Q: I’ve been a librarian for nearly four years, and I am on my second job and third job title. I am not entirely satisfied with my current position and have been looking for other openings in and around my area; however, I do not want potential employers seeing me as a habitual “job hopper.” Please help!

SM: People change jobs for many reasons, and typically these moves are for the better – a promotion, more money, more responsibility, a change in environment, or an opportunity to learn new things. In many professions or industries, job hopping, defined as the “practice of changing jobs frequently, especially as a means of quick financial gain or career advancement,” is encouraged – and can be the only way to get ahead. In contrast, librarianship is a profession where loyalty and longevity have traditionally been rewarded, and “lifer” is a common term for employees. With its diversity and close ties to the information technology world, though, this can be an auspicious arena for job hoppers.

Newer librarians have less work experience, and do not necessarily know what kind of librarianship they want to pursue or what type of library they would enjoy working in. They may find themselves moving from one position to another in an attempt to find their place in the world of libraries. Outgrowing an entry-level position may also very well mean moving on, either to a different library or to a different position or role within the same library. This seems to be more and more common among newer librarians, as traditional library environments and librarians’ roles are changing rapidly with the technological age.

Librarianship is a very diverse profession, with so many different roles and types of libraries, that finding “the perfect position” may be downright impossible – especially if one is geographically limited. Many librarians, when they are starting out, take the first decent job that is offered to them. They soon realize that it doesn’t quite fit, so they acquire some experience, learn what they can, and start looking for other jobs. This doesn’t necessarily make them job hoppers. Having several jobs, or roles, in your first few years as a librarian can provide a (motivated) librarian with essential experience and wonderful fodder for a resume. It can convey positive clues to potential employers that you are motivated, not shy of change or added responsibility, and are eager to succeed.

But, if you think that you may truly be a job hopper, be careful. There are definitely negatives, if:

1. You do not spend enough time in each position. This is generally one year, minimum. You need to give each position, along with your supervisors and co-workers, a fair chance. You need to stay long enough to gain something out of the position, and long enough to be sure that you do not want to remain in the position.
2. There are stretches of unemployment in between jobs. Job hopping means moving from one position to another, not quitting a job and then looking for another one.
3. You have changed jobs more times than you can count. Don’t make a career out of job-hopping. It might be fun to try something new every few years, but it will eventually make you look disloyal if you make a habit of it.
4. You are hopping out of the profession and back in. Unless you have a good reason to leave the profession, or the position you left for is closely related to librarianship, it may be difficult to explain on your resume.
5. Each successive position is not something more than the previous one. Your jobs should show a progression of skills and duties.

In all reality, switching jobs several times with a clear record of upward movement and responsibility will look better on your resume than staying in one position for a long period of time and not advancing in any way. But, ultimately, it all depends on how happy or satisfied you are. Some people find that perfect position, and they are very content doing the same thing and staying at the same level. Others enjoy, even crave, a constant challenge; if a position becomes monotonous or there are no new challenges in their daily activities, then they start to get an “itch” to move on.

Now, having said all that, you may not need to hop around so much after all. If you feel the itch to move, first try talking to your supervisor and letting her know that you are not fully satisfied in your current position. You do not need to mention that you might be looking for work elsewhere, but can provide some ideas on what you would like to be doing. You never know, there may be a great position, new role, or promotion right under your nose.

A couple of articles related to job hopping:

“As the Job Market Improves, Job Hopping Will Heat Up” by Laura Stevens

“Taking the Scenic Route: Following a Varied Library Career Path” by Priscilla Shontz

Q: I work in a small academic library that employs three librarians, two paraprofessionals, and eight to ten student workers. Many academic libraries desire their librarians to have a second masters degree, usually for tenure, although our institution does not have tenure. I am the only one of the three librarians who does not have a second degree. I want to pursue a second degree, but my director is not supportive of my desire to go back to school. It’s very frustrating, as I want to continue my professional development. In addition, our institution offers a tuition benefit and work release time to take classes. Help!

TA: On the surface, this seems like a difficult situation to resolve. On one hand, you have your desire to pursue further education; on the other, you have your director’s desire to keep his/her relatively small staff on the job, not in class. You need to use this as an opportunity to work on your negotiating skills. Start by looking at the issue from your director’s point of view, and then try to address these concerns in your discussions about pursuing a second degree. Your goal is to make this a win-win situation.

