About a Decade Later: Former (and current) Job Hunter Anonymous 4

Back in 2012/2013 I ran a survey of job hunters (co-authored by Naomi House of INALJ). It had over 500 responses, including 117 people who were at least initially willing to be non-anonymous. In this series, we check in with these respondents to see where they are about a decade later. 

This is another anonymous follow-up. This job hunter first filled out the survey in 2012 as a recent graduate, and her answers appeared as I Make Sure That I Qualify, First and Foremost. We followed up with her in November 2014 and found she had a part-time internship. Then in December 2015, we found out she’d landed a full time job in an archive. She’s still there, but looking again. She was kind enough to answer my questions below:

Where are you now? What’s your work situation like, and what path did you take to get where you are?

I’m still at my current position in the Midwest. The work situation has been both good and bad and it’s heading in the right direction but without more funding, I can’t really stay (hence the reason I’m looking). 

Were any parts of your journey completely unexpected?

How long things take. Also that people are willing to help with things.

Looking over your past answers, what pops out at you? Has anything changed?

Nothing really has changed, except maybe the idea of posting salaries. That has definitely changed, and especially that some states are even requiring it.

Have you had a chance to hire anyone? If so, what was that like?

Not me per se, but I’ve been in on the process of helping to hire student workers. It is definitely interesting being on the other side of things.

Do you have any advice for job hunters?

Have help going over your cover letter from someone in the same field. I had that and it’s helped tremendously! My cover letters before were okay but after this person helped, I saw an almost 90% return on getting interviews. Also, I know it’s hard but be willing to move. I’m open to moving for a full time position but only that. If you can swing to move for contract positions go for it.

Do you have any advice for people who hire LIS folks?

Post the salary, and if not the salary, at least a range so people aren’t blindsided when they get an interview.

Anything else you’d like to tell us? 

Nope.