Q: Recently, we’ve received a number of questions with a similar theme, a little like we’ve seen before, but with a new twist: How do I get a library job before I go to library school? Two of those seeking advice have been accepted to library schools in the fall, and want to know how to get a position in a library to gain a little experience before classes start. The question is: How do I get a job with little (or no) experience AND no degree?

TA: First, let me just say kudos to you for giving this some thought before you enter school. Not only will you get a jump on your fellow classmates in terms of job opportunities, but you will start building the experience section of your post-MLS resume. Additionally, working before and during school can really enhance the classroom experience by providing real life context and examples.

I am still astonished by the number of resumes I see with a degree and no experience – or the posts I see on lists of new-to-the- profession librarians who lament the fact that they can’t get a job, but who have no library experience at all. Your time during school should be spent, not only learning in the classroom, but also exploring the profession through work experience (paid or unpaid, for credit or not). It’s much better to learn in school what you really like to do (and perhaps even more importantly, what you really don’t enjoy doing) than to learn that lesson in your first professional position.

So, how do you convince hiring authorities that you’re worth the risk before you have any experience, a degree – or even coursework? First, look for transferable experience. If you have any previous work experience or educational qualifications that may be valuable, play those up as strengths. One person who wrote to us had a background in the Marine Corps aviation unit, as well as ten years of experience as a chef. That individual may want to emphasize the ability to work effectively with others, lead a team, or manage resources, all of which are incredibly relevant in today’s libraries.

Another person wrote to us with the experience of being “an avid user” of libraries. He or she may want to draw upon those experiences as a user to talk about familiarity with print and electronic resources, experience navigating the library’s web site and online catalog, or positive reference interactions and what made the exchanges successful. As an applicant, you’re going to need more than “I love books” or “I love libraries,” but this can be as simple as analyzing everyday events and previous experiences to make them relevant to today’s job search.

Secondly, you’re going to need a good cover letter and resume. Your resume should outline your job history, and your cover letter should explain it. Your cover letter should also draw parallels between your experience and what the hiring institution is looking for. And finally, your cover letter should be a genuine introduction of yourself and your interest in the position and the profession. Enthusiasm is endearing; if you can express your interest and passion for library work in your cover letter genuinely and without sounding forced (or desperate) they’re going to want to talk to you. Once they want to talk to you, it’s up to you to convince them you’re the best candidate for the job… but that’s another column!

For additional tips, see the articles and sites Susanne listed previously on job hunting, resumes, and cover letters.

Q: I worked in public libraries for 10 years. I dropped to part-time after I had my first baby. After two years, I feel ready to go back to work full-time but there doesn’t seem to be anything available in my region (North Dallas). I’m also looking for a job change; I feel I’ve accomplished all I could in public libraries and would like to switch to corporate librarianship. Could you please tell me what’s the best way to go about doing this? Would taking online business courses help? I’ve always been interested in business research but my degrees, MLS and MA in literature, don’t include any business classes. Thank you for any advice you can give.

SM: Your interest in a particular job or field, and your motivation to succeed and to learn – combined with adequate skills and experience – are often more important in the eyes of prospective employers than your background or undergraduate degree. You have a lot of experience under your belt, even if the last couple of years have been only part time. Ten years of library experience will benefit you as you look for work elsewhere, but your resume probably needs a little updating and tweaking, especially since you are looking to switch environments.

Moving to the corporate world will take a considerable adjustment, and your resume and cover letter should clearly reflect your desire to “make the jump.” Emphasize your transferable skills in public services and/or technical services, and your use of specific online and print business materials such as Lexis-Nexis, Hoover’s, ABI/Inform, Standard & Poor’s, or specific directories. Public libraries are, by default, corporate libraries for the public, where members of the community go to use (the often very expensive) business resources. You may have more knowledge of business resources than you think.

Taking business-related courses, online or in-person, is a good idea and shows prospective employers that you are truly interested in the business world and motivated to learn more. I would also highly recommend getting any kind of experience, paid or unpaid, working in a corporate library setting. Visit some libraries in your area and interview the librarians. Find out if you can volunteer or do an informal internship. This type of experience could even help you segue into a job, and will give you a better sense of what is involved in corporate librarianship while highlighting the similarities and differences between corporate and public libraries.

Many corporate libraries use recruitment agencies to find librarians for both temporary and permanent positions. Find out if there is a librarian recruitment agency that covers your locale, give them your resume, and talk to them about available positions. Corporations often post job listings in non-library specific job sites, so look at the general sites such as Jobs.com as well as your local newspapers.

Finally, get involved in your local SLA chapter and/or at the national level. Networking and socializing are important aspects of the profession and will only help to improve your chances of finding a job that you love. I have listed some resources and informative web sites that might be of interest to you. Best of luck!

Social Sites:

Business Librarian
An online social network dedicated to connecting business librarians.

IA: Intelligent Agent
A Blog by Robert Berkman, Editor, Information Advisor

The Corporate Librarian
Addressing issues of general interest to corporate librarians

BUSLIB-L
Business Librarians’ Discussion List

Informative Sites:

SLA (Special Libraries Association)

Texas Library Association, Special Libraries Division

“Corporate Librarian 2.0: New Core Competencies”
by Alexander Feng

Finding Jobs:

SLA Career Center

SLA-CTX Texas Chapter: Job Board

Jobs.com

CareerBuilder.com

Resume Writing:

“Résumés, Cover Letters, and Interviewing, Plus other Important Stuff to Help You Get the Job You Want”
By Ronald D. Pollock

“Crafting a Winning Resume”
By Tiffany Eatman Allen

Resume Writing and Interviewing Techniques that Work: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians
By Robert Newlen