You have many daily opportunities to negotiate: new assignments from a supervisor, a project timeline, plans for action in a library committee, scheduling shifts with student assistants. In any of these, you look at what works best for everyone affected, yourself included, before coming to a successful resolution. This situation is no different. Let’s take a look at some of the possible pros and cons of pursuing a second degree:

Pros: continued professional development; subject knowledge will enhance job performance; your institution provides tuition benefits and work release time; taking classes shows you are engaged in the university and in your profession. Cons: with a small staff the director may need you on the job, not in class during the day; the director may feel that you will be more marketable after a second degree and worry about your leaving; the director may also be hearing concerns from other staff members about picking up the slack if you are away at class or working on assignments; the director may not value a second degree as much as you do.

There are of course many other possible pros and cons, but, starting with this list, let’s see how we can bridge the gap and make this a winning situation for everyone.

First, you will need to address the director’s concern about your absence. Look at possible course schedules – is there a way to minimize your time away from work during the traditional workday? Perhaps you could take a class during your lunch break, or an evening class after work? Easing into classes in this manner will reassure everyone (the director included) that your coursework will not affect your professional work.

Next, have a frank discussion with your director about why you would like to pursue an additional degree. Discuss how you have mapped out a plan to ease into classes with minimal disruption to your work schedule. Explain your need for continued professional development and lifelong learning, and that another masters degree enhances the subject expertise necessary for today’s information professional.* Point out that taking classes will make you feel more engaged at work and in your university community. Finally, emphasize that your ultimate goal is to better serve the patrons in your own institution.

You may not be able to change your director’s opinion about the value of a second degree, but after hearing how important it is to you (and how careful you’ve been to allay these concerns), he/she may allow you to pursue it. If the answer is still a firm no, in addition to pursuing additional educational opportunities, you might want to consider pursuing other professional opportunities.

*In its Statement on Professional Development, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) explains: “Professional development is an important manifestation of the academic librarian’s commitment to personal excellence. It is a necessary response to a rapidly changing environment.” The statement goes on to comment on the responsibilities of librarians and of academic institutions in supporting professional development.

SM: It sounds like you are in an exceptionally difficult position, and there is no easy answer. Ultimately, if you really want to continue your education, and this is the right time both personally and professionally, then go for it! Try to make it work in your present, albeit not ideal, situation. However, my cautious side can sense some possible dangers. Moving forward may create tension and animosity in the workplace, which could make your work environment miserable and which could also affect your attitude, your school work, your outlook on the profession, and your happiness.

Keep in mind that not all institutions grant tuition reimbursement (much less release time), so you may not have this assistance in your next position. This is a wonderful opportunity that will surely benefit your career as an academic librarian and potentially open up new doors for you in the future. On the other hand, getting a second masters degree while you are working will probably take several years. Are you prepared to either tough it out in your present position, or potentially lose the tuition reimbursement if you leave your job?

It is impossible to look into the future, and often difficult to think outside of your present environment, but this may be a time when you might want to try. The ACRL Statement on Professional Development (linked above) makes some important, expansive observations on the profession and offers excellent advice that applies directly to your situation.

Tiffany’s suggestions are great… weigh the pros and cons and come up with what is right for you, at this time. Map out a plan and have a discussion. If you can come up with a plan that shows how this degree will benefit not only you, but your workplace, and you can convince your boss that the (minimal) time off from work will not negatively affect the library or its employees or patrons, then you have a pretty good chance of getting the approval and support that you desire. Good luck!

Q: I have worked in public and county law libraries for about eight years. I was given the opportunity to apply to library school through a “Librarian Trainee” program through my current employer. On the surface this seems like good news, but it is not turning out to be that for me. I am forty-something, and have found the rigors of graduate school to be difficult. I am supposed to be receiving training and support in librarianship on the job; what I am is a glorified “go-fer.” I act as a filler wherever they are short on staff. I am feeling used and disgusted with this arrangement, and have seriously considered quitting my position. If they are not going to assist me and support me in my studies, what is the benefit of me staying with this library system? I feel I will be just as ill treated when I graduate (if I graduate).

