Category Archives: Western US

by | May 12, 2013 · 8:00 am

Write the Sweetest Rejection Letters

Eerste Wereldoorlog, luchtoorlogThis anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is not currently employed, has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for More than 18 months. This person is looking in Academic libraries, Public libraries, and Special libraries, at the following levels: Entry level. This job hunter is in a rural area in the Western US and is willing to move to the Eastern US.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

Congenial working conditions
salary & benefits
professional development

Where do you look for open positions?

Alerts from particular employers
ALA joblist
INALJ
SLA
USAjobs

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√  No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I review and reread the job posting several times. I consider whether I have a reasonable “argument,” that I am a candidate for the job. I consider how to address weak spots. I review my resume and tweak it if I need to. I write a cover letter. Then I go online and complete the application. It takes 2-8 hours.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ No

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Simplify and clarify the job posting. It’s easier for a candidate to determine whether they’d be a good fit that way. Some of the job postings I’ve seen want a candidate to do everything and be qualified for everything. I’ve seen job postings offering ten dollars an hour and requiring years of experience for a person who will do everything, even walk the dog. It’s just crazy.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

More communication. Write the sweetest rejection letters. I wish employers would be more honest. Sometimes I know that is not possible, but I would like to know if the interview process is a charade (that is, they already have someone in mind) or if I actually have a chance.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Knowing people before the job posting.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job - Do you need one?  Check it out!

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by | April 21, 2013 · 8:00 am

This Should Be a Profession That Cares and Has Empathy, Not a Profession That Reinforces a “Dog Eat Dog World.”

raymond wangRaymond Wang volunteers at both the East Los Angeles College library and the Pacifica Radio Archive. He is proud of his work with students, both in his current position as a part-time tutor, where he has helped three students go from struggling to getting an A or B, and in his previous work at the Prince George County Public Schools (DC suburb), where 95% of students are on free or reduced lunch and his 7th grade Algebra class achieved an 80% student pass rate on their Maryland High School Assessment Test. Mr. Wang has been looking for a new position for more than 18 months, in Academic libraries, Archives, Library vendors/service providers, Public libraries, and Special libraries, at the entry level. Here is how he describes his experience with internships/volunteering:

Pacifica Radio Archives Feb 2013
East Los Angeles Community college Jan 2013- Present
Santa Barbara Public Library Aug 2012-Dec 2012
Duke Univ Perkins Library Jan 2010-May 2010

Mr. Wang was previously a college radio DJ at WXYC Chapel Hill and KVRX Austin, and he plays violin, keyboard and laptop. In his free time he collaborates with friends to make music. He has a featured article and a poem on the APALA segment “What’s Your Normal?” Mr Wang is in an urban area in the Western US, and is willing to move anywhere.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

TRAINING
TRAINING
TRAINING

Where do you look for open positions?

ALA, Libgig, email listserv (CALIX, INFOLIT)

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I review the job description very thoroughly
Contemplate for hours to see if I meet the job description
If I decide I do, then I tailor my resume to the posting
Write a cover letter that showcases my experiences and skills to explain why you should hire me.
Send it to friends for edits (usually several iterations)
Contact references via email to make sure they are OK with me using them
Provide my references.
Fill out the application attach resume, cover letter and references.

Usually a week or 20 hrs for a library fellows position, depends on the job.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ No

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me
√ Other: Let me know how I can improve my application

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Tour of facility
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Provide a clear and succinct job description.
Be honest and realistic with regards to qualifications, experiences and job duties
Librarians are not clowns, we shouldn’t have to wear 20 different hats and juggle 5 batons or more. We didn’t go to school to work for Ringling Bros.
Show some respect,support and encouragement towards potential job seekers, don’t treat them like just another number. Always follow up, communicate, explain why and take the time as we have taken the time to fill out your application.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

They need to make the online application more user friendly with less hoops.
Make it more personal.
Answer questions about the position with detail and honesty
Be thorough and not ambiguous
Most of all be respectful and understanding that there are people who have been unemployed for 2 or more years without income, experience and accumulated a lot of debt.
This should be a profession that cares and has empathy not a profession that reinforces “a dog eat dog world.”

