This answer is provided by our first guest author, Cheryl Kohen.

Q: I’m just starting to use the online social networking site LinkedIn, but I’m unsure how this will help me effectively network.  What are some tips when searching this social media site?

CK: Created in 2003, LinkedIn is an online network website listing professionals from all over the globe, with over half of the members from outside of the US.  In fact, LinkedIn just reached the over 50 million member mark this year, meaning that there are now more professionals to network with than ever before!  Use this professional network to search for other users who directly relate to you career interests, find job opportunities, and research companies.

When creating a profile on LinkedIn, use the most recent and most relevant pieces from your resume.  Also, update your status often with professional information, such as a conference you recently attended, or a presentation you recently gave (in-class or at work).  Now that you’ve made the choice to create a LinkedIn profile, stay active with it.  Keeping your profile accurate and timely will help build your online brand, and be another way that potential employers may find information about you.

There are several ways to use the advance searching features on LinkedIn especially when you are still exploring career paths.  For example, find job titles that you aspire to have, and search for them as a job title in the advance search options.  By searching these titles, you can view professionals who are connected to you that hold these jobs, and learn more about these positions.  Additionally, if you are interested in learning more about alternative careers for librarians and information professionals, but are unsure what these positions are even called, use the job site LibGig and view the many categories that they’ve created for job titles.  Again, search these job titles (e.g. Information Architect) as a job title in the LinkedIn advance people searching, and find people in your network who hold these positions.

Once you’ve located a professional that you wish to connect with on LinkedIn, see which contacts you have in common with and request an introduction.  These introductions could lead to informational interviews, where you explore more about a career path by interviewing a professional who currently works in a field you are interested in.  To learn more about informational interviews, read Quintcareers.com Informational Interviewing Tutorial.

Aside from searching for individuals, users may also search LinkedIn for company information.  The company information in LinkedIn, though not as comprehensive as other reference sources, will provide the user with some key statistics of the institution, along with searching for additional professionals to connect with.  User information provided in the company profiles include listings of current employees who are using LinkedIn, former employees, new hires, recent promotions and changes, and the most popular LinkedIn profiles from that organization.

Want more LinkedIn tips?  See social media expert, Guy Kawasaki’s famous blog entry on the top Ten Ways To Use LinkedIn.

In case you haven’t heard (or experienced first hand) we’re in a tough economic period and that has people looking for jobs, or rethinking the one they have.  We’ve been getting a lot of emails recently asking for very specific help on finding jobs.  Unfortunately, we can’t answer each and every individual email, but we can offer some general advice and guidance.  We are also hoping that our readers will join the conversation and offer their advice.  Who knows?  Maybe you’ll meet someone, who knows someone, who knows someone with a job…

Top 5 Tips for Job Hunting in Tough Times

1.  The best way to get a job is to have (or have had) a job
Employers want someone with experience.  We are looking for someone who can take what they’ve learned somewhere else and apply it (maybe even build upon it) in our position.  So be sure to take opportunities to develop your professional experience.  While it may not be the best job in the world, or your ultimate dream job ever, any work experience you have will help you build skills, a resume and a professional network.  So be sure to carefully consider any and all offers of employment (including temp, contract, volunteer, intern, entry level, etc.)

2.  Seek and ye shall find (but it also helps to know the best places to look)
Even if you’re currently in a job, don’t forget to keep an eye on the market to see what’s out there.  And if you’re currently without a job, you’ll definitely want to be on the lookout.  Check all the standard places (employer websites, library-related websites such as LISJobs.com, LIBJobs.com, etc…) but also be sure to check with local government agencies, regional consortiums, large local employers and online nationwide job-hunting sites like Monster.com.

3.  Keep your tools sharp and ready to go
Always, always, always have a resume.  Even if (maybe especially if) you’ve been in your current job for a decade, have a current resume and make sure it’s perfect.  We’ve written several articles on resumes, so refer back to those for the how-to’s and must-have’s of resume writing.  Also be sure you’re comfortable writing a cover letter and asking for employment references.

4.  Practice, Practice, Practice
If it’s been a while since you’ve interviewed, you’ll need to practice to make perfect.  Practice with friends, family and colleagues and ask for direct feedback.  Practice telephone interviews, practice giving a presentation, even practice shaking hands and introducing yourself.  The more practiced you are, the more comfortable you’ll be.  The last place you want to “refine” your interviewing skills is actually on the interview!

5.  Use your (social) network
We all know it’s a good idea to use your professional network when exploring or seeking new opportunities.  But I would encourage you to think broadly about that network.  It extends beyond those for whom, with whom, or over whom you’ve worked.  If you’re in the market for a new opportunity, be sure to utilize all of your resources: professional colleagues, neighbors, the other dads in the daddy playgroup, or the moms at Little League.  And don’t forget social networking.  The Linked In site is built around the principals of networking and recommendations.  And, if used appropriately, Facebook is an option.  Look for professional-affiliated groups to join on Facebook or other profiles that post job information.  Just be sure to use caution when posting personal and private information together.  It’s a very careful balance, but it can be done successfully.