TA: I have several questions for you about the type of trainee program you are involved in, but since you are not here for me to ask, I am going to make several assumptions, and then give you some questions to ask yourself. It sounds like you’re getting more than you bargained for with graduate school, and less than you want from your supervisors and place of employment.

The first thing I would recommend is that you sit down and do a true cost-benefit analysis. You need to make a list. Actually, several lists. First, list your initial expectations of the trainee program. What did you think you would get out of a program of this type? Next, list what you see as the shortcomings of the program. Lastly, make a list of the things you can do to change the outcome.

Initial Expectations

At some point, you were obviously excited about the possibility of possessing an MLS, so you took advantage of an opportunity offered to you by your employer. The question now is, at what cost? Make a list of the things you get from being in the librarian trainee program. You are going to library school. Is this something you could have done prior to being a trainee? Is financial assistance for your education part of the trainee program? How about time off for school or a flexible schedule to accommodate your classes? It’s easy when we’re unhappy to focus on the negatives and everything that’s wrong. But in order to make an informed decision, we need to have all of the information, and that means assessing the positives as well.

Shortcomings

You mentioned being unhappy with the absence of the training and support you need, and filling in wherever there was a staff shortage. These can be real disappointments, but can also be survived. In my opinion, the best mentor/protegee relationships occur naturally, not by assignment. You may not find someone in your current workplace to fill this role. But don’t give up. Keep looking and forming relationships with people at work and at school. Continue to be interested in all areas of librarianship and continue to reach out to others in the field. You will eventually find someone to assume the mentor role and who will offer the career guidance and support you value so highly.

Changing the Outcome

There are several things that come to mind to try in your effort to change the outcome of this situation. First, be proactive. In your journey from department to department, you are getting quite the initiation to the entire library – a bird’s eye view that some folks would envy. During your tour, perhaps you could identify special projects that relate to your coursework. Seeking out the opportunity to oversee a special project would demonstrate initiative, and you may have the opportunity to work on a more specialized task at a higher level. Another benefit: your experience may provide a nice case study to write about in one of your classes.

A second option for altering your current situation involves more of a shift in perspective than anything else. You said you felt like a “go-fer,” moving from department to department wherever there was a staff shortage. This may not seem glamorous, but you are getting a great opportunity to see all of the departments of the library and their inner workings. There are students coming out of library school who choose their specialization in libraries (and accept their first job) based on their coursework. You have the opportunity to try your hand at all types of librarianship long before having to make a decision about your first professional position. Consider your journey through the library as a practice-based supplement to your academic education. Additionally, I don’t know of any library that has never had to manage without a staffing shortage. Your experience filling in where needed says, “I’m a team player,” and will serve you well when you have to manage similar situations as a library supervisor or department head.

Finally, you need to consider how long the trainee program lasts and ask yourself if you can stick it out long enough to complete graduate school. With a wide range of library experience, initiative demonstrated through special projects, and an MLS in hand…Oh, the places you’ll go.

Q: I recently accepted a position that is completely different from the position advertised. It does not fit my job criteria nor will it enable me to continue to remain current in my profession. I feel that I will make a serious mistake remaining in this position. Is it acceptable to pursue another position after four months of employment or should I continue in a situation that could prove to be detrimental to my career in the long term? Please advise.

SM: You should definitely not stay in a position if it makes you unhappy. Nor should you stay in a position that you believe may be detrimental to your future career. If you haven’t done so already, start looking for a new position immediately. Do not feel guilty and do not listen to people who tell you to “stick it out for a year.” If you are miserable, you need to get out before the environment harms not only your career, but also your interest in the profession and ultimately your sanity.

There are many reasons why people find themselves in the wrong job – it may be a misrepresentation of the position and the duties, it may be a job that they have outgrown and no longer enjoy, it may be a supervisor or co-worker who is impossible to work with. Multiple factors contribute to our happiness in the workplace; the lack of one can cause the work environment to deteriorate quickly. Most of us have stumbled into unsuitable, if not unbearable, positions at one point in our careers, or had our jobs deteriorate due to environmental factors. I have a friend who has a great job at a prestigious university library but dreads going in to work in the morning because he does not get along with a new co-worker. He is content to stick it out for a while hoping that either he will be able to transfer into another position at the same university, or his co-worker will leave. In the meantime, he suffers.

