This question is answered by our newest Library Career Person, Carrie Netzer Wajda.

Q: I am a 2007 MSIS graduate. A month after finishing library school I was able to start in a contract position with a large non-profit hospital. At the time I thought it was an amazing opportunity; now I’m not so sure. After marrying a member of the military I was able to continue in the contract position and transition to telecommuting. This is a part-time, non-traditional library position,  and I doubt I’ll have many further opportunities for growth or for learning new skills. I am concerned I missed out on the opportunity to start my library career off on solid footing. My job title is contractor and I don’t know how to make it more attractive a description to potential resume readers without raising questions. I’m now actively searching for a full-time position with benefits, but have had not succeeded in getting so much as an interview in two years. Could the non-traditional nature of my experience be hindering my search? I am very active in two professional library organizations, but my spouse is now planning a long-term military career, and I’m concerned that even if I get the chance to gain some experience in a traditional setting I’ll have to rebuild a professional network and job hunt every time we move. Is it time to consider leaving librarianship? Would more or different training help?

CNW: Careers are only one aspect of our lives, and balancing career and family needs is a challenge for many people. For the time being, it seems as though you have found a flexible role that can accommodate your spouse’s military career growth. There’s no reason to feel that you have gotten your career off to a bad start. It sounds like you have done very well in finding a role that makes use of your specialized training but is flexible enough to accommodate your family’s needs.

Since you have already been on the job market for two years and you’re not getting interviews for traditional library roles, it’s a possibility that your contract status is making you appear less attractive to prospective employers. However, you may also want to revisit how you are framing your skills and work history. Since employers want to hire the most qualified candidate, it would be a good idea to reach out to your professional network for help with framing your qualifications in the most attractive light. Note that I don’t advise fudging details of your employment or experience, but articulating clearly and concisely how your skills relate to the specific traditional library job you want. This means tailoring your resume and cover letter for each job application and telling the story of how your unique skill set qualifies you for the position.

Since you are still relatively early in your career, more training could benefit you in the long run but it won’t necessarily help your library career. I recommend that you look closely at your reasons for wanting a traditional library job. If you will be moving frequently, you will likely find it frustrating to uproot your career repeatedly – and in the long run this pattern could make you a less attractive candidate to traditional employers who value stability. It sounds as though you have outgrown your current gig and are ready for new challenges and professional experiences along with the benefits that come with a full-time job. Full-time, location-independent roles do exist for librarians, though you are more likely to find them in a nontraditional setting. Consider building on your nontraditional experience by looking for a full-time job that can flourish in tandem with your spouse’s career – wherever that may take you.

This answer is provided by our guest author, Ellen Mehling.

Q: I spent seventeen years as a teacher of English in a high school and the past fifteen years as a secondary school library media specialist.  It has been a fantastic experience.  I want to share my experiences with the higher education world.  I am retiring in July from a wonderful career with the New York City Department of Education. I want to teach teachers or library students. I do not have a Ph.D.  Are unsolicited CVs frowned upon? I know where I would like to work, but don’t see any available positions.  What is the best way to approach this?

EM: As with any kind of a career switch, making the move from high school teaching to teaching in higher education is likely to take some time and effort.  Competition for such teaching positions is very strong right now, with dozens or even hundreds of applicants for a single posted opportunity, and employers prefer to hire those who already have the desired experience (in this case, teaching in college/graduate school). The burden is on you as the applicant to persuade a hiring manager or committee that you should be given a chance. Any kind of teaching at the college level would be beneficial for you to do to start getting such experience, on your way to your goal. You may want to try local community colleges first.

If you’re seeking an adjunct position, the lack of a Ph.D is less of an issue; that is more likely to be a requirement for full-time (tenure-track) positions.  Examine job descriptions carefully to see what the skill, experience and education requirements vs. preferences are.

The job market is slowly improving, but it can still be very difficult to get a response even if you are fully qualified and applying to a posted job opening.  Just sending an unsolicited CV in the hopes that the employer will hold on to it and then have you in mind if something does open up is not likely to be worth the effort as a job hunting strategy, especially if you are not otherwise known to that employer.

