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From Consultant To Librarian
by Susan Sloan
For many years I was a consultant to large organizations, using my skills in marketing and event planning. Being a consultant offered many benefits, such as a flexible work schedule, an interesting variety of projects, and good pay. There were negatives, however. I was never sure if I would have a job after I completed each project - or even how long each job would last. I didn't receive any benefits, which meant that if I were sick or took a vacation I didn't get paid. Finally, I realized that I just didn't enjoy the work. A former executive at my last job who escaped the corporate world to become a librarian inspired me become a librarian too. What I bring to my new career are the skills I gained in navigating the sometimes treacherous waters of being a corporate consultant.
Market Yourself
The first and most important lesson I learned as a consultant was to market myself. The only way to get the next job offer was to make sure that I marketed my skills and abilities to those in a position to hire me. How did I do this? After a lot of trial and error, I discovered three techniques that were usually successful: providing excellent service, networking and collaborating, and talking about my accomplishments.
Providing excellent service was necessary, because, if I didn't, there was always another consultant ready to take my place. Networking and collaborating was also necessary, but took time and effort. Luckily, part of my job as a consultant was to collaborate with various departments - so I was forced to network and get to know people throughout the organizations in which I worked. It was also how I learned about new opportunities. Finally, talking about my accomplishments was also difficult, but it was the only way to demonstrate my value to potential employers. Rather than bragging, I began to see discussing my accomplishments in terms of demonstrating my passion for the work. When you are truly passionate about what you do, it is contagious, and makes other people want to work with you.
Most librarians recognize the importance of marketing their collections, programs, databases and services, but generally never consider marketing themselves. If you have ever looked at your library's budget, you know that the largest line item by far is salaries and benefits. That is only one of the many reasons it is so important for librarians to market themselves, both inside and outside the library, to administrations, patrons, and colleagues. No one is likely to demonstrate your value for you.
Providing excellent service and networking are natural ways to market yourself. Talking about your accomplishments is much more difficult for many people, but you are the only one who can do this. Always accept a compliment, and never say: "It was nothing." If you are passionate about your projects and your area of expertise, you will never be perceived as a braggart, but rather as enthusiastic and professional. Marketing yourself doesn't have to be an intimidating task; it is simply a matter of demonstrating your value.
Do Anything
Several years ago I worked for a woman who would routinely ask me to drive her to the train station. At first I was insulted that she would ask me to perform such a menial task, as if I were her chauffeur. After a while, I realized that, if she wanted to pay me to drive her to the train station, there was no reason I should care. I was being paid by the hour, and I was billing the company for the time it took to drive her. Once I lightened up, I also realized that she was using the driving time to check on the status of projects I was working on and that I could use the time to bounce ideas off of her and to get her approval on their various aspects.
Whenever I am confronted with a task that might be considered menial, I remember this story, and try to find the meaning behind the menial. As a consultant I was being paid to do anything that was required to get the job done. I am not advocating doing things that you find morally offensive, but shelving books, moving furniture, and cleaning up after a program are all ways to learn more about your library, do your job, and help your co-workers. Do anything (within reason) that shows that you are a team player and that you are willing to find value in any task.
Be Positive
When I was a consultant, probably because of my status as an outsider, everyone complained to me about everything. They complained about their boss, their co-workers, the bad management practices, and even the food in the cafeteria. I tried not to complain back, because I was not really part of the organization - and I truly was grateful just to have a job. The complaining did, however, affect me. It weighed me down, and I got to see how destructive all the complaining really could be to morale, productivity, and job satisfaction. That is why I always try to maintain a positive attitude and complain as little as possible. It's not really possible to never complain, and sometimes complaining can even be fun or cathartic, but overall maintaining a positive outlook is better for you and everyone around you.
At first glance, my former careers had nothing to do with being a librarian, but past experiences have been extremely helpful to me in my new career. Being a consultant taught me how to market myself in ways that felt natural and comfortable. I learned to leave my ego at the door and do anything that was necessary to get the job done. Finally, I learned the importance of being positive, both for my own mental well-being and for the benefit of my career.
Susan Sloan is an Adult and Young Adult Reference Librarian at North Babylon Public Library. She was a trade show and conference manager and then a corporate consultant before discovering what she wanted to be when she grew up. She can be reached at suesloan@aol.com.