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Connections
Hard Skills
Soft Skills,
Experience
AND MOST OF ALL TIMING!

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Thank you for taking the time to create this survey. Also, I hope this will let the politicians and higher ups know how difficult it is to get a job. Library Fellowships need to be more flexible on the terms of graduation dates! There are also needs to be more of them.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!

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by | April 10, 2013 · 8:00 am

Be Clear about the Good Stuff, But Also Honest about the Challenges

Judy AndersonJudy Anderson has a JD and is also a 2002 graduate of San Jose State University SLIS.  She volunteers at a Department of Natural Resources Geology Library, where she likes the collaborative spirit. She has been job hunting for more than 18 months, in Academic libraries, Archives, Public libraries, School libraries, Special libraries, and for Non-library work, at the following levels: Entry level, Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory, Department Head, Senior Librarian, Branch Manager, Director/Dean, and

Any library work, including paraprofessional.

She is in a city/town in the Western US, and is not willing to move.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

I want it to be a library job or library related. (eg, working as an archivist, record keeper, etc.)
I want the chance to make use of my diverse background as a librarian and library director (mostly academic) and my medical and legal background.
I can’t relocate, so it has to be in reasonable driving distance.

Where do you look for open positions?

Publib, government sites (state and local), PNLA, career builder, college library listserv, and individual business and agency sites.

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

That depends on the position and what they require. I can spend an hour to all day working on an application. It also depends on how much I really want the job.

Since I am forced to even apply for non-library entry type jobs, my efforts aren’t as intense as when I apply for positions appropriate to my background.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ Other: No. But I have left off graduate degrees if I thought it would hurt my chances.

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news.

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Tour of facility
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
√ Other: An honest statement of the real challenges of the position.

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Not ask people to list their salary requirements. It says they are looking for the cheapest candidates.

Be clear about what they want. Be clear about the good stuff, but also honest about the challenges. 

List preferred qualifications that are really relevant, not designed to keep people from applying. 

Have a clear job description and information about the company. If people don’t understand what the position involves, or what the company/agency does, then you get a mismatch of applicants and position. For example, I just applied for an archivist job that talks about having a biology degree and being able to go out in hazardous terrain. But the job description was about archiving legal and regulatory information and nothing to do with biology field work.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Don’t have people come for an interview if they already know who they want to hire. If they need to interview a certain number of people by law or policy, then just do it by phone. It’s frustrating to spend time and money going to an interview only to realize when you get there that they have no intention of hiring you.

Don’t have people do supplemental questions that have nothing to do with the job. Make them relevant.

Let people know what’s going on. It’s very frustrating to apply for jobs and never hear anything. Let people know if they don’t get it. If there is a delay in hiring, tell them. Be honest in the job description about the timeline or if their is still a question of funding for the position.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

If I knew that, I would have a job.

I think age is a big factor. The younger the better.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one?  Check it out!

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Filed under Academic, Archives, City/town, Job hunter's survey, Law Library, Other Organization or Library Type, Public, School, Special, Western US

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by | April 8, 2013 · 8:00 am

Sadly…..being young

Hunting party on the shore State Library and Archives of FloridaThis anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for More than 18 months. This person is looking in Academic libraries, Library vendors/service providers, Public libraries, and Special libraries, at the following levels:Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory.

This job hunter is in a city/town in the Western US and is not willing to move.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

1. Job satisfaction
2. Job security
3. Fair compensation

Where do you look for open positions?

INALJ
SimplyHired
Library websites
various listserves

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I modify an existing application to fit the job.
Two hours of rereading and revision.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ No

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Tour of facility
√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers
√ Being able to present

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Not limit hiring to inhouse or interns only.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Have applications online.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Being positive.
Doing research about the library.
Knowing someone in the organization.
Sadly…..being young

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Being able to relocate or travel is very helpful.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!

