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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/20/2009
Posts: 4
Points: 12
Location: Michigan
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I am applying for an academic library position, although my background is in school and public libraries. From what I understand, searches for academic positions can take some time. The application is due this week, but at the end of next month (May) I am getting married and going on a honeymoon out of the country for two weeks. Since I will be out of phone contact, and will have email only occasionally, should I acknowledge this absence in any way in my cover letter, or is that revealing too much? I am planning to change my voice mail message when the time comes, and I'll do my best to check my email while away, but I just don't want to find out that they tried to contact me during that two week window and couldn't get a hold of me without them knowing why. Any suggestions on this?
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 94
Points: 291
Location: kansas
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I would say that the best way to contact during that time is by phone, and then have someone check your messages. You don't have to say you are getting married--simply that you will be out of the country or on vacation during that time. This should not be a major problem for most places.
I am wondering what you will do if you are offered an interview before you leave and it is during those two weeks--you certainly have a good reason for not being available, but you need to figure out how you are going to tell them you really want the job but can not be there in person for an interview.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
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Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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You should not reveal anything that is not work related and/or puts you at a disadvantage. You better off making sure you phone and email messages are monitored somehow.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 11/19/2007
Posts: 34
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Location: New York
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I agree that you should not reveal this in your cover letter. If they really want you, they will do their best to contact you for an interview, and will even wait a day or two for you to respond. If you haven't heard from them before you take leave, you need to be prepared to monitor your email and phone as best as you can while away (at a minimum once every other day).
Academic librarian searches can take some time, but if the search is ending this week, then they might move quickly to schedule interview dates with potential candidates. They may end up contacting you for an interview before you go on your honeymoon, which would be ideal. If this is the case, be completely honest about going on your honeymoon and work with them to schedule the interview at the most convenient time for you. Like I said, if they really like you, they will work around your schedule to set up an interview. It is in their best interest.
Congratulations on your marriage and best of luck in your job search!
-Susanne
Susanne Markgren
Digital Services Librarian
Purchase College, SUNY
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Job Hunting Tips - Moderator
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Joined: 1/4/2008
Posts: 103
Points: 309
Location: Cairo, Egypt
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Don't mention this in your cover letter. Instead, a few days before you leave, you could consider emailing the job contact (HR or whomever) and saying something like, "I am writing to let you know will be out-of-town and away from email and voicemail from May 15-23. I remain very interested in this position and hope to hear from you soon."
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/20/2009
Posts: 4
Points: 12
Location: Michigan
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Excellent, thanks for all of the advice!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
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Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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Good advice joan!
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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