Tag Archives: Librarian

by | June 4, 2023 · 11:00 am

“Libraries are a slow burn industry, so there is no need to check for additional postings multiple times a day.”

Bird watching with rangers and visitors!, NPS

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 job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ Less than six months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ I’m unemployed 

Where do you look for open positions?  

ALA JobLIST, NH Library Job Board, State of New Hampshire NH Works, LinkedIn, Indeed

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Requiring at least two years of experience

√ Supervisory 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library

√ Library vendor/service provider

√ Public library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Northeastern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area

√ Suburban area

√ Rural area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ No 

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Stability, Career Advancement, Training Opportunities

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

25

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well 

√ Funding professional development 

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

Do you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not 

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Poor job duties description 

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

2-3 hours

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Compare resume to job listing and update as needed, Compare Cover letter to job listing and update as needed, Fight with the terrible job application UI (they always take up the majority of my time, Collect any additional materials and submit.

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me 

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

2-4 weeks, maybe longer for academics which require a hiring committee 

How do you prepare for interviews?

Review materials, review job listing, review possible questions for position, prepare my travel plans the day before for on-site interviews, prepare clothes choices, troubleshoot tech issues an hour in advance for teleconference interviews.

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

Questions regarding skills I have not been trained in are always tenuous, because I have to find ways on the spot to spin my previous experience, and I find it is very hard to turn that into a question of whether the position will offer training for those skills.

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response   √ Happened more than once 
  • Had an interview and never heard back   √ Happened more than once 
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ Happened more than once 

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Be up front and honest about the position (including pay), and the search process. I don’t mind getting a canned response at all, because no response makes me feel like my application was just a waste of my time.

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m maintaining 

√ I’m frustrated 

√ I’m running out of money 

√ I feel alone in my search 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

Try to maintain some forward momentum without stressing. Libraries are a slow burn industry, so there is no need to check for additional postings multiple times a day. Focus on doing other things, doing something personally fulfilling, and check again tomorrow morning.

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

Employers really need to be up front about their pay AND that they are willing to entertain candidates who have less experience in the position. I might be willing to re-train and move in a different direction if that is in their job description. 

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2017

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ After graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Two to three years after graduating 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Full Time

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

No 

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by | June 4, 2023 · 11:00 am

“I am re-starting my job search as my current role (a library residency) will expire shortly and I want to have enough options to consider when the time comes.”

Students identify different birds. NPS

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 job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ Less than six months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ Looking for more money 

√ My current job is temporary 

Where do you look for open positions?  

HigherEd Jobs, ALA JobLIST, LinkedIn, We Here, posts on social media

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Requiring at least two years of experience

√ Supervisory 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library

√ Archives 

√ Special library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Northeastern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, to a specific list of places

√ Yes, as long as at least some of my moving costs are covered 

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Opportunities for professional growth both at the organization and through the broader field. Deep connections to community, whether it be with fellow staff in department or throughout organization, as well as relationship-building with student researchers, faculty, and the broader surrounding area of cultural heritage workers. Ability to work on meaningful and impactful projects that benefit both myself and the organization.

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

I am re-starting my job search as my current role (a library residency) will expire shortly and I want to have enough options to consider when the time comes. 

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Funding professional development

√ Prioritizing EDI work

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

Do you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

High turnover, whether in the immediate department or organization at large; lack of financial support from the governing institution (whether it’s a university or other larger body); a job description that bills itself as “early-career” but features a laundry list of skills and/or experiences required.

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

I spend anywhere between 3 days to a week preparing and submitting an application packet. 

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

I take time and care to research the organization and the job. I review the organization’s website, reading any publicly available strategic plans and/or press releases, culture or mission statements, as well as blog posts. Using previous cover letters, I draft and tailor my cover letter to match/mirror what the job description is seeking. I update and/or tailor my CV. I try to read any works written by other prospective colleagues at the organization to get a sense of what their research interests might be and how I might align (or not) with what the are doing. Finally, I try to consult with friends to review at least my cover letter before I submit. While this process might take longer, I find it leads to better results because I’m being more intentional.