Before leaving any job, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons and make sure you are comfortable with your decision. Before accepting another, similar, position somewhere else, be sure that it is the job environment that is the problem and not the nature of the work. I think that getting out of something that you know is not right for you is a wise move because it shows that you are not afraid to take action. You know what you want and what you don’t want and you are motivated to move on with your career and your life. Staying and suffering will not make you stronger. If do not have a lot invested in your position and the institution, and it sounds like you do not, it should be fairly easy for you to leave. I would, however, stress that you should have a job offer in hand before you leave your current position. Unemployment should be avoided at all costs.

While you are planning your next career move, try not to let unhappiness and frustration overtake you. Attempt to learn as much as possible in your current position in the short time you have left. This position, no matter how irrelevant you think it is, will still provide you with some kind of applicable experience that you can add to your resume. Speaking of your resume, since four months is not an insignificant amount of time, you will almost certainly want to include this position. If a potential employer asks about your reasons for moving on so quickly, your answer could be as simple as: “The position turned out to be very different than I expected and I quickly realized that it does not fit in with my career goals, which are X, Y, and Z.”

The work environment has a fundamental impact on how much we like an actual job. I have found that being surrounded by supportive, friendly, creative people is extremely important to my personal happiness at work. You may want to create a list of factors that are important to you, and, from this list, devise questions to ask potential employers and potential co-workers during interviews. Remember, you are interviewing them as well. Knowing what you do not want in a job will only make you stronger.

For related information and advice, read these insightful articles: “How Do You Know When It’s Time For You To Go?” by Susan M. Heathfield and “Surviving Jobs You Loathe” by Timothy Ferguson.

TA: I must admit that I am one of those folks who would tell you to stay in the position for at least a year, unless of course you fear for your personal safety or sanity. “It does not fit my job criteria nor will it enable me to continue to remain current in my profession” shouldn’t have been concerns that appeared out of the blue. I assume you had a vacancy announcement when you applied for the position and that you spoke with people in the organization when you interviewed for the job. Also, a position doesn’t keep you current in the profession, you do. While you may not be making the kind of contacts you want in your current position, you can still stay active professionally. You can participate in local and/or national professional organizations, attend conferences, participate actively in professional e-mail lists, and read and publish in professional literature.

However, if you still feel that you need to get out of this position, you need to do so carefully. The last thing you want is for a not-so-graceful exit from a not-so-fabulous position to haunt you. At the time of your question, you had been in your position for about 4 months. You should take the next 6 or so months to do several things:

1. Assess your current position and determine how it is different from what you expected. Perhaps you could explore with your supervisor some ideas for moving the position and your work more in line with your original expectations and career goals.
2. Take some time to explore how you got here in the first place. It is every interviewee’s right and responsibility to interview the hiring organization, just as they are interviewing you. During the interview, did you ask the right questions about the position and the organization? Did you ask questions of the supervisor, the library director and your future colleagues? Did you look at the library’s organization chart and mission, or other information available online or in published annual reports? Did you know enough about the position when you accepted? What would have liked to know more about before accepting, and how would you have found that information? At the very least, answering these questions will better prepare you for what to look for (and ask about) in the interview for your next position.
3. And, if your efforts are unsuccessful, update your resume and start looking at vacancy announcements for other positions. After you’ve done the work mentioned above, you should be at just about a year in the position. Once you’ve reached that benchmark, start applying. Be sure you don’t burn any bridges at your current place of employment; you will need a good reference to get out of your current situation. Just let them know how grateful you are for your time with them, but you feel that it is time to pursue other opportunities. Be sure to have an answer prepared for the inevitable interview question: “I see you were only at place X for about a year. Can you tell me about your experience there and why you left?” Keep your answers positive and learn these words: advancement opportunity. Be prepared to share something positive about your current job. You can always say, “My position at X Library really helped me focus on the aspects of librarianship that I would like to explore further, such as…” They don’t have to know that what you really mean is that you didn’t enjoy what you were doing there and want to do something else.

