Q: I have a professional dilemma, and I would be so grateful for any insight or encouragement you might be able to offer me.

In June 2011, I completed library school thinking that I wanted to be a public librarian. Actually, I was pretty certain of this, even though I had minimal experience working in public libraries. My background is actually in special (government/law and art) libraries.

Shortly after earning my degree, I was offered a part-time librarian substitute position at a local large urban public library system. I have worked as a public reference librarian for one year now, and I have decided that it’s not for me. In addition to this, I have applied for countless internal job postings within the public library organization and I’ve had no luck. I think someone is trying to tell me something that I’ve ignored for a long time.

I feel like a fool, and like I have to start over. However, I am eager to get my career back on the right path and continue to pursue something more personally fulfilling. For the last four years, I have been employed part-time at a government law library and I absolutely love it. Even though there may not be a full-time or professional position for me there, I want to continue to pursue a career in government librarianship, perhaps in a science or engineering library. Do you have any thoughts on how I might get started?

TA:  Dear “Professional Dilemma”:

Please know that you are not alone when it comes to reassessing a career path.  Some enter library school on one path, and exit on another.  Other times, it takes some experience in the profession to realize your true calling lies elsewhere.  But don’t worry, or criticize yourself.  Just prepare yourself and take the necessary steps to get where you want to go.

First, you’re not starting over.  You might be taking a step back, but you’re not at the very beginning.  Over the course of the last several years, you’ve gained professional experience that will translate from one library to another.  You’ve also learned where your strengths and interests lie, so don’t take that for granted.  Check out the other articles about transferable skills and how to market those on your application materials.

Second, we say all the time that librarianship is a very small profession.  That truth is amplified for special librarianship.  This is a tight group of professional colleagues who know, work with, and recommend others in their professional circles.  Make this work for you in three ways: one, stay close to your colleagues in the government law library where you’ve been working (think: future references and recommendations); two, start creating and working a professional network of other special librarians doing what you want to do (see other articles on informational interviews); and three, find a mentor who can walk with you through all of this and introduce you to others in the profession.

Finally, sit down and do some written exercises to help you identify what you want in the future for your career.  Assess what you have and what you need to achieve these goals, and create an action plan.  Just as you would plan any other event, thoughtful consideration, measurable goals, and an action plan will help you get there.

Q: To leave the profession, or to not leave the profession, that is the question. All corniness aside, our family is not mobile, and I have been mostly stuck in special libraries since receiving my MLS in 2006 (with academic library work dating back to 1996). I am not necessarily eager to enter a new career, but there seem to be few options in the large city that I live in. Many academic institutions that would have not required a PhD in the past, do now, including community colleges and for-profit schools. Do you think the forecast is positive enough to weather the economic storm where I am, or should I leave the profession entirely? Investment in a PhD to complement my MLS would be a costly gamble from my perspective. Thank you very much for your time.

SM:  Many librarians have asked themselves this same question, and many have left the profession and taken jobs in different areas and different sectors. We need to do what we need to do for our own well-being; and a paycheck (for most of us) is a necessity. If you can get a job that you enjoy, the more power to you. Our profession is constantly in a state of flux, no matter what the economy is like, and librarians need to be able to adapt to different roles, different technologies, different environments, and different clientele.

As for getting a PhD in order to compete for librarian positions… I would hold off. Unless you have a burning desire to get that PhD, and you would like to teach in a University one day or become a library director, I think it would be a waste of time and money and it doesn’t guarantee you a job (my apologies to those currently getting their PhDs to complement their MLSs). I am surprised, and somewhat concerned, that you say many libraries in your area are requiring a PhD for librarian positions. It doesn’t surprise me that some libraries might include it in a list of preferred qualifications, but to make it required seems extremely limiting. What next, five years of experience required for entry-level positions?

Here are a few tips and ideas to assist you as you search for jobs (and none of them involve getting a PhD):

• Try to stay positive
  It is difficult to stay positive and cheery when you are looking for jobs and not having any luck, but a good attitude (in person and on paper) will reflect confidence, and this is what employers want see in a candidate.

• Connect with others
  Join local librarian associations/groups, attend meetings and classes and symposia, and network with people. Volunteer for something, use your skills in other ways, in other areas, create and connect at the same time.

• Reinvigorate your materials
  Perhaps it is time to freshen up your resume and cover letter. Remember to customize your materials (yes, even your resume) for each job application. You can tailor your experience and skills to each specific job. The most important two things you need to convey (without sounding overly confident) is 1.) that you can do the job, and 2.) that you really want the job  — not any job, their job.

• Build up your online presence
  Do you have a professional online presence? Well, why not? If you are competing for jobs, you need to have one. It can be minimal and low maintenance such as a profile on a professional network, but prospective employers will expect to find you online, so let them.

• Open your job search
  Stop looking for jobs with librarian in the title. Search with keywords taken from your resume. If you are open to working in other areas (and you might have to be if you are not mobile), you might find a librarian, or librarian-type, position outside of libraries (and there is nothing wrong with that).