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by | April 6, 2013 · 8:00 am

I’m a Fast Learner and am Looking for a Place to Stay, Get Me While I’m Young

mary michelle mooreMary-Michelle Moore is a library assistant at the UC Irvine’s Langson library with a background in interlibrary loan and circulation.  She is currently working towards her MLIS through Rutgers State University of New Jersey and will be graduating in May 2013. Ms. Moore has been looking for a new position for less than six months, in Academic and Special libraries, at the entry level and requiring at least two years of experience (she is transitioning from staff to librarian). Here is how she describes her internship/volunteering experience:

- 5 years experience working as a paraprofessional – primarily in access services, with some student worker supervision experience
- Digital reference internship with the ipl2

Ms. Moore is in a city/town in the Western US, and is willing to move

Anywhere in CA and Western US or to the Smithsonian or American Museum of Natural History

She serves as Webmaster for the Rutgers Association of School Librarians (RASL) and as an Online Student Representative for the Student College, Academic and Research Librarian Association (SCARLA).  She volunteers with I Need a Library Job and Reading to Kids.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

- room for advancement/ professional development support

- interesting job duties

- location

Where do you look for open positions?

- ALA JobList

- INALJ.com

- professional listservs

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

~5-10 hours: read through job description, look up the library and find out a little about the institution, update the resume/CV, create cover letter, send CV & cover letter to friend w/ job description for proof reading, contact references to verify their willingness to vouch for me.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ No

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage

√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Tour of facility

√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers

√ Meeting with HR to talk about benefits/salary

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

- give candidates enough time to get a application packet together, short advertising times are difficult for everyone involved

- talk a bit about the work environment, work is important but if you do social activities, this is a big plus

- write better job descriptions, some of the descriptions are either too broad or too specific – if you’re willing to mentor a new librarian, please let me know, I’m a fast learner and am looking for a place to stay, get me while I’m young so I can learn the habits you want in the position instead of waiting to train me out of old habits

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

- Be more communicative, even if you just send a generic trigger email, let me know you have received my application, an approximate start date for the interview process, and follow up when the position has been filled.  I’ve applied for jobs in the past and received a “we regret to inform you we’ve gone with another candidate” letter in the mail more than a year later.  If you expect me to jump through hoops, please at least be polite about it.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Choose jobs carefully so you are excited about what you are applying for and can generate some genuine enthusiasm. Apply to positions that may not be a perfect fit based on the job description, you may find out more about the position when you get to the interview that is more encouraging.  Don’t get discouraged when you aren’t called back, there are a lot of people going out for these positions and you cannot know what everyone is looking for, chances are it’s nothing you’ve done anyway.

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Maybe a section on soft skills and a section on publications?

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one?  Check it out!

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by | April 4, 2013 · 8:00 am

Having someone that makes the hiring decision know and like you makes a difference

Fall costumes seen at United Hunts Meet (LOC)This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for Six months to a year. This person is looking in Public libraries, at the Entry level. Here is how this person describes his or her experience with internships/volunteering:

I volunteered at my local library for several years, starting about midway through my four-year master’s degree program. I then spent one semester interning at this same library. I’ve recently been upgraded from the sporadic, meager hours of an on-call reference librarian to having a solid, regular 16 hours a week at this library.

This job hunter is in a city/town in the Western US and is willing to move anywhere.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

1) Position—entry level librarian in a public library
2) Hours—what days/shifts does the position entail?
3) Proximity—how close to my house is the library?

Where do you look for open positions?

My job search has been quite passive. I’ve filled out job cards for the public libraries near/nearish to me, and I keep an ear open for other positions.

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Only for certain kinds of employers

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

Hrm. After my resume was updated, then the only other thing I’ve done is answer supplemental questions. These vary in length of time to complete, depending on if I’m able to copy and paste an answer or not. Maybe an hour or two?

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ No

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone for good news, email for bad news

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

The current library hiring process does not lend itself to getting the “best” candidates, it is geared toward weeding out the masses through a long and painful system of tests and interviews.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

I would like to see the process streamlined and the tests made more relevant, though I understand why things work the way they do.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Having someone that makes the hiring decision know and like you makes a difference. Otherwise, knowing the right answers to jump through the various interview hoops helps.

Do you have any comments, or are there any other questions you think we should add to this survey?

Emily Weak ROCKS!

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!