Readers, what do you think?  For those who’ve been there (or are currently there) do you have other tips to share?  We look forward to hearing from you…

Q: After working in city libraries for more than ten years (and before that, a work life spent mostly in book stores) I found myself in [moving back home] because of my mother’s advanced age and fragile health. I had three years of Interlibrary Loan experience from my most recent job and I was able to secure a position in the Interlibrary Loan department of the health sciences library at the university.

My work record at the time was excellent and I was very happy to find the job I’d wanted the most. It was a very busy department and I was responsible for lending. I approached my job with energy and enthusiasm and worked hard; I even kept current with “the literature” (Library Journal, etc.) but my boss never stopped casting everything I did in a negative light.

I managed to maintain decent performance reviews by scrupulously documenting everything I did; but in the end, I saw an EAP counselor who helped me to plan and set up meetings with the director, my boss, and other concerned parties to try to bring about a more equitable workplace (as this was affecting my health). After almost nine years at this university, my supervisor wrote an entirely false performance review which despite my response (written at the director’s urging) with documentation to refute her assertions, I resigned after being placed on a disciplinary program that no one in that library’s history had been put on before and the full details of which were not written down anywhere.

No investigation was done. I hired a lawyer and the university’s response to his letter was “the worst thing he’d seen in thirty years”. No reference, severance, or unemployment insurance benefits. I looked for a job for 8 months; customized my resume and cover letter for each position I applied for. Not only was I not contacted, other positions included; when I attempted to contact the HR person, no one called me back.

Since my resignation, the university I worked for has been beset by scandals; ranging from mismanagement of large grants to the dismissal of a student without due process. How does one go about beginning to repair a work history, or “fill in a gap” nearly a decade-wide, that was spent doing excellent work (our borrowing institutions regularly sent notes of praise and, of course, the work was reflected in our statistics!) but is entangled in an institutionally- sanctioned lie?

TA: After reading your question a couple of times, there are a couple of things that come to my attention that I think would be helpful to point out in an attempt to move ahead. First, it’s clear you feel very hurt and betrayed by the situation with your supervisor. It wouldn’t be unusual for someone in the situation you’ve described to feel this way. However, and this is the second thing I noticed, you also seem to express yourself in a way that hints at feelings of resentment, maybe even hostility. Talking about how your lawyer thought the University’s response was “the worst thing he’d seen in thirty years”, but not talking about any successful litigation feels like a worthless jab. The same goes for your reference to “an institutionally-sanctioned lie.”

As an outsider looking in, and with only the information you’ve provided to me, here’s the situation as it seems to me: you worked for many years at an institution with a challenging supervisor and in challenging work conditions. By your own accounts, you had some successes in the position, but when it got to be too severe, you resigned from your position. Now you’re looking for a new position and you aren’t getting many responses. What do you do now?

First, you need to figure out a way to talk about your experience at the University that does not criticize or come across as negative. When you’re describing your work experience in your cover letter and resume, talk about your successes. Mention your increased, and sustained, usage statistics. Talk about successful partnerships and collaboration within the library and beyond. Do not talk about how you managed to survive despite the oppressive supervisor, or the challenging circumstances, or a University “beset by scandals.” That’s really just too much drama for anyone, especially a prospective employer. You may also want to ask a couple of colleagues for written letters of reference that you can attach to your application materials. If you take this approach, make sure they are current letters, and the colleagues speak to your professional experiences and talents. Do not turn these letters into you-versus-them detailed sagas of your University experience. The letters should describe how the colleague knows you, in what context and for how long, as well as his or her description of your work experience, knowledge and strengths.

Second, choose your references carefully. With such a long tenure at the University, it might seem conspicuous to not have a reference from that institution. However, given your relationship with your supervisor and director, you probably don’t want to list them as professional references. You should think carefully about other colleagues, maybe even folks with whom you worked at the University but they too have moved on, and consider if they could serve as a reference for you. And of course, colleagues, supervisors, department heads, directors, etc… from other institutions of employment would be good to include as well.

Third, when you get an interview, be prepared to talk about all of your work experience, including your time at the University. Again, leave out the drama and negativity and find a way to talk in a positive way about what you learned and what you gained from the experience. If you’re asked a reason for leaving, since you resigned, you can simply say that you had been at the University for a number of years, but were also dealing with an aging parent and needed to resign for personal reasons.

Just because the University is still struggling with some issues doesn’t mean you need to be swept up with it. Your focus needs to be on you and your future, not anchored to the past and a very difficult situation.

Q: What are online portfolios? Why should I care about them? And, how do I get one?

TA: As someone in an academic library who works with recruitment and filling librarian positions, and who works with MLS students during their time in school and during their job hunt, I know what I like to see in an online portfolio and I know what I recommend to students and early career librarians. Also, I hear from former students about what they keep in their online portfolios and experience they’ve gained and want to share with others. Recently, I posed a few questions to a group of previous students about online portfolios. I wanted to know if they had one, what they chose to include (and conversely, what they chose to leave out), and finally, what they would recommend to others starting this process.

Several people commented on the components of an online portfolio. Portfolios were viewed as an extension of a candidate’s cover letter and resume, and are a good way to demonstrate technical competencies in web design and coding. The most common sections included in an online portfolio were work history, education, research interests, selected projects, and contact information. Some candidates also chose to list their MLS/MIS courses on the online portfolio, and included only “selected” relevant courses on their resume.

