The Information Professional

"Priscilla Shontz and Richard Murray, the editors of LISCareer, a rich collection of articles written by practicing librarians on a variety of career development topics, are the authors of a new book entitled What Do Employers Want? A Guide for Library Science Students. Shontz and Murray cover topics such as Practical Experience, Professional Identity and How Employers Hire, basing their advice on interviews with people who hire librarians. The book moves beyond job search insights, outlining career development strategies for students and new graduates in a manner that is both funny and frank. I am pleased to be able to offer you an excerpt from chapter one: “What Do Employers Want?”

This anonymous interview is with an Academic Librarian who has been a member of a hiring committee and Supervisor at a library with 10-50 staff members.

What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?

- Have they done what we’re asking for, or at least have experience in the same area?

- Can they communicate clearly?

- Do they know their stuff or are willing to learn their stuff?"

This anonymous interview is with an Academic Librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring committee at a library with 0-10 staff members. What are the top three things you look for in a candidate?

 "1) Meets required qualifications

2) Has breadth of experience
3) Communicates clearly, both verbally and in writing

Do you have any instant dealbreakers, either in the application packet or the interview process?

On application:
1) Bad grammar
2) Inattention to job description
3) Experience mismatch

In interview:
1) Rudeness
2) Arrogance
3) Poor listening skills"