Month: January 2017

Q: How do I show increased responsibility (from one institution) on my CV?

Q: How do I show increased responsibility (from one institution) on my CV?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: Recently, my job title in an academic library was changed at my request to reflect an expansion of duties over the past two years (I have worked at the institution for 4+ years). Given that some job ads ask for demonstration of increased responsibility over time, I want to highlight the change appropriately on my CV. 

I have considered separate entries for each job title (i.e., listing the job title and associated duties for each) but some duties would seem redundant because they have been part of my purview since day one. I also considered listing the job titles one after the next, with dates in parentheses, and having only one list of duties below, but am concerned that it is misleading if I did not assume certain duties until my third year on the job. What do you suggest?

A: Congratulations on moving up, and good call on your part to request a title change that reflects your current role. You definitely need to add this to your current CV and, as you mentioned, there are several ways to do it. Since you have maintained many of your existing duties, I would suggest listing the different titles with the respective duties underneath each title (see example below) in order to highlight increased responsibility throughout your tenure at the library.

You may want to think about changing up the wording so you’re not repeating yourself verbatim – especially if you are using bullet points. If you’re using more of a paragraph style (common with CVs) rather than phrases, it may make it easier for you to explain your various role and duties as well as your progression. Put your new responsibilities at the top. You may want to use a combination of paragraph and bullets; you may want to highlight specific accomplishments of that particular position/time period; or, you may want to have two sections – one (professional experience) that just lists your titles along with dates, and another section (professional duties) that goes more in-depth into each position. And, as we’ve mentioned many times before, you will want to customize your CV (or resume) for each particular job you apply for, or each purpose it serves (tenure, promotion, online portfolio, etc.). Search for examples of CVs that you find attractive and play around with format and language until you get something that looks appealing and sounds professional.  I recommend revising and re-formatting your CV or resume on a regular basis. Changes, even little ones, can be so satisfying.

 

Example:

ABC University Library

Senior Librarian (2015 – Present)

Responsible for library-wide financial administration for personnel, equipment and furniture, and collection development. Manage all aspects of technical and access services departments. Participate in campus-wide strategic planning initiatives, such as….

Assistant Librarian (2012-2015)

Managed all aspects of electronic resources and assessment for the library. Managed the discovery service and knowledge base. Participated in reference and instruction services, including….

 

Related articles:

2 Jobs, 1 Company: How to Show Multiple Positions on Your Resume

How to Format Promotions In Your Resume

How to Rewrite Your Resume to Focus on Accomplishments, Not Just Job Duties

Resumes, Curriculum Vitae, and Cover Letters (Simmons College)

Q: What’s the best undergrad degree for a children’s librarian? (and more…)

Q: What’s the best undergrad degree for a children’s librarian? (and more…)

by Ellen Mehling ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Posted by Ellen Mehling

[This Q&A includes multiple questions, and we’ve enlisted the help of two info pros who work with children, Jennifer Spota and Abigail Garnett, to answer them.]

Q: I would like to become a children’s librarian, and I’m trying to figure out what kind of schooling I would need to complete to accomplish this. I’m thinking of getting my undergraduate BA in Education and then an MA in Library Sciences. Would this be a good path towards my goal? I would be fine working in either a school setting or a public library setting, but I want to specialize in early childhood literacy.

As to type of Education majors, would it be better to go through an early childhood education program (birth – kindergarten) or an elementary school education program (grades 1-6)? Which age group would be a better focus for a school or children’s librarian? 

A: I entered into the field of children’s librarianship without having a background in Early Childhood Education, but going through an Education program will certainly give you the skills you need to be a successful children’s or school librarian and may even give you a leg up when it comes to the job hunt.

Many Library Science Masters programs offer a specialization in school librarianship, which requires different and more targeted coursework than the generalized track. Some general masters programs will also offer electives related to children’s services—such as reader’s advisory for children—that are open to students who are not in the school librarian track.

Having an Education degree under your belt may also enable you to apply for other opportunities working in a public library in a position other than “librarian” – for instance, writing grants, managing projects related to children’s programs, or facilitating children’s programs as a contractor. These are great ways to get experience on your resume and explore what working for a public library system is like while you are still in library school.

Regarding which undergraduate program to choose, either one would be useful in a public library setting, and both will look good on a resume when looking for public children’s librarian positions. If you are aiming to work in a school library, you will most likely be working with students in grades K-5, so an elementary school education program will be your best bet.

With all that said, many people choose to change the field of librarianship they’re pursuing after getting partway (or all of the way!) through an MLS program. It all comes down to where your passions lie, and you should use your time in school to explore your interests further. Looking for internships or volunteer work while you’re in school is a great way to do that.

If your undergraduate program offers you opportunities to connect with school or public libraries, take advantage of them, and use your library school coursework to sample a wide range of professional duties. Your professors or Program Director may also be able to connect you with people working in school-based and public librarian positions for shadowing opportunities or for informational interviews. If you can get a sense of what it’s really like to work in public and school-based environments, you can make informed decisions about how to tailor your program of study.

Best of luck!

  • Abby Garnett is Library Information Supervisor and Children’s Librarian at the Cypress Hills branch of the Brooklyn Public Library in NYC.

Q: School librarians: What did you major in for your undergraduate studies? What would you recommend taking to start a successful career as a children’s or school librarian?

A: When someone asks what they should study as an undergraduate if they want to work as a Library Media Specialist or as a Children’s Librarian in a public library, my answer is a simple one: whatever you will enjoy and can be passionate about. I know this lack of a specific answer might be frustrating but one of the great things about becoming a librarian is that you can come into the profession with any undergraduate degree and become successful. I truly believe that it is more of a general mindset and approach to things that determines how well-suited one is for these particular tracks within the profession; you need to be flexible, creative, curious and analytical. Of course if you are looking to work as a Library Media Specialist or with children in a public library you should like kids as well!

I personally studied history and international studies as an undergraduate. My college also demanded that its students take a diverse set of liberal arts core classes. The great thing about this was that I was exposed to a cross section of knowledge and information. It’s important that these required core classes aren’t just written off as something to get out of the way. I have high school seniors with whom I am currently working across various classes and subjects. Having a basic understanding of a variety of topics and disciplines has proven to be invaluable. Even though as an LMS I’m not tasked with teaching subject content itself, my ability to talk knowledgeably about diverse topics gives me added credibility and impresses even some of the hardest-to-crack teenagers while we are working on research projects. History and international studies also helped me to develop critical thinking skills that are so important today. Library Media Specialists today need to involve themselves in supporting students in reaching the standards set for them by the Common Core. A lot of this involves inquiry, critical thinking and an increasing focus on interpreting informational texts. If you choose a major that helps you to develop these skills you will be much better-suited to help your patrons develop them as well.

You can always also consider majoring in education. This will give you a head start on the pedagogical theory and practices that you will cover when you enter library school. This is even true if you want to work in public libraries with children. Storytime and programming involve a lot of planning with the aim of helping children reach various developmental goals and skills.

Regardless of what you choose to study remember that if you show a genuine enthusiasm for reading and learning your students and patrons will be much more likely to look for that within themselves.

  • Jennifer Spota is School Library Media Specialist at Hampton Bays High School in Hampton Bays, NY and former Head Librarian at the Conjuring Arts Research Center in NYC.

Many thanks to Jen and Abby for sharing their expertise and advice!