A few things to avoid include being overly personal with the information shared as part of your portfolio. This is a professional marketing tool, so please don’t tell me about your recent Vegas trip and certainly don’t include photos of the event — What happens in Vegas really should stay in Vegas! Also, from what I’ve seen and heard from others, the best design is clean and simple. Keep it neat and professional, and think of it as an effective communication tool that extends the power of your cover letter and resume.

Other avenues to building a professional online presence include blogs, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other online networking tools. One word of warning… be sure to maintain some distance between the online personal you, and the online professional you. You should consider locking down privacy settings on social networking sites like Facebook so that only friends can see your personal information. Keep private information private, and make it easy for potential employers and professional colleagues to find your professional information on the web.

SM: Like the students that Tiffany spoke with, I think of an online portfolio as an extension of one’s resume and as another place to share professional information in order to promote one’s skills and competencies. I also think of it as a place where I can provide more details about specific aspects of my work experience and my education history and as a repository that allows me to store my professional documents in one offsite location (i.e., not my personal or work computer) making them more accessible me and to those who may want to view them.

Years ago, after learning HTML, I put my resume on a web page with a few hyperlinks and naively called it an “online portfolio.” I currently have a super condensed version of my CV on my institution’s website. These, in reality, are just resumes on a web page. The online portfolio is, and should be, so much more than this. A traditional portfolio looks a bit like this, a multi-pocket folder filled with all your professional documents. Think of an online portfolio as exactly the same, just online. It is a place that allows you to present and organize your materials in a manner and style that suits your needs, a place that makes sharing your materials much easier, and a place that allows for more freedom and creativity than the formal structure of the cover letter and resume.

An online portfolio is a good investment for librarians who are actively looking for employment and for contentedly employed librarians who just want a space of their own that they have complete control over, outside of their institution’s web server. I strongly believe that professionals who have acquired materials over the years should be maintaining some kind of ongoing professional file and updating their resumes on a regular basis regardless of job stability. It is both satisfying and motivating to have an organized and up-to-date folder (online or in print) of your professional materials.

I set out to create my own online portfolio this Fall. I have been an academic librarian for over a decade now and I’ve acquired many documents over the years that move around with me, from computer to USB drive, to inboxes, to different computers. And, I need to maintain a portfolio for tenure requirements, which means lots of printing and sorting and stapling. I desperately needed one place where I could both store and display these documents. As I researched what others are doing in this arena, I discovered that the plethora of free online “social tools” have become ideal portfolio platforms. Not only are they free, they offer security, lots of storage space, backups, searching and commenting capabilities, and are very easy to use – no web skills required. What better time to create, upload, display and archive your professional profile than now?

After contemplating exactly what I wanted my online portfolio to do, and weighing the many options, I choose to use a wiki. I wanted it to be clean and simple in its design, and I wanted to be able to easily cut and paste text from other documents without much editing. I used different pages within the wiki to create distinct sections for my materials such as publications, experience, presentations, and web design.

As social and professional sites expand, evolve, and intertwine, more and more people will be putting their portfolios online and thinking of them as just another link on their networking chain.

To reiterate what Tiffany mentioned above – when creating your online portfolio:

• Be creative in a clean and simple way
• Keep it organized and professional
• Include documents, materials, presentations, etc., that highlight your skills and experience
• Only include materials you would show a prospective or current employer
• Be cognizant when naming things (URL, pages, folders, etc.)
• Go beyond your resume and cover letter
• Make it easy to navigate
• Make your contact information visible
• Make sure you can download it (back it up)
• Keep it up-to-date
• Use it to promote yourself

These are some articles and ideas that I found useful in my research, please let us know if you have additional resources or a portfolio you want to share.

Articles:

Functional and Stylistic Needs of Every Online Portfolio
by Christopher A. Brown

Online Portfolios, or “WOW! Look at Everything I’ve Done!”
by Kim Moody

Punch Up Your Portfolio
by Katie Dunneback

Using Del.icio.us to Create an Easy, Always Updated Online Portfolio
by Michele Martin

Build a Killer Online Portfolio in 9 Easy Steps
by Skellie

Creating a Successful Online Portfolio
by Sean Hodge

Examples and How-To’s:

Creating ePortfolios with Web 2.0 Tools
by Dr. Helen Barrett

Michele Martin’s delicious Portfolio

The Information School, University of Washington, Sample MLIS Student’s Online Portfolios

SM’s Online Portfolio

Q: I have been out of the library field for awhile. I relocated, then was diagnosed with cancer, then decided to have a baby. Meanwhile, I was job searching locally but nothing worked out. I have worked, just not in libraries. Now it is time to widen my library job search geographically. So how do I explain – or do I need to explain – my absence? I am very aware that I cannot mention cancer (passed my five-year mark, odds are in my favor, thankyouverymuch) or motherhood (my child is getting close to school age).

TA: Welcome back to librarianship! Congratulations on motherhood and passing your five-year mark. For most us, even without a diagnosis of our own, cancer touches our lives through family, friends, or acquaintances, so kudos to you for your strength and determination to fight and overcome.