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me 

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

I anticipate anywhere between 1 month to 4 months.

How do you prepare for interviews?

I have an in-depth process when it comes to preparing for interviews.

First, I read about the members of the hiring committee as well as the immediate team I might work with to get a sense of their experiences and expertise. I review profiles of the university and/or research center to better grasp their priorities for collection, teaching, or other projects. 

Second, I update myself on readings relevant to the job in question, taking stock of recent articles that might speak to the latest developments in that particular subfield and whether they would apply to my vision for that role. I use that information to help tailor a job talk and/or other things I might share in the course of interviews. Sometimes, I create a subfolder on Zotero to collect these readings and then return to them as needed depending on the kind of job in question.

Third, I use the “notepad” application on my desktop to write notes, reflections, and questions that I either have for the hiring committee or anticipate them asking. I write responses to the latter questions as a way of “mapping” what I may say. Later, I save and read these notepad files as a way to reflect back upon how the application process when and what I might do differently next time.

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

I dislike it when I’m asked to name a salary (often without knowing what other folks in the department might be making) as it makes the power imbalance very apparent in the interview. I also dislike being asked about gaps in my employment history as it indicates a lack of sensitivity on behalf of the employer about the many barriers I’ve dealt with when it comes to finding and securing full-time, permanent employment.

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened once  
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Not Applicable
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ Not Applicable
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Not Applicable
  • Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Provide a salary schedule for prospective candidates. Discuss opportunities for professional growth and promotion at the interview. Reimburse them for any expenses incurred for travel (including parking fees). Give them space to recharge and reflect, even if for 15 minutes, during a day-long interview. If possible, provide a contractor’s fee to reimburse the candidate for creating original presentation materials. When following-up with candidates who weren’t selected, try to provide feedback so that they can learn from the experience (rather than fumble through the long, dark pathway towards securing a job).

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m maintaining 

√ I’m frustrated 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

I take breaks: spend time with my loved ones, watch movies, listen to music, go for walks. 

I remind myself that I have a relatively stable job (for now). And that even after the residency ends, I will at least have had this opportunity to learn from these months of training.

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

Job searches can be unnecessarily long and brutal. It’s important to remember that the job search is only one small piece of a much bigger story you’re building about yourself 

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2022

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ More than six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Less than six months after graduating 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Full Time 

√ Residency 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

Not really.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?

Take time and care when preparing application materials. Being intentional with what you submit often leads to better results.

Be gracious at each interview as these colleagues will be active in other professional circles. Recognize that decisions made about hiring are not to be taken personally.

No one can tell you what you dare to become or dream; failed job searches are common, and so expect to receive a fair share of rejection.

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by | June 2, 2023 · 11:00 am

Further Questions: How much notice are employees expected to give before they quit their current job?

Every other week or so, I ask a question to a group of people who hire library and LIS workers. If you have a question to ask or if you’d like to be part of the group that answers, shoot me an email at hiringlibrariansATgmail.

This week’s question is from a reader:

How much notice are employees expected to give before they quit their current job? Is this mandated by etiquette or contract?

Anonymous Federal Librarian: 

I’ve always felt two weeks is normal and acceptable. Anything less than two weeks is going to burn some bridges, and people WILL talk about you. You also need to know your current environment. If your supervisor is the type that wants to see you grow, succeed, and move up, you should let them know sooner than two weeks if you can. In my last position, my supervisor knew 4 months before that I was leaving. It gave us both plenty of time to prepare for my departure.

Head shot of Laurie Phillips, Who wears burgundy glasses and is posing in front of a bookshelf

Laurie Phillips, Associate Dean for Information Resources and Systems, J. Edgar & Louise S. Monroe Library, Loyola University New Orleans:

We fully expect an employee to professionally end their current employment. If that means 2 weeks or even a month, that’s okay. At this university, if an employee does not give two weeks’ notice before leaving, they are ineligible for rehire. 

