If we fill positions with those who insist on holding the profession back they will be the last generation of librarians.

This anonymous interview is with a public librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee. This person hires the following types of LIS professionals:

Children’s librarians

This librarian works at a library with 0-10 staff members in a rural area in the Midwestern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25 or fewer

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

Telling me that they have the qualifications or experience that are listed as “required” in the posting for the opening.

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

Applications come directly to me, the library director. I evaluate them, using my own rubric (a list of the minimum qualifications). Those who meet all/most are shared with a committee who use thier own rubric to share with me (individually) those they think would be a good fit for our team.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Not helping me understand why they believe they are qualified for the position I have advertised. After looking at a cover letter, application, and resume if I can’t see the degree/credentials or experience listed in my posting they are disqualifed.

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ Other: if requested by the applicant

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Present themselves professionally from the very first communication.

I want to hire someone who is

personable

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 0-10

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 1

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are the same number of positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ No

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ No

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

No

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

If we can fill our position with friendly, outgoing, dynamic professionals who understands that the future of their profession is going to be very different but still very challenging and gratifying will make ALL the difference. If we fill positions with those who insist on holding the profession back they will be the last generation of librarians.

Do you have any other comments, for job hunters or about the survey?

Help me, hire you! I want to hire you but I need to see your passion and qualifications on the first documents you send me.

Do you hire librarians?  Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.