This is a hard spot to be in. I know how important it is to wake up every morning (at least every weekday morning) and want to come to work. But I think you should just chalk this year up to a learning opportunity. Do some work, figure out how things ended up this way, and how you can get out gracefully. Then with a happy heart and healthy mind start sending out those resumes. Best of luck in your pursuit of “advancement opportunities.”

Q: I am currently in a special library setting, working on controlled vocabulary issues for a digital images company. My intention in going to library school was to get a position as a reference librarian at a university. How do I make the transition?

TA: What do they say – that the pathway to library school is paved with good intentions? In all seriousness, many of us go into library school with one career plan in mind, and come out with a job in something else. I work on a campus with a library school, and have worked closely with some of these graduates. I have first-hand experience with students who enter school wanting to be a reference librarian, but discover a passion for preservation, special collections, archives, or something else they stumbled across (in the classroom or a field experience). Once you have taken a job in one area and then decide to get back to your first love, though, how do you make that transition?

First, you need to assess your own skill set and think about how you can extend those skills to other situations. For example, in your current job, you may work with individuals from the digital images company. Think of these people as your “customers,” or “patrons,” and think of the work you do for them in terms of public service. Do you work with them to answer their questions? Do you consult reference materials? Do you perform a mini reference interview with your customers to gather more information about their requests? Some, or all, or none, of these may apply, but what I am trying to convey is the need to examine your skill set to find transferable skills. Transferable skills are those that you pick up in one context but that can carry over to new situations. Computer skills, customer service skills, budget, management and supervisory experience — these are all examples of transferable skills. Think about the skills you have and how they may fit into the new career opportunity you may be pursuing.

That leads us next into assessing the needs of the new position. Susanne will be touching on job searching and gaining relevant experience.

SM: Making the move from one type of position, or one type of library, to another can be a daunting prospect. I think many librarians either have a fear of being typecast or a fear of breaking out of their “safety zone.” If they are working in a public setting, how can they make the switch to medical or academic? If they have only worked in technical services, how can they switch to public services? This fear can lead to missed opportunities and can make perfectly hirable and motivated librarians afraid of looking for and accepting alternative roles and positions.

The good news is that times, and roles, are changing. Librarian roles are not what they used to be, and stereotypes, at least within the library world, are slowly dissolving. Librarians are overall becoming more and more diversified. Traditional positions are getting harder to find in today’s rapidly-changing environment, as librarians are obtaining a variety of skills and taking on multiple roles within their libraries. A reference librarian position can no longer be interpreted as just sitting behind a reference desk and waiting for patrons to ask questions. In today’s world, it can also mean answering and managing virtual reference transactions, keeping up with changing technology and troubleshooting technology issues, developing and teaching library instruction classes, creating marketing and outreach strategies, dealing with privacy and copyright issues, and selecting and reviewing library resources – to name just a few reference-related tasks. As library environments change, librarians who are in more traditional roles or who wish for a little more diversity need to take active roles in redefining their positions within the library.

Finding that “dream job” may be impossible, but finding a position that matches both your interests and your skills is very attainable. You can make the job-hunting process easier by having a willingness to relocate and keeping an open mind about positions and institutions that you might not normally consider.

Relocating will allow you to greatly expand your search and go where the job is. Whether or not this is realistic for you, and for some it is not possible, you will still need to be creative and comprehensive in your search – as well as patient.

Keeping an open mind about librarian roles and titles may open up more doors. If you are looking for an academic position, how about considering a job in a “special academic” library, such as one focusing on health sciences, law, or art? And, if you are looking for a reference position, think about considering a position that includes reference tasks such as desk hours as part, but not necessarily the majority, of its duties. Many positions, especially at universities, are becoming more diversified. You may find an electronic services position that includes regular reference desk hours, for example. But, be careful…don’t just apply for a job for the reference aspect of it, you should be interested in all aspects of the job. Also, reference positions typically go hand-in-hand with instruction, so be prepared to teach.

As you begin your job search, try to be as exhaustive and thorough as you can. Look at ads in journals, trade magazines, association web sites, e-mail job lists, and job-related web sites. Be sure to look closely at the descriptions, the qualifications, and the requirements for each position before applying. Titles can be deceptive, so do not rely on these alone to accurately or completely describe the position. Take the time to write a good and detailed cover letter that emphasizes your transferable skills and your experience as it relates to the position at hand. Reference librarians need good technology skills, as well as excellent communication skills, and the experience you have gained in your present position will only help to enhance your resume and entice potential employers.