In conclusion, don’t give up on the profession — keep an open mind and a positive outlook as you search for jobs. Remember that librarians don’t always work in libraries and other professions often value (and need) our skills and experience. And, if you haven’t discovered them already, check out INALJ (I Need a Library Job).

Q: I have a MLS in library science and a PhD in library and information science. Seven years ago I refused a job teaching in a library school because of the abysmal salary offered (I didn’t know enough to negotiate then). Since then I have worked as a consultant and am currently working as a school librarian and instructor at a charter school. How likely (or unlikely) is it that I would be able to get a job teaching at the university level at this stage in my career?

SM: Don’t get discouraged, and don’t dwell in the past. You have the degrees, which is half (or a good chunk of) the battle. And, in the seven years since you turned down that position, you have worked… which counts as experience in the field and is always, always important when applying for jobs (yes, even teaching positions). In fact, many librarians will tell you that their favorite library school classes were taught by adjuncts, working in the field, or professors who had spent a good part of their careers working as librarians. So, with that in mind, make your seven years of working experience “work for you.”

You should apply for teaching positions that interest you and ones that might utilize your work experience (e.g., school librarianship) and also look for adjunct positions which can help get you in the door. If you are not seeing many open positions, contact LIS departments at different library schools and ask if they are hiring or might be hiring in the future. Peruse the job ads for college professors and see what they require. You may need to brush up on your online learning management systems, and your social networking skills. See also this previous question on finding online teaching positions. If you feel a bit rusty, look into taking some online classes such as those offered by Simmons College GSLIS or ACRL. This is also a good way to network with other librarians and instructors and to learn more about online instructional tools.

When you apply for positions, be prepared to discuss classes you would like to teach, courses you would like to develop, and research projects you would like to pursue. Try to get in the mindset of a professor.

Other ideas: talk to faculty members at local library schools, or the school where you got your PhD,  to get some advice on how to get a teaching position. Make sure your curriculum vita is up-to-date and think about professionalizing your online presence: create an online portfolio and connect with other professionals on LinkedIn.

Q: I have a graduate degree in interior design and elected to professionally pursue the less conventional avenue of an architectural resource librarian. I would like to acquire a similar position in a new location (firm and state), but I have yet to find an organization with which to affiliate, so finding job postings is a challenge. Can you help in my search?

SM: The best places to look for librarian job postings in architecture firms, or interior design firms, are with the following:

• Special Libraries Association (SLA)
• Local chapters of SLA — find the one in the state you are moving to and see if they post local jobs.

Related associations, such as:

• ARLIS (Art Libraries Society of North America)
• Visual Resources Association (VRA) 

And, the large job banks such as:

• Monster.com
• Careerbuilder.com
• Simply Hired

As for joining associations, I would recommend that you do so (check out the ones listed above). Within SLA, there is a Caucus for architecture, building engineering, construction, and design (the ABCD Caucus). Not only does it add to your resume, membership in a professional organization can provide you with a network of individuals, and resources, to assist you in your job search, and provide valuable professional development opportunities.  Best of luck!

Q:  I have been a Reference Librarian for a community college for the last ten years. Recently I moved to be with family and friends. I see myself staying here and having a family. New to the job search/interview process, I am wondering how long it should take to get a job. My experience and references are good. Any advice would be much appreciated!

TA: The answer to your question can be a bit complicated.  It really depends on the type of position you’re seeking, the type of institution you’re considering, and the job market in your new location.  In general, an academic job search can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months from start to finish.  In my experience, reference positions generally yield the largest pool of candidates, so competition for individual positions can be fierce.  With your experience and good references, you are likely to be among the group considered, but you will want to explain in your cover letter how you’ve recently relocated to the area and you are truly interested in the position for which you’ve applied.  The one downside to experience is that you may be considered “out of the price range” or “overqualified” unless you state explicitly in your cover letter that you have relocated to the area and are interested in this specific position.

I’ve mentioned this in previous columns, but you may want to try a few informational interviews with librarians in the area to get to know the market, future colleagues, and future opportunities on the horizon.  By introducing yourself before you apply, you’ll be able to make connections that will serve you well down the line.

This answer is provided by our guest author, Rachel Kuhn Stinehelfer.

Q: I have an MLIS that I received about 9 years ago. Prior to that, I had about 10 years of experience working as a page, circulation desk worker, supervisor, etc. After receiving my degree, I worked for a year and a half as a reference and systems librarian at a small academic library. Due to a job transfer on my husband’s part, I ended up having to quit that job, and was unable to find a new one in our new location. So I went back to school, and have been working as a web programmer and database designer for the last 5 years.

