This anonymous interview is not with a librarian who has been a Recruiter. This person works at a Government Organization with 0-10 staff members.What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?
A Master’s Degree in Library Science, Cataloging experience, and experience in an Academic or Federal Government environment.
Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?
The Master’s Degree in this particular instance is a deal breaker.
What are you tired of seeing on resumes/in cover letters?
Hobbies.
Is there anything that people don’t put on their resumes that you wish they did?
People often times leave off the “Skills” section of a resume. This can be used to easily showcase skills or experience that are relevant to each position. It’s a way to quickly tailor a resume.
How many pages should a cover letter be?
- Only one!
How many pages should a resume/CV be?
- As many as it takes, but keep it short and sweet
Do you have a preferred format for application documents?
- .doc
Should a resume/CV have an Objective statement?
- No
If applications are emailed, how should the cover letter be submitted?
- In the body of the email only
What’s the best way to win you over in an interview?
Eye Contact, Confidence, and exceptional knowledge and understanding of the task at hand.
What are some of the most common mistakes people make in an interview?
I think nerves often times come across as attitude or disinterest.
How has hiring changed at your organization since you’ve been in on the process?
Degrees are of much more importance than they once were.
Hiring Librarians 