Start talking to those already in your network who are doing the kind of work you want to do, and seek to make additional new contacts in higher education.  Try to find online groups on LinkedIn or elsewhere of people who have made the switch you are looking to make.  The time it takes to expand your network in this way will be well-spent, as the benefits can be substantial: advice or mentoring, the possibility of hearing about opportunities before they are posted, and even possibly recommendations to hiring decision-makers.

Q: I’m considering making the shift to academic librarianship after 5 years of being a Research Analyst at a large global corporation.  Before my corporate position, I worked in an academic library, so I do have some experience.  The question I have is in the approach.  The corporate environment has given me a lot of confidence and has taught me to seek out what I want and to own my career.  This leads me to have a strong urge to simply call up the head of the local academic library and request a meeting with her.  I’d like to sit face to face with her to share my resume and tell her about my skills.  Note – there are no current openings at said academic library!  So, is this a potentially off-putting approach?  Would I potentially burn a bridge by being this direct?  Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide.

TA: I commend you on your confidence and for taking ownership of your career.  I also commend you for questioning whether or not your approach is potentially off-putting.  My response is, If you need to ask that question, you already know the answer.

Corporate libraries and academic libraries can be similar in many ways, and different in others.  Generally, the corporate culture that surrounds corporate libraries can be fast-moving and competitive, and for good reason—the livelihood of the company can hang on response time and accuracy.  Some of the associated traits, however, can come across as aggressive in other workplace cultures.  It’s a matter of recognizing what works for the specific situation or workplace.

To get a sense of the workplace, and the style of approach that a director might appreciate, I wouldn’t start with the director.  I would recommend you think about conducting two or three informational interviews with others in the library.  You mentioned there were no current openings at the library.  That’s great.  What that means is you are truly seeking information about the library itself, not about a specific job.  Perhaps there is someone you already know in the organization?  Buy that person a cup of coffee and compare and contrast your corporate experience with his or her academic experience.  Is there someone who is doing work similar to yours?  Invite that person out for coffee and compare notes on how the work you do is similar and how it differs.  Throughout these interviews, you should also seek information on the culture of the organization.  How does work get done?  Do people work in groups?  What’s the style of the director and how does he/she motivate, recognize and reward good work?  If this is a small enough organization, and you learn through your interviews that the director would be open to this kind of “cold call” then you might want to make the request for an appointment.  If, however, what you learn reinforces the reservations you already have, take a more cautious approach.  Maybe you can start with a letter and resume to introduce yourself, letting the director know that you’ve learned a lot about the organization and are interested in being a part of something so exciting… Include your contact information with an invitation to talk further, and wait for the director to reach out.  At best, you’ll get an invitation.  At worst, you’ll be a recognized name when a position actually opens up and your application comes across the desk.  What’s important, though, is that you haven’t burned bridges before you even entered the door.

Q: I am blessed to have a great job in a suburban school as a SLMS.  At my current placement, I have re-structured the entire program, am in charge of the budget, as well as serve 600+ students and 100+ faculty/ staff.  After six years, I am strongly considering moving to Manhattan and applying for a manager position in a city library.  What qualifications am I lacking as a school librarian as opposed to a manager position? What factors should I consider with this move?

SM: What incredible experience you have! It seems like you might be qualified for many different types of library management positions. I assume that by “city library” you mean public library, although you may want to also consider special or academic because your management skills are transferable and often highly sought-after. When applying for manager positions, you will need to emphasize your role as a manager in your current position (even if it isn’t in your title). After reviewing some of the job qualifications for library manager positions at NYPL (New York Public Library), the only qualification you seem to be missing (without reviewing your resume) is public library experience. Likewise, if you wanted to get an academic position, you may need to have academic librarian experience under your belt. Also, there are many independent/private schools in Manhattan that employ librarians. If living and working in Manhattan is your goal, then I recommend that you cast a wide net and see what’s out there, and what your skills and expertise qualify you for. If you have your heart set on working in public libraries, you should definitely apply for positions, and/or submit your resume for general consideration. You may also want to try to speak with public library managers (perhaps at your local public library) and get some feedback on what you can or should be doing to pump up your resume.

