Q: Dear Friends at Library Career People:

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?

SM: I find that whether you like a job or not depends largely on the situation: the patrons, the setting, the demands/responsibilities/expectations, and the people you work with and work for… and less so on the job itself. I’ve worked in several types of libraries, in a variety of roles, and I’ve enjoyed aspects of each one of them. I’ve also disliked aspects of all of them. No place is perfect. And, I’ve figured out, along the way, what I am good at, what people expect of me, and what I really enjoy doing (and don’t enjoy doing). This information drives me onward to pursue my goals and tweak my job responsibilities and ultimately be a happier librarian.

If I had a dream job, it would be built from bits and pieces of all the jobs I’ve held: this supervisor, that location, those colleagues, these benefits, a mixture of duties, a scattering of clientele, the freedom to pursue my interests, and the structure to be held accountable for my actions and my progress and my commitment.

You shouldn’t feel like a fool. Not in the least. You are doing everything that you should be doing. You are exploring different roles and different libraries; you are discovering what you want to do and what you don’t want to do. You are learning about the profession and about yourself. Getting on-the-job experience in one role and in one type of library is the best way (or, perhaps, the only way) to figure out what path you want to pursue next. Yes, opportunities will pop up, jobs will present themselves (or not) and personal lives will intervene — and because of all these things, you may find yourself following an unplanned trajectory, and that’s OK. It is rare for someone to start out in their dream job, or dream location. You just need to keep moving toward your ultimate goal, and seek out anything and everything that can help you attain it. And remember that any experience you get is valuable.

So, don’t think of it as starting over, and don’t think of starting over as a bad thing. Sometimes starting over, or starting again, is the best cure for a deflated career. In the mean time, as you begin to steer  yourself onto a new career path, you should enjoy the part time position that you love and learn all that you can about the job and the institution and the needs of the patrons, and the skills and resources and tools that are used to meet those needs.

Fulfillment comes in many packages, and even if your current job does not provide the level you crave, you can do other things (while you wait) to boost it up as well as help you move toward the job that you really want. Here are a few tips:

• Make connections and utilize your current connections: talk to colleagues and librarians in related libraries to find out how to move forward, where to look for jobs, and what to get involved in (e.g., committees, social networks).

• Join associations that are specific to the type of library you want to work in: seek out local and state and national organizations and see which might work best for you. Take advantage of the resources and networking opportunities they offer.

• Visit libraries: identify libraries that interest you, see if you can speak with (or communicate with) a librarian who works there. Have a list of questions and ask if there are any internship or volunteer opportunities (if your schedule permits).

• Be relentless in your job search: and don’t only look for jobs, look for skills and requirements for the jobs that you want. Find out what employers are asking for and make a list of things you do not have. Also, broaden your search to include job sites other than library-specific ones. Some corporations and government jobs will post on their own sites (e.g., state government or agency site).

• Rework your materials: does your resume reflect the job you want? You may need to revise it, or change it into a different type (e.g., from chronological to functional). You may need to highlight transferable experience and skills from other jobs.

• Consider professional development opportunities: seek out programs, classes, workshops, webinars, conferences, that might enhance your resume and your skill set.

• Talk to your alma mater: you are a recent graduate, so use your school’s career center and its resources to help you pursue your dream job.

Potentially Useful Links:

http://www.sla.org/

https://www.usajobs.gov/

http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Reference-Shelf/Libraries.shtml

“How do I get there from here?: Changing jobs, changing roles, changing institutions”
by Susanne Markgren and Tiffany Allen

Q:  I’m a recent LIS graduate and have been a reference librarian for two years, but I have long been interested in collection development. Prior to that, I worked as an assistant in a special library doing copy cataloging and collection maintenance, and in a university law library, also doing collection maintenance. Unfortunately, due to limited availability of a collection development class in my program, I never took it and only learned in my last quarter before graduation when I asked to have my practicum in collection development that the class was a prerequisite. Thus I was pushed into reference, and while I’m content in my role, I still often wonder about a career in collection development. I have no clue how I might one day make the transition, especially since it’s such a specialized area of work. Can you suggest any ideas for how a relatively new reference librarian might acquire the experience necessary to cross over into collection development post MLIS?

