IOC.exchange

Hiring Librarians“I’m currently hoping to work two part-time jobs again, this time in reference, to gain experience and pay bills until I’m able to find another full-time position”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 ParametersHow long have you been job hunting?√ More than 18 monthsWhy are you job hunting?   √ This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree, √ I’m unemployed, √ 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, √ My current job is boring, √ My current job is awful/toxicWhere do you look for open positions?  RAILS Job Board, Higher Ed Jobs, job boards of universities and colleges in my areaWhat position level are you looking for?  √ Entry level, √ Requiring at least two years of experience, √ Clerk/Library Assistant, √ Other: Entry-level / first-time Librarian position after MLIS graduationWhat type(s) of organization are you looking in? √ Academic libraryWhat part of the world are you in?√ Midwestern USWhat’s your region like? √ Urban areaAre you willing/able to move for employment? √ NoWhat are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?Higher wage than what I’m currently earning, main responsibility is reference and instruction work, and within a 40min commute from my homeHow many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)Nearly 100 (Estimate)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 work-life balanceDo 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?Not specifying if the job is full or part time, requiring more education or degrees than what I currently have, using language to indicate the institution / position is part of a “family,” not specifying the exact location of the building or institution I’ll be working inThe ProcessHow much time do you spend preparing an application packet?3 hoursWhat are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?Carefully read the job description, revise my resume if I feel certain experiences or skills of mine can be match the position better, customize a template cover letter to address the position specificallyHow do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?√ EmailWhen would you like potential employers to contact you? √ Other: Only if I’m being asked to progress in the hiring stage. Otherwise I assume I’ve been rejected from the position immediatelyHow 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?Longer than a month, on average three monthsHow do you prepare for interviews?Read the job description very carefully,What are your most hated interview questions, and why?“Tell us about yourself / what your personality is like;” I submitted materials that should refer to this. Don’t ask me “fit”-related questions.During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:<ul><li>Submitted an application and got no response √ Happened more than once</li><li>Had an interview and never heard back √ Not Applicable</li><li>Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen √ I don’t know</li><li>Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Happened the majority of the time or always</li><li>Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Not Applicable</li><li>Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable</li></ul>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 was specifically told by one of the hiring managers for a part-time library assistant position at a public library that the pay was not meant to “pay the bills.” I needed that job and an additional PT public library assistant position to pay for my bills because job hunting for full-time positions wasn’t working out.What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?ALWAYS, ALWAYS post the salary / pay information with the job ad, be realistic and very specific about what the requirements and preferred qualifications are for the job,You and Your Well-BeingHow are you doing, generally?√ I’m maintaining, √ I’m somewhat depressed, √ I’m despondent, √ I’m frustrated, √ Not out of money yet, but worried, √ I feel alone in my searchWhat are your job search self-care strategies?I generally assume that I will be rejected from a position the moment I apply to it so I don’t become too attached to the idea I may progress in the hiring stage.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?I’ve only ever worked in the library field, though I’ve continually felt I’m competing against TONS of others in similar or even worse positions than mine, all for the same low-paying full or part time positions because we feel attached to this field and don’t know what else to do in our careers. I need some kind of cause to dedicate most of my time towards, but I’m also a human being who needs to pay bills, have time dedicated toward my loved ones, and find space and joy in places other than my job. I wish job hunting and employers all could acknowledge our humanity and shared needs. 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?)2022When 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 degreeIn relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?√ Hasn’t happened yet – I’m still lookingMore than six months before graduating with my MLIS/other LIS degree What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? √ N/A – hasn’t happened yetDid you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?I’ve had support with some of my application materials, but I feel like I’ve needed to pull teeth in order to get specific help more than the general “here’s how to make a good resume” advice from career center staff.Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?I graduated with my MSLIS in December 2022, and up until this last April 2023 since October 2019, I was working a full-time library assistant position at a research library. I quit the position because I felt burnt-out, underpaid, and to search for positions specifically in an academic library. I unfortunately was rejected from a full-time academic job this month, so I’m currently hoping to work two part-time jobs again, this time in reference, to gain experience and pay bills until I’m able to find another full-time position.<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians“I do feel like it’s my responsibility as a hiring manager to continue to make the process better for candidates and really the biggest challenge with that is the time it require”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. If you are someone who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers, please consider giving your own opinion by <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQhOVjdHaWxMTnwt1iGhoD0CICsewzzmX5ryqI2B2AJC_wmQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">filling out the survey here</a>. Current Hiring Practices and Organizational NeedsThese questions are about your current hiring practices in general – the way things have been run the last year or two (or three).Where do you advertise your job listings?HigherEd Jobs, ALA, Indeed, local library association job boardDo you notice a difference in application quality based on where the applicant saw the job ad?The more general the website, the more unqualified applicants we see (we get the most unqualified from Indeed)Do you include salary in the job ad?√ YesDo you use keyword matching or any automation tools to reduce the number of applications a human reads while considering candidates?  √ NoDo you consider candidates who don’t meet all the requirements listed in the job ad?√ YesWhat is the current most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?Does not meet the minimum requirements when we have enough other applicants who do (we might bend on these if we didn’t have enough qualified applicants).Does your organization use one-way interviews? (Sometimes also called asynchronous or recorded interviews)√ NoDo you provide interview questions before the interview? √ Other: Not consistent based on who’s hiring, but increasingly we do.If you provide interview questions before the interview, how far in advance?2-3 daysDoes your interview process include taking the candidate out for a meal?√ Other: Depends on the level of the position, but we do very often.How much of your interview process is virtual?√ First round/Initial ScreenDo you (or does your organization) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?√ NoWhat is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve their hirability?The biggest factor is usually their previous job experience, but some candidates disqualify themselves with poor soft skills during the interview or having a hard time answering questions thoughtfully/fully.Is there anything else you’d like to say about hiring practices at your organization or in current trends?Our hiring process really has not changed much since pre-Covid with the exception of it becoming more common to provide the questions in advance.Your Last RecruitmentThese are questions about the last person you hired (or the last position you attempted to fill). This person may not have been a librarian, and that’s ok.Think about the most recent time you participated in hiring someone (or an attempt to hire someone) at your organization. What was the title of the position you were trying to fill?When was this position hired?√ Between three to six months agoApproximately how many people applied for this position?√ 25-75Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?√ 25% or lessAnd how would you define “hirable”?Had any relevant library experience (though we might have opened the door to transferable experience (non-library) if we didn’t have enough qualified candidates).How did the recruitment for this position compare with recruitments in previous years?It really has not changed that much for us, but at least anecdotally, people seem less interested in moving to our high cost of living area for a library salary.Your WorkplaceThis section asks for information about your workplace, including if you have lost positions in the last decade.How many staff members are at your library/organization?