I wrote an article entitled “A Librarian’s Guide to Relocating to NYC” for METRO, which is an organization that you will find enormously useful as you look for jobs and get to know the city. Factors to think about when moving to, and looking for work in, Manhattan — other than the enormous variety of workplaces, are: cost of living, geography, transportation, networking, and using social media to help you connect with others. Best of luck!

Q: I recently discovered your site and have found it very helpful.  My situation is identical to many recent library school graduates.  I have had my MLS for nearly three years. Since I graduated, I have worked part-time in an after school program, as a media specialist, and currently, as a substitute teacher.  I have been unemployed for over a year.  I understand that it’s the economy and that there are many people in similar positions.  I also know that I am doing everything I can to improve both my skills and my marketability.

I worked an internship in a public library youth services department while a student, so I had four years of library experience before graduation.  I also have experience in museum and resource center settings.  I have an e-portfolio and social networking presence.  I subscribe to library, education job-hunting list-serves and follow related Twitter accounts.  I customize each cover letter and resume, carefully prepare for interviews, and craft customized thank you emails.  I am currently pursuing certification in educational technology.  I plan to volunteer in a local elementary school media center and local university library.  Since I am a student, I also plan to look into student library positions at my university.  I have also broadened my geographical search parameters, but I am limited to two regions in my state.

If my job search is too narrow, I’d be considered too picky.  Too broad, and I’d be considered either too desperate or someone who doesn’t do my research.  I am able to communicate how my library skills will be an asset to paraprofessional, retail, and other positions for which I am overqualified.  I have received mixed views about applying for paraprofessional positions.  The positives: it will get my foot in the door, I’d be getting the experience, and I’d be working in a library.  The negatives: why should the library waste time and resources on someone who might leave as soon as something better comes along?  For jobs that I am under-qualified for or don’t have enough experience in that particular field, it’s a catch-22.  I need experience to get a job, a job to get experience, and so on.

I’m trying not to be discouraged, but it’s not easy.  I keep telling myself I’m doing the best that I can, that there are so many librarians in my position, and that there are people far worse off.  I am trying to look up alternative careers for librarians and related search terms.  Is there something else I should do to improve my skills and marketability?  At what point do I throw in the towel and seek another career path?  My intention for this letter is not to complain (I’ve landed interviews, so I know I’m doing at least something right).  I just figure that I might not be doing enough and wanted to get professional advice.

TA: Well, this is a tough one.  From what you describe above, it sounds like you’ve covered all your bases and done a lot of work.  I am really impressed with all the attention you’ve paid to different work experiences, creating and maintaining an e-portfolio and social media presence, and your additional coursework on the educational technology certification.  Having limited geographic mobility can impose some limits on the job search, but you’ve done a lot to compensate for that limitation.

Your question about paraprofessional work is one that is greatly debated and I’m not sure there’s ever one answer that’s right for everyone.  In today’s economy, people realize that choices are made that might have been different under different circumstances.  As the employer, yes, it’s likely my question would be “Why here? Why now? How long will you stay?”  As the candidate, it’s your job to allay some of these concerns by expressing genuine interest in the position and the knowledge you can gain from the experience.  You might also want to express some commitment to the position and the institution, and offer your experience and hard work in exchange for a chance to work in the position.