It’s encouraging to hear that you’re ready to get back into libraries, and you’re wise to consider a gap in employment as something you need to address. In my opinion, you want to address this head on, but keep it brief, simple and not overly personal. I would suggest one or two lines in your cover letter, something along the lines of “After a period of time off for personal reasons, including relocation with my family, I am enthusiastic about returning to librarianship, and I’m especially excited about this opportunity at XYZ Library. I feel confident that my education, experience and skills make me a strong candidate for the position of XYZ Librarian.” The statement is brief, slightly personal but not too much, and is optimistic and confident. You address the gap without going into too much detail.

Beyond your cover letter, there are a couple of other things I would recommend. First, have a really nice resume. Part of the resume is work experience, which as you say, is not work in libraries, but look for transferable skills. If you have worked in public service, customer service, web authoring, organizing volunteers, etc., think about these things as they relate to libraries (and to the specific position you’re applying for) and highlight them in your resume. Even volunteer work counts as long as the experience you gained directly relates to the position for which you are applying. It’s your job as the candidate to do all the work for the committee – show them how you meet the qualifications of the position and how your experience relates. You are your own best advocate.

Second, stay connected professionally. Be sure to join listservs, read blogs, attend workshops, join professional associations, etc. By staying connected, you’ll not only stay aware of current issues and trends in the profession and be ready to discuss those during an interview, but you’ll also begin to build a network of other professionals who will be able to support your job search. Additionally, potential employers will see that you’re active professionally as you build your resume with professional development and professional memberships. Furthermore, take advantage of technology training and be sure to keep these skills current – that’s another great thing to highlight on your resume. It not only shows initiative, but it’s also one less thing for a potential employer to worry about with someone who’s been off the job market for several years.

And finally, when you’re called for an on-site interview, be sure to stay open, positive and optimistic. Don’t shy away from or downplay the experiences you’ve had outside of librarianship. And if you feel that you’ve developed a rapport with the interviewer and feel comfortable sharing a little more personal detail than you’ve included in your cover letter, you can do that. I would still keep it fairly brief (this is, of course, still an interview, not speed dating) but at least in person you are able to judge a reaction and tailor your responses accordingly. At the cover letter stage, it’s just you “on paper“; during an interview, it’s you — the real you, the healthy you, the professional you — “in real life.”

SM:
You say that you are

“very aware that I cannot mention cancer … or motherhood.”

This statement, although understandable, is somewhat disconcerting. It shows your fears and reluctance to put yourself out there again. Gaps in your resume will stand out; and if they are not explained, they will send up red flags and leave the potential employer wondering what you were doing for those missing time periods. Don’t let them wonder, explain yourself first, eloquently and convincingly, and make them believe that you are ready to re-enter the workforce. You are certainly aware that your family decisions and your illness have impacted all aspects of your life, including your professional life, and you are trying to get yourself back into the profession that you want to be in. Make sure that your self-esteem is ready as well.

Be tactful, sincere, professional, and bold when addressing gaps in your resume. Keep the wording and tone optimistic, confident, and slightly personal in your cover letter (as Tiffany mentions above). In the interview stage, expect that you will be asked about the gaps. This is when you can say a little more, if you feel comfortable, without setting off alarm bells (as you might fear).

Tactful:
Be tactful when talking about personal matters – you wouldn’t go on and on about a painful divorce, or about losing a job, so make sure that you keep your personal matters still slightly personal. In your case, you have a few things to celebrate – a healthy outcome, and a child. These are not things to be ashamed of in any way, and have most likely made you a stronger person. Use this strength in your job search, and promote yourself and your experiences confidently.

Sincere:
I can appreciate and understand your unwillingness to mention an illness and protectiveness of your decision to stay at home for a few years, which many new parents make. And, it can be extremely difficult, not to mention uncomfortable, to discuss personal decisions with people you’ve just met. Having said that, I’m not advocating that you actually have a discussion about why you chose to stay at home to raise your child, or provide details about your battle with cancer. I only mean that you should be as honest and up front as possible without getting too personal. Hiding information will only hurt your chances at getting a job.

Professional:
When you get to the interview stage, remember that you are interviewing them as well. You need to find a workplace that you will be comfortable in and a workplace that suits your needs. Your interviewers can not (or should not) ask you certain personal questions, but you can share as much or as little as you like. How much you share will depend entirely on the situation, timing, and comfort level. Just remember, if your interviewers feel that you are hiding something, or that you are closed up, they will project that into the workplace and wonder if they can work with a person who is, or may be, overly guarded. Collaboration is a major part of librarians’ roles, and you will most likely (depending on the job you are applying for) have to prove that you can work comfortably with others in a collaborative environment. A large part of any in-person interview is finding a good fit for the library, so personality, sincerity, and rapport with key people are very important.

Bold:
Finally, be bold – ask your interviewers if they have any concerns about hiring someone who has been out of the workplace for a few years, and if so, find out what they are and see if you can address them. This is your chance to shine and to alleviate any fears they might have, while (hopefully) leaving your own fears behind. Best of luck!