Headshot of Jimmie Epling, who wears a suit and glasses and smiles into the camera

Jimmie Epling, Director, Darlington County Library System:

Employment etiquette for lower salary positions notes that a two week notice is ideal and for upper level management/professional a four week notice is recommended.  While it is a courtesy to your employer to give a notice, but regardless of whether it is two weeks or four weeks, the notice does not provide enough time for the library to find a new staff member to fill the position.

Celia is running across the finish line of the Clarence Demar Half Marathon

Celia Rabinowitz, Dean of Mason Library, Keene State College:

I always felt that librarians in academic positions should try, when possible, to leave at the end of a semester (or even academic year, if possible). If that isn’t feasible, as a director, I would appreciate as much advance notice as possible. A month or more is not too much, unless the person is in an untenable situation I their current job. For staff I think the standard two weeks is fine and expecting more is not really fair. I have never worked in an environment where a notice period was mandated.

Donna wears glasses and a red t-shirt. She is feeding a bottle to a kangaroo wrapped in a grey blanket.

Donna Pierce, Library Director, Krum Public Library:

As a director I am supposed to give a month’s notice.  However, past employees at the same level have given anywhere from two weeks to two day notice! As for other employees,  I appreciate getting at least two weeks’ notice – though when I was part-time I didn’t give much notice to one job!

Headshot of Jaime, who wears a cycling cap and stands in front of a white board

Jaime Taylor, Discovery & Resource Management Systems Coordinator, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts: Where I work, it is governed by our collective bargaining agreements. For librarians, that’s based on length of services. If it is your first year, you must give at least 30 days notice. If it’s between one and six years, you must give 60 days notice. If you have six years or service or more, you must give 90 days notice.

Personally, if you have no contract language or other requirements around giving notice, you do you. In the past, when I was leaving a library on good terms and had the luxury of sufficient time to move and start a new job, I let the organization know as soon as I knew that I would be leaving. I needed the time to wrap up projects and write documentation, and they were able to begin planning the hiring process for my replacement. But if the organization has not treated you with respect, or if giving extended notice would make your life difficult or threaten your new position, etiquette need not come into play. Jobs will never love you back.

Headshot of Alan Smith, who wears glasses, a tie and suspenders

Alan Smith, Director, Florence County, SC Library System: Our county’s requirement is two weeks’ written notice for all employees, and four weeks for department heads, with a couple of incentives/enforcement mechanisms: employees who don’t give the required notice don’t receive a payout of their Annual Leave, and aren’t eligible to be re-hired in the future. 

Even if your employer doesn’t require it, two weeks’ notice is standard because it minimizes disruption: not only for administration or HR, who needs time to update files, close out benefits, and prepare for re-hiring, but also for co-workers, whose schedules and other duties are going to change to cover the vacancy. Even if it’s not a great work environment and you don’t plan to use them as a reference, future employers may still call to verify employment, and “did they give adequate notice?” is a pretty standard question. 

In our library, staff usually give informal notice as well. They know the vacancy will affect co-workers schedules and programs, and creates administrative work, so they’ll give their supervisor a heads up a couple of weeks before the formal notice (and sometimes a good deal earlier, usually with retirements). This is very helpful and I really appreciate it, but be careful with this unless you have a good, trusting working relationship with your supervisor. There are managers out there who will take resignation as a personal affront; best-case, they give you a cold shoulder until you leave, and worst-case, they may come up with a reason to terminate before your official notice comes in! If this sounds like your manager, but you don’t want to leave your co-workers in the lurch, you can give written notice earlier (3 weeks’ notice, etc.). 

Amy G, Head of Adult Services:

It’s customary for most jobs to give two weeks notice, and that’s generally dictated by etiquette and social norms rather than any formal requirement. If an employee knows more than two weeks out they’re going to be leaving, I’d appreciate knowing as soon as possible, but I understand there can be reasons not to give more notice in some workplaces.

