Colleagues, please accept this invitation to participate in the Career Q&A survey. We’re gathering data in preparation for our forthcoming publication on managing a successful career in libraries. We are collecting responses from librarians working in all types of libraries at all stages of their careers. We anticipate the survey will take 10-20 minutes to complete, and individual responses will be anonymous. There are no foreseeable risks associated with this survey, and the confidentiality of your responses will be protected. We’re aiming for a large number of responses, so please feel free to share this survey with colleagues — all responses are welcome and valuable.

With much appreciation, The Library Career People

Link to survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Career_Q_and_A

Q: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I have been asked this question in a number of interviews, and, yet, I still don’t know how to answer it.  I wonder why some hiring committees ask it, and I can’t help but get the feeling that this is a gotcha! question; how would I even begin to answer this? I feel like it’s a “damned if I do, damned if I don’t” question.

SM: You are right. This question, certainly an old and trusted one, used by many interviewers and asked in many interviews, can be a difficult and possibly dangerous one to answer (honestly). But, it is one that you should have an answer to, before you go on your interview.

Why do interviewers ask this question? I think that most interviewers would want to see something of an upward progression, in those five years, but when no upward progression is to be had in a particular library or particular role, than saying that you want to move into a management position can make you seem overly ambitious, or like someone who is just using the position as a stepping stone. But, aren’t most (if not all) positions stepping stones to something bigger and better? And, shouldn’t they be?

Personally, I dislike speculative questions like this and don’t see how the answers can provide much useful information.  A better question to ask is: what are your short-term and long-term professional goals?

Here are a few possible scenarios, based on honest but unlikely answers to the question (i.e., you probably shouldn’t answer the question this way):

Scenario 1
Answer: I see myself working in this library, in the role that I am being interviewed for because it is the only job that I want and I cannot see that I would ever be interested in anything else.
Pros: you are loyal
Cons: you are not ambitious enough

Scenario 2
Answer: I see myself learning everything I possibly can, and then moving up to be a head of a department or assistant director and eventually the director of the library.
Pros: you are exceptionally ambitious and motivated
Cons: you are not loyal and even worse, you want other people’s jobs

Scenario 3
Answer: I would like to be gainfully and happily employed, here or somewhere else. I just want a job. Please give me a job.
Pros: you are  honest, albeit desperate
Cons: you might just be a smartass, albeit an honest smartass

These scenarios probably won’t help you very much, but they do help to demonstrate the ridiculous nature of the question, and the catch-22 that it puts you in, no matter how you answer. I suggest the following answer, which is intentionally ambiguous and honest in that no one can predict the future:

I see myself working as a librarian, hopefully in this library and in this role, but definitely as a [fill in the blank] librarian, because that is what I love to do. But, who knows, a lot can happen in five years.

Q: I’m looking to apply for a job, but need advice about negotiating the salary. The job ad outlines the range for the position, which, even at the high end, is still much less than the cost of living (according to my research). Is the salary range typically “set in stone”? In every other way, the position seems ideal for me. However, unless I am able to negotiate a significant increase, if I were offered the job, it will actually translate to making as much, or probably less, than I am making now. I have 2-3 years of professional experience. Will this be viewed as a step down?

SM & TA: This is an excellent question and one that many people will grapple with at some point in their careers. We would like to tell you that all things are negotiable, but that isn’t always the case with salaries. Salary ranges are commonly used in job ads and they do allow for some wiggle room, and space for negotiation, but don’t expect to be able to get a salary above the range. If a range is used (vs. just a starting salary) then the high end of the range is typically the “set in stone” limit.

Salaries are tied to amount of experience, type of job, cost of living, and the salaries of others in the library and in the institution. Also, be aware and conscientious of the fact that everyone wants a higher salary, and the more experience and skills you have, the more likely you will be to get a higher salary — whether that means on the high end of the range, or that you will be able to negotiate beyond the range.

Because salaries vary so much by institution and by role and by city and state, it really doesn’t mean a “stepping down” if you do end up accepting a lower or equal salary somewhere else. Some institutions just cannot offer as much as others for the same job, and this will be something you need to consider, if it comes to it. Also, there are many things, other than the base salary, to take into consideration, such as:

• Benefits: the cost of health benefits can vary at each institution. You can ask about the cost at your interview, and see if the benefits include dental and vision. Also, does the institution offer additional benefits such as reduced-rate child care, or gym membership, or the option to take classes for free?
• Cost of commuting/parking: This can be a huge expense for many people. Find out how much it will be for this new job and compare it to your existing commute.
• Professional development funding: Ask about funding to attend conferences, workshops, and other professional development classes. This is important to keeping current and staying connected with colleagues in the profession, and can be very expensive if you are expected to pay your own way.
• Frequency of raises: You may not want to ask about raises during your interview, but after you are offered a position, it is a perfectly valid question. Some institutions provide cost-of-living raises every year (or every few years). Some positions are unionized and the union negotiates the percentage increases for the raises. It is possible that within a few years your salary could be more than your  salary at your current job, due to frequency of raises.
• Flexibility: Some jobs and institutions will offer more flexibility than others, which can be extremely beneficial for people who need flexible schedules or who may want to work part time for a while (taking care of children, or family members, going to continuing education classes or meetings, etc.).
• Upward mobility: Is there potential to move up in the library? Are there supervisors and levels of structure, or is it a flat management structure where everyone reports to the director? If you see yourself moving into a more managerial position in the future, then you might not stay too long in a position that is in a flat structure, with no possibility of moving upwards. And, if you are motivated and want to move up within a few years, that movement would most likely come with a raise in salary. Ask about the management structure during your interview.
• And, don’t forget your own happiness. Will you be able to grow and learn in this position? Will the position/library/institution/colleagues help to make you a better librarian and allow you to move forward in your career and build meaningful relationships?

Recommendations:

Apply for the job. If this is a job that seems perfect for you, apply for it. Don’t let the salary range influence you at this point. Find out if this is the job you really want, and then plan your strategy.

Do not mention salary until you are offered the position. If you bring this up too early, before you are offered the position, you might give the search committee the impression that you won’t take the job or won’t be satisfied with the salary which will make you sound greedy… after all, they took the job.

Once you are offered the position and you are told what salary they want to start you at, you can bring up your concerns. Let the director (if that is who offers you the position) know what your current salary is and tell her that you would like to get more than that. Let her know that you did your research on the cost-of-living for that city and that you are not sure you can make it on the salary this is offered. She won’t be shocked, this happens all the time, candidates are expected to negotiate. Be sure to let her know how much you do want the job. If they really want you, and there is room, she may try to get you a higher salary. If she cannot, then she will explain to you why and then you will need to weigh your options. Whatever you do, don’t make any quick decisions. Take the time they give you (typically a few days to one week), and ask questions before you make your final decision.

One word of caution: If a hiring institution posts a salary range, and you’re not content to have a salary within that range (even after considering possible additional benefits) and you know that there is no way you can or would accept a position within the listed range, you can call the hiring institution to see if the salary range is firm or if there’s some flexibility. At many institutions, once the range is posted, there’s no flexibility (especially in financially vulnerable times). So if the search committee gets all the way through the search process, having invested lots of time and money in getting to this point, and you decline the offer solely because it’s not enough money, that’s not a very graceful exit. We bring this up especially because you mention that it would be a “significant increase” for the hiring institution.

When you do call, do not identify yourself — which could potentially hurt your chances of interviewing — just ask to speak with someone about the position. You can give a first name only, and simply say “Can you please tell me if the salary range listed for X position is firm or if the salary is negotiable?” Thank them for the response and prepare to weigh your options.

Good luck!

Q: I have been fighting the desire to be a librarian for years, after working at both academic and public libraries, and I’ve decided that I truly want this degree to obtain a library/information-related career. Yippee!

So, though I have about four years of previous library experience and am excited about a reference career, I am very nervous about my chances to even be accepted by an accredited library program. My GPA upon graduation eleven years ago was about 2.8, which puts me out of the running at first glance. I think I’ll have solid GRE scores (verbal section and writing will be successes based on past experience), but I’m hung up on my grades. Beyond some type of personal statement, I cannot think of how to get past this major strike against me.

Any encouragement would be appreciated, especially based on observations that you’ve made. Do I have any chance of going to one of the better-ranked schools? Would you recommend taking a few courses to pump up my GPA? Thank you!

SM: Don’t beat yourself up about things you cannot change. My advice to you is to choose the library schools that you would like to attend. Choose several, if possible. Visit their web sites and find information on their admission requirements. They will all have slightly different requirements. Some schools do not require GRE scores and some do. All, however, will want your college transcripts. And some will say that they only want the GRE scores if your GPA is under 3.0. So, you will most likely need to take the GRE regardless of its necessity for admission.

Also, your GPA isn’t the deciding factor in acceptance to a particular school. Letters of reference and your statement of purpose are extremely important. And admissions departments in library schools know that librarianship is often a second or third or fourth career choice for people, and they will hopefully work with you to figure out how to get you enrolled. It is to their benefit to enroll motivated individuals who will complete the program.

I don’t think you need to take more classes to prove that you are a good student and that you can get good grades. Wait for library school. And yes, you do have a chance of getting into one of the better-ranked library schools.