Related articles:

“Gaps in Your Resume: Addressing an Interruption in Your Career Path” by John Lehner

“Mother’s Hone Leadership Skills on Career Breaks” USATODAY

“Tips To Handle Employment Gaps” by Nathan Newberger

“How to Handle a Gap in Your Job History” by Cynthia Wright

“When Stay-at-Home Fathers Return to Work (Elsewhere)” by Julia Lawlor
“Workforce Re-entry for a Stay at Home Mom” by Stacie Cathcart

“Coping With Chronic Illness When You’re on the Job Market” by Mary Morris Heiberger

We saw this question on Info Career Trends and couldn’t help but chime in with our thoughts on this often misunderstood and poorly interpreted resume addition.

Personally, I believe that objective statements are completely unnecessary, and that career goals and objectives can be conveyed better, and more prolifically, as part of the cover letter. I’ve read plenty of resumes and sat on many search committees over the years, and I’ve never read a good or memorable objective statement. Most of the ones I see say something like: “To work in an academic library as a reference librarian,” and the person is applying for a reference position, in an academic library (go figure). Or, there are the few that don’t relate to the position at all. A mistake by the candidate, yes, but it certainly makes it easier for the search committee to disqualify the person.

To be kind to the people who use them and like them, I think objective statements can be very difficult to write because many people may not have a clear-cut career objective that can be succinctly and narrowly summarized, and so they usually end up recycling the job title. This is not helpful to an interviewer, or potential employer. It is – or should be – obvious that once you apply for a position, you actually want to be in that position (unnecessary overkill to restate that in an objective statement). If I had to write mine, it would probably be something like this:

Objective Statement: I am seeking a position that will motivate me to constantly learn new skills; a position in a forward thinking and flexible environment, with a supportive director who will allow me to use my own judgment and initiative in as many ways possible.

A little vague, perhaps; a little bold, definitely — but better than repeating the job description. And yet somehow, I don’t really think that a potential employer would want to see this on a resume. If you feel strongly that you want to have something else on your resume, something enticing that will sum up information for potential employers, you should consider an alternative such as a qualification summary or summary statement. Qualification summaries allow you to summarize your skills and experience for the job at hand, and (in a few words) let potential employers know how you can benefit them, rather than an objective statement that can potentially harm your chances for that interview. For more information about qualification summaries, here are some useful sites:

Effective Resumes: An ‘Objective’ Debate (Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive by Erin Hovanec)

At-homeworks.com (Step 3: Qualification Summary & Skill Set)

University of Minnesota’s Office of Human Resources (Profile or Summary of Qualifications)

………………………….
What do you think? If you are applying for positions, do you use either objective statements or qualification summaries? If you are interviewing, what is your opinion of these resume additions?

Q1: I am a new graduate living in Canada. I was confident that I could locate a professional job in an academic library or public library with my MLIS and Doctorate degree of Philosophy in Chinese History. I have been searching for jobs for seven months, but I have only had one in-person interview and one telephone interview. I am not a native English speaker, and I admit that I have an accent; however, I am confident that I can communicate very well in English. Also, I do not have much experience working in libraries. I did work-study while I was in library school and I volunteered in a public children’s library. What can I do to get a job?

Q2: How does age figure into a beginning library career? I’m almost 60 years old and obtained my MLS in 2002, but have been traveling with my husband since then. When I settle, I’d still like to work in a library, even as a part-time librarian. I know age discrimination should not factor in, but in reality it does. Which do you think are my most severe stumbling blocks, my age or lack of experience? What is the best way to gain experience at my age?

TA and SM: Both of these questions come from recent graduates concerned about possible discrimination by potential employers. In an effort to address both of these questions, we thought we would provide some advice and information for recent library school graduates and librarians who might find themselves in similar situations. At the same time, we hope to provide some insight for library managers and administrators who might be dealing with difficult decisions as they seek to hire the most qualified candidate for a given position.

Discrimination, in Libraries?

Discrimination exists in many different forms, in most professions, in most cultures, and in every part of the world. Sometimes it is deliberate, and sometimes it is unintentional. Ultimately, it is hurtful and discouraging for anyone trying to move forward with her or his career. One definition states that: “To discriminate is to make a distinction between people on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit. Examples include social, racial, religious, sexual, disability, ethnic and age-related discrimination.”

Many of us, at one point or another, may have experienced some form of discrimination in our jobs or in the job hunt process. Whether we like to admit it or not, this does happen in libraries. This profession, often viewed as diverse, liberal, laid-back, progressive, and mainly female, can still be very competitive, political, and – unfortunately – discriminatory.

Age discrimination is a concern for a growing number of library school graduates who have chosen to change careers or enter the workforce later in life. In the most recent placement and salaries survey (of 2004 graduates), more than half of the 1,611 graduates who responded to questions about their career aspirations said they were seeking a second or third career as a librarian. Likewise, the number of minority librarians is growing, with 16% of all 2004 graduates claiming minority status. And men, who are minorities in libraries, made up only 19% of all 2004 graduates.

How to Prepare Yourself While Looking for a Job

The fact that discrimination exists in the workplace (or in society) is really very sad. And, it’s wrong. At some point in your life, no matter how hard you fight against it, you, or someone you know, may be the victim of an act of discrimination. Nonetheless, you should work hard up front to prepare yourself for these situations. You need to present yourself as the perfect applicant, and your first chance to do this is often through your cover letter and resume.