Anonymous:

I think this probably varies by library type and culture as well as the type of position you’re leaving. If you have a contract that has a rule, then you should follow it. In my experience, etiquette states a minimum of 2 weeks notice. I strongly recommend not giving any less than that. In the last year, two people have left my current institution with less than a week’s notice, which was viewed as inconsiderate and rude. If you have a reason, great – but let people know that! Like I said earlier, the library world is very small and people have long memories.

Julie Todaro, Dean, Retired:

Easy answers are “it depends” and “both.” More specific answers might be:

Before they quit

If an employee is on a contract, and if not mandated by the contract itself or by HR, at least one month of workdays before the contract is up. In fact, a growing number of supervisors put out a general feeler to employees with the question; however, it is not acceptable to ask someone individually “Are you going to quit? And “if so, please quit by xxxx.” or better yet “Please don’t quit!”

Without a contract, employees should strive for the length of a pay period or the more common “two weeks’ notice” or one month. These choices also depend on the length of time it takes an organization to get positions posted, etc.  Also, employees should be careful and NOT state things months in advance such as “I will probably quit at the end of the year.” This is not considered a notice of any kind and managing this employee and this employee managing others becomes a major problem. Clearly it looks as if the employee is either hedging their bets on the new job or the new job isn’t sure. It should be remembered that keeping an employee in a job out of courtesy or for the employees’ convenience is not what your institution is or should be in the habit of doing. In fact, managers who do this (other than the retirement date issue) find themselves a lame duck, no matter what. Effective supervision is no longer possible (up or down) and it isn’t equitable to peers, management or other employees who are loathe to take direction or work on projects, etc. knowing things may and probably will drastically change.

Organizations accepting early timelines need to request a workplan of current work from the employee and then negotiate the workplan for remaining time to ensure what needs to be done or what is critical to be done, is done.

If you’re a job hunter I have a survey for you! Will you please fill it out?

If you’re someone who hires LIS workers, the current survey is still open. There’s also a mini survey on cover letters.

And if you’re in either or neither of the above categories but you have your own personal professional website, here’s a survey for you!

Other ways to share your thoughts:

If you have a question to ask people who hire library workers, or if you’d like to be part of the group that answers them, shoot me an email at hiringlibrariansATgmail.

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by | June 1, 2023 · 11:00 am

“I was offered two interviews at separate institutions, and both disrespected my time.”

Gentry George, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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 job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ A year to 18 months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ Looking for more money 

√ I want to work with a different population

√ I want to work at a different type of library/institution

√ I want to work with a different type of collection

√ Looking for remote/virtual work (or at least hybrid) 

√ My current job is awful/toxic 

√ I need more flexibility in my schedule (to care for dependents or otherwise) 

Where do you look for open positions?  

INALJ, ALA JOBList, professional listservs, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, state job boards.

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Requiring at least two years of experience

√ Supervisory

√ Department Head 

√ Branch Manager 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library

√ Archives

√ Library vendor/service provider 

√ Special library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Mid-Atlantic US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area

√ Suburban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, within my country

√ Yes, to a specific list of places 

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

18 (exact)

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits

√ Introducing me to staff

√ Having a good reputation  

√ Prioritizing EDI work

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

Do you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not 

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Negative reviews on Glassdoor or Indeed.

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

3 hours minimum

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Connecting with people on LinkedIn to get an idea of what the work environment is like, tweak my resume, tweak my cover letter, connect with the hiring manager, and square away my references (if necessary). 

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me 

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

2-3 months

How do you prepare for interviews?

Practing alone out loud, practicing with a friend. 

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

Any weird question with zero relevance to the job itself. “If you could be a color, what color would you be?” 

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened more than once  
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Happened once 
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ I don’t know 
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Happened more than once 
  • Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable

If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?

Yes, twice. I was offered two interviews at separate institutions, and both disrespected my time. The first institution only offered one date and time for the interview, and the second institution took a month to get back to me to set up an interview. 

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Decency goes a long way in the hiring process. Do I expect to get ghosted after submitting an application? Yes. Now, if I drive 5 hours to your library and you ghost me after an interview? Yikes. Sending a rejection email would take less than 5 minutes. Am I really not worth 5 minutes? 