Job sites and e-mail lists to utilize in your search include:

• LIBJOBS
• Lisjobs.com and Library Job Postings on the Internet, combined postings
• ALA’s Library Employment Resources
• ALA’s Employment Opportunities

Another way to stay current and involved in what interests you is by joining and participating in associations. Two that you may want to look into are the Reference & User Services Association (RUSA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).

To assist you in your job search, you may want to obtain more relevant experience and skills. This could include taking classes, finding a mentor, volunteering, or just doing some research. Related experience of any kind will add weight to your resume and show potential employers that you are motivated and willing to learn new things.

Continuing education classes, workshops, conferences, and symposia are always good ways to network, learn new skills, and keep up with technology. ACRL’s Professional Tools page has information on e-learning workshops. Its Office of Leadership and Management Services (ARL/OLMS) offers online classes and webcasts on a variety of topics. Also, local chapters of associations and state library associations typically offer classes or symposia for their members. For technology-related classes on topics like Dreamweaver, XML, or MS Access, look into local or online computer learning centers.

Volunteering is an excellent way to network with the library community and to learn about different types of positions and library systems. Many public library systems have volunteer programs that may allow you to get experience in teaching, reference, circulation, cataloging, or numerous other library tasks.

The experience you crave may be right under your nose. Find out what you can do at your current job to gain relevant experience. Is there someone who can mentor you? Can you spend time learning and performing reference duties? Some libraries even offer “exchange programs” between departments such as cataloging and reference, or acquisitions and archives. Talk to your supervisor and find out if this is possible. I know librarians who have switched jobs but stayed within the same institution by doing this.

At the very least, do your homework and research the ins and outs of the position. Find competencies, best practices, guidelines, and standards dealing with reference librarianship and/or academic librarianship. Read the current literature to stay informed of trends and initiatives going on in reference services, especially virtual reference and its many tools, and be prepared to use this information in your interview.

TA: And, speaking of the interview…You have assessed your experience and strengths, found an opportunity that matches both your interests and skills, and created a resume that expresses your skills and how they match the needs of the new position. Now, an institution has called you for an interview. This is your opportunity to once again express your enthusiasm for the position, and to reiterate how your skills closely match the institution’s needs. Think of your experience in terms of the needs of the position and be sure to convey how your skills will transfer from one context to another.

Inevitably, someone will ask why you are making the switch from a special library to an academic library. Be sure to have an answer prepared — and, you’ll need something more than “it’s what I went to library school for.” Again, speak in terms of the position. Hiring organizations want to hear that you want THEIR job, not just ANY job in an academic library. You can begin with something like: “I always thought I would work in a university library, but an excellent opportunity (the special library) came along. I decided it was something I wanted to pursue in order to gain valuable skills and experience.” Then, get more specific: “I recently saw this opportunity and it reinforced my desire to get back the university, working more directly with students and faculty. I like the challenges presented in the position and believe my experience in [X, Y and Z] closely match the needs of this position.” Bring your transferable skills into the conversation, and match them to the position’s required and preferred qualifications.

In any organization, people want to hire the best candidate, the one who most closely matches the needs of the position and the organization. It will be your job as that candidate to educate those making the hiring decision, showing that your skills, although gained in a different environment, will transfer to their organization and that they make you the best-qualified candidate. If you take the time to assess your skills, closely examine the qualifications of the position during your job search, and prepare to discuss how your skills closely match the needs of the organization, you will have the information you need for a successful interview. Good luck with your search!

[ed.: See also the May 2001 ICT on "changing careers" - scroll down to read.]

Q: I have over 12 years experience with public libraries. I stayed in one place for 11 years. Since they would not promote me, I left to get a promotion with another place – which lasted 8 months. What do I say when I go on an interview about my last job? I never bad-mouth my supervisor when I interview, but they still want to know what happened. My boss was an autocrat. I also believe my age (53) is a hindrance, even though I am willing to relocate. It seems like experience doesn’t count for anything. I believe in participatory management, which I do not think most library administrations believe in despite what management books say! I have an interview in a couple weeks for a branch manager job. What am I doing wrong?

