|
|
Rank: Administration
Groups: Administration
Joined: 11/5/2007
Posts: 106
Points: -851
|
I'm updating an article for Library Journal on "how to find a library job" -- what sort of information would you find useful? Please comment here :)
Rachel Singer Gordon / rachel@lisjobs.comFind a library job: http://www.lisjobs.comThe Liminal Librarian: http://www.lisjobs.com/blog
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 94
Points: 291
Location: kansas
|
1) Why did the position become open? I know that this information is sometimes listed as "a retirement"--and if the person was there for 20+ years, that is probably true. However, one can often be mislead by statements about "wanting to move on", or the common "family reasons." So how do you find out that the position is open for the 3rd time in 6 years? Most of us are not really looking that regularly, so chronic re-lisitings (is that a word?) are not easy to catch.
2) It would be great to know how to determine the average salary for the position--some are easier to find out than others. Having a good idea of where to look for this kind of information would be nice.
3)How to read a job listing! Some are straight forward, and even list percentages of time expected for certain areas of responsibility. Some are more along the lines of "want perky, polite, patron-oriented person to supervise circulation staff." I know this is really murky area, but it is also very important in deciding whether you are really ready to apply. And if you are new to the field, some of the abbreviations and acronyms could be problematic, so knowing where to look for library-definitions of them could be helpful.
I don't know if this is really what you need to know for this article, so maybe others can fill in with more useful suggestions.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Jumpstart - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 11/18/2007
Posts: 73
Points: -69
Location: Wisconsin
|
Rachel:
Are you still working on the article? Sorry I'm a little late to the discussion...
Here are my general thoughts:
1) What kind of library job are they looking for? A "stepping-stone" job, or a "fulfilling" career opportunity? There's a difference, and looking for a library job is a job. People need to be reminded about this; encourage them to be patient in the search, even when frustration sets in.
2) Job seekers should be able to differentiate between a job ad and a job invitation. Once again, there's a difference, and people should always be looking for opportunities that encourage dynamic talent to apply. These are the library venues where people are more likely to thrive in; they are more likely to work for proactive library leaders. If an employer does not take the job seriously in the job invitation, they may or may not take the job seriously when they hire.
3) Hollis mentioned salaries. People will need to do independent research if a salary is not posted. They might not always find what they are looking for, but they might get a clue.
4) Not all library jobs are posted online. Job seekers need to keep this in mind, and they'll need to network when they are job hunting. Good library jobs are filled by word-of-mouth from time to time.
-Jess
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 94
Points: 291
Location: kansas
|
I am a bit baffled that there are only two of us--neither of whom are new to librarianship--answering this. It seems that there are a large number of people who are looking for jobs who are finishing/just finished with school. I know that when I finished my MLS, I assumed my school's career sources were complete, but with greater information about other places and ways to look I am sure I would have found a job more quickly.
And, I think there are people who know what to do, as Jess mentioned about independent research for salaries, but they may not be sure of the best ways to do this. Some are harder to find than others because they are within an institution or a municipal structure. Having some information about where to look when this kind of information isn't obvious could be helpful.
And Jess's comment about the kind of job is probably crucial to the entire process, especially for new librarians. Settling for the wrong job can be a problem for anyone because it effects so many aspects in both work and personal life.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Jumpstart - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 11/18/2007
Posts: 73
Points: -69
Location: Wisconsin
|
Researching salaries is no easy task. It might be worth contacting the respective state's library association for advice on where/or how to research salaries in a particular state.
I am on the Wisconsin Library Association's Personnel and Professional Concerns Committee for public librarians, so I have access to the salary survey for public librarians in Wisconsin (and their education levels.) If people poked around, they would find out this information is available to everyone.
Over the years (and I've been operating my own library job site for librarians in Wisconsin for three years now) I've become a sponge for ideas/concerns/hopes/dreams/feedback. Many new librarians simply choose to speak through me.
|
|
|
Guest |