The Cover Letter and Resume

Your application materials (your cover letter and resume) are your introduction to a potential employer. How you present yourself and your education and experience, in your resume and cover letter will determine whether or not you receive consideration for a position. If you’re a non-native English speaker, have someone proofread your application materials. We advise all applicants to use a proofreader, but this is especially important for non-native speakers, because, in addition to catching common typos and misspellings, a proofreader may also catch errors in grammar and syntax.

If you are an older applicant who is just now applying for your first library job, there are a few ways to approach your cover letter and resume. If you are making a career change, look for transferable skills from previous positions, and, whenever possible, draw direct parallels to those skills in your cover letter. If you were an accountant for 20 years in a large firm, for example, and are now applying for a branch librarian position, talk about your subject knowledge and how you worked with external customers, supervised employees and managed a budget. Look for ways to draw upon your previous experience and tie those experiences to your current pursuits.

If you are an older applicant who is just now applying for your first job ever, your approach might be a little different. Without the “traditional” use of transferable skills (from a previous career), you’ll need to look at the work you’ve done outside the home and draw on those experiences. For example, use volunteer work with community organizations, in the school system, or internships and field experiences while in library school to round out your experience. Again, in your cover letter and resume, tie these experiences (and the skills you developed) directly to the position for which you are applying.

This brings us back around to the recurring theme throughout most of our columns: EXPERIENCE. The short answer: get it, now! In whatever way possible (work before school, work while in school, intern, volunteer) get some real-life experience that you can draw on when applying for positions. If you’re still in library school, listen up. Take a student assistant position, volunteer at the public library, do a field experience for course credit, do whatever you can to try your hand at different library work.

We know. Life is busy, with classes, and papers, and lectures, and exams. We know. We’ve been there. But just realize that what you do now (like sacrificing sleep for work experience…) will pay off dramatically when you’re applying for a job. Instead of being among the masses of newly minted MLS grads with minimal or no experience, your perfectly-written cover letter and resume, with directly-drawn parallels between your experience and a library’s requirements, will pay off in gold.

In all of these scenarios, you need to stay current with technology. Take advantage of classes offered at the public library, through your library school, or at your local community college. Or, take an online course and join a few e-mail lists to stay abreast of current topics in your areas of interest. By showing a potential employer that you are aware of the latest “chatter” in librarianship (IM versus library virtual reference software; digitization: preservation or access?; electronic resource management systems (ERMS), etc.), you are conveying a level of interest and engagement that will not only impress your interviewer, but provide fodder for discussion.

Remember, self-confidence goes a long way in an interview, and even in a cover letter. Rather than focus on your differences, or your weaknesses, focus on your strong points. Play up your uniqueness – your language skills, your experience in other professions, your communication skills, your worldly knowledge, your commitment to education, your enthusiasm to learn and to succeed – and convince yourself and potential employers that you can do the job.

So, You Did Not Get the Job

Experience is more important than you may think when you are applying for a job. The reason you did not get a certain job probably has more to do with your lack of experience than with your age or inability to speak without an accent. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to prove actual discrimination. One (not uncommon) thing you can do, after interviewing for a position and learning that you did not get the job, is to contact the person or persons who interviewed you – generally a casual email, attached with a “thank you” works best – and ask her or him why you did not get the job. Ask for specifics and advice. You just might get some very useful information that you can apply the next time you interview. Hopefully, you will get a little peace of mind, and learn that discrimination did not play into the decision.

Let’s face it, employers desire job candidates who have computer experience, candidates who have enthusiasm, and candidates who can help bridge generation gaps within both staff and clientele. As technology continues to confound and surpass many of us, we naturally look to the young to teach us, and perhaps this leads to discrimination against others, who are older or not as computer savvy. As unfortunate as it is, discrimination will probably not go away anytime soon. In addition to looking for a workplace that fosters diversity and supports individuals who are different from us, we need to keep ourselves current, get experience, and make ourselves indispensable in our roles as unique professionals in the workplace.

Resources:

• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA): This act protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from employment discrimination based on age. Including, but not limited to, hiring, firing, promotion, layoff, compensation, benefits, job assignments, and training.
• Maatta, Stephanie. “Closing the Gap – Placements and Salaries 2004.” Library Journal, October 15, 2005.
• Owens, Irene. “Maintaining Diversity in Information Agencies: Accountability, Professionalism, Job Performance, Policies and Standards.” ASIS Bulletin, April/May 2000:
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (amended in 1991): Title VII prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin.
• Topper, Elisa F. “Fighting Age Discrimination.” American Libraries, November 2004.

Q: I got my master’s degree in information studies two years ago. After completing my degree, I worked in a company as a library assistant for only three months, when I had to relocate with my spouse. After the move, I stayed at home for almost two years with a new baby. I’m now in the position to begin working again, and I want to start my career right away. Can you give me some advice on where and how to start?

TA: Well, welcome back to the professional workforce! It sounds like you are quite eager to return to the field of librarianship – and I hope you will convey that enthusiasm in your cover letter and resume when applying for professional positions. It seems to be a daunting task, retooling yourself to re-enter the workforce, but just know that you are not alone. Every year people just like you take a period of leave from their work for many reasons, and then successfully return to the profession. Here are a few things to think about as you set your course to return.

