Career Building Basics: Becoming the Successful Job Candidate

April 10, 2012

With Support from Nancy Ryckman, Assistant Head, Reference and Instructional Services, and

Beth Filar Williams, Distance Education Librarian, UNCG

Anna Craft, Metadata Cataloger, UNCG

Mary Krautter, Head, Reference and Instructional Services, UNCG

Webinar outlineLocate job openingsJob-finding resources on

campusInterpret job adsCreate a strong applicationGain experience to build a

stronger resume or CVHow libraries evaluate candidatesTimeline for filling jobs

Finding job openingsWebsites

ALA JobLISTCombined Library Job PostingsHigherEd Jobs – LibrariesLibGig JobsLibrary Jobs in North CarolinaLibrary Job PostingsLibrary Journal JobZone

ListservsLISjobs-L SILS-jobs LibJobs

Job-finding resources on campusCareer Services Center:

http://csc.dept.uncg.edu/students/services/

LIS Career Day Library workshops

Resume workshop 1: recording and materials

Resume workshop 2: recording and materials

Interpreting job adsExamine the required

and preferred qualifications

Consider where there may be leeway with the qualifications

Read between the lines

Think about the “fit”

Creating a strong applicationFollow directionsProofread, proofread,

proofreadTailor your materials to

address the points of the job posting

ResourcesHiring LibrariansOpen Cover LettersLIScareer News

Getting relevant experienceRelevant work experience is critical.Experience can come in many forms:

PracticumsInternshipsStudent positionsVolunteer positions

Leadership and CreativityLook for chances to shine outside the classroom!Make yourself and your talents visible to

others.Take responsibility Implement a creative ideaOrganize a group

Get experience:Take an office in a graduate student groupVolunteer for a community group

Professional activities While you’re still in library school attend professional conferences, webinars and workshops in order to:

Build new skillsDemonstrate professional commitmentNetwork with librarians (potential co-workers)

Join professional organizations Student dues MUCH cheaper Listservs and other job search opportunities

How libraries evaluate candidates

Word cloud created with www.wordle.net

Timeline for academic searchesAnnouncement of position availabilityReview of candidatesPhone interviewsReference checksOn-campus interviewsJob offer

This process can take a long time!

Any questions?

Suggested ResourcesAmerican Library Association. How To Get a Great Job: A Library How-To Handbook. New York: Skyhorse, 2011. Cannady, Rachel, and Daniel Newton. "Making The Best Of The Worst Of Times: Global Turmoil And Landing Your First Library Job." College & Research Libraries News 71.4 (2010): 205-212. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.Easton, Bonnie1. "Career Reality Check." Library Journal 137.1 (2012): 49-51. Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012. Hadro, Josh. "Dear Hiring Committee:." Library Journal (1976) 136.14 (2011): 32-33. Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.Kane, Laura Townsend. Working in the Virtual Stacks : The New Library & Information Science. Chicago : American Library Association, 2011.Olguin, Mallory K., and Tony Stankus. "Dressing Like We Mean It." Information Outlook 15.2 (2011): 8-11. Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.Pollock, Ronald D. "Facing Trying Times For Librarians." Texas Library Journal 87.2 (2011): 55-57. Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.Von Drasek, Lisa. "Hang In There." School Library Journal 57.2 (2011): 24-29. Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.Reeves, Robert K., and Trudi Bellardo Hahn. "Job Advertisements For Recent Graduates: Advising, Curriculum, And Job-Seeking Implications." Journal Of Education For Library & Information Science 51.2 (2010): 103-119. Library Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.Sproles, Claudene, and Robert Detmering. "Job Seeking In An Academic Environment: A Dual Perspective." Southeastern Librarian 58.1 (2010): 9-18. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.Woodward, Jeannette A. A librarian's guide to an uncertain job market . Chicago : American Library Association, 2011.