Another employment option to consider is a temp librarian position.  There are placement and staffing agencies out there that specialize in placing librarians (MLS required) in temp positions all over the country, with positions that range from part time to full time, on-site to remote work locations.  Take a look at this list of placement agencies: http://www.lisjobs.com/jobseekers/agencies.asp

Finally, you mention leaving librarianship altogether and seeking employment in another career track.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook:

“Employment of librarians is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations.  There will continue to be a need for librarians to manage libraries and staff and help patrons find information. As electronic resources become more common, patrons and support staff will be more comfortable using them, so fewer librarians will be needed for assistance. However, the increased availability of electronic information is also expected to increase the demand for librarians in research and special libraries, where they will be needed to help sort through the large amount of available information.  Budget limitations, especially in local government and educational services, may slow demand for librarians. Some libraries may close, reduce the size of their staff, or focus on hiring library technicians and assistants, who can fulfill some librarian duties at a lower cost.  Jobseekers may face strong competition for jobs, especially early in the decade, as many people with master’s degrees in library science compete for a limited number of available positions. Later in the decade, prospects should be better as older library workers retire and population growth generates openings.  Even though people with a master’s in library science may have trouble finding a job as a librarian, their research and analytical skills are valuable for jobs in a variety of other fields, such as market researchers or computer and information systems managers.”

(http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/librarians.htm#tab-6)

For more information from the BLS on similar occupations, you can visit: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/librarians.htm#tab-7.  Just be sure to check the job prospects of these associated fields before you leave librarianship.  We’d hate to lose you.

Q: I searched your site but didn’t find an answer already on this subject. If I’m wrong, could you point me in the right direction?  My question:  I recently graduated with my BS in History. I have four years’ experience working first as a library page, then as a collections processor in Archives, and now I’m working as a Digital Projects and Oral History assistant in the Digitization Department of Special Collections. My next step is to get my MLIS. However, I am unsure of what to specialize in. I have most of my experience with Digitization and Archives but think I would be happier in a different area. I’d like to work with people more and love the hustle and bustle of reference and circulation. However, I am also in love with children’s literature and would love an opportunity to work with kids, set up reading programs in the library, etc. I feel that I can be happy in many capacities in the library. So I guess my question is what specialization do you feel is the most marketable? With library jobs being competitive, I’d like to choose a specialization in library school that will be widely marketable when I begin looking for permanent positions, but that will also be something I will enjoy doing for the long haul.

TA: I totally understand your question about finding ways to be most marketable upon graduation, but you also want to find a specialization that works for you.  You can be marketable and terribly unhappy, and that’s not where you want to end up.  Employers look for experience and potential, and library school is a great time to explore different areas of specialization and to try things on to see if they fit.  From taking a variety of classes, to different internships and volunteer opportunities, you can spend some time exploring librarianship.  According to ALA, the amount of academic credit hours required for an ALA-accredited MLS can vary from 36 semester hours to 72 quarter hours—this is both a lot of time, and time that flies by too quickly.  You should talk with an academic advisor at the school to chart your course, including which classes to take, how and when to register for field experiences, and identifying volunteer or paid work experiences.  Above all else, leave library school with the degree AND work experience.

Now is also a great time to join a few professional discussions lists.  You see if the discussion topics strike an interest.  You can also monitor the vacancy announcements that come across the lists.  Even though you aren’t on the market right now, you can see what’s in demand in terms of types of jobs, regions of employment, and desired skills and experience.  This information will be really useful when you are in library school and are deciding which classes to take or how to gain certain experiences.

Also, remember the power of the informational interview.  Elisa Topper, in her October 2003 “Working Knowledge” column in American Libraries, talks about all the potential benefits of the informational interview.  Her list includes: building a network of contacts; gaining information about internships, practicum experiences and other positions in the “hidden job market”; exposure to terminology and issues relevant to a specific field; and a glimpse into different organizational cultures.  Informational interviews are a great way to explore different areas of librarianship through the real-life experience of someone who’s doing it.  Be sure to read the rest of the Topper article, and refer to our other columns on Informational Interviews to learn more about conducting these types of interviews.

