Oh hey! This is the third post in this new feature on Hiring Librarians. I’ve long been curious about what it’s like to work with someone who provides career services or coaching. How does it work? How can you tell if it’s right for you? How much does it cost?
In this feature, I interview different folks about the career services they provide. Please note I’m not necessarily vetting or recommending anyone – my only requirement is that they specifically focus on the library or LIS field. My hope is that by gathering information here in one place, you’ll be able to decide whether or not you want to engage these services – and if you do, make better decisions about finding the right person or organization for your needs.
All that being said, I’m pleased to present this interview with Ellen Mehling. I’ve known Ellen for a while, and her insights have been featured here on Hiring Librarians several times.
Tell us a little bit about your own career path. What did you do before you were a coach (or what do you do in addition to coaching)? How are you connected to libraries or LIS?
I was a special librarian and archivist in a library for people with blindness and low vision, before I started working in public libraries. In my first public library job I worked in what was called “special services” which included services to those with disabilities (matching my previous experience) and job seekers (which was new to me).
Why did you decide to become a coach?
Very soon after I started work that included assisting people with their job search, I began to get requests to present and write on various topics related to job searching outside of my library, and individuals started asking for assistance too (both in the field of librarianship and in other fields). Later I worked for a library school, and advised the LIS students there, and also worked for a library consortium writing a blog of job search and career Q&As, teaching/presenting on job search subjects, and doing individual advising. There was, and still is, a strong demand for such assistance and instruction, and I found I enjoyed doing it in addition to my full time work, so I thought, “why not?”.
How long have you been coaching?
Next year it will be 20 years(!) which is shocking to me when I think about it. When I started I had no idea it would become such a long lasting gig.
What’s your coaching philosophy?
My philosophy is that people need encouragement and kindness during the job search as much as they need solid, practical advice and strategies that work. Job searching can be difficult. It can be discouraging when you are putting in effort and not seeing the results you want, or maybe not seeing results at all.
I take care to manage expectations, regarding both the job search and my role as an advisor, and that sometimes means not telling people what they want to hear. For example, if someone wants to “outsource” all of their job search tasks (including resume and cover letter writing), I advise them that while I understand the impulse especially if you are not getting interviews, deception is not a good idea – and it is deception when you submit something someone else has written as if it is your own work.
Sometimes job seekers have unrealistic ideas of things like: how networking works, or how long it will take to find a job, or even whether they’ll get a response from an employer after applying. Steering them away from improbable expectations, always with respect and kindness and encouragement, can help to make the job search process less stressful. I give advice and feedback and options that, based on my experience both as an advisor and as a successful job seeker, will give the applicant the greatest chance of success, emphasizing that the choices have to be made and the work done by the applicants themselves.
Do you have a specific demographic or specialty?
Most of my clients are library workers. That’s just how it has worked out, through word of mouth, mostly.
How does it work? What are your services, how do you meet with clients?
My services right now and in recent years are mostly resume and cover letter reviews, advising sessions to discuss strategy and options, and mock interviews. This one-on-one assistance can be in person or via Zoom, and resume and cover letter reviews are via email.
If someone is interested in being coached, what should they ask in order to find the right person to coach them?
I would ask specifically what the service(s) entail to make sure that you and your advisor/coach are on the same page about what is needed and what can be provided. I would also ask about the advisor’s experience and their philosophy.
How can you tell coaching is working?
Individually, if the advisee feels that they have the information and advice and instruction and strategies to have a successful job search, they’ll have more confidence as they edit their resume for a specific job and/or write a compelling cover letter. Someone who is feeling discouraged will write a very different cover letter, for instance, than someone who is feeling positive about themselves and that job and their chances of getting it. Practically, their application documents and networking are working when they are getting interviews and offers. A mock interview can help an applicant to feel less nervous and (again) more confident as they go into an interview, and that can make all the difference in how the interview goes. I tell advisees, “If you are going to make a mistake, make it with me and not in an actual interview!”
What are some indicators that the coaching relationship might not be working?
If there is a lack of rapport, and resistance of the applicant to doing anything more than they’ve been doing, or anything different than they have been doing – even if they are not seeing the results they want and they are seeking guidance from an advisor or coach(!) This happens a lot more than you might think. It’s another unrealistic expectation; they want different results than they have been getting, with no change of strategies or effort. The response to each proposed tactic, every piece of advice, every suggestion, is “Yeah, but…” followed by why that won’t work for them. If there’s a lot of that, it may not be the right fit of advisor/advisee, or not the right time.
Do you want to share any success stories?
A few people I have advised now work for the library system where I work, so I’ll see them from time to time. One still refers to me as her “mentor”. I have advised others on positioning themselves successfully for promotions – it is a joy to see someone focus on what they want and get it; it’s inspiring! Just a couple of months ago a young man I had advised late last year told me he had gotten hired and had been at his new job for two months and thanked me – I loved hearing that!
Do you have any top level advice for job hunters?
This is something that you hear over and over, but that’s because it really is so important: network, network, network! A large, robust, healthy network is crucial to job search success, and it takes time to develop and requires care and effort to nurture. Dig your well before you are thirsty!
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about coaching, job searching, or life in general?
I think the job search process and resume writing and cover letter writing should be taught in high schools – some schools do and some don’t, but these are skills everyone needs.
If you use AI/Chat GPT to help you write your application documents, always review and edit what AI creates before sending anything! The resume and cover letter represent you; make sure what you are submitting is accurate and flattering and is targeted to the job you are applying for.
Finally, don’t ever lie on a resume, or cover letter, or interview. Just don’t. Employers don’t want employees that are dishonest, it is very likely to backfire, and it brings bad karma.
Links:
LinkedIn: If you’d like to get in contact with Ellen, please reach out here.
Work Life: A blog about job searching and work, written by Ellen in her former position
And Ellen recommends: Ask A Manager has fantastic, no nonsense, practical advice for job seekers, and for all kinds of workplace situations too. I read it all the time.
Hiring Librarians 