√ 50-100Are you unionized?√ Yes, at least some workers are union membersCan you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?√ Other: I don’t knowHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?  √ NoHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with non-librarian, lower paid staff positions over the past decade?   √ NoIs librarianship a dying profession?√ I don’t knowWhy or why not?It could be dying, but it’s definitely not dead. Kind of reminds me of the hype around how e-books were going to kill print books. It might be a long-term trend toward death or a transformation into something unrecognizable, but it’s not happening as quickly as people seem to fear. I will say also that it’s hard to separate what’s happening in librarianship from what’s happening in the job market and economy more broadly; I think most of what is happening to us is happening in many industries.DemographicsThis section asks for information about you specifically.What part of the world are you in?√ Western US (including Alaska, Hawaii and Pacific Northwest)What’s your region like?√ Suburban areaWhat type of institution do you hire for (check all that apply):√ Academic Library What type(s) of LIS professionals do you hire? Are you a librarian?√ YesAre you now or have you ever been: √ A hiring manager (you are hiring people that you will directly or indirectly supervise), √ A member of a hiring or search committeeDo you have any other comments, for job hunters, other people who hire, about the survey, or for Emily (the survey author)?I think one of the most helpful things you can do as a candidate is get experience in hiring others or being on a search committee. It gives you so much insight into the hiring process. I’m currently on the job market as well and it really is hard to put in the work that all-day interviews require (why are we still doing them?) and then not get the job, but when you’re on the other side of the table you realize it’s almost never personal and the decision often does come down to 2 really qualified candidates, either of which could succeed. I do feel like it’s my responsibility as a hiring manager to continue to make the process better for candidates and really the biggest challenge with that is the time it requires.<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/14/" target="_blank">#14</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/25/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/books/" target="_blank">#books</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarian/" target="_blank">#Librarian</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library/" target="_blank">#Library</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

rowmyboatWon’t you be my neighbor? Smith College is hiring a Discovery & Systems Librarian. MLS or similar & 1-3yrs experience required. Could be remote. Salary range $71k-$96k/yr. <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LISjobs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LISjobs</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LibJobs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LibJobs</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LibraryJobs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LibraryJobs</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/SystemsLibrarian" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#SystemsLibrarian</a> <a href="https://smithcollege.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/smithcollege/job/Smith-College/Discovery-and-Systems-Librarian_R-202500272" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">https://smithcollege.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/smithcollege/job/Smith-College/Discovery-and-Systems-Librarian_R-202500272</a>

Hiring Librarians“In much the same way that an interview goes both ways, so does an application.”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 ParametersHow long have you been job hunting?√ A year to 18 monthsWhy are you job hunting?   √ I’m underemployed (not enough hours or overqualified for current position), √ 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, √ My current job is temporary, √ My current job is boring, √ I’m worried I will be laid off/let go/fired from my current positionWhere do you look for open positions?  ALA Joblist, Ex-Libris, RBMS Twitter feed, USAJobsWhat position level are you looking for?  √ Requiring at least two years of experienceWhat type(s) of organization are you looking in? √ Academic library, √ Special libraryWhat part of the world are you in?√ Mid-Atlantic USWhat’s your region like? √ Urban areaAre you willing/able to move for employment? √ Yes, within my state, √ Yes, to a specific list of places, √ Yes, as long as at least some of my moving costs are coveredWhat are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?Living wage with room for growth, hands-on work with collections materials, collaboration with other institutionsHow many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)20 exactlyWhat 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 developmentDo you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s notOther than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?Vague or excessively broad descriptions of duties; no indication of an expected timeline for hiring.The ProcessHow much time do you spend preparing an application packet?Between two and six hoursWhat are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?Double check transcripts, tweak cover letter and resume, research position and institutionHow do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?√ EmailWhen 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, √ Other: To say when the application period has endedHow 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 to six months.How do you prepare for interviews?Research institution, position, and staff; choose clothes beforehand; eat a good breakfast.What are your most hated interview questions, and why?“Tell me about yourself.” What do you want to know? My undergrad? My focus in library school? My work experience? My favorite color?During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:<ul><li>Submitted an application and got no response √ Happened the majority of the time or always</li><li>Had an interview and never heard back √ Happened once</li><li>Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen √ I don’t know</li><li>Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Not Applicable</li><li>Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Not Applicable</li><li>Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable</li></ul>What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?Please, please talk to us. Even a boilerplate rejection is better than silence. In my personal experience, applying for an exciting position and receiving nothing back, not even a form rejection, can sour me rather profoundly on an institution: if you can’t do me the dignity of saying you don’t want me, I am far less inclined to apply for other positions with such an institution in the future.You and Your Well-BeingHow are you doing, generally?√ I’m despondent, √ I’m frustrated, √ I’m running out of money, √ I feel alone in my searchWhat are your job search self-care strategies?I’ve elected to treat job hunting as a game I play with myself. How fast can I apply for a position? How many can I send in a week? A day? It’s a hobby now, because if I worry too much about it I fear I will leave the field. If I turn applying to jobs into an idle part of my routine, like laundry, it’s less upsetting to have yet another application yield nothing.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, I cannot emphasize how much communication matters. To me, it’s a question of courtesy and professionalism: you have solicited the applicant’s time, labor, and information, the applicant has provided it to the best of their ability. Acknowledgment of that effort is the least that can be offered. In much the same way that an interview goes both ways, so does an application.Do you have any comments for Emily (the survey author) or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?Thank you for your work on this survey and this blog in general, it’s a fascinating resource and it makes the job hunt more transparent and less dismal.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?)Graduated in January 2021When 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 degreeIn relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?√ Six months to a year after graduating What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? √ Full Time, √ Contract <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians“be honest about what they already know, and in interviews express an interest in learning new things”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. If you are someone who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers, please consider giving your own opinion by <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQhOVjdHaWxMTnwt1iGhoD0CICsewzzmX5ryqI2B2AJC_wmQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">filling out the survey here</a>. Current Hiring Practices and Organizational NeedsThese questions are about your current hiring practices in general – the way things have been run the last year or two (or three).Where do you advertise your job listings?state library association, local library system, Facebook, LinkedIn, university websiteDo you notice a difference in application quality based on where the applicant saw the job ad?yes, job ads that get picked up by Indeed seem to bring in a wider applicant pool but also more applicants that aren’t even remotely what we’re looking forDo you include salary in the job ad?√ Other: sometimes, but only a rangeDo you use keyword matching or any automation tools to reduce the number of applications a human reads while considering candidates?  √ NoDo you consider candidates who don’t meet all the requirements listed in the job ad?√ YesDoes your workplace require experience for entry-level librarian positions? (Officially or unofficially…)√ YesWhat is the current most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?No library experience at allDoes your organization use one-way interviews? (Sometimes also called asynchronous or recorded interviews)√ NoDo you provide interview questions before the interview? √ NoIf you provide interview questions before the interview, how far in advance?Does your interview process include taking the candidate out for a meal?√ other: depends on the position, for full-time librarians (faculty positions) yes, for other staff positions noHow much of your interview process is virtual?√ First round/Initial ScreenDo you (or does your organization) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?√ NoWhat is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve their hirability?be honest about what they already know, and in interviews express an interest in learning new thingsI want to hire someone who is: flexible Your Last RecruitmentThese are questions about the last person you hired (or the last position you attempted to fill). This person may not have been a librarian, and that’s ok.Think about the most recent time you participated in hiring someone (or an attempt to hire someone) at your organization. What was the title of the position you were trying to fill?Head of Access ServicesWhen was this position hired?√ More than a year ago, but less than two years agoApproximately how many people applied for this position?√ 25 or fewerApproximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?√ 25% or lessAnd how would you define “hirable”?Had experience managing student workers and other employees, had experience in access servicesHow did the recruitment for this position compare with recruitments in previous years?fewer applications than previous positions, fewer that were qualifiedYour WorkplaceThis section asks for information about your workplace, including if you have lost positions in the last decade.How many staff members are at your library/organization?√ 10-50Are you unionized?√ NoHow many permanent, full time job openings has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 2How many permanent, full time librarian (or other “professional” level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 1Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?√ There are fewer positionsHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?  √ NoHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with non-librarian, lower paid staff positions over the past decade?   √ NoIs librarianship a dying profession?√ NoWhy or why not?I don’t think it is, but it’s hard when we’re part of larger institutions who have different priorities than we doDemographicsThis section asks for information about you specifically.What part of the world are you in?√ Midwestern USWhat’s your region like?√ Suburban areaWhat type of institution do you hire for (check all that apply):√ Academic Library What type(s) of LIS professionals do you hire? faculty librarians who are subject liaisons, instructional and referenceAre you a librarian?√ YesAre you now or have you ever been: √ A hiring manager (you are hiring people that you will directly or indirectly supervise), √ A member of a hiring or search committee<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/14/" target="_blank">#14</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/25/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/books/" target="_blank">#books</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarian/" target="_blank">#Librarian</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library/" target="_blank">#Library</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians"job ads that get picked up by Indeed seem to bring in a wider applicant pool but also more applicants that aren't even remotely what we're looking for" <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LIS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LIS</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/GLAM" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#GLAM</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/Libraries" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Libraries</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LibraryJobs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LibraryJobs</a><a href="http://hiringlibrarians.com/2025/05/29/be-honest-about-what-they-already-know-and-in-interviews-express-an-interest-in-learning-new-things/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">http://hiringlibrarians.com/2025/05/29/be-honest-about-what-they-already-know-and-in-interviews-express-an-interest-in-learning-new-things/</a>

Hiring Librarians“I wanted to use this blank to share that I do have a disability but I have never felt safe asking for accommodations, and have been told multiple times never to ask as it could jeopardize my chances”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 ParametersHow long have you been job hunting?√ Six months to a yearWhy are you job hunting?   √ This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree, √ I’m underemployed (not enough hours or overqualified for current position), √ Looking for more money, √ I want to work at a different type of library/institution, √ I want to work with a different type of collection, √ My current job is temporary, √ My current job provides insufficient or no benefits (Healthcare or beyond), √ My current job is boringWhere do you look for open positions?  INALJ, ALA, ArchivesGig, MuseWeekly, word of mouth from network, RBMSWhat position level are you looking for?  √ Requiring at least two years of experienceWhat type(s) of organization are you looking in? √ Academic library, √ Archives, √ Special libraryWhat part of the world are you in?√ Mid-Atlantic USWhat’s your region like? √ Urban areaAre you willing/able to move for employment? √ Other: Yes, but I am limited in where I can go due to anti-LGBT laws in certain statesWhat are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?Living wage, benefits, interesting workHow many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)Around 20-30What 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 EDI work, √ Prioritizing work-life balanceDo you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s notOther than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?Zero mention of EDI, only accepting full time paid work in the field as experience, pay below area’s living wage, positions that are clearly multiple jobs in one, weirdly specific requirements that make it clear that they have their candidate and the posting is a formalityThe ProcessHow much time do you spend preparing an application packet?2-4 hours to multiple daysWhat are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?Tailor resume/CV, tailor cover letter, proofread, fill out online form, proofread, potentially send to mentors for feedback before submittingHow do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?√ EmailWhen 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 meHow 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?4-6 monthsHow do you prepare for interviews?Practice, review common questions and write down examples to go with eachWhat are your most hated interview questions, and why?Questions that seem to imply a poor work environment. For example, once I was asked about a time I handled an emergency on the job without support. Gigantic red flag!During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:<ul><li>Submitted an application and got no response √ Happened the majority of the time or always</li><li>Had an interview and never heard back √ Not Applicable</li><li>Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen √ Happened more than once</li><li>Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Not Applicable</li><li>Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Not Applicable</li><li>Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable</li></ul>If you’ve asked for an accommodation, what happened?I know this isn’t what this question is for, but I wanted to use this blank to share that I do have a disability but I have never felt safe asking for accommodations, and have been told multiple times never to ask as it could jeopardize my chances.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:Once I was interviewing for an outreach/programming job, and to prep I did hours of community analysis for the neighborhood on the job listing to have some great programming ideas ready to go. I didn’t find out until halfway through the interview that the position was for mobile services (this was not posted ANYWHERE on the listing, I checked after), and the location on the listing and that I had researched was just where the Bookmobile was parked. One of the most uncomfortable interviews of my life.What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?Be honest about what you’re searching for and communicate throughout the process. Stop posting “entry level” jobs that are only entry level in their pay. Stop asking people to dedicate hours of time into their application just to ghost them entirely.You and Your Well-BeingHow are you doing, generally?√ I’m despondent,√ I’m frustrated, √ I’m running out of money, √ Other: I don’t feel alone in my search exactly, but I feel that no one is equipped to prepare grads for just how dehumanizing and impossible LIS job searching isWhat are your job search self-care strategies?Hard to have any when you’re struggling to afford basic necessities and have no health insuranceDo 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?I just wish employers would remember our humanity. This is my fourth or fifth job search since graduating from my BA program and I feel like no matter how many sacrifices I make to do internships, volunteer, work multiple jobs, attend specialized trainings, be professionally involved, publish, etc. it doesn’t matter because even for entry-level professional jobs there will always be other applicants with a decade of experience and a PhD. My health has taken a hit from the amount of stress job searching has caused me but I have no choice but to push on and hope I have a lucky break eventually. I’ve only ever worked in LIS so I don’t know how to escape, but I feel like I’m doomed to be exploited and underemployed forever. 