While you are at home and during your job search

Take some time to assess and refresh your skills. Assessment will help you when you are looking for positions, as well as when you are crafting your resume. And, if you need to “beef up” your resume, refresh your skills by taking a class or two or by participating in volunteer activities. When you talk about your volunteer activities on your resume, be sure to put them in a professional context (e.g., talk about the computer skills, organizational skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills involved with the work).

Also, stay involved and stay connected. Although it may be tough, keep in touch with former colleagues and classmates to maintain your professional network and to also stay abreast of current issues in the field. Things as simple as sending an e-mail or inviting a colleague out for coffee will go a long way in keeping you connected to the work you left behind. Attend conferences, monitor lists, and perhaps even take on some part-time work if you are able.

Focus on your cover letter and resume

Probably the most important thing you need to do right now is build an excellent resume. You want to accentuate the positive and minimize your weaknesses. Organize your resume so your most marketable skills and experiences are clearly evident and minimize the weaknesses (in this case, your dates of employment) by not drawing attention to them.

Some would recommend using the “functional” resume format, but, in my experience, search committees and hiring managers are savvy enough to guess that you’re trying to hide something (usually dates). They also often find functional resumes confusing. Instead of frustrating them and making them think you are trying to conceal something, give them the information they need, but present it in a format that sells your strengths and limits your liabilities. Format your resume so that the reader’s eye is drawn to job titles and career experience, not the particular dates of employment. Perhaps include the dates after your job title, but before your list of responsibilities; bold your job titles, but not your dates of employment.

Also, use your cover letter to explain gaps in employment. Be direct and up-front about it. There is no need to make apologies. If, as in your case, you have been out to care for children (which is more challenging than just about any job out there!) say something as simple as: “After spending two years at home caring for my child, I am eager to return to librarianship and believe I am excellent candidate for your position.” Then, tell them why you are the best candidate for the job. Emphasize that you are eager and enthusiastic to return to the professional workforce. As I’ve said before, your cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself. It is also your opportunity to sell your candidacy to the search committee. Be up-front, be honest, and give them the information they need. Never make them guess, especially about gaps in employment.

Things to consider when returning to work

While your situation is not uncommon, there are still employers out there who prefer to see a consistent track record of employment. Upon re-entry, you may have to take a lower-level position than when you left the workforce. View it as a way to re-establish yourself professionally, and use the opportunity to reconnect and rebuild your professional reputation.

Also, be sure to consider the costs of returning to work: daycare, commuting, and maintaining a healthy work/life balance, just to name a few. When considering an offer, look for flexibility in the position and carefully examine the benefits package. Does the employer offer vacation leave and sick leave? Are there other types of leave that support community and child involvement? Is job sharing, flex time, part-time work, or telecommuting an option? If you do choose one of these options, just be sure the boss knows what you’re doing. Give weekly status reports on your work and volunteer for special projects so you stay on the radar. And put in some “face time:” if you’re working from home, come into the office for important meetings; if you’re working part-time, be the first one in the office, make the coffee and say good morning to everyone. Remember, “out of sight, out of mind.”

Just know who you are, what you want, and what you have to offer. Good luck with the job search!

Additional Resources:

“Be Direct When Explaining that Gap in Your Resume,” The Houston Chronicle, August 19, 2004, Section C, pp. 1-2.

Isaacs, Kim. “Handle Your Work Hiatus on Your Resume.”

Lehner, John. “Gaps in Your Resume: Addressing an Interruption in Your Career Path.”

Marrinan, Michele. “Returning After a Leave.”

Matuson, Roberta Chinsky. “Continue to be Corporate or Stay at Home?”

Topper, Elisa F. “Working Knowledge,” American Libraries, March 2004.

Yahoo’s Librarian Stay-at-Home Moms Group.

Q: I just finished my MLIS degree and need to start some serious job hunting. I am seeking advice about my resume and previous job experience. I feel a bit intimidated that many of my classmates were already working in libraries as aides, library assistants, etc.

I know I have transferable experience, but I want to make it work for me in my resume. Much of my background is basic administrative clerical, e.g., secretarial, administrative assistant. This has given me many good skills, especially with computers, and also in working with people in a variety of settings. I actually temped for many years, and don’t want this to look bad on my resume. I have two internships under my belt, and I worked in a library in high school.

Please advise. Are there any good librarian-oriented resume services online that I can hire to critique my resume? Or should I just get the books and do it on my own?

TA: It’s good for you to start thinking about your job experience and transferable skills while you begin your search. For those reading this column who may still be in school, let me make a pitch that you, too, should be thinking about your job search strategy and skill sets. You may think you have plenty of time because you haven’t even graduated. Keep in mind, though, that the typical academic search takes anywhere from six to nine months – so start thinking, looking, and applying now!

However, back to our reader’s questions… While having previous library experience is always a plus, it isn’t necessarily a deal- breaker if you have other experience to draw on that you can show directly relates to the job for which you are applying. (Another note to those still in school: I know we’ve said this at least a hundred times, but it bears repeating. Get as much experience as possible while you are in school. It will be a practical supplement to the theory you learn in the classroom and will look excellent on your resume. Use field experiences, independent studies, student assistant experience, etc., to build your library experience. This makes for a better-rounded applicant, and, when given two candidates who are more or less equal, search committees are more likely to select the candidate with experience over the candidate without.)