I really miss working in the library world, and would like to re-enter it. I now live in an area where there are many community colleges. One of the biggest problems I’m finding, though, is that all the job requirements mention wanting “recent” academic library experience — how can I possibly gain some experience while still holding down my current 9-5 job? I don’t see myself getting looked at twice by hiring committees without it, and frankly, I could really use some experience to get back up to speed on library technologies and procedures. I’d be happy to volunteer somewhere, but academic libraries don’t seem real big on volunteers. Is it possible for someone, post-degree, to get an internship? Any suggestions on how to handle this?

RKS: That does sound like a tough position to be in. There are several ways to look at your situation and many opportunities in front of you.

First, I would call a couple of the local community college libraries and ask to speak to the person in charge of hiring or the department head of the area you are most interested in. Set up an informational interview try to see if you can come in person to talk to them and if that is not an option then ask if you could arrange a phone interview. Prepare as if it is a real interview. Have lots of questions (not too many!) and take a copy of your résumé. Look the part – wear a nice outfit and take the conversation seriously. They will be able to talk to you about the job market, their particular library and the skills that they are expecting from a librarian. Be sure to follow up with a handwritten thank you note. All the impressions you are making could lead to a future opportunity.

Second, you mentioned that your skills need updating and refreshing. Taking a class either in person or online would be a real benefit to you – not only will it make your résumé more current, it will show that you are interested in staying current in the profession. You may even make connections that could lead to a job – you just never know.

Third, to your comment about academic libraries not wanting volunteers. I think that is not always the case. Sometimes it has to do with the school’s overall policy, so it is worth a phone call to the libraries you are interested in.

From your perspective it sounds like you are a bit stalled in making that next step, so I hope one or all of these ideas will help you to reach your goal. And good luck!

Q: How can I get a job in a biotech, pharmaceutical or medical device company library? I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and a MLIS degree. I worked for a publishing/software company (that has a scientific focus) for thirteen years and primarily worked with attorneys and law librarians. Many of the attorneys I worked with were also scientists and engineers before they went to law school and are now representing clients seeking patents, so I have experience working with individuals who do scientific research. I also have experience finding business information and searching in patents. I’m having difficulty getting anywhere because I haven’t worked at a biotech / pharmaceutical company before, but I have the skills and knowledge to find information that scientists and corporate executives use.

TA: Sounds a little like the chicken and the egg…which came first? In your case, you want to work in a special library but need experience to get there; but you can’t get the job without the experience. Quite the conundrum, it would seem. But don’t lose all hope just yet. There are several pieces in your question that just may be your building blocks to success.

First, you have a lot of highly specialized library experience, albeit in a somewhat different environment. While you say that you worked primarily with attorneys and law librarians, you also mention that many of these lawyers were also scientists, now working with clients (presumably other scientists) seeking patents. When you’re creating your cover letter and resume, you’ll need to describe this experience in a way that is directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. For more information, see our other articles on resumes, cover letters and transferable skills, especially our July 2007 article, How Can I Switch From Public to Corporate Librarianship?

Second, you may want to schedule a few informational interviews with librarians currently in your field of interest or with HR professionals in the field. When you’re talking with the librarians, ask them what experience they had that helped them get the job. Also ask them what experience they wish they had had when they started and how they gained it on the job. And be sure to ask them if they know of any open positions or if they could refer other colleagues to speak with. When you talk with the HR person, ask about the working environment, general expectations for newly hired librarians in this field, and what they’re looking for in future employees.

Finally, don’t forget just plain and simple networking. It sounds like you already have friends in the industry, so that’s one way to get familiar with the responsibilities of this type of position, as well as with the resources most commonly used in these libraries. Additionally, it’s a great way to meet other people doing similar work. In this age of social networking, you might also be able to find someone to follow on Twitter who tweets about the daily life and challenges in a special library.  And be sure to use your professional network through professional associations. Here’s one to consider: SLA has an online career center for members, with articles, online resources, and career coaching.

SM: When you’re ready to begin the job search, consider contacting job agencies, recruiting companies or temp agencies in your area (or desired area of employment). Many biotech/scientific companies prefer to hire librarians and library staff using the assistance of agencies. And yes, many of these jobs will be temporary or contract positions, but they can turn into permanent or long-term positions. At the very least, a temporary position will provide you with valuable experience that will help to secure your next position. I know a few people who found librarian jobs in pharmaceutical companies this way. Also, when you’re looking for jobs in the biotech field, use more general job sites such as CareerBuilder.com, Juju, Monster.com, and SimplyHired.com, and limit your search by category or industry (e.g., biotech or pharmaceutical). When searching through the job ads, be aware that librarians working in biotech fields may not have titles with “librarian” in them, so look for alternative jobs titles such as: information scientist, information specialist, library manager/supervisor/administrator. Finally, to go along with the “all important networking” that Tiffany mentioned above, you should create a professional profile on LinkedIn (if you haven’t done so already), join biotech and library groups, and start making connections.

Some useful sites:

Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) – Member Directory

Library Job Agencies

Placement & Executive Search Firms

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.