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?)2023 [survey completed May 2023]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 degreeIn relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?√ Hasn’t happened yet – I’m still lookingWhat kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? √ N/A – hasn’t happened yetDid you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?I use the career center and they’ve been somewhat helpful, but they don’t know a lot about my desired career path (archives/special collections)Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?I’ve been told to expect applying for about 2-4 years before starting to get any offers and I’m incredibly concerned about how I’m going to get by for that long<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians"I've been told to expect applying for about 2-4 years before starting to get any offers and I'm incredibly concerned about how I'm going to get by for that long" <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LIS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LIS</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/GLAM" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#GLAM</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/Libraries" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Libraries</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LibraryJobs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LibraryJobs</a><a href="http://hiringlibrarians.com/2025/05/28/i-wanted-to-use-this-blank-to-share-that-i-do-have-a-disability-but-i-have-never-felt-safe-asking-for-accommodations-and-have-been-told-multiple-times-never-to-ask-as-it-could-jeopardize-my-chances/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">http://hiringlibrarians.com/2025/05/28/i-wanted-to-use-this-blank-to-share-that-i-do-have-a-disability-but-i-have-never-felt-safe-asking-for-accommodations-and-have-been-told-multiple-times-never-to-ask-as-it-could-jeopardize-my-chances/</a>

Hiring Librarians“Some hiring committee members refuse to recommend someone with multiple grammar and spelling errors.”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. If you are someone who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers, please consider giving your own opinion by <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQhOVjdHaWxMTnwt1iGhoD0CICsewzzmX5ryqI2B2AJC_wmQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">filling out the survey here</a>. Current Hiring Practices and Organizational NeedsThese questions are about your current hiring practices in general – the way things have been run the last year or two (or three).Where do you advertise your job listings?LinkedIn, InsideHigherEd, Chronicle.com, Handshake, Indeed, state library job board, niche library job boards, and BCALA job board.Do you notice a difference in application quality based on where the applicant saw the job ad?Yes, the academic and library ones have more qualified applicants.Do you include salary in the job ad?√ NoDo you use keyword matching or any automation tools to reduce the number of applications a human reads while considering candidates?  √ NoDo you consider candidates who don’t meet all the requirements listed in the job ad?√ Other: If they can explain how their experience replaces the requirements, yes.Does your workplace require experience for entry-level librarian positions? (Officially or unofficially…)√ NoWhat is the current most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?They can not meet the institutions religious requirements.Does your organization use one-way interviews? (Sometimes also called asynchronous or recorded interviews)√ NoDo you provide interview questions before the interview? √ No Does your interview process include taking the candidate out for a meal?√ YesHow much of your interview process is virtual?√ First round/Initial ScreenDo you (or does your organization) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?√ Other: We do within the bounds HR has set for us.What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve their hirability?Proofread. Some hiring committee members refuse to recommend someone with multiple grammar and spelling errors. Your Last RecruitmentThese are questions about the last person you hired (or the last position you attempted to fill). This person may not have been a librarian, and that’s ok.Think about the most recent time you participated in hiring someone (or an attempt to hire someone) at your organization. What was the title of the position you were trying to fill?Archives SpecialistWhen was this position hired?√ Between six months to a year agoApproximately how many people applied for this position?√ 25-75Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?√ 51-75%And how would you define “hirable”?Meet the listed requirements of the position and the institution.How did the recruitment for this position compare with recruitments in previous years?More over-qualified candidates than before COVID.Your WorkplaceThis section asks for information about your workplace, including if you have lost positions in the last decade.How many staff members are at your library/organization?√ 50-100Are you unionized?√ NoHow many permanent, full time job openings has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 7 or moreHow many permanent, full time librarian (or other “professional” level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 3-4Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?√ There are the same number of positionsHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?  √ NoHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with non-librarian, lower paid staff positions over the past decade?   √ YesIs librarianship a dying profession?√ NoWhy or why not?It is adapting and specializing around the core ideas and skills of library and information sciences.DemographicsThis section asks for information about you specifically.What part of the world are you in?√ Southeastern USWhat’s your region like?√ Urban areaWhat type of institution do you hire for (check all that apply):√ Academic Library, √ Archives What type(s) of LIS professionals do you hire? I hire for all full-time positions in the library: archivist, catalogers, research assistance, OER, scholarly communication, department chairs, assessment, marketing, outreach, and others.Are you a librarian?√ YesAre you now or have you ever been: √ A hiring manager (you are hiring people that you will directly or indirectly supervise),√ A member of a hiring or search committee <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/14/" target="_blank">#14</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/25/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/books/" target="_blank">#books</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarian/" target="_blank">#Librarian</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library/" target="_blank">#Library</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians“Indicate a desired start date on the job posting, indicate the expected timeline for the hiring process, send interview questions in advance”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 ParametersHow long have you been job hunting?√ Less than six monthsWhy are you job hunting?   √ This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree, √ I’m employed outside of the field and I’d like to be in it, √ Looking for more money, √ My current job is temporary, √ My current job provides insufficient or no benefits (Healthcare or beyond), √ Because I’m worried about a possible recessionWhere do you look for open positions?  ArchivesGig, HigherED Jobs, LinkedIn, Archivists Roundtable of Metropolitan NY Listserv, Words of Mouth Listserv, my library school’s job listservWhat position level are you looking for?  √ Entry level, √ Requiring at least two years of experience, √ Clerk/Library AssistantWhat type(s) of organization are you looking in? √ Academic library, √ Archives, √ Special libraryWhat part of the world are you in?√ Northeastern USWhat’s your region like? √ Urban areaAre you willing/able to move for employment? √ NoWhat are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?Good salary, good fit for my skills/experience, good workplace cultureHow many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)6What 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 balanceDo you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s notOther than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?Job listing indications that you should be willing to work extra hours on weekends/last minute, or other indications the workplace is chaotic/toxic/overworking employees.The ProcessHow much time do you spend preparing an application packet?1-3 hoursWhat are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?Edit my cv/resume to fit the job description, do some research on institution’s website, write cover letter, ask colleagues/friends to review materialsHow do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?√ EmailWhen 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 meHow 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?Depends on the type of organization. Academic institutions can take quite a while. In general would say between 2 weeks to 3 monthsHow do you prepare for interviews?Do more research on the institution, prepare for any questions they might send me, prepare for standard interview questions, make sure I have specific anecdotes to answer questions, ask peers/colleagues/friends for helpWhat are your most hated interview questions, and why?