TA:  Several ideas come to mind when I think about your question of how to get into collection development after a couple of years as a reference librarian.  Here are a few:

• Seek specialized training through a professional association; attend workshops and professional meetings in the area of collection development.
• Take a continuing education course in collection development through an ALA-accredited library school.  Or, consider the possibility of a Certificate of Advanced Study (a post-MLS program) and specialize in collection development.
• Reference librarians know a lot about the collection, so look for ways to build opportunities into your current position.  In many libraries, the lines between reference and collection development are being blurred by the liaison or subject specialist role, where librarians are arranged by subject and not function.  If your current employer doesn’t offer enough opportunity to explore collection development, and you’re willing to dive into the job market, maybe a subject specialist or liaison type position is your bridge to a position that has exclusive responsibility for collection development.
• Look for a professional mentor who is already a collection development librarian.  And how do you find that kind of mentor?  Well, since you asked…
• Conduct a few information interviews—Ask others who have the job you want how they got there, what they love about their job, and what they would change.  Be sure to watch your vocabulary when describing your current situation.  What you’ve described above can be heard as a bit negative (I was “pushed” into reference) and perceived as less-than-careful planning in library school (I “only learned in my last quarter before graduation…”).  Focus on the future and your career aspirations.
• Pursue an additional degree that would support your move into a collection development position.  Many librarians engaged in collection development have an additional degree beyond the MLS that allows them to specialize deeply in a specific subject or discipline.
• If your current employer offers a sabbatical or research leave, develop a research project around the intersection of reference and collection development.  At the end you’ll know more about your areas of interest and have a deliverable that you can share with others.

Q: I started considering a library career about a year ago, but I wasn’t certain enough of my decision to apply to library schools. I decided it would be better for me to get some experience working in a library first. I was lucky enough to get a full-time library assistant position at a public library. In addition to circulation and customer service work, I also do reference, adult programming (mainly in the form of computer classes), and even a bit of outreach and website work. I’m planning on holding onto this job for at least a year or two and then applying to library schools. I’m wondering what types of things I can do now as a paraprofessional that will make me more competitive for library school, grants and scholarships, and eventually a library career. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

SM: What a great question! We always love it when people are planning ahead, setting professional goals and getting experience! And, it sounds like you are in a good position to acquire a variety of  skills and experience that will help you prepare for the job market after you get your MLS. As one of our readers pointed out in a recent comment, it is a tough job market out there. You need to be strategic and clever in developing your career path, and you need to arm yourself with the right experience, skills, and tools to compete for the job you want.

There are several things you can do to prepare yourself for graduate school, and for a career as a librarian, while working in a library (and working in a library is one of them, but you already have that covered). Here are just a few:

• Talk to your colleagues about their jobs and their career paths. Get information from people who have worked in the field for a long time. See what they did and ask them what they wish they had done or learned, and what skills they think are necessary for today’s librarian.
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses, your likes and dislikes. What are you good at: public service? cataloging? Are you extremely organized, socially-minded, technologically-driven? Do you love teaching others, do you like working with children? Do you want a career in public libraries? A good way to figure out what you want to do, and what you don’t want to do, is to get all the experience you can in all different areas and different types of libraries.
• Create something professional for your job: web sites or tutorials or handouts or guides. This will give you something tangible to show a potential employer. If that isn’t part of your current job, talk to your supervisor and see if you can develop something, or assist others who are creating materials in your library.
• Get involved with local library organizations or associations. Volunteer for committees or join discussion groups. This is a great way to network with people in your community and learn about other libraries and other jobs.
• Create a professional online identity, outside of your job: create profiles on social community sites, blog or tweet or join groups and conversations in LinkedIn. You want to be findable online.
• Identify schools that you would like to attend, look at their course offerings, their specializations, their instructors, their web sites, their tuition and fees, and their career services. Contact them to get more information, and ask about possible grants and scholarships.

More information on scholarships and grants:

American Library Association Scholarships

College Scholarships.org

ED.gov

Peterson’s College Search: Scholarships, Loans, Financial Aid, & the FAFSA

Q: I will be starting my MLIS training soon and I have a question about gaining experience before I complete my degree. The type of program I will be completing combines elements of distance based education and a localized scope in its application. I will be able to maintain full-time employment and complete my degree within two years. That being said, I wanted to ask your advice on the type of job I should be seeking while I am still a student in order to garner the type of experience I will need to secure a position after obtaining my degree. I am hoping to be strategic in building my resume so that I am a more attractive candidate. I know that there are Library Assistant jobs that I may be able to obtain before I receive my degree, however, I am curious if you believe that it may prove more advantageous to look for internships or mentoring in lieu of gainful employment or not? I am very eager to begin my training and hope that you may be able to aid me as I begin my journey as a librarian.

