Please note: this is an anonymous response to an online survey; I do not have any way of contacting the respondent or verifying responses. Their answers may reflect good, bad, or middling hiring practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.
This person hires for a:
√ Public Library
Title: Assistant Director
Titles hired include: Library Assistant, library page, maintenance worker, courier
Who makes hiring decisions at your organization:
√ The position’s supervisor
Which of the following does your organization regularly require of candidates?
√ References
Does your organization use automated application screening?
√ No
Briefly describe the hiring process at your organization and your role in it:
Vet application, in person interview I do both
Think about the last candidate who really wowed you, on paper, in an interview, or otherwise. Why were they so impressive?
Had a good idea of what the job required
Do you have any instant dealbreakers?
Discriminatory attitudes, thinking the job is easy
What do you wish you could know about candidates that isn’t generally revealed in the hiring process?
Discriminatory attitudes
How many pages should each of these documents be?
Cover Letter: √ We don’t ask for this
Resume: √ We don’t ask for this
CV: √ We don’t ask for this
What is the most common mistake that people make in an interview?
Being too rule oriented
Do you conduct virtual interviews? What do job hunters need to know about shining in this setting?
No
How can candidates looking to transition from paraprofessional work, from non-library work, or between library types convince you that their experience is relevant? Or do you have other advice for folks in this kind of situation?
Show they have a good idea of the depth of skills the job requires
When does your organization *first* mention salary information?
√ It’s part of the job ad
What does your organization do to reduce bias in hiring? What are the contexts in which discrimination still exists in this process?
We haven’t focused on this.
What questions should candidates ask you? What is important for them to know about your organization and the position you are hiring for?
What do you like best about working here? Is there training?
Additional Demographics
What part of the world are you in?
√ Midwestern US
What’s your region like?
√ Suburban
Is your workplace remote/virtual?
√ Some of the time and/or in some positions
How many staff members are at your organization?
√ 51-100
Author’s note: Hey, thanks for reading! If you like reading, why not try commenting or sharing? Or are you somebody who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers? Please consider giving your own opinion by filling out the survey here.
Hiring Librarians 