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by | March 26, 2013 · 8:00 am

Consciously? As Long as Someone Looks Appropriate and Not Casual, I’m Good

Job Interview, remix by Flickr user grapefruitmoon

This anonymous interview is with a Public librarian who has been a hiring manager. This librarian works at libraries(?) with 10-50 staff members in a

County system city and rural area

in the Western US.

What Candidates Should Wear

Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?

√ Yes, absolutely! It shows respect and professionalism

An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:

√ Counts as a suit

Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.

√ False

If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?

√ Either pantyhose or tights. Bare legs are inappropriate

Women should wear make-up to an interview:

√ I don’t care, as long as it’s not over-the-top

Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.

We had a candidate come to the interview in capris and flipflops. This was for a management position. It didn’t put her out of the running, other things did, but it felt disrespectful.

Out of the running? Bare midriff, short shorts very low cut tops for women. Same for men. ;-) What it comes down to is that whatever outfit somebody wears should show respect of self and the institution for which application is being made.

Can you share any stories about how a candidate nailed the proper interview outfit, especially if your organization does not expect suits?

I did have a candidate come in wearing a very simple, tasteful skirt and blouse with a vintage handbag (small, clean lines). Her heels were not too high. This was for an entry level position and its simplicity gave a suit-like feel and helped project confidence in herself. Very nicely done.

Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?

√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress

Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)

√ Single, simple necklace, bracelet, and/or ring
√ A few simple necklaces, bracelets, and/or rings
√ Arty or more elaborate necklaces, bracelets, or rings
√ Nose Ring (nostril)
√ Earrings
√ Multiple Ear Piercings
√ Other: The more the tattoos and piercings the more important to dress very professionally

Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:

√ All of them, even pink

The way a candidate dresses should:

√ Be fairly neutral

How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?

Consciously? As long as someone looks appropriate and not casual, I’m good. Unconsciously? If their dress doesn’t stand out in bad way it is probably okay.

What This Library Wears

How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?

I dress business casual in a dress or a nice pair of slacks.

On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:

4

What’s the dress code at your library/organization?

√ Other: There is no written dress code

Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? (Please check all that apply)

√ Other: I wish we had a dress code

Librarians at your organization wear: (Please check all that apply)

√ Name tags

This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!

Photo: Job Interview, remix by Flickr user grapefruitmoon via Creative Commons License

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by | March 18, 2013 · 8:00 am

Creative Freedom/Independence

Amy MusserAmy Seto Musser is preparing to graduate from Texas Woman’s University  in the spring of 2013. She’s excited to combine her professional theatre experience with her library science education to create dynamic interactive programming and services for children. She has been looking for a new position for less than six months, in public libraries, at the entry level and requiring at least two years of experience. Here is how Ms. Musser describes her internship/volunteering experience:

I have volunteered at various public libraries off and on since childhood. Recently, I’ve volunteered specifically for the children’s department of a public library, which allowed me to gain experience doing displays, collection maintenance, and other special projects (flannel boards, etc.).

Other volunteering – Reading to kids at preschools, Indexing a history book for a local author, Planning/Presenting storytimes for summer festivals

I will be starting my internship/practicum for grad school this month, which is 120 hours of work. I also had a work-study fellowship in undergrad as a music librarian cataloging, binding, and organizing sheet music.

Ms. Musser is in a suburban area of the Western US, and is willing to move anywhere. Check out her blogs: http://chapterbookexplorer.blogspot.com/ & http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

1-Creative freedom/independence
2-Job security
3-A library system that supports and promotes children’s services as much as adult services

Where do you look for open positions?

Professional listservs, ALA Joblist, Libraryjobline.org, pnla.org, websites for specific libraries I am interested in.

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ Yes, and it’s a red flag when it’s not

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

I spend approximately 4-6 hours on each application. Most of that time is spent figuring out how to incorporate the required or preferred skills listed on the job description with my experience.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ No

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application
√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage
√ To follow-up after an interview
√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Phone

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

I am just starting my job hunt and haven’t had the opportunity to interview yet, so I can’t answer this question with much authority.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

I am just starting my job hunt and haven’t had the opportunity to interview yet, so I can’t answer this question with much authority.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Networking and connections, as well as being as prepared as possible. Preparedness includes learning as much as possible about the library, the community (users and non-users), exploring the facility on your own (if possible), and having pertinent and insightful questions to ask during the interview.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one?  Check it out!