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m somewhat depressed 

√ I feel alone in my search 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

Taking breaks when necessary. Only applying for jobs that resonate with me.  

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2020

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ After graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ I was actually hired before I graduated 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Full Time 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

No 

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by | May 30, 2023 · 11:00 am

“Not being able to tell me what you are reading. You must have read something to apply to the job”

American Library Association – Library Personnel – Camp Greene Volunteer Library Workers. National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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: Director

Titles hired include: Clerk technician shipper librarian assistant 

Who makes hiring decisions at your organization:

√ HR

√ Library Administration

√ The position’s supervisor

√ A Committee or panel 

Which of the following does your organization regularly require of candidates?

√ Online application

√ Cover letter

√ Resume 

√ References

√ Proof of degree

√ Supplemental Questions

√ Written Exam

√ Oral Exam/Structured interview

√ Demonstration (teaching, storytime, etc)

√ More than one round of interviews 

Does your organization use automated application screening? 

√ No 

Briefly describe the hiring process at your organization and your role in it:

Posting review. Posting. Resume review. 1st short interview. Written test. 2nd long interview. Hire. On boarding. Probation. 

Think about the last candidate who really wowed you, on paper, in an interview, or otherwise. Why were they so impressive?

They knew about the library services and collections and believed in intellectual freedom. 

Do you have any instant dealbreakers?

Late. Swearing. Not knowing about or using the library. Not being able to tell me what you are reading. You must have read something to apply to the job. Not knowing what edi means for them. 

What do you wish you could know about candidates that isn’t generally revealed in the hiring process?

Capacity to support the member who hasn’t talked to anyone all day

How many pages should each of these documents be?

Cover Letter: √ Only One!  

Resume: √ Two is ok, but no more 

CV: √ We don’t ask for this  

What is the most common mistake that people make in an interview?

Too many umms. Not being themselves. 

Do you conduct virtual interviews? What do job hunters need to know about shining in this setting?

Be yourself. 

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?

Tell us what you did. Why it matters. How you did it. When and where and then tell us why you think that makes you the best person for this role. 

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?

Exists in Screening. To reduce bias we ask everyone how they use their privilege, opportunity and challenges in life to enhance their practice as a public servant.  

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 want to see in the first 3-6 months. 

Additional Demographics

What part of the world are you in?

√ Canada 

What’s your region like?

√ Urban 

Is your workplace remote/virtual?

√ Never or not anymore 

How many staff members are at your organization?

√ 201+ 

Is there anything else you’d like to say, either to job hunters or to me, the survey author? 

What percentage of the library team represents the community as a mirror

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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by | May 28, 2023 · 11:00 am

“To job hunter, i will say never give up on your dream. Pursue it”

National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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 job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ Six months to a year 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ I’m employed outside of the field and I’d like to be in it 

√ I want to work with a different population 

Where do you look for open positions?  

ALA JobLIST, LinkedIn 

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Entry level

√ Requiring at least two years of experience 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library 

√ Public library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Canada 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, anywhere 

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Career progression,good salary and flexible job

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

16

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well 

√ Having a good reputation 

√ Funding professional development 

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

Do you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?

√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Lack of career progression 

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

An hour

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Check through application requirements,

List out relevant work experience on my resume

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected 

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

Two weeks 

How do you prepare for interviews?

By going through the organization website to know more about them and learn more about the job role i applied for

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

None

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened more than once

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Employers should please understands that not every qualified applicants have many years of work experience, we should be considered for entry level role to build up the experience needed

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m optimistic 

√ I’m energized 

√ I feel alone in my search 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

To always send mail to organisation asking if the application process is still on, most especially when i dont get a feedback in time

Do you have any advice or words of support you’d like to share with other job hunters, is there anything you’d like to say to employers, or is there anything else you’d like to say about job hunting?