TA: I’m of the opinion that the power is all in the spin. First and foremost, take a positive approach. In any interview, it is always best to focus on your strengths. Talk about your strengths and your qualifications for the position. Describe the experience you have gained in your 12 years of working in public libraries. Don’t talk about your age – talk about your life experience. Look for transferable skills – if you worked somewhere prior to your work in libraries, look at the experience gained there and relate it to the position for which you are applying.

Your willingness to relocate is also an asset. If someone asks why you left your first position, don’t say it was because they wouldn’t promote you. Take a more proactive position: say that you were looking for an advancement opportunity. If you are asked why you didn’t stay longer than eight months in your next position, simply say that you realized it was not a good fit and you wanted to pursue something more in line with your career goals, such as managing people, managing collections, or managing services. Keep your answers relevant to your experience and to the position for which you are applying. It is very wise of you to not speak negatively about your former supervisor in an interview. Speaking ill of past employers doesn’t reflect well on you, and it sends the message to the potential employer that if you speak negatively about one employer, you may speak negatively about them.

Now let’s address your question about participatory management. Every library is different, and, frankly, there are some that do not welcome input on management decisions from everyone. Keep in mind that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. I firmly believe that no one should come into a new position and institute change as their first item on the “To Do” list. I think you need to learn a job before you change it. But if participation is something that is important to you, ask about it during the interview. Ask how often staff are invited to participate in major decisions. Do support staff employees serve on library-wide committees and task forces? Are there opportunities for asking questions and providing feedback? If this is something that is important to you, you can inquire about it in the interview.

ALA’s Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR) web page links to various support staff web pages that you may find interesting in your path of career development

ALA’s Library Support Staff Interests Round Table also has activities and resources you may be interested in pursuing. Their online newsletter is available.

SM: Librarianship can be a very competitive field, and self- promotion is extremely important when attempting to move up the ranks. There are many positions in many libraries that are “dead- ends” – that will never result in promotion. Most librarians need to move around in order to get ahead, gaining experience in different places and hopefully acquiring promotions and different skills along the way. Library managers understand this, perhaps more so than others. Diversity on your resume will help you in the long run and will entice future employers. You left a dead-end position for a promotion at a different library. That shows that you are motivated and determined, and that you have relevant skills and experience to get promoted. And experience definitely counts, just make sure that your resume and your cover letter accurately reflects it.

If you feel uncomfortable during an interview, or as if the interviewer is not treating you fairly because of your age or your previous library experience, then perhaps the position you are interviewing for is not one you would want. Keep interviewing until you find the position that fits you. Being willing to relocate should make it a little easier to find that ideal position. As Tiffany mentioned, keeping a positive attitude about the profession, and especially about your experience and skills, will help you immensely. Good luck!

The Public Library Association’s (PLA) web site is a good place to look for information on career development, e-learning opportunities, and advocacy for public librarianship.

For tips on interviewing, writing cover letters and more check out the Job Hunting section of LIScareer.com.

Writing Resumes That Work: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, by Robert R. Newlen, provides useful advice on how to create a resume and how to keep it up-to-date, using real resumes from different types of librarians.

Q: I completed my MLS in May of 2003. Both before that time and since, I have taken on increased responsibilities at the special library where I work (in a non-professional position), most of which are at the professional level. I have been at this library for almost 2.5 years. I really like my workplace and would like to continue here as a professional. How exactly do I get my employer to give me what I want – a promotion? (Sooner, rather than later, because I won’t wait forever.) I am working on a document that demonstrates my worth (from my past reviews, accomplishments, etc.) and I plan to present this to the head of the library. My current boss is very supportive of me and would like to see me promoted into a professional position, but this usually happens when a position is “open” and currently there are none. I think the situation warrants either my promotion or the creation of a new position, especially since I will be filling in for my boss – in a professional capacity – when she is on leave (for a year). Please help.

SM: It sounds like you have already made up your mind and have started to implement a good plan. Creating a document that demonstrates your worth and discussing it with the higher-ups at your library is an excellent idea and a sign that you are not content with the status quo. Many academic librarians are required to do just that, document and demonstrate professional activity both during work and outside of work, for promotion and tenure. So this is good practice for you.