“Tell us about yourself” — too broad! “What’s your greatest weakness” — prefer questions about how you faced a challenge or a more specific versionDuring your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:<ul><li>Submitted an application and got no response √ Happened once</li><li>Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen √ I don’t know</li></ul>What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?Indicate a desired start date on the job posting, indicate the expected timeline for the hiring process, send interview questions in advanceYou and Your Well-BeingHow are you doing, generally?√ I’m optimistic, √ Not out of money yet, but worried, √ I feel supported in my searchWhat are your job search self-care strategies?Talk to friends, don’t be too down on myself for not finishing a cover letter during free time 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?)MLS Dec 2022 [survey completed May 2023]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 degreeIn 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? √ N/A – hasn’t happened yetDid you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?Via a job listserv and willingness from professors to serve as references. Otherwise nothing specific <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians“hiring part-time provisional librarians can be tough!”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. If you are someone who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers, please consider giving your own opinion by <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQhOVjdHaWxMTnwt1iGhoD0CICsewzzmX5ryqI2B2AJC_wmQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">filling out the survey here</a>. Current Hiring Practices and Organizational NeedsThese questions are about your current hiring practices in general – the way things have been run the last year or two (or three).Where do you advertise your job listings?Our website, statewide library mailing list, consortium mailing list, mailing lists for two localish library schools. Some nontraditional jobs get posted on Indeed (i.e. makerspace positions).Do you notice a difference in application quality based on where the applicant saw the job ad?Applicants who contacted us first on Indeed tended to have MUCH less thorough applications, including uploading a resume twice instead of the requested cover letter.Do you include salary in the job ad?√ YesDo you use keyword matching or any automation tools to reduce the number of applications a human reads while considering candidates?  √ NoDo you consider candidates who don’t meet all the requirements listed in the job ad?√ Other: We prefer applicants who meet the listed educational requirements, but will accept halfway through their ML(I)S for people we really want to hire.Does your workplace require experience for entry-level librarian positions? (Officially or unofficially…)√ NoWhat is the current most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?Didn’t meet the educational requirements.Does your organization use one-way interviews? (Sometimes also called asynchronous or recorded interviews)√ NoDo you provide interview questions before the interview? √ NoIf you provide interview questions before the interview, how far in advance?n/aDoes your interview process include taking the candidate out for a meal?√ No, and I don’t think we ever haveHow much of your interview process is virtual?√ NoneDo you (or does your organization) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?√ NoWhat is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve their hirability?Follow instructionsI want to hire someone who is: passionate Your Last RecruitmentThese are questions about the last person you hired (or the last position you attempted to fill). This person may not have been a librarian, and that’s ok.Think about the most recent time you participated in hiring someone (or an attempt to hire someone) at your organization. What was the title of the position you were trying to fill?hourly librarianWhen was this position hired?√ Between three to six months agoApproximately how many people applied for this position?√ 25 or fewerApproximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?√ 26-50%And how would you define “hirable”?Met the educational requirementsHow did the recruitment for this position compare with recruitments in previous years?About the same — hiring part-time provisional librarians can be tough!Your WorkplaceThis section asks for information about your workplace, including if you have lost positions in the last decade.How many staff members are at your library/organization?√ 100-200Are you unionized?√ NoHow many permanent, full time job openings has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 3-4How many permanent, full time librarian (or other “professional” level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 3-4Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?√ There are fewer positionsHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?  √ YesHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with non-librarian, lower paid staff positions over the past decade?   √ NoIs librarianship a dying profession?√ No DemographicsThis section asks for information about you specifically.What part of the world are you in?√ Midwestern USWhat’s your region like?√ Suburban areaWhat type of institution do you hire for (check all that apply):√ Public Library What type(s) of LIS professionals do you hire? adult services librariansAre you a librarian?√ YesAre you now or have you ever been: √ A hiring manager (you are hiring people that you will directly or indirectly supervise) <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/14/" target="_blank">#14</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/25/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/books/" target="_blank">#books</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarian/" target="_blank">#Librarian</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library/" target="_blank">#Library</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians“Be yourself. Focus on your strengths, what you are good at, and what you like to do.”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 ParametersHow long have you been job hunting?√ A year to 18 monthsWhy are you job hunting?   √ I’m unemployed, √ I’m underemployed (not enough hours or overqualified for current position), √ I want to work at a different type of library/institution, √ My current job is temporary, √ My current job provides insufficient or no benefits (Healthcare or beyond)Where do you look for open positions?  (e.g. INALJ, ALA JobLIST, professional listserv, LinkedIn)All of the above. Job boards. State Job Databases for New England.What position level are you looking for?  √ Supervisory, √ Department Head, √ Senior Librarian, √ Branch ManagerWhat type(s) of organization are you looking in? √ Academic library, √ Archives, √ Public library, √ Special library, √ Other: Genealogical organizations.What part of the world are you in?√ Northeastern USWhat’s your region like? √ Urban area, √ Suburban areaAre you willing/able to move for employment? √ Yes, within my stateWhat are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?High library patron/customer interaction, Collaborative environment, Delivering customer satisfaction/making an impact.How many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)Approximately 60.What steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  √ Having (and describing) excellent benefits,√ Having a good reputation, √ Funding professional development, √ Prioritizing work-life balanceDo you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?√ Only for certain kinds of employersOther than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?Requiring advanced degrees regardless of my proven knowledge, skills and experience.The ProcessHow much time do you spend preparing an application packet?1 to 2 hours.What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?Design cover letter to describe fit for the job, seeks out contacts at potential employer, submit resume, references, diversity statement, etc.How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?√ PhoneWhen 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 meHow 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?30 to 60 days.How do you prepare for interviews?By going on as many interviews as possible. Reviewing possible questions and writing up answers I will give. I need to practice role playing more often.What are your most hated interview questions, and why?1) How do you handle difficult customers or situations that can’t seem to be handled in a straight forward manner. 2) What are your weaknesses and how do you address them. 3) What are your strengths? 4) What would your fellow employees say about you?During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:<ul><li>Submitted an application and got no response √ Happened more than once</li><li>Had an interview and never heard back √ Happened more than once</li><li>Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen √ I don’t know</li><li>Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Not Applicable</li><li>Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Happened once</li><li>Turned down an offer √ Happened once</li></ul>If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?Yes. Because I did not have the Masters degree that was required. Per union rules at this particular employer, without a Masters degree of any kind, I am disqualified.If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?I turned down a full time temporary job that was offered to me because the hours were only afternoons, evenings and weekends started at 2PM most days. Although I know I would have like the job and done and excellent job, this would not work for my family situation What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?Inform applicants early on if they aren’t be considered early on, especially during online applications. Not at the end of the application process. Keep applicants in the loop to know they have been considered or not considered rather then giving no response.You and Your Well-BeingHow are you doing, generally?