SM:  First off, paid employment, if you can do it, is better for several reasons:

1. You’re getting a paycheck.
2. You are held accountable for doing what is required of the job. You will be reviewed by your supervisors, which means you will (or should) care more about doing a good job.
3. You get to learn what it is like to work (really work) in a library. You will discover the good and the bad and you will take this knowledge with you to each successive job.
4. It is (generally) a longer commitment than non-paying types of work, and (usually) you can stay in it post-graduation while you look for a professional job.
5. You will meet people who will become your mentors, serve as references, and perhaps give you a job down the road.

Internships can be wonderful opportunities, but they are usually short-lived and focus on one specific project. Mentorships are also a good idea, and I would encourage you to find a formal mentorship program or seek out a potential mentor on your own, but this should not be in lieu of actual work experience (if at all possible).

Much of what we learn in library school is meaningless until we apply it on the job, and there is no better way to learn about the profession and learn to be a librarian, than working in a library while going to library school.

To answer the second part of your question, library assistant jobs can be difficult to get and you should expect to encounter lots of competition, especially in universities or cities that have library school programs. Because of this, you will probably not have the luxury to pick and choose the exact job you want. But, a good thing to remember when you start looking for professional positions is that employers want experience, any experience. They won’t expect a new graduate to have the specific skills and experience that a working librarian will have. As a student, you should try to get experience in the type of library (academic, public, special) that you want to work in after you graduate. Any specialized experience you acquire along the way is icing on the cake.

To supplement your work, I recommend seeking out mentorship or internship opportunities that address the specific skills and experience you hope to gain to prepare you for the job you hope to get. Also, you should talk to the Career Services department at your school and let them know about your strategy to gain specific types of experience before you graduate. They will be able to help you fulfill your goals. Being strategic about gaining the right experience and skills (to get the job you want), before you even start library school, is very smart. I have a feeling you are on your way to a successful career.

Q: I am currently getting my LIS masters degree. I want to pursue a career in art librarianship and I am attempting to tailor my courses to this even though my school does not offer an art specialization. While I have an undergraduate minor in art history, I do not have a major in it but I am fairly proficient in the subject. The majority of my library work has been in an art library. I plan on getting an art history masters in the near future (~5 years?) but want to work in an institution before this. How should I go about addressing these facts when I am applying for jobs? Thanks in advance.

SM: Your experience working in an art library will help with your job search, but without a degree in art, you might have a hard time finding a position as an art librarian. Here are some suggestions that might help you in your job search:

• see if you can do an art-related research project (e.g., thesis), independent study, or practicum, as part of your school work
• be mobile, widen your search, if at all possible, to include all art-related librarian positions in any part of the country
• if you are currently working in an art library, see if you can create research guides/sites/tools (you can then showcase these in your portolio/resume)
• highlight your experience working in art libraries (provide examples of work that you did)
• highlight your minor in art
• mention, or list on your resume, any art-related classes or research
• mention your plan to obtain a second masters in art history
• apply for general positions (not necessarily art-related) at institutions that have art programs

In the mean time, look into possibly taking an online art librarianship course at another institution. Research art history programs, so you have an idea of where you might want to go and what you might want to focus on for your art history degree. Maintain your vision for your dream job and create goals for yourself. This will also help you when you get to the interview stage, as many academic positions require a second masters. They want to know that if you are hired, you already have a plan to complete your advanced subject degree. Caveat: if you do apply for more generalized positions that do not require any subject expertise, you may want to tone down the art librarianship speak. A search committee might get the impression (rightly so) that you will leave after a few years, to move into your dream ‘art librarian’ job. Which is completely OK… but they don’t have to know that.

Q: I’m just starting my professional job search, and I was wondering how to market my interest in different areas. I’m equally interested in both academic librarianship and young adult librarianship, with experience and classes in both. I plan to apply for both types of jobs. How should I talk about my interests and career goals in an interview? I feel like I should tailor my goals to the specific position, but I don’t want to lie about my interest in other types of libraries and I don’t want to be thought of as desperate for any position. Plus, I really don’t know what to say if I’m applying for a job in a third area. Help!

SM: Simple answer: Only apply for jobs that interest you, and market your skills, experience, and interest to the job at hand. You should definitely, absolutely, tailor your materials (resume, cover letters, etc.) to each position.

