violet wrote:I have been looking for an entry level professional position for nine months. The only interviews I've gotten have been for paraprofessional positions, but no offers. I have a 7 year gap in my employment history, including the time I was in library school, due to personal illness. I am fit to work now but the only library experience I have is a six month practicum. I'm going to start focusing on the paraprofessional jobs. Do I address the work gap in cover letters? What do I say? When I fill out job applications that request I account for all time back to a certain period, including times of unemployment, I'm not sure what to put there either. Do libraries consider practica as library experience?
What is the gap since your library degree. That is the gap you really need to be concerned about.
Also, what did you do during this 7 year gap to add or improve your skills needed for library jobs? It is not the gap that is really your problem, but that your competition may not have such a gap. Your strengths is based on how you look against others. You do not need to explain away a gap but instead focus on what makes you the best candidate. Your cover letter should address what you offer that fills the organization's needs.
If you have a library degree, you will find your odds of employment in paraprofessional jobs, even more challenging. Many organizations due to written policy, informal policy, or by what they feel the MLS means will not even consider you.
Practicums are considered library experience by most, but you are always compared against others. You will be up against people with library experience. Also, ANY experience can be properly "sold" to be equivalent to library experience in terms of the specific needs of each job ad. Address the needs of the job ad directly in your cover letter and resume - it is the best use of your time in preparation.
You should also be looking for little things that grow your value: volunteer, library conferences, local professional organizations, additional trainings, etc.
Brian C. Gray
Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian
Kelvin Smith Library
Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