√ I’m optimistic, √ I’m somewhat depressed, √ I’m frustrated, √ Not out of money yet, but worried, √ I feel alone in my searchWhat are your job search self-care strategies?Make time for yourself every day. Do not spend too many hours a day on your job search or you will get burned out or lose energy.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?Be yourself. Focus on your strengths, what you are good at, and what you like to do. There is a lot of emphasis about branding yourself. However, if you try to change too much or not be authentic it will be more difficult and lead to more frustration.Do you have any comments for Emily (the survey author) or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?Excellent survey Emily. Can’t think of additional questions right now.Job Hunting Post Graduate School When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?√ Other: I received my first “professional position” within in a year of starting my first library job of my career. I then attended an MLIS degree program part time, completing 2 courses. I then withdrew from the program.In relation to your graduation, when did you find your first “professional” position?√ Other: I did not graduate with an MLIS. I have taken additional training, attended seminars and webinars, participated in conferences, and any other opportunities to improve myself What kind of work was your first post-graduation professional position? √ Other: Does not apply to me.Did you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?Yes.Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?No.<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Rob 📚“Temperament to communicate with a variety of personalities in a tactful, pleasant, and professional manner.” This seems like the nicest way to say, some of our patrons are terrible. <a href="https://super-gay.co/tags/Libraries" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Libraries</a> <a href="https://super-gay.co/tags/libraryjobs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#libraryjobs</a> <a href="https://super-gay.co/tags/JobDescriptions" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#JobDescriptions</a> <a href="https://super-gay.co/tags/librarian" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#librarian</a>

Hiring Librarians“This same position was hired 8 years ago and there weren’t many applicants at all”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. If you are someone who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers, please consider giving your own opinion by <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQhOVjdHaWxMTnwt1iGhoD0CICsewzzmX5ryqI2B2AJC_wmQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">filling out the survey here</a>. Current Hiring Practices and Organizational NeedsThese questions are about your current hiring practices in general – the way things have been run the last year or two (or three).Where do you advertise your job listings?All positions are posted on the university website and some online library job boards.Do you notice a difference in application quality based on where the applicant saw the job ad?Yes. Sometimes we don’t get a lot of if we don’t try to push the job ad to other sites besides the university website.Do you include salary in the job ad?√ Other: It depends on the level of the position but we’re unionized so there is a set range for each level of position that I think people can see.Do you use keyword matching or any automation tools to reduce the number of applications a human reads while considering candidates?  √ NoDo you consider candidates who don’t meet all the requirements listed in the job ad?√ Other: Sometimes. There are the minimum qualifications that we definitely need but there are other qualifications that can be taught.Does your workplace require experience for entry-level librarian positions? (Officially or unofficially…)√ Other: Again, it depends on the position. Sometimes we look at other things like customer service experience.What is the current most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?They don’t meet any of the minimum qualifications.Does your organization use one-way interviews? (Sometimes also called asynchronous or recorded interviews)√ NoDo you provide interview questions before the interview? √ NoIf you provide interview questions before the interview, how far in advance?n/aDoes your interview process include taking the candidate out for a meal?√ Other: Depends on what kind of interviews we’re doing. If it’s an all-day interview process, they get lunch and dinner.How much of your interview process is virtual?√ First round/Initial ScreenDo you (or does your organization) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?√ NoWhat is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve their hirability?We like quick communication throughout the process. Make sure to ask questions if they are unsure about something if we are bringing them to campus for a 2nd round of interviews. Follow up with a thank you email in a timely fashion.I want to hire someone who is: knowledgeableIs there anything else you’d like to say about hiring practices at your organization or in current trends?I wish that we are allowed by our institution to post the salary for the positions.Your Last RecruitmentThese are questions about the last person you hired (or the last position you attempted to fill). This person may not have been a librarian, and that’s ok.Think about the most recent time you participated in hiring someone (or an attempt to hire someone) at your organization. What was the title of the position you were trying to fill?Metadata/Cataloging Librarian, tenure trackWhen was this position hired?√ Within the last three monthsApproximately how many people applied for this position?√ 25 or fewerApproximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?√ 26-50%And how would you define “hirable”?Met the minimum qualifications as well as having some of the preferred qualifications.How did the recruitment for this position compare with recruitments in previous years?This same position was hired 8 years ago and there weren’t many applicants at all. Advertising the position has gotten better over the years.Your WorkplaceThis section asks for information about your workplace, including if you have lost positions in the last decade.How many staff members are at your library/organization?√ 10-50Are you unionized?√ Yes, at least some workers are union membersHow many permanent, full time job openings has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 3-4How many permanent, full time librarian (or other “professional” level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 3-4Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?√ There are fewer positionsHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?  √ YesHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with non-librarian, lower paid staff positions over the past decade?   √ Other: I don’t knowIs librarianship a dying profession?√ NoWhy or why not?It is changing as technology and the needs of the users change.DemographicsThis section asks for information about you specifically.What part of the world are you in?√ Midwestern USWhat’s your region like?√ Rural areaWhat type of institution do you hire for (check all that apply):√ Academic Library, Archives What type(s) of LIS professionals do you hire? Catalogers, circulation staff, faculty librariansAre you a librarian?√ YesAre you now or have you ever been: √ A hiring manager (you are hiring people that you will directly or indirectly supervise), √ A member of a hiring or search committee <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/14/" target="_blank">#14</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/25/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/books/" target="_blank">#books</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarian/" target="_blank">#Librarian</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library/" target="_blank">#Library</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians“I think the requiring at least two years of experience is bullshit so I apply to those anyway”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 ParametersHow long have you been job hunting?√ Less than six monthsWhy are you job hunting?   √ This is the next step after finishing library/archives/other LIS graduate degree,√ I’m underemployed (not enough hours or overqualified for current position), √ Looking for more money, √ Looking for a promotion/more responsibility, √ I want to work with a different population, √ I want to work at a different type of library/institution, √ My current job provides insufficient or no benefits (Healthcare or beyond)Where do you look for open positions?  ALA JobLIST, ACRL job list, Indeed, local regional library council job listsWhat position level are you looking for?  √ Entry level, √ Requiring at least two years of experience, √ Other: I think the requiring at least two years of experience is bullshit so I apply to those anywayWhat type(s) of organization are you looking in? √ Academic libraryWhat part of the world are you in?√ Northeastern USWhat’s your region like? √ Urban area, Suburban areaAre you willing/able to move for employment? √ Yes, to a specific list of placesWhat are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?engaging work, professional development, collaboration with diverse students, teachers, librarian, etcHow many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)17, exactWhat steps, actions, or attributes are most important for employers to take to sell you on the job?  √ Having (and describing) excellent benefits, √ Having a good reputation, √ Funding professional development,√ Prioritizing EDI work, √ Prioritizing work-life balanceDo you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?√ Other: Yes but im not upset when its notOther than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?A fun one I recently saw on a job application was “Can you work with or without accommodations?”The ProcessHow much time do you spend preparing an application packet?An hour or two maybe?What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?Update CV, find a previous cover letter that I can use as a template, change some of the language and some sentences to match the job description, fill out the application which can take anywhere from 5-50 minutes dependingHow do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?√ EmailWhen 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 meHow 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 months after the application window closes, which is apparently unreasonableHow do you prepare for interviews?Look over the library’s websites, check their DEI initiatives, check out the website for the liaison area the job coversWhat are your most hated interview questions, and why?Why do you want to work here? (because I need a job?)During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:<ul><li>Submitted an application and got no response √ Happened more than once</li><li>Had an interview and never heard back √ Happened more than once</li><li>Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen √ I don’t know</li><li>Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ I don’t know</li><li>Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Not Applicable</li><li>Turned down an offer √ Not Applicable</li></ul>If you’ve asked for an accommodation, what happened?Hey not gonna lie, I DO lie on my demographics survey, I don’t trust applications to not be biased against me for being trans and disabled 🙂 One of my teachers said that they lied on their application for their job about being disabledWhat should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?Ample communication! Also no uploading your resume and then reinputting the whole resume. Also list salary rangeYou and Your Well-BeingHow are you doing, generally?√ I’m maintaining, √ I’m somewhat depressed, √ I’m despondent,√ I’m frustrated, √ I feel supported in my search, √ I feel alone in my searchWhat are your job search self-care strategies?I only job searching during certain days of the week and at certain hours. I also do other things that make me feel great like community care, hiking, hanging out with friends, and accomplishing things through local club leadership (basically getting other places in life as it feels like im getting nowhere in job hunting)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 should really give you a timeline for when to hear back when you apply or at least a rejection if you don’t make it to the next stage. I’ve had two interviews that I have heard absolutely nothing back from despite their promise that I’d hear back. Also stop gatekeeping! Reconsider your “Required Qualifications” and if they’re TRULY necessary. Also part time and temp jobs are just awful, I’m not getting a part time or temp job just to get that gatekeepy “two years of post-MLIS experience” 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?)June 2023When did you start your first job search for a “professional” position (or other position that utilized your degree)?√ Other: February 2023, I graduate in June 2023 [survey completed May 2023]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? √ N/A – hasn’t happened yetDid you get support from your library school for your first job hunt (and/or any subsequent ones)?No, my library school is better known for archives and public libraries so most of the jobs posted on the job list serv were for those. Otherwise zero supportIs there anything else you’d like to tell us about searching for or finding your first post-graduation position?Despite the “desperation in the field for science librarians”, I, who has a science and STEM background, have not gotten a job 🙂<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring LibrariansFor Public Review: Unnamed job hunter 38Welcome to crowd-sourced CV and resume review for LIS job hunters!Please help the job hunter below by using the comment button to offer constructive criticism on her resume. Some resources for constructive feedback:<ul><li><a href="https://www.ala.org/nmrt/oversightgroups/comm/resreview/conferencereviewers" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guidelines for Resume Reviewers</a> – NMRT</li><li><a href="https://myfuture.edu.au/career-articles/details/helpful-questions-when-seeking-resume-feedback" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Helpful Questions When Seeking Resume Feedback</a> – myfuture</li><li><a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/catalogs/tip-sheets/receiving-and-giving-effective-feedback" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Receiving and Giving Effective Feedback</a> – University of Waterloo</li><li><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/02/09/the-art-of-delivering-constructive-feedback/?sh=7c7d419277a3" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Art Of Delivering Constructive Feedback</a> – Forbes</li></ul>This 2 page resume was submitted by a job hunter who says they are <blockquote>“an MLIS holder returning from a career break. I am using this resume to apply for entry-level public library positions, including roles in General Services, Adult and Teen Services, Reference, Makerspaces, Cataloging, and Acquisitions.I would also love to hear thoughts about optimizing for resume readers/ATS?”</blockquote> <a href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/redacted-resume.pdf" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Redacted resume</a><a href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/redacted-resume.pdf" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download</a> <blockquote> </blockquote>To submit your own resume or CV For Public Review,<ul><li>First, <a href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/category/for-public-review/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">take a look at the comments on previously posted resumes/CVs</a> and see if any would apply to yours.  Edit if necessary</li><li>Your CV or resume will be posted as-is, so please remove any information that you are not comfortable having publicly available (I suggest removing your email address and phone number at a minimum)</li><li>Then, send it as a PDF to HiringLibrariansPeerReview@gmail.com</li><li>Please include a short statement identifying if it’s a resume or CV and describing the types of positions you’re using it for (institution type, position level, general focus)</li><li>Finally, you will also need to confirm that you agree to comment on at least five other posted resumes/CVs</li></ul><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/archivist/" target="_blank">#archivist</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/public-libraries/" target="_blank">#PublicLibraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/resume-review-2/" target="_blank">#resumeReview</a>

Hiring Librarians“Many institutions are now requiring justification statements to verify the position is clearly needed before approving a search”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. If you are someone who hires Library, Archives or other LIS workers, please consider giving your own opinion by <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQhOVjdHaWxMTnwt1iGhoD0CICsewzzmX5ryqI2B2AJC_wmQ/viewform?usp=sf_link" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">filling out the survey here</a>. Current Hiring Practices and Organizational NeedsThese questions are about your current hiring practices in general – the way things have been run the last year or two (or three).Where do you advertise your job listings?Library website, state association job website, listservs, ALA and other association job listingsDo you notice a difference in application quality based on where the applicant saw the job ad?Mostly for hourly staff jobs that the person saw on Indeed. The quality of their cover letters are sometimes not as good because they are generic and do not address the specifics of the job ad.Do you include salary in the job ad?√ YesDo you use keyword matching or any automation tools to reduce the number of applications a human reads while considering candidates?  √ NoDo you consider candidates who don’t meet all the requirements listed in the job ad?√ NoDoes your workplace require experience for entry-level librarian positions? (Officially or unofficially…)√ Other: It depends on the position. We sometimes ask for experience or evidence of knowledge of the area related to the job.What is the current most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?Does not meet the required qualifications.Does your organization use one-way interviews? (Sometimes also called asynchronous or recorded interviews)√ NoDo you provide interview questions before the interview? √ No Does your interview process include taking the candidate out for a meal?√ Other: No, but we have done it for administrator positionsHow much of your interview process is virtual?√ First round/Initial ScreenDo you (or does your organization) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?√ NoWhat is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve their hirability?Address the specific qualifications (required and preferred) in their cover letter and interviews.I want to hire someone who is: adaptableIs there anything else you’d like to say about hiring practices at your organization or in current trends?We currently have a task force to create an improved process and experience for hiring.Your Last RecruitmentThese are questions about the last person you hired (or the last position you attempted to fill). This person may not have been a librarian, and that’s ok.Think about the most recent time you participated in hiring someone (or an attempt to hire someone) at your organization. What was the title of the position you were trying to fill?Web Services LibrarianWhen was this position hired?