If you are still concerned (or if you cannot find information on a school’s website for applicants who have lower GPAs) you should contact the school(s) you want to apply to and talk with someone in admissions. You can ask about being put on academic probation. Some schools will do this and it is essentially a trial admission until you prove that you can maintain your grades. Be honest and up front, and don’t let your (past) grades stop you from pursuing your dream.

Examples of admission requirements for GSLIS programs that offer options for those with lower than 3.0 GPAs:

Graduate School of Library and Information Science, The iSchool at Illinois

Wayne State University, School of Library and Information Science

Catholic University of America, School of Library and Information Science

Queens College, Graduate School of Library and Information Science

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee – School of Information Studies

Q: I would be very thankful if you could examine my resume.  Basically I have more experience as a cataloger, but I was cross-trained in other areas as well.  I was laid off and I am looking for a job without job.

TA: We aren’t in a position to review individual resumes, but there are services out there.  If you’re attending any professional association conferences soon, there are often free resume reviewing services available on site.  If you’re a member of a professional association, you can check with membership services to see if they offer mail-on resume reviewing services.  Your career services center from your undergraduate and graduate institutions may also offer these services (and many others) to alumni, so be sure to check there.  And finally, there are consultants who offer these services for a fee.  A quick internet search (“resume review services libraries”) will yield several responses, so you can check them out and find something that’s a good fit for you in terms of geography, services offered and associated fees.

Q: I am about to be a first-time mom. I have been looking for online library jobs, but have not had much luck. I’m not really sure where to look. I have a few years of experience under my belt (in public and academic libraries). I really love library user instruction, but I have experience with reference, instruction, cataloging, research, collection development, and much more. I might be moving to a smaller city where there are no librarian positions currently open. Do you have any suggestions for finding a job in a small market, finding an online job, or alternatives to library careers?

TA: Sounds like you have an excellent breadth of experience which will make you a really marketable candidate for in person or online jobs.  It also sounds like you’re thinking broadly about types of jobs, so that further enhances your ability to find work because you’re not limiting yourself to a narrow definition.  Check out the previous articles on finding online jobs to explore those options.  And a smaller city has benefits, with a closer community and an easier connection to other professionals.  You might want to consider volunteering at the public library or with town government to get to know others in town and as a way to make your skills known to others.

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

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

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

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

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

Q:  Hi. I had a few career related questions. I specialized in archival administration/special collections, and I’ve been struggling for 10 years now to find full time work. I would gladly take a job as a reference librarian or public librarian to at least get some full time experience, and maybe broaden my skill set so that at some point, I could go back into archives. But I’ve tried applying for reference/public librarian positions in the past, without luck. I’m convinced that these places are very, very picky in who they choose. They want someone with public or reference librarian experience. And while I have done reference work as part of my archival duties, I’m guessing they want “public/academic” reference experience? I don’t know, but my point is: is there a way to translate my archival skills into the public library/academic library sphere to improve my chances?

My other question is: I don’t have experience supervising anyone since my archival repository is a one person shop. Yet a lot of archival positions I see require supervisory experience. Likewise, while I’m familiar with different cataloging systems, and mark up languages, the collections in the archives are not integrated into the library’s online catalog, and even if they were, we have cataloging librarians who would handle this. Thus there’s no opportunity for me to get experience cataloging archival collections and using the different mark up languages. What can I do about these seemingly impossible to overcome catch 22′s?

TA: A couple of things to note: first, these places are not necessarily “very, very picky in who they choose”, it’s just that there are probably more qualified candidates with more directly related experience.  Which brings us to your primary question: How can I move from one specialization to another?  This can be tough.  As I’m sure you know, archival experience is very different from public libraries, or even academic libraries.  But there are commonalities among them and it’s your job as the candidate to make that case when applying for positions in libraries different from your own.  (See our previous articles on Transferable
Skills.)  You should also consider taking on volunteer opportunities or other part-time work to supplement your skills in the areas of reference and instruction; supervision, project management, and leadership; and cataloging and online catalogs.

Q: I am looking for a library job that can be done from home. I have done volunteer library work from home keying records onto computer disks and delivering them to the library. I have other library experience, and am presently working at a library.  Thank you very much.

TA: Technology has certainly expanded our options for working at home.  There are several vendors, publishers and libraries who offer different types of work for the work-at-home crowd.  Cataloguing, managing e-resources licenses, research services, online reference via chat or IM are just a few options of the work being performed remotely.  Check out this article on working at home and a few suggestions for finding these types of jobs: http://jobs.lovetoknow.com/At_Home_Library_Jobs.

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.