enduring no typos
I spend several hours
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?
√ 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
√ Being able to present
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Provide a clear and detailed job description
Have a good reputation
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Communicate early and often
Keep the process as short as possible
Be decisive and honest
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Fit
Right place, right time
Networking and introductions
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 