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by | March 13, 2013 · 8:00 am

Networking, Networking, Networking!

Carol HyneCarol Hyne is a volunteer for the San Diego County Public Law Library while in transition. She was lately a research librarian for Qualcomm. Prior to moving to San Diego, Carol was long time Law Librarian for Union Oil Company of California (dba UNOCAL) in Los Angeles. Ms. Hyne has been job hunting for six months to a year. She is looking in Special Libraries, Academic libraries, Archives, and Public libraries, at the following levels: Requiring at least two years of experience, Supervisory, Department Head, Senior Librarian. Ms. Hyne is in an urban area of the Western US, and is willing to move within Southern California. She says she

“lives for research” no matter what the topic but enjoys all facets of librarianship.

Carol has served SANDALL as VP/Programs Chair, Bylaws Committee Chair, and Webmaster. You can learn more about her by visiting her LinkedIn profile.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

1) A position that will leverage my experience as well as provide me opportunity to learn.

2) good salary and benefits

3) congenial, competent co-workers.

Where do you look for open positions?

Professional listservs, library placement firms, library related job boards, government websites (federal, state, county and municipal), websites of target companies, and follow-up on suggestions from my network.

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)

 What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

Read and reread the description carefully. Tweak my resume to incorporate their terminology. Write a cover letter that addresses their concerns and showcases relevant experience. Upload these and other required documents and fill out any questionnaire they require. Proofreading!  All of this can take as much as six hours per application depending on the length and complexity of the questionnaires.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ No

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To acknowledge my application

√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage

√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Other: Phone with email reiteration

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

√ Meeting department members/potential co-workers

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

Employers need to understand what it is they are looking for and communicate that clearly in the advertisement.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

Keep applicants informed of status. Knowing is better than not knowing.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Networking, networking, networking!  Attitude, enthusiasm, and the ability to effectively communicate your knowledge, and skills to the hiring manager. Beyond that it’s chemistry, how will you fit with the existing team.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one?  Check it out!

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by | March 12, 2013 · 8:00 am

Library School Career Center: University of Washington

Here is this week’s installment of the Library School Career Center feature, which is presented in partnership with the folks from the blog Hack Library School.  If you’re interested in library education, or in new ideas and the future of the profession, you should check it out.  

This interview is with Janet Matta, who is the Career Services Advisor for the Information School at the University of Washington, serving the career development of 850 iSchool students in four academic programs. Prior to her joining the University of Washington Information School, Janet was a Career Counselor at the University of Washington – Bothell, provided career support to high school students at a small nonprofit, Bainbridge Youth Services, and did her Career Counseling Internship with the University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs. She has a Masters of Education from Seattle University and an undergraduate degree in History from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada. In addition to her career counseling experience, Janet spent 6 years in environmental consulting for oil spill response, and gets excited about environmental science. Her diverse background means she’s great at connecting students to ideas and resources in a wide range of professional disciplines. Janet is deeply passionate about helping students find and create unique careers that are a perfect match for their interests and strengths, and loves teaching career skills like networking, interviewing, and salary negotiation to students. Learn more about Janet at www.linkedin.com/in/janetmatta/

Career Center Information

Who staffs the career center?  Please talk a little about how it is managed and run.

Janet is the Career Services Advisor for the iSchool, which includes the Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program. Her office is in the Office of Student Services for the Information School which includes academic advisors, the admissions advisor, and support staff.

Are there “career experts” on staff?  What are their credentials?

Janet has 3 years of experience in career advising and over 10 years of experience in training and education of adults and youth. She has an M.Ed. in Student Development Administration, and spends every free moment possible staying up to date on hiring trends and techniques to help students succeed in their future jobs.

Does the career center provide any of the following:

√  Job Listings                   √ Resume/CV Review                    √ Help writing cover letters
√ Literature/articles          √ Interview Practice                       √ General career coaching
√ Networking events

Do you provide in-person services?

