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 Less than six months. This person is looking in Academic libraries, Archives, Library vendors/service providers, Public libraries, Special libraries, I am open to several information career opportunities at the following levels: Entry level, Requiring at least two years of experience. This new grad/entry level applicant has internship/volunteering experience:
I have worked for the last three years in a Medical University library as a Library Associate. .
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?
Full Time work; Not in my current city; potential to work with digital collections
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist, INALJ.com, SLA Job List, SGA listserv, Simmons College Jobline, Archive Gig blog. Library Gig blog, LisList, Library Job Blog, Monster, Indeed, etc. etc.
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?
I copy and paste the job requirements to a blank word document and carefully address each issue in my cover letter. Double check my resume. Send off the required information via online submission or email. An hour or so.
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 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
√ 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?
Be specific and honest about responsibility and goals for the candidate and the reasons they are looking to fill this position.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Be clear about what candidates should expect. (Will they be contacted when the position is filled? Is it okay to call/contact the hiring manger? Is there any wiggle room in the job requirements?)
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Showing what you can do for the library/company rather than what the library/company will be doing for you.
Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?
It would be interesting to see how many jobs job hunters are applying to every week/month.
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 