Carol Hyne is a volunteer for the San Diego County Public Law Library while in transition. She was lately a research librarian for Qualcomm. Prior to moving to San Diego, Carol was long time Law Librarian for Union Oil Company of California (dba UNOCAL) in Los Angeles. Ms. Hyne has been job hunting for six months to a year. She is looking in Special Libraries, Academic libraries, Archives, and Public libraries, at the following levels: Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory, Department Head, Senior Librarian. Ms. Hyne is in an urban area of the Western US, and is willing to move within Southern California. She says she
“lives for research” no matter what the topic but enjoys all facets of librarianship.
Carol has served SANDALL as VP/Programs Chair, Bylaws Committee Chair, and Webmaster. You can learn more about her by visiting her LinkedIn profile.
What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?
1) A position that will leverage my experience as well as provide me opportunity to learn.
2) good salary and benefits
3) congenial, competent co-workers.
Where do you look for open positions?
Professional listservs, library placement firms, library related job boards, government websites (federal, state, county and municipal), websites of target companies, and follow-up on suggestions from my network.
Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?
√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)
What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?
Read and reread the description carefully. Tweak my resume to incorporate their terminology. Write a cover letter that addresses their concerns and showcases relevant experience. Upload these and other required documents and fill out any questionnaire they require. Proofreading! All of this can take as much as six hours per application depending on the length and complexity of the questionnaires.
Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?
√ No
When would you like employers to contact you?
√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me
How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?
√ Other: Phone with email reiteration
Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?
Employers need to understand what it is they are looking for and communicate that clearly in the advertisement.
What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?
Keep applicants informed of status. Knowing is better than not knowing.
What do you think is the secret to getting hired?
Networking, networking, networking! Attitude, enthusiasm, and the ability to effectively communicate your knowledge, and skills to the hiring manager. Beyond that it’s chemistry, how will you fit with the existing team.
This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 