To job hunter, i will say never give up on your dream. Pursue it

Do you have any comments for Emily (the survey author) or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

I would like to say  thank you for this opportunity 

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2018

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ After graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ Hasn’t happened yet – I’m still looking 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Contract 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

No

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by | May 28, 2023 · 11:00 am

“If i’m not getting interviewed or being considered, I don’t want to hear from them”

Richey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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 job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ A year to 18 months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree 

√ Looking for more money

√ Looking for a promotion/more responsibility 

√ I want to work at a different type of library/institution

√ I want to work with a different type of collection 

Where do you look for open positions?  

Archives Gig, Indeed

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Entry level

√ Requiring at least two years of experience 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library

√ Archives 

√ Special library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Northeastern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Suburban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, anywhere 

√ Yes, as long as at least some of my moving costs are covered 

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Interesting collection to work with, good pay/benefits and positive work environment

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

10-15

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Prioritizing work-life balance 

Do you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not 

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

“we’re like a family”, requiring odd hours or overtime

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

1-2 hours

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

gather all my documents, read through them and compile as I go

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ Other: If i’m not getting interviewed or being considered, I don’t want to hear from them

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

2 months max

How do you prepare for interviews?

meditate

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

Questions about weaknesses. You either lie and say something that is really a strength, or you have to reveal a weakness to your potential employer.

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened more than once 
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Not Applicable
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ Happened once
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Happened once 
  • Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable

If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?

Got a full-time job and the other was only part-time  

What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?

Transparency. And don’t waste peoples time by asking them to submit the same info over and over again in different forms.

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m maintaining 

What are your job search self-care strategies?

Remind myself that rejection is part of the process and natural.

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

Graduating this year (2023)

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ More than six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ I was actually hired before I graduated 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Part Time 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

Yes! SJSU 

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by | May 26, 2023 · 11:00 am

“I went to two in person interviews during the pandemic and they ghosted me.”

U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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 job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ A year to 18 months 

Why are you job hunting?  

√ Looking for more money

√ Looking for a promotion/more responsibility 

√ My current job is awful/toxic 

Where do you look for open positions?  

Local job sites like NJLA and LubrarylinkNJ

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Requiring at least two years of experience

√ Supervisory 

√ Senior Librarian 

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Public library 

What part of the world are you in?

√ Northeastern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Urban area

√ Suburban area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ Yes, within my state 

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Better pay better coworkers, 

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

Four or five estimated

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Having a good reputation 

Do you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not 

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

Reposting the job a lot

The Process

How much time do you spend preparing an application packet?

An hour

What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?

Work in my cover letter

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if the search is at the interview stage, even if I have not been selected

√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me 

How long do you expect an organization’s application process to take, from the point you submit your documents to the point of either an offer or rejection?

One to two months

How do you prepare for interviews?

Looking up interview questions online and going through my successful programs

What are your most hated interview questions, and why?

What is your biggest weakness because frankly it’s bullshit

During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:

  • Submitted an application and got no response  √ Happened more than once 
  • Had an interview and never heard back  √ Happened more than once
  • Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen  √ Happened more than once
  • Asked for an accommodation for a disability  √ Not Applicable
  • Withdrawn an application before the offer stage  √ Happened once 

 If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?

Would basically be taking a pay cut for a worse commute 

If you want to share a great, inspirational, funny,  horrific or other story about an experience you have had at any stage in the hiring process, please do so here:

I went to two in person interviews during the pandemic and they ghosted me. 

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m despondent

√ I’m frustrated  

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2017

When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?

√ Six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ I was actually hired before I graduated 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Full Time 

Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?

Not really 

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by | May 24, 2023 · 11:00 am

“no boss-nanny software, no micromanaging”

Walton LaVonda, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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 job searching practices. I invite you to take what’s useful and leave the rest.

Your Demographics and Search Parameters

How long have you been job hunting?

√ Less than six months

Why are you job hunting?  