Any library experience you have, at this point, will help you get a job. Include all of your library experience on your resume, but highlight your public library experience when applying for public library positions and academic library experience when applying for academic positions. During an interview, you wouldn’t talk about your interest in other types of libraries; you would talk about how your experience, and the skills you learned, working in other types of libraries will help you in this particular job. Keep in mind that many of the skills you have are transferable like customer service, marketing and expertise using various technologies. You won’t be thought of as desperate, or lying, if you are genuinely interested in the position. And, search committees (that I’ve been involved in, anyway) like job applicants who are versatile and have experience in diverse roles and different types of libraries. You can play up your versatility to an extent; just make sure to always place emphasis on the required and preferred qualifications of the job at hand.

If you haven’t yet, you should start thinking about your long-term career goals. I know it can be tricky to do this when you are just starting out and you don’t quite know where you are headed… but try to imagine your future in libraries. Where do you see yourself in five or ten years (which is a question you might get asked in an interview)? If you see yourself as an academic librarian working with college students, then maybe you want to limit your applications to academic positions, or if you ultimately see yourself as a public librarian working with young adults, then maybe you want to limit your applications to public library positions. It can be difficult, but not impossible, to switch from one area of librarianship to another, later on. To conclude, you will get a good taste of what each job will be like as you interview, and you might be perfectly happy in either type of library (or a different one altogether). Just be sure that you choose a setting and position that makes you feel comfortable, supported and engaged. Your first professional position will help to direct the rest of your library career.

Q: Any hints for a husband and wife seeking to relocate together to another academic institution? Can it be done? (He’s in archives/special collections, I’m currently in resource sharing, but have cataloging experience and have worked in public libraries in various capacities. Both of us have an MLS.) If either of us were a finalist for a position somewhere, would it be proper to inquire about job possibilities for the other spouse?

SM: Dear Librarian + Spouse,

The good news is that yes, it is possible, and even somewhat common in higher education for institutions to hire spouses. This is usually called dual-career hiring. It is fortunate that both of you are seeking academic positions.

My advice is for the two of you to apply for positions, ones that you are qualified for and truly want. Don’t concern yourselves at this point about whether or not a particular institution will also hire a spouse. Before you go for an interview, do your research into dual career resources at the university or institution. Gather all the information you can on it, and contact the correct people at the institution, if needed, to ask questions. Keep in mind that this is all moot until you actually get a job offer.

At the interview stage, do not mention to the search committee that your spouse is also looking for a job at the same institution. The search committee cannot legally ask you about marital status and by bringing it to their attention you could put the committee at risk of investigation if you were not hired. If your spouse applies for a job at the same library, chances are the search committee already knows this, but still do not mention it. Once you get a job offer, then you can bring it to the attention of the library director, or human resources (or the person who formally offers you the position), and ask what kind of program they have in place for spousal hiring. Some institutions will have well-defined programs and others will not. After you have been offered the job, it is your right to negotiate terms and your right to ask for time to consider what they have to offer.

As you’ve probably already figured out, you and your spouse need to decide if securing jobs for the two of you is a deal breaker. Will you only take a job if they have one for your spouse? What factors (e.g., your dream job, dream location, salary, benefits, etc.) will you need to consider when making this important decision?

I know several faculty members (including a few librarians) whose spouses were hired along with them (not all were faculty positions). In an ideal world, if the university/library/search committee really wants you then it would be in their best interest to find a job for your spouse. But, in reality, finding jobs for the two of you at the same institution, or even in the same city, can be a complicated and prolonged process. Best of luck to you both.

Here are some informational sites and resources from higher education institutions on dual-career hiring:

Realities of Dual Careers
Inside Higher Ed

Dual Career Academics
Stanford University

Lessons of a Dual Hire by Rebecca Manderlay
Chronicle of Higher Education, August 19, 2009

The Dual Career Network
The University of Iowa

Dual Career FAQs
University of Virginia

Faculty Spousal and Partner Hiring Assistance Program
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Spouse/Partner Employment: Dual Career Services
The University of Minnesota

Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

Q:  In December of 2008, I completed an MLIS degree from a fairly well-respected state university. The whole time I was in library school (2.5 years) I worked as a circulation clerk in a medium-sized public library which is part of a three county system. When it came close to graduation, I started applying for professional jobs in that system. I got interviews, but no offers. At least once, I was never extended the courtesy of a phone call to tell me I had not been chosen. I ended up getting a good job with a five county library system in a small town an hour south of where I had been living. Reluctantly, I moved there. I am used to living in a vibrant college town which is full of culture and stimulating activity. I was bored and lonely in the small town. The library’s director was a tyrant who treated her employees in a condescending manner. I quit in three months after an unexpected personal tragedy, and moved back to the town where I went to college.  Since, I have been doing some teaching, receptionist work, bartending, and working in a greenhouse. I want to be a public librarian. I wouldn’t mind working in children’s, teen services, circulation, or reference. I am confused as to why the system I worked for during school won’t hire me, and no one else will either. I don’t think it’s my resume, which has been looked over at state conference by a library branch manager and met with approval. Maybe it is my interview skills. Maybe it is the fact that I quit the job in the small town so suddenly and it has affected my reputation negatively. My question is two-fold. What can I do to better my chances at landing a job in a library? Is there a way I can get more library related experience to put on my resume that would possibly help me in the future?  Sincerely, Bummed Bookworm

 
TA:  Dear Bummed Bookworm, I am sorry you are feeling dissatisfaction with your current situation.  I hope that I will be able to assist you in moving forward with a few thoughts and action items. 

First, you need to lose the negative attitude.  I can certainly understand your frustration at not having a library position, and having to make ends meet by teaching and bartending.  You did have a librarian position, but quit after three months in the position.  You described the library director as “condescending” and “a tyrant” and you added that there was also a personal tragedy that influenced your decision.  I acknowledge it may not have been perfect, but it’s time to get angry and get over it, because your negative feelings about the past seem to be influencing the present.  You need to find a way to describe your previous experience in a concise, honest, positive and professional way.  If you disparage one employer to another, their fear is that you’ll do the same to them when you’ve moved on.  And it’s just not professional. 

You’ve got a lot of things working for you, and that’s what you need to focus on.  First, you have a couple of years of solid public library experience.  Second, you’ve had your resume reviewed by others and feel pretty good about it.  Your interests are also wide (“children’s, teen services, circulation, or reference”), which broadens your opportunities. 

Your “To Do List” from me also has a few items to consider.  First, look at your cover letter and make sure its tone is positive and professional, and that it ties your experience to the needs of the position.  Your cover letter should project enthusiasm and confidence, and should be tailored to each position you apply for.  Second, you should consider going back to your supervisors at your first library system and asking them what you can do to make yourself a more competitive applicant for their positions.  Do you, for example, need to brush up on technology or repair any relationships from your previous employment?  If you ask someone to serve as a reference for you, be sure you ask them if they can be a GOOD reference for you for a SPECIFIC position.  Ask them to discuss with you their assessment of your strengths and weaknesses for the position, and ask if there’s anything they need from you to better prepare for the reference.  Make it easy for them to talk well about you.  Third, work your professional network to see if there are any volunteer positions available.  You will need to work carefully to build this into your already-busy schedule, but a volunteer position will allow you to keep your skills current, build a wider professional network, and rebuild a professional reputation.  Prove yourself to be trustworthy, reliable, professional and invaluable as a worker and a colleague.

Q:  I have been a school librarian since 1998, I would like to work in an Academic Library, I was an adjunct for 1 year at a community college.  How would I market myself so that I would at least get an interview?  HS students are not that far removed from freshman in college.

TA: In my opinion, it is always the candidate’s responsibility to “sell” his or her candidacy to the hiring institution, and in a way, I think that’s your question: How do I market my experience as a school librarian and community college instructor to be considered a viable candidate for an academic library position?  I believe it comes down to three things: your cover letter, your resume and your transferable skills. 

Academic librarians do many things, but let’s assume you’re considering a public services position.  Look at your experience both as a school librarian and as an instructor and draw parallels between what you’ve done and what the hiring institution is looking for.  Try to put things into a context and vocabulary that are similar.  For example, talk about the reference and instruction you do, one on one and in small and large groups.  Talk about research consultations with upper level students and assisting with the research process.  You may also want to draw on your experience as a community college instructor to talk about working with faculty and instructors and students at the college level.  Use your resume to document your work history, and your cover letter to draw the parallels between your experience and their qualifications. 

It may be a difficult process.  It’s a fairly significant leap from school libraries to academic libraries, and it may take some time and planning.  Don’t forget librarianship at the community college level or in a smaller academic environment.  That could be a nice transition into a larger academic library and may give you the chance to get familiar with students and faculty at the collegiate level.

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…