Q: I am a librarian currently looking for full-time public library work. Although I love working with kids and single-handedly run my library’s children’s department, my current position is only part-time. A full-time position in adult reference has just opened up in my area, and I am interested in applying. I have experience with working at the adult reference desk and took classes in graduate school in working with an adult patron base, but most of my 4 1/2 years of library experience come from working in children’s departments. Do you have any suggestions for what to highlight and emphasize in my resume and cover letter to show that I can work just as effectively in adult reference as I can in children’s reference? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

TA: This can be a tricky transition, moving from the children’s department to adult reference (although I have seen some adults in my lifetime behave much worse than children!).  You’re wise to acknowledge there’s a difference and to think about ways to make the transition, like your previous work experience and coursework—be sure to highlight these in your application materials.   Additionally, think about the transferable skills you’ve gained over the last several years working in the children’s department.  Have you managed a budget?  Supervised employees, students or volunteers?  Created a desk schedule and delegated work? Examined new products and trained others on how to use them?  Have you worked with parents on how to meet the literacy needs of their children?  Make your resume and cover letter an invitation to talk more about your interest in the position and your ability to do the work.  Also know that as an internal candidate, you’ve got a professional network inside the organization.  Be sure to make a positive impression in all of your interactions and have people prepared to speak positively on your behalf.

Q: Can an ATS system be configured to automatically exclude resumes that include certain words?  I frequently read about the need to include certain keywords in my resume so applicant tracking systems can easily find them. However, I’ve never seen anything on the need to exclude certain words. Does HR ever set up their ATS to exclude resumes from their systems that mistakenly list sex, age, race, and other protected categories? I am concerned because my university still includes the word “woman” in its title, and I am curious if this is part of why I rarely receive interviews from places that require a full online application versus just emailing a cover letter and resume.

TA: I can’t say that I’ve ever heard of an Applicant Tracking System (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applicant_tracking_system) being set up to exclude applications based on certain keywords.  As you mentioned, I’ve always heard of these systems scoring applications and giving higher points to those that included specific keywords (like a relevancy rating).  So more keywords = higher relevance and higher score.  Not so much the opposite (certain keywords = lower score, or even excluded from consideration.)  Additionally, it strikes me as highly unlikely that a company could set up an ATS to screen out and exclude from consideration any resume that contains the word “Woman”.

So maybe your question is really, Why am I less successful with ATS applications than with emailed applications?  There are any number of reasons that are possible here, but let’s start with a few that immediately come to mind:

1. Perhaps larger companies use Applicant Tracking Systems and smaller companies don’t.  If that’s the case, it might also be logical to conclude that larger companies have larger budgets to advertise and recruit nationally, thus building larger, better qualified, more competitive applicant pools.
2. Maybe your emailed resume looks better than the application that you build within the ATS.  Carefully crafted resumes and cover letters say a lot about a candidate’s style and attention to detail.  All of that attention and detail can be lost when you enter data into an ATS.  Solution?  If given the option, upload a copy of your resume and cover in addition to the application information you enter into the ATS.  I know it may seem redundant—it’s really the same information, right?—but the time and attention you put into that cover letter and resume won’t be lost on the reader.
3. Finally, sending an email to someone is a much more personal experience than just entering your data into a large applicant system.  Maybe that personal connection—on both ends—is lost with an ATS.  If you can find a hiring contact for the position, send a brief email to introduce yourself, express your interest in the position, let them know you’ve submitted your materials online, and attach a copy of your cover letter and resume.  While you’ve met the technical requirement of applying online, you have also established a personal connection that could be helpful as you proceed through the hiring process.

Make sure your resume and cover letter are top notch and ready to be shared.  Also make sure it’s ready for a technology-savvy world (See: Resume Writing Tips for a Technology-Savvy World, http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resumewriting/a/resumetechtips.htm).

Q: I’ve worked in academic libraries for many years and I completed my MLIS (distance) in 2010.  I have applied for every job that I’m qualified for in my state.  While I get interviews and am invited to campus, the offers always seem to go to out of state candidates.  Is there a bias against local candidates?  Do you know why libraries would always bring in people from outside rather than hire locally?