√ Looking for more money 

√ Looking for remote/virtual work (or at least hybrid) 

√ Other: current job NEVER gives raises, even COLA is rare, and we’re facing big budget cuts which will significantly change the nature of my work in ways I do not want

Where do you look for open positions? (e.g. INALJ, ALA JobLIST, professional listserv, LinkedIn)  

all of the above, plus Indeed and a Discord I’m part of

What position level are you looking for?  

√ Other: expert in grant writing, maybe something like project manager? feeling necessary to look outside libraries

What type(s) of organization are you looking in? 

√ Academic library 

√ Library vendor/service provider

√ Public library 

√ Special library

√ Other: outside of libraries but still in information-based roles

What part of the world are you in?

√ Midwestern US 

What’s your region like? 

√ Rural area 

Are you willing/able to move for employment? 

√ No 

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

100% remote, relative autonomy (no boss-nanny software, no micromanaging), pays decent with benefits for me + spouse

How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)

0 yet

What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  

√ Pay well

√ Having (and describing) excellent benefits 

√ Having a good reputation 

√ Prioritizing EDI work

√ Prioritizing work-life balance

√ Other: assurance of relative autonomy to do my job without being babysat

Do you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not 

Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?

bro-speak

The Process

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email 

When would you like potential employers to contact you? 

√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me 

You and Your Well-Being

How are you doing, generally?

√ I’m optimistic  

Job Hunting Post Graduate School 

If you have an MLIS or other graduate level degree in a LIS field, what year did you graduate? (Or what year do you anticipate graduating?)

2001 

In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?

√ I was actually hired before I graduated 

What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? 

√ Full Time 

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by | May 23, 2023 · 11:00 am

“I wish there was a better way to know their personality and if they actually know how to do the tasks they say.”

220 Years of the Library of Congress–cataloging for the nation (LOC). By Flickr user The Library of Congress

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: Youth Services Manager

Titles hired include: Childrens librarian, youth program specialists, seasonal staff; helped with library director, public services manager.

Who makes hiring decisions at your organization:

√ Library Administration

√ The position’s supervisor 

√ Employees at the position’s same level (on a panel or otherwise) 

Which of the following does your organization regularly require of candidates?

√ Online application 

√ References 

√ Oral Exam/Structured interview

√ Demonstration (teaching, storytime, etc)

√ More than one round of interviews 

Does your organization use automated application screening? 

√ No 

Briefly describe the hiring process at your organization and your role in it:

I review incoming applications and decide who to interview and hire for the positions I supervise. I assist with interviews and give opinions on who to hire for some other FT staff at my own level and when we looked for a new director. HR handles the paperwork. 

Think about the last candidate who really wowed you, on paper, in an interview, or otherwise. Why were they so impressive?

When they take the time to show that they actually looked into our community and our library. When they give concrete examples of work they have done in or out of libraries (instead of generalities) and they can tie it into how that experience may relate to the current position. When they show excitement about the potential work.

Do you have any instant dealbreakers?

If they want the job only bc they like books. If they don’t also indicate they like people, they don’t belong working in a public library. 

What do you wish you could know about candidates that isn’t generally revealed in the hiring process?

I wish there was a better way to know their personality and if they actually know how to do the tasks they say. It seems we have hired a few people in the last few years who said all the right things but then couldn’t do basic management tasks like making a schedule or communicate with other coworkers.

How many pages should each of these documents be?

Cover Letter: √ Only One!  

Resume: √ Two is ok, but no more 

CV: √ Two is ok, but no more 

What is the most common mistake that people make in an interview?

Not having any questions for us.

Do you conduct virtual interviews? What do job hunters need to know about shining in this setting?

We do offer this option. To have a professional and quiet background.

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?

If there is any way they can get their employer to let them run a special project or if they can volunteer for an event that gives them similar experience. Or if the can even verbalize the connection between what they have done and how it would translate to the requirements 

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 birth year isn’t shown to reduce age bias. 

What questions should candidates ask you? What is important for them to know about your organization and the position you are hiring for?

What are the priorities for their position. What is our library culture. 

Additional Demographics

What part of the world are you in?

√ Midwestern US 

What’s your region like?

√ Suburban 

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.

Leave a comment

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