This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who 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, at the following levels: Entry level, Requiring at least two years of experience. This job hunter is in a city/town, in the Western US, and is willing to move to the Southeastern US.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
Location
Location
Location
Where do you look for open positions?
ALA Joblist, INALJ
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 usually double check my most current resume and write a cover letter. Two hours max.
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 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)?
√ Tour of facility
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
List the salary, even if it’s just a range. I’m looking to relocate cross-country and I’m the bread winner of my household, so I’d rather not waste my time if the position pays even less than I’m making now.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Update candidates on the status of the job search! Nothing is more frustrating than sending in an application and hearing that the position has been filled 8 months later (or never hearing anything at all).
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Being honest with yourself and with the potential employer. And being patient enough to take the right opportunity, not the first opportunity.
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 