Personally, I think the problem is - if not caused - then exacerbated by the
short-term nature of A2A and other HLF-funded posts. It is challenging and
difficult for people to move for (let's face it) mainly moderate salaries
over short time spans, and of course it will be only "footloose and
fancy-free", often newly qualified, archivists who are prepared to do so.
So far as the moral obligations of applicants are concerned, I am afraid
that the interview room is more akin to a sales pitch than a court of law.
Of course applicants should not tell downright lies, but it is natural to be
ambiguous or economical with the truth when one's future is at stake.
Unless and until a candidate has signed a contract or a formal letter of
acceptance, they will go for the best job on offer; that's how it is in real
archives on Planet Earth.
David Jones
----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth Oxborrow-Cowan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 3:23 PM
Subject: Job applicants(or lack of them)
> Dear All
>
> Here at Greater Manchester County Record Office we've run into problems
> recruiting for an HLF project due the seeming lack of applicants. We
> actually had to run the recruitment programme twice for the three posts
for
> our HLF project. Both times we have faced two problems: a small number
of
> candidates applying (thus limiting the choice available to us) and losing
> applicants during the process as they take up other job offers. Are other
> people having the same problems? Is it a question of looking into
> increasing the numbers within the profession or is it a temporary blip
> (like Follett, in which case we seem to be facing temporary blips on an
> on-going basis)? Also, how far should applicants have some responsibility
> to interviewing bodies about being honest about their job hunting? It's
> very difficult to plan when you keep finding those you've offered jobs to
> already have another offer.
>
> With all the A2A projects coming on line this could be a real brake on
work
> within the sector. Any comments?
>
> Yours frustrated
>
> Elizabeth Oxborrow-Cowan
> Greater Manchester County Record Office
> 56 Marshall Street
> Manchester
> M4 5FU
> England
>
> Tel + 44 161 819 4705
> Fax + 44 161 839 3808
|