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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/2/2008
Posts: 7
Points: 21
Location: Denver
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Hi,
I recently applied for a position at a large academic library (600 employees). I called the person in charge of the department the job is in to make sure they received my application--cover letter, CV and references. He said he did and that beginning the following week the search committee would start reviewing applications individually. I also emailed the HR librarian reiterating my interest in the position. I received a nice reply. This was about 2 weeks ago. I don't want to hassle them, but I am extremely interested in the position and in the library and have experience in/with every bullet point listed in the job posting. Would it be too aggressive/brazen of me to call soon and directly ask for an interview? If no, would I call the HR librarian or the person in charge of the department that the position resides in? My two previous library/academic positions I got were from internal promotion and/or cold emailing so I am new to the search committee process. Also, I am an out of state applicant and would be more than happy to give a phone interview first--is this the normal protocol for out of state applicants?
Thanks for your help!
C.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/3/2008
Posts: 30
Points: 102
Location: Maryland
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It seems like you've done everything necessary in the application process. You state that application reviews have started. Until you get a phone call or an e-mail request for an interview, do nothing further.
Search committees in academe can take awhile so it may be some time before you hear anything. In my experience, I received a notice ranging within a few weeks to the end of the semester. A few academic libraries where I applied never got back to me. You may either get a phone call or a letter request for an interview. (Not all academic job ads will state when candidates will be notified) In the meantime, just wait and keep on applying for jobs.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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Search processes are long in the academic setting. Be patient. If there is a search committee, it is not unusual to take a week or two and review applications individually. Than the committee will gather as a group to rank candidate. And at each step, there maybe an administrator that approves each step and the results. If people are out sick or vacation, everything crawls to a turtle pace. Anytime you contact people during the search process, you usually communicate with the person mentioned in the ad. Until, someone tells you different. Some people will dismiss you if you start calling around the library. There is a thin line between demonstrating interest and become an annoyance, especially if you are not the best candidate during their initial screening. You must remember library staff are searching for a candidate, while still doing their full time jobs. The process can be slow. If you know someone in the library, casual conversations can be valuable. If you addressed everything needed in the job ad, you will hear back. You did address every major need in your cover letter, right? Good luck!
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/4/2008
Posts: 15
Points: 45
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Dorothea Salo has a great post (http://cavlec.yarinareth.net/archives/2008/03/06/your-best-self/) where she talks about how the whole search process is not about you (the candidate), it is about them (the organization) -- what they want, what they need. That goes for the schedule too. As others have said in this thread, the schedule is all about the committee & the organization. All of which can be painfully slow for the candidate. But, if you make it about you, things have the potential of going downhill for you. Be patient, apply for other jobs, if you are the perfect fit for what this organization needs, they'll call you. Good luck.
Erin Stalberg
Head of Metadata & Cataloging
North Carolina State University Libraries
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/2/2008
Posts: 7
Points: 21
Location: Denver
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Thanks for confirming my suspicion that I need to sit tight and reminding me not to be discouraged if I don't hear back.
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