TA: Well, there’s definitely no simple answer to why libraries hire other candidates.  There are so many factors that contribute to hiring decisions.  The most basic reason is that libraries like to hire the best qualified candidate for the position, and with a national search (that draws candidates from all over the country) that can mean a pretty competitive pool.  It’s good to hear that you stand out among the applicants and continue to get invitations for on campus interviews—that can build confidence in your application materials and your ability to identify positions that are a good fit for your interest and experience.  If you’re not making is beyond the in-person interview, it may be time to break down those experiences, and your performance, to see if there’s something you can improve upon.

Right after you complete an in-person interview, it’s okay to be completely exhausted.  Even if it was a wonderful experience (yes that can actually happen) you’ve been “on” all day long, and that can take a lot out of a person.  But it is also one of the best times to reflect on how things went throughout the day, while memories and experiences are still fresh in your mind.  You should use this time immediately following the interview to process and record your thoughts about the experience.  Did you enjoy the day?  Was the job what you expected?  Were people nice?  Is this an environment you could work in?  Additionally, take some time to reflect on your performance.  Were there any questions that surprised you?  Did you have everything you needed?  Could you have been more prepared?  How was your presentation?  Did people seem to enjoy spending time with you?  Each interview should be preparation for the next.  Although this can be a little tricky, you can always ask why the offer went to another candidate.  You may not get many specifics, but it’s okay to ask “Is there anything I can do in the future to be a more successful candidate?”  And if you have a professional contact at the hiring institution, you can also seek their input regarding your performance as a candidate.  It is absolutely essential, however, that you keep it positive and keep the questions about you, not the other candidates.  Asking for constructive advice on your interview is okay; asking why the other candidate was better or why the offer went to someone out of state is not okay.

Here’s the simple answer to a very complex question: We don’t know that libraries “always bring in people from outside.”  What we do know is that, to date, you’ve made it as far as the on campus interview, without receiving an offer.  Take some time to gather your own thoughts and feedback from others to analyze your on campus interviews and learn from those experiences in order to perfect your future performance.

Here are some resources about interview prep that might help:

• Dos and Don’ts for the In-Person Interview (http://chronicle.com/article/DosDonts-for-the/123828/)
• Master the In-Person Job Interview (http://www.careerrocketeer.com/2010/11/master-the-in-person-job-interview.html)
• Breaking Into Academia: Acing The In Person Interview (http://libraryadventures.com/2010/09/21/ipinterview/)
• What to Do After Your Job Interview (http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2012/09/12/what-to-do-after-your-job-interview)

Q: I am a recent MLIS grad looking for work.  Over the past 6 months an organization I would like to work for has advertised a handful of various positions, some of which I was qualified for and applied for.  I heard that they were undergoing a reorganization.  Now there is yet another open position that I’d like to apply for.  I am wondering if I should bother them, on one hand, because if they wanted to interview me for a position they have my resume on file.  On the other hand, maybe a variety of people are doing the hiring and don’t talk to each other or share information.  The submission email address for job applicants is a generic jobs@xxx listing so it’s hard to know who is reading these applications.  Should I go for it again or should I move on and assume I am not a good fit?

Thanks for any advice you can offer about multiple openings at one organization.  I have no experience with this type of dilemma!

SM: This type of thing happens quite often, actually. Reorganization is a common occurrence and can affect job openings, job listings, interviewing/hiring schedules, organizational structuring, etc. And it can affect (or play havoc with) your job applications. My advice is to go ahead and apply for the position, or positions, that you want. Since it is a different position (and one that came up after the reorganization and after the other position(s) were advertised), you will want to tailor your application materials specifically to it and its requirements. Unless the institution states that the applications go into a pool for several positions or they contact you and ask you if you want to be considered for a new position (some will do this!), assume that if you apply for one position, only those who hire for that position will see your materials (other than HR). And, assume that you will only be considered for the position(s) that you apply for. However, every place does things differently, so if you can find contact information for the human resources department of the institution, you could try to contact them and ask about the reorganization and how that will affect the job openings and your applications materials. And, finally, you probably shouldn’t apply for more than two positions at one institution within a short time period. Good luck!