Jeannette Woodward jwoodard@windriverconsulting.com http://windriverconsulting.

com
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You can

Use your LIS skills to be a more effective job hunter. Reduce the time youre unemployed Emerge with your self-respect and new 21st century skills.

You can keep this crisis from ruining your life

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Public, Academic, School and Special Librarians

New Grads Mid-career librarians Senior librarians Other LIS professionals

Jobless librarians Insecure librarians
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About 80% of the information in good career guidance books applies to library jobs The other 20% is unique to library culture
Important to understand that culture, know the territory Example
Action verbs Vitae vs. Rsum
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Outside the library

Information broker

Inside and Outside the Library

Database specialist or trainer Web developer LAN coordinator Digital Services Electronic Access ILS (Integrated Library System) Systems
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Resurgence of vitality. Digital archives Competition keen

Employment expected to increase 20 percent in decade (pre-recession prediction) Less demand for printbased archives
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Austerity budgets and challenging times Libraries will have plenty of problems Library administrators will seek out problem solvers
Problems must be perceived by outsiders Problems must impact users directly Problems may arise from complaints or pressure from above
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Computerization means less emphasis on DOING and more on MANAGING Business management skills/courses look good
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Focus on users, not materials Responding to change:

Societal, institutional, or technological changes

Example: Young adult services

Working mothers No transportation to after school activities Decline of established youth organizations like

little league High cost of daycare Safety concerns

Jobs closely tied to print resources Jobs that have been simplified or dumbed down by automation Jobs involving assistance with and interpretation of resources to users
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Bad news Inexperience Weak resumes First to be let go

Good news Viewed by older librarians as computer experts and problem solvers
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Bad news LIS courses irrelevant Computer skills assumed to be poor Ageism: If youre out of work, its more difficult to get a job Good news In an aging profession, age is relative If you have a job, youre more likely to keep it
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Bring home important papers Resumes job descriptions Accomplishments Awards Recommendations and commendations Promotions Forward email automatically
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Contacts

Networking is a big part of job hunting Get addresses and phone numbers for all professional contacts Keep or copy your Rolodex Export Microsoft Outlook data Keep communicating Socialize with colleagues Stay connected to the grapevine.
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Begin collecting information Create a system for keeping track Scan as much as possible Create a database to track openings
Deadlines When you applied Information about the library, director, and staff Responses received
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Where will you find your information?

Identify ALL the best LIS jobsites Submit your information to ALAs JobList

Become an active member of LinkedIn

Bookmark and check them daily
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Identify the job titles that interest you

Research job market

Identify the job titles for which you are best qualified
Can probably survive the first cut

Research geographical areas

Can you relocate? How far?
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Unemployment = high stress Talk to your family Have fun. Enjoy family and friends Stay connected, dont isolate yourself Get in shape Share with other endangered or unemployed LIS professionals
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Let friends and colleagues know your are looking for work
Network with friends of friends.

Cold calls are easier if you can say Cynthia suggested I call.
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Dont tell off your exboss Keep your boss in your network and take advantage of her network too
Stay in touch with other colleagues
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Improve your computer skills

Sign up for relevant computer courses
Local community college College or university Online LIS Program

Choose courses that are as advanced as you can handle

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Check your home office

Recent computer Scan and photocopy

Office supplies
Landline with features Cell phones are risky Professional-sounding

voice mail message

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Identify the librarys focus and priorities

What is this job really all about? How does the director see the library? How do search committee members and other staff see the library? Whats the problem that needs solving?
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How are librarians hired in your type of library? Who opens applications?
Human resources?

Secretary or administrative assistant?

Library director or committee chair?

Who is involved in the decision? Will there be a search committee? How much input will staff have?
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You have total control

Emphasize most appropriate skills and experiences

Entertain the reader

Edit carefully.
Many librarians are English

majors

Make the letter work for you

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Goal: Make your rsum look like the others, only better

You want to stand out only for the right reasons. Professionally printed rsums restrict your freedom.
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Control your image. Dont let the rsum format interfere

Emphasize achievements De-emphasize negatives Remove unrelated verbiage Never lie
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Put your strongest qualifications at the beginning Focus on for this specific job Use terminology in the job ad whenever possible
Remember that HR or a clerk may

make the first cut

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Employers are looking for a story they can understand Your resume must look reasonable
A clear direction Steady progress toward this particular job A reasonable number of jobs A reasonable amount of time in each one Gaps should make sense

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Sculpt your resume

Make your resume tell a story Use the resume format that works best.

Dont worry about shoulds

Beat the slush pile on the first page
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New Grads
Many library directors

believe new grads have a computer chip embedded in their brains Encourage this belief Become the problem solver Take classes, learn to talk the talk
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Senior librarians
Must battle poor computer skills stereotype Emphasize your strong skills

Strengthen computer skills

Learn to talk the talk Less age discrimination than an issue than in

other professions
Library administrators are older
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Two basic types

Face-to-Face Telephone interviews
Skype interviews

Most libraries conduct more phone interviews

Theyre free They take less effort They can more easily be

standardized

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One Person
Real Conference Calls Group calls with one microphone Skype calls
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The selection group or search committee is meeting around a table. A microphone or speaker phone has been placed somewhere on the table. Half the group cant be heard.

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Interviews arent about you

Theyre about the library Theyre about how you will fit in

Theyre also about the interviewers

Do they like you?
Will they like working with you? Do you like them?
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Interpersonal rapport is more important than you think

The more you have in common, the better your chances
Interviewers have a vision You must share that vision
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Look at camera, not computer monitor. Place your notes near camera but out of view.
Practice, Practice, Practice
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Stay calm, cool, and collected

Smile!

Let people know you like them.

Know your demons and be prepared . Plan ahead and use a checkoff list
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Be prepared for hard questions. Know your weaknesses. Admit what must be admitted and move on.
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