In my experience, it has always been my immediate boss who lobbied for me and procured my raises and promotions, which makes sense because he knew my work better than the director. Since your boss is supportive of you, I would try to engage her help as much as possible. Her words and opinion will mean a lot to her superiors and she should be involved in your discussion with them, if possible. If you do not have much contact with the head of the library, she may not be aware of everything that you have accomplished while working there or of your desire to move into a professional position. However, she cannot be surprised, considering you recently completed your MLS. In fact, I am a little surprised that your employers did not approach you after you finished the degree to discuss your future in the library. This could be a sign that you have a losing battle on your hands.

Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do. Some employers, as much as they would like to, cannot create new positions. It is possible that they only have budgeting for a certain number of positions. This is the case in the small academic/special library that I work in. So it may be unfeasible to think (or hope) that they will be able to create one for you, even if they want to; you may have to wait until one opens up. But, like you said yourself, don’t wait forever. If your employer does not give you what you want, start searching for a professional position elsewhere.

With your current boss leaving, this is definitely the time to make things happen. You do not want to be weighed down with more responsibility and more work with the same pay and same non- professional role. This is a crucial time – you have ambition, aptitude, and, most likely, student loans, and you are anxious to begin your professional career. Start looking elsewhere! You have an MLS and you have years of great experience; you should be working as a professional librarian. Don’t stay too long in a non-professional position if you can find a professional position elsewhere. This may reflect poorly on your resume.

Remember, even though you may not want to leave, there is always the possibility of coming back once that professional position opens up. Many new librarians move away to obtain that first position, and, after a few years, move back “home.”

As for looking into how to write a performance plan or how to begin documenting your professional activities, you may want to check out what other institutions are doing (or requiring their librarians to do) and see what guidelines and competencies exist to assist you in your career planning.

Several university libraries have information on the web about librarian performance reviews. The University of Michigan Library Human Resources Department provides a description of their performance review process for librarians and also defines and provides good examples of goals.

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) has developed Competencies for Special Librarians of the 21st Century (revised in 2003).

TA: I couldn’t agree with Susanne more. First, and foremost, engage your supervisor and keep her involved in every step of this process. If your library is anything like the “typical” library, it’s all about the hierarchy. It sounds like she is already supportive of your efforts and this will lend a great deal of credibility to your negotiations. Her support and knowledge of the organization will be a real asset when you are working your way up.

Secondly, as Susanne points out, now is exactly the right time to start your job search. You have recently finished your degree and have some valuable experience; start looking for professional positions inside and outside of your current organization. You may find your dream job – just not where you expected. The word that you are “looking” may get around your workplace. If they are unable to put you into a professional position, you can at the very least argue for a temporary increase in salary while you assume additional responsibilities during your supervisor’s leave of absence. Your employer will likely want to keep you instead of having a vacancy on top of the extended leave of absence. Also, consider the experience you will gain assuming the additional duties. You will come out a year later more valuable to the organization (helped see them through a tough year), and more marketable to others (new responsibilities, new skills…).

Unfortunately, your argument of “they should just create a position for me” isn’t one that is likely to work. Libraries are generally limited by external agencies (universities, governments, businesses, etc.) and the structures and restrictions imposed by these parent institutions. Creating any position, much less a new position for a current employee, is difficult. It is my opinion that doing anything in an organization should be for the benefit of the entire organization, not just one person. Having said that, however, I don’t believe you should just surrender to the status quo. Keep working hard and proving yourself to the organization. Continue to look for professional positions inside and outside of your current organization. And, most importantly, continue to look for opportunities to build on your strengths and experience. Ask for special projects. Take on new responsibilities. In the end, you’ll be marketable to someone, even if it isn’t your current employer.

In addition to checking a specific institution’s home page for vacancy announcements and monitoring professional e-mail lists, I would recommend the following web sites when looking for professional employment:

Association of Research Libraries Career Resources

Chronicle of Higher Education

Lisjobs.com & Library Job Postings on the Internet

Society of American Archivists Online Employment Bulletin

Special Libraries Association Career Services