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: Circulation Librarian
Titles hired include: Shelver, Library Clerk, Library Assistant
Who makes hiring decisions at your organization:
√ A Committee or panel
Which of the following does your organization regularly require of candidates?
√ Online application
√ Supplemental Questions
√ Oral Exam/Structured interview
Does your organization use automated application screening?
√ Yes
Briefly describe the hiring process at your organization and your role in it:
I am part of a 3 person team who screens applications and interviews applicants.
Think about the last candidate who really wowed you, on paper, in an interview, or otherwise. Why were they so impressive?
Alert, enthusiastic, flexible
Do you have any instant dealbreakers?
Sloppy dress, bad posture, one-word answers.
What do you wish you could know about candidates that isn’t generally revealed in the hiring process?
how reliable they will be
How many pages should each of these documents be?
Cover Letter: √ Only One!
Resume: √ As many as it takes, but keep it reasonable and relevant
CV: √ As many as it takes, but keep it reasonable and relevant
What is the most common mistake that people make in an interview?
Not appear interested in job
Do you conduct virtual interviews? What do job hunters need to know about shining in this setting?
We will if a candidate is out of town. Test all systems first, make sure everything works.
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?
List all the types of work you have done
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?
The interviewers do not get age, sex, or race information.
What questions should candidates ask you? What is important for them to know about your organization and the position you are hiring for?
When will make a decision? What is a typical day like? Is it a team atmosphere, or individual work?
Additional Demographics
What part of the world are you in?
√ Western US
What’s your region like?
√ Rural
Is your workplace remote/virtual?
√ Never or not anymore
How many staff members are at your organization?
√ 11-50
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.
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Hiring Librarians 