√ Appointments        √  Speakers, or programs that present experts
√ Mixers or other networking events          √ Job Fairs
√ Drop-in career center:  Set drop-in hours each quarter, and students routinely pop in when my office door is open.

Do you provide online services?

√ Website with resources   √ Blog: updated 1x per week
√ Facebook: updates to student group pages and the Office of Student Services Facebook page                              √ Newsletter: published online at http://ischooloss.wordpress.com/
√ Other: online and phone advising appointments to distance students, a jobs and internships database just for iSchool students and alumni.

What do you think is the best way for students to use the career center?

I augment the resources available through the main UW Career Center, so I recommend that students visit and bookmark the content on the UW Career Center website, or visit with Career Center professionals for resume/cover letter reviews, and then to schedule an appointment with me if they want more specialized support! Attend workshops and employer information sessions to learn about common topics and to network with professionals. The more you attend that will help you network with professionals across a variety of industries and sectors the better, and not just with traditional libraries!

May alumni use career center resources?

Alumni can use our job and internships database, called iCareers, and can utilize web resources and the resources available through the UW Career Center.

Are there any charges for services?

Nope!

Can you share any stories about job hunters that found positions after using the career center?

I have received a few thank you notes from students who credit their appointment with career services to increasing their confidence and helping them generate ideas and contacts that have led to internships or full time jobs. It makes me so happy to know that our services are helpful to students!

Anything else you’d like to share with readers about your services in particular, or about library hiring/job hunting in general?

I advocate creativity in the job search and career development process! I ask students to think about their values and what they want to be doing every day, and then to think creatively about all the different environments and organizations that might benefit from their skill set that an MLIS and their other professional backgrounds provide. In a market that’s tough for libraries, our students are active and successful in a variety of corporate, nonprofit, or government settings in addition to traditional library environments.

Students’ Career Paths

Can you share any statistics about employment rates after graduation?

We unfortunately have never had a response rate of over 51%  to surveys of our graduates, so we don’t currently have very accurate data on employment rates after graduation.

Can you talk a little bit about the school’s approach to internships, practicums and/or volunteering?

Internships for our MLIS students are highly encouraged! The more experience a student has the better, and internships can lead to great contacts and skills that will help you land a job later. I advocate that students take on as much internship or independent experience as they can to bolster their experience, their network of contacts, and their resume. Students work with me to find great internship options, and with their academic advisor to figure out how to get credit.

Does the school have a stated approach or policy on helping students to find careers?

The mission of iSchool Career Services is:

Mission Statement

We make information work for your career. The iSchool Career Adviser offers information on job search skills, advising on career development, and connections to resources and employers tailored to the information field. We help you to stand out and be noticed no matter where you are in your professional career.

Commitment to Students

Our first responsibility is to connect the student experience at the iSchool to the professional goals of our students.  We focus on the information profession and refer students to the UW Career Center for other general career counseling and workshops.

Commitment to Employers

Our students are highly qualified to fill roles as information professionals in a variety of organizations. We facilitate job recruitment through a fair and equitable process that is driven by the needs of our students. The iSchool supports and abides by theNational Association of Colleges and Employers Principles for Professional Practice.

Are there any notable graduates?

Too many to count!

Demographics

How many students in the library school?

Approximately 400

What degree(s) do you offer?

MLIS

Is it ALA accredited?

Yes

What are the entrance requirements?

  • Bachelors degree* or higher in any discipline (must be equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution)

  • Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (exceptions considered on a case by case basis)

  • Law MLIS program applicants must have:

○     JD from a law school within the US

When was the library school founded?

1911

Where are you?

√ Western US

Where are you?

√ Urban area

Anything else you’d like to share that’s unique about the school?

We’re so lucky to be in Seattle, it’s beautiful here!

Brianna Marshall

This interview was conducted by Brianna Marshall, who is a second year dual-degree Master of Library Science and Master of Information Science student at Indiana University’s School of Library and Information Science. She is Managing Editor for Hack Library School and a 2012-2013 HASTAC scholar. Learn more about Brianna through her blog and portfolio or by following her on Twitter @notsosternlib

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