Distraction

Apparently the surname "Kennedy" is a popular one in the State of Massachusetts. I went for an interview with one of the community colleges Chancellor in Western Massachusetts. As soon as I was introduced to her, I was "distracted" by her "look" - she just looks exactly the late President Kennedy!  - I was distracted.

Personal Observation

I have been gone many job interviews. I have a very personal "observation". If you are being interviewed with libraries from the coasts (East Coast and West Coast; big cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, etc.),  you would find yourself with a group of search committee members who in general do not have too much patience and ask the questions in either a very harsh voice or in a "rush". It seems that they just want to get it over. You just are the unfortunate person in the room. On the contrary, if you are being interviewed with the Midwest or not very populated small town, you will find your experience would be much pleasant. People in general take their time and the experience would be more professional, in my opinion.

Another job seeking experience

I applied for a librarian position at a state university in town. I received a phone interview invitation; then two days later I received an email message from the Search Committee Chair indicating that the position is limited to current internal applicant. SO that's it - I told myself.

Surprisingly, the initial phone interview call came. I told the Search Committee Chair that I was told the position was limited to current internal applicant; and I am not a current staff at the university. I heard she consulted with her colleagues. The she said, "Oh yes.. do you want to process the phone interview process?" I was so surprised for her request. I replied, "I don't think so." In my mind, what's the point?

Apparently the university HR department did not communicate with the Search Committee. Is it a surprise?! It's so unorganized.

Unexpectedly experiences of a job seeking librarian

Here are some of the unexpectedly experiences I encountered.

A false job offer?! - After I finished the conversation with the Dean, I "jumped "up and down because he offered me the position. Then an hour later, I received a phone call from the Search Committee Chair, she said, "The Dean probably called you too soon this morning...; We, the search committee members actually have not made our decision yet."

Undecided job description? - I was told by the Search Committee, "Please don't pay too much attention to the job posting because we keep adding and revising the job description."

Dysfunctional working environment? - "The biggest challenge we are having here in the library is that we're dealing with a malfunctioning unit." It is honest but un professional approach.

Cleaning the house? - "I will be removed from my [library] office and unit next week. It is always changing around here."

Job market for librarian ... it's very bad

It is very hard to land a full-time librarian job ... not only I have experienced many "unbelievable" interviews (see my previous posts), but also the logic of "supply and demand" - nowadays, there are too many online library schools and too many graduates every semesters. Plus the technology has been rapidly changing. It is tough.

I have gone through all the searching process and then I received email message informing me that the position is no longer available due to the unpredictable financial situation. ... And one of my applications sent me a message indicating that they search committee made a mistake - the position is limited to current internal staff...

The state university I served from 2003 to 2015 closed one of is graduate studies libraries and I was "let go". Since then I have been struggling to land a librarian job. It is now 2017; it seems that things have not yet turned around.

It is not what you think ... blood donation

I listened to KCUR 89.3 this past weekend and learned about the blood donation business. I was stunned to find out that the "do public good" blood donation in fact is a million dollar business!

People thought they are going to help someone who is in need of help and might not realize that they are helping the blood bank to gain profits.

The blood bank in Appleton Wisconsin declared shortage so they requested from the public. In fact it's the opposite. They did not have shortage; they have too much so they sold to a small tome in Kentucky  $10-$20 per pint. The Kentucky blood bank then sold it even much higher price, up to $300 per pint to New York City hospitals!

If we take a close look to the taxation of the blood banks across the country, we would find their annual revenue are millions!

Next time when you want to donate blood to help someone, think twice.

Question to ask during the interview...

At the end of the interview, I purposely asked the Committee members questions. But it is not always I would receive a positive feedbacks. Here is an example of my experience.

Questions I asked:

"why do you like working here?"

"Why do you like working here?"

 "What do you like most about your job?"

 "What do you like least about your job?"
           
 "What's the most innovative thing the library has done in the last year?"

 "Does the College offer funding for professional development and conference travel for library staff?"

"How does the college administration assess the library services?"

"Does the college provide mentorship for new faculty members and professional staff?"

Each question I asked received a moment of silence. It seemed that the chemistry in the room changed from harmony to very uneasiness...

They looked to each other speechlessly; they apparently were stunned by my questions. Everyone was sitting quietly hoping someone would take the lead and answer the questions.

I became nervous and thought,.. Oh boy! Nobody wanted to be the first answering my questions? "What's on their minds? What were they thinking? Did I ask inappropriately questions? What were they afraid of answering my questions?" I perplexed and wondered. Perhaps none of them felt that they had the obligation to answer.