√ Between six months to a year agoApproximately how many people applied for this position?√ 25 or fewerApproximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?√ 26-50%And how would you define “hirable”?Meeting the required qualificationsHow did the recruitment for this position compare with recruitments in previous years?Fewer applicants than in past searches, and only a few were qualified.Your WorkplaceThis section asks for information about your workplace, including if you have lost positions in the last decade.How many staff members are at your library/organization?√ 10-50Are you unionized?√ NoHow many permanent, full time job openings has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 3-4How many permanent, full time librarian (or other “professional” level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?√ 3-4Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?√ There are more positionsHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?  √ NoHave any full-time librarian positions been replaced with non-librarian, lower paid staff positions over the past decade?   √ Other: No, but it has been a discussion to consider a salary staff position when some librarian faculty positions become vacant.Is librarianship a dying profession?√ NoWhy or why not?It is not a dying profession, but it may undergo major changes in the near future. I believe there will continue to be a need to have people trained and employed in organizing information and resources and also assisting others to effectively find what they need or want.DemographicsThis section asks for information about you specifically.What part of the world are you in?√ Southeastern USWhat’s your region like?√ Suburban areaWhat type of institution do you hire for (check all that apply):√ Academic Library What type(s) of LIS professionals do you hire? Instruction librarians, catalogers, systems librarians, collection management librarians, liaison librarians, scholarly communication librarians,Are you a librarian?√ YesAre you now or have you ever been: √ A hiring manager (you are hiring people that you will directly or indirectly supervise), √ A member of a hiring or search committeeDo you have any other comments, for job hunters, other people who hire, about the survey, or for Emily (the survey author)?Many institutions are now requiring justification statements to verify the position is clearly needed before approving a search. Our pool of applicants have been much smaller for cataloging and technical librarian positions than in the past.<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/14/" target="_blank">#14</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/25/" target="_blank">#25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/books/" target="_blank">#books</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarian/" target="_blank">#Librarian</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library/" target="_blank">#Library</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians"Pay us for applying, so it doesn't turn into a complete waste of time. Remember that we don't need them as much as they need us." <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LIS" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LIS</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/GLAM" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#GLAM</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/Libraries" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Libraries</a> <a href="https://glammr.us/tags/LibraryJobs" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#LibraryJobs</a><a href="http://hiringlibrarians.com/2025/05/14/this-took-me-45-minutes-to-complete-and-honestly-im-not-sure-why-i-did/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank">http://hiringlibrarians.com/2025/05/14/this-took-me-45-minutes-to-complete-and-honestly-im-not-sure-why-i-did/</a>

Hiring Librarians“This took me 45 minutes to complete and honestly I’m not sure why I did.”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 ParametersHow long have you been job hunting?√ More than 18 monthsWhy are you job hunting?   √ I’m unemployed,√ Looking for more money, √ Looking for remote/virtual work (or at least hybrid)Where do you look for open positions?  Wherever I can find one.What position level are you looking for?  √ Entry levelWhat type(s) of organization are you looking in? √ Academic library, √ Archives, √ Library vendor/service provider, √ Public library, √ School library, √ Special libraryWhat part of the world are you in?√ Southeastern USWhat’s your region like? √ Suburban areaAre you willing/able to move for employment? √ Yes, anywhere, √ Yes, as long as at least some of my moving costs are coveredWhat are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?Health insurance, financial security, personal growthHow many jobs have you applied to during your current search? (Please indicate if it’s an estimate or exact)I’ve lost countWhat 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 balanceDo you expect to see the salary range listed in a job ad?√ Other: Whenever I see an advertized financial benefit, I start looking for the attached strings. For example, usually, the offered pay is only on commission.Other than not listing a salary range, are there other “red flags” that would prevent you from applying to a job?Anti-union sentiment and visible understaffing are big ones, as is pay on commission.The ProcessHow much time do you spend preparing an application packet?Varies, typically upwards of half an hour. Too much time for no response.What are the steps you follow to prepare an application packet?I fill out the information as requested and then submit it? I’m not sure I’m understanding the question here.How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?√ EmailWhen 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, √ Other: Dear God just please stop ghosting 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?It couldn’t take more than a month, right?How do you prepare for interviews?I prepare answers for expected questions and dress well.What are your most hated interview questions, and why?Open-ended questions like this one. “Tell me about yourself” is awful and that’s technically not even a question. “What are your weaknesses?” I have an answer to that. My weakness is a lack of skill in sellibg myself. You think I’d be so desperately unemployed if that weren’t the case?During your current search, have you had any of the following experiences:<ul><li>Submitted an application and got no response √ Happened the majority of the time or always</li><li>Had an interview and never heard back √ Happened more than once</li><li>Interviewed for a job where an internal candidate was eventually chosen √ I don’t know</li><li>Asked for an accommodation for a disability √ Not Applicable</li><li>Withdrawn an application before the offer stage √ Happened once</li><li>Turned down an offer √ Happened once, Not Applicable</li></ul>If you have ever withdrawn an application, why?It turned out it did not offer what I was needing.If you’ve turned down an offer (or offers), why?It was a multi-level marketing scam.What should employers do to make the hiring process better for job hunters?Pay us for applying, so it doesn’t turn into a complete waste of time. Remember that we don’t need them as much as they need us.You and Your Well-BeingHow are you doing, generally?√ I’m maintaining, √ I’m somewhat depressed,√ I’m despondent, √ I’m frustrated, √ I’m running out of money, √ I feel supported in my searchWhat are your job search self-care strategies?I’m currently seeing a therapist about that.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?Screw workerism! Your lack of employment is a systemic failing, not a personal one! Job hunting freaking sucks and you should not have to be beholden to a broken system in order to exist! Do whatever you need to in order to survive! Your worth is not determined by your productivity! Employers don’t freaking appreciate how lucky they would be to have you! Employers: so long as you treat your employees with the basic dignity and respect deserving of a human being, and offer pay raises which outpace inflation, unprompted, you will be doing better than all your competition, and as a result, your employees will stay with you. No point in changing jobs with a lack of a better offer. It really is that simple.Do you have any comments for Emily (the survey author) or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?This took me 45 minutes to complete and honestly I’m not sure why I did. <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/glam-jobs/" target="_blank">#GLAMJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/librarians/" target="_blank">#librarians</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/libraries/" target="_blank">#libraries</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-hiring/" target="_blank">#libraryHiring</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-interview/" target="_blank">#libraryInterview</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-jobs/" target="_blank">#libraryJobs</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/library-work/" target="_blank">#libraryWork</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-careers/" target="_blank">#LISCareers</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://hiringlibrarians.com/tag/lis-jobs/" target="_blank">#lisJobs</a>

Hiring Librarians(This post is being modified)

Recent searches

Search options

Administered by:

Server stats:

#libraryjobs