And again, back to the reader’s questions. There are three areas to address: transferable skills, including your temporary experience on your resume, and using resume services.

Transferable Skills

When you are applying for positions, always look for transferable skills. You may not have experience as a library aide or assistant, but you may have experience that relates to the position for which you are applying.

You mentioned computer skills and the ability to work with a diverse clientele, both of which are incredibly important in today’s library. If you are able, draw direct parallels between your experience and the experience that is called for in the vacancy announcement. For each of the positions listed on your resume, emphasize the need for organization, flexibility, and communication that the job required. Also be sure to mention the different types of clients or constituents that you served, and, if applicable, the different settings in which you worked.

To highlight your computer skills, I would include a separate “Technical Skills” section on your resume (toward the end, after your professional experience and before your references), and list the computer skills, databases, and programs that you feel are relevant to the position.

Your cover letter is also a good place to state your case, explaining what makes you the best candidate for a given job. Use your cover letter as a bridge between the vacancy announcement and your resume, stating your interest in a position and demonstrating how you meet each of the required qualifications. Draw on all of your experience, in the classroom and in the workplace, in a library, or in another setting.

Including Temporary Experience On Your Resume

Temporary employment can be a valuable experience in a number of ways. First, it pays the bills! Secondly, you get firsthand experience at a number of jobs, in a variety of settings. You also have the benefit of working with a diverse clientele from position to position. The ability to jump right in, learn a new job and have the flexibility to adapt to a number of situations are all extremely valuable assets.

But you are right to be a little concerned about how a number of temporary positions will look on your resume. You don’t want to be mistaken for a “job hopper.” I would recommend listing your time with the temp agency, as opposed to placement-by-placement. For example, you could list your experience with the “ABC Temp Agency” from January 2000 to December 2000, with a brief description of your various placements, duties and responsibilities. I would caution against listing each placement as a separate item on your resume; the short durations of employment may raise red flags to folks who take a superficial glance. Just keep in mind that it’s all about the spin – be sure you are able to explain how your temp experience was valuable, the skills you gained, and the benefit your experience will bring to the potential employer.

Resume Services

As for resume services, there are a lot of excellent (and free) services that you can take advantage of before spending good money on a fee service. Take a look at the following list for articles on resumes and cover letters:

• Career Lab articles on resumes
• Info Career Trends
• LISCareer.com section on Job Hunting
• Monster.com Resume Center
• New Members Round Table Resume Review Service Job Hunting Resource Guide

ALA’s New Members Round Table (NMRT) also provides a resume reviewing service, by mail, e-mail and on site at the ALA annual and midwinter conferences. The NMRT Resume Reviewing Committee schedules librarians from all types of settings (public, academic, school media centers, etc.), and the reviewers are available to sit down with you to review your resume materials, offer feedback and suggestions, and answer any questions you may have. They also have career materials available at the resume reviewing site for you to view while you visit.

If you are attending the conference, the resume service is free of charge. If you would like to have your resume and cover letter reviewed at any point throughout the year by mail or e-mail, you must be a member of NMRT. (NMRT membership is only $10 a year; probably much less than resume service, and you receive additional member benefits.) Visit the NMRT Resume Review Service web site to learn more about their services.

Q: I am responding to a library job in academia, and they are requesting a “curriculum vitae.” Can you help me out? What is normally included in this, and what kind of format is acceptable?

Thank you,
Academic Library Job Seeker

SN: The words “resume” and “curriculum vitae” (CV) are frequently used interchangeably, though there are some differences. Both are used to outline and describe your educational background and professional experience when you’re job hunting. While resumes tend to be fairly short (one to two page) summaries of your accomplishments, CVs are meant to be comprehensive biographical statements that provide information on all of your professional qualifications and activities. As such, CVs can be lengthier than resumes; the longer you’ve been working, the longer your CV will be. (As your CV gets longer, older material can be weeded as appropriate.)

Your CV would include contact information, degrees, previous employment experience, and information on any professional involvement or creative activities you’ve undertaken, such as committee work, presentations, professional memberships, grants received, workshops and certifications, and publications. These are normally organized in reverse chronological order.

If you’re new to academic libraries, or right out of school, your first CV may be relatively short. Don’t be shy, though, about mentioning any professional involvement. Did you serve on a student chapter of a library organization while in school? Participate in an internship? Write a successful grant application? Participate in a conference poster session? Once you’re hired in an academic library, you’ll be surprised how quickly your CV will fill up. Most academic librarians, particularly those on a tenure track, are involved in committee work (either voluntarily or not!) both within the library and their institution.

RSG: You will see CVs requested most often in academia due to the fact that academic institutions tend to have different requirements for applicants than public libraries and corporations. While they seek someone who can “do the job,” they also may be looking for a new faculty member who will fit into the academic environment, be able to fulfill tenure requirements, and so on. Academic hiring committees want to see evidence of a history of extracurricular activity and professional involvement, which can more easily be shown on a CV than on a shorter resume. Keep in mind the specific factors a hiring committee may be looking for, and stress your relevant accomplishments and activities.

See also Colorado College’s guide to CVs, which includes a helpful list of possible sections to include.