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 and Federal libraries, at the following levels: Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory. This job hunter is in a city/town, in the Southern US, and is searching for work in a particular city.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
In no particular order: A place that supports professional development. A place where I don’t mind coming to work every day. A place that pays me well enough to sustain myself and pay off my student loans.
Where do you look for open positions?
Various listservs (the good jobs are usually posted on them the aggregator sites like INALJ.) State Library Association website Employer’s website Indeed INALJ USA Jobs
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ Other: I’m only applying to federal jobs and public colleges and universities where the salary range is usually posted.
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
I read the job description several times to make sure that I meet most (if not all) of the qualifications. I have several resumes and CVs that I work from, so I usually customize one of them for the position to which I’m applying. Since I’m working full time, it often takes me a week or two to finish an application packet.
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?
√ 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
√ Other: How knowledgeable the search committee is about the position. I went to one interview where the search committee head could hardly answer my questions.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
I work in academia so I know the hiring process can be glacial. I just ask to be kept in the loop about my status as a candidate.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Meeting the job qualifications, developing a rapport with the search committee, and presenting yourself well.
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!
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