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Don't Let Your Dream Job Be Just a Dream
by Smiti Gandhi
Finding a job can be a daunting task. Trying to find a job that is the best fit for you can be even more challenging - yet it's a dream worth pursuing. All it requires is a more focused and aggressive job search strategy, tempered with ingenuity and creativity. Here are some suggestions for finding that "perfect" job you've always dreamed of.
Know Your Strengths
Honestly evaluate your strengths. Make a list of skills you have to offer, tasks you are good at, and things you enjoy doing. List the responsibilities and tasks you hope to have and skills you would like to acquire in your perfect job. This will ensure that you have a professional development plan and don't stagnate in your "ideal" job after the initial euphoria fades.
Know Your Limitations
Critically assess your weaknesses and limitations. Your family obligations may restrict your job search to a certain geographic area, or times of the day/week. You may prefer to live near the beach, commute as little as possible, or live in a large cosmopolitan city. Maybe you're accustomed to a certain lifestyle and need a minimum salary to maintain it.
Also consider the kind of work you dislike doing. Some people don't relish public speaking, having to constantly interact with people, giving storytimes, or working with children. Understand the work environment you thrive in and are likely to give your optimal performance in. Autonomous work environments, which allow employees to define and control their work responsibilities, may appeal to some. Others may need more structured environments where step-by- step directions are provided. Some people work best in large institutions, while others thrive in smaller, more intimate environments.
Prioritize your preferences and understand clearly what your ideal job must have, what you are willing to accept, and where you may be willing to compromise if the right opportunity comes along.
Know What Kind of Job You Want
This is the most crucial step in the process, and probably the most difficult one. Finding the right niche is impossible if you don't know what kind of job you want. The ideal job is the one that allows you to do what you want to do.
First, narrow down the area of expertise you want to focus on - reference, cataloging, collection development, interlibrary loan, distance learning, children/young adult services, systems librarianship, or a specialized subject area you're interested in. Then, explore the types of libraries - public, community college, university, corporate, or specialized - that have jobs relating to that expertise.
If you're not sure about the area to focus on or the type of library you'd like to work in, explore different options by volunteering, taking part-time jobs, or doing internships or freelance work. Internships and part-time opportunities can boost your confidence and reinforce other people's perception of your ability to get the job done.
When I first became a librarian, I didn't know what area to specialize in or which kind of library would be the "best fit" for my interests and skills. So, I explored different opportunities. I worked as a reference librarian in public, academic, and corporate libraries. I even tried cataloging and children's librarianship. Through these experiences I discovered I was happiest in an academic or research/corporate library environment where I served college students and professionals and used my reference, research, instruction, and writing skills.
Have a Plan
It's easier to chalk out a route if you have a destination. Learn more about the kinds of jobs available in the types of libraries you want to work at. Read their job ads to increase your awareness of the skills, qualities and qualifications they are looking for. See if these match up with your skills, qualities, and qualifications. Try to bridge any gaps you observe through continuing education courses, professional development opportunities, and other avenues. Gather a broad range of professional experiences and transferable skills.
If you have specific libraries in mind, research them thoroughly so that when you make the initial contact you can impress the managers with your knowledge. Talk to friends and colleagues about their work experiences there.
Get Out and Get Noticed
No matter how good you are, nobody's going to come to you, tap you on the shoulder and say: "You're the perfect person for this job, and we'd like to hire you!" Even though you may possess all the skills and qualifications your preferred employer needs, you still have to market yourself and make them aware of your existence, interest, strengths and accomplishments. Create a marketing plan for yourself. Make yourself visible. Join professional associations, attend and participate in conferences and workshops. Take the initiative to contact people and talk to them.
A word of caution here: merely making yourself visible to people in your field doesn't always help. Visibility can work to your disadvantage if you create a negative impression. Your goal must be to impress people you meet, so that they are willing to hire you.
Be the Best You Can
Remember that you won't be the only person applying for a job, even if it's the "perfect" job for you. There will be other applicants, and you must be able to beat out the competition to get the job. You have to distinguish yourself from other candidates and stand out in the interviewer's mind. Not only must your qualifications be impressive, but you must possess excellent interviewing skills as well.
If your resume falls short in certain areas, e.g., you are applying for a reference librarian position in a university library, and you don't have a subject master's degree, or haven't served on professional associations/committees, acknowledge your limitations in the interview and talk about how you plan to overcome these shortcomings. Ask interviewers about qualities they find impressive in candidates and try to relate them to your strengths and skills. Demonstrate your knowledge of current issues and trends relating to librarianship. Most of all, let your passion and enthusiasm for your profession and work come across in the interview.
Putting It All Together
According to the old adage, there is no such thing as a "perfect" job. However, you can find a job that "best" fits your interests, talents and skills and excites you about the prospect of rolling out of bed every morning and going in to work. Finding such a job will require the five P's: Patience, Planning, Positive attitude, being Proactive, and being Persistent.
Smiti Gandhi received her MLIS from the University of South Florida. She currently works as a Reference Librarian at Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida, and has previously worked in public, academic and corporate libraries.