This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is not 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, archives, library vendors/service providers, public, school, and special libraries (ANYWHERE!) at the entry level. Here is this person’s experience with internships/volunteering:
Internship in a public library: reference desk (lots of observation prior), homework center.
This job hunter is in a suburban area in the Northeastern US and is willing to move anywhere.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1. Just to get one, a full-time one. 2. Decent benefits inc. medical, although dental and vision would be great. 3. Nice [perks] like paid ALA attendance, reasonable vacation and personal time.
Where do you look for open positions?
ALAJoblist, Connecticut Library Association listserv.
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?
Hours getting it all “right.”
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?
√ Other: Phone for appts, email for responses to applications-good or bad!
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?
Be [honest] in the job description and stop using so many buzzwords!
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Be VERY specific in the listing of job requirements.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
The only “secret” really is not a secret: the potential employee has to have the required skills for the job.
Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?
I can’t think of anything at the moment. Thank you for the opportunity to participate and I wish you luck with your research work.
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 