Author: Susanne Markgren

Assistant Director of the Library for Technical Services
Q: How do I get back into the workforce after an illness, and being a stay-at-home parent?

Q: How do I get back into the workforce after an illness, and being a stay-at-home parent?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 1 Comment

Q: I have been out of the library field for awhile. I relocated, then was diagnosed with cancer, then decided to have a baby. Meanwhile, I was job searching locally but nothing worked out. I have worked, just not in libraries. Now it is time to widen my library job search geographically. So how do I explain – or do I need to explain – my absence? I am very aware that I cannot mention cancer (passed my five-year mark, odds are in my favor, thankyouverymuch) or motherhood (my child is getting close to school age).

TA: Welcome back to librarianship! Congratulations on motherhood and passing your five-year mark. For most us, even without a diagnosis of our own, cancer touches our lives through family, friends, or acquaintances, so kudos to you for your strength and determination to fight and overcome.

It’s encouraging to hear that you’re ready to get back into libraries, and you’re wise to consider a gap in employment as something you need to address. In my opinion, you want to address this head on, but keep it brief, simple and not overly personal. I would suggest one or two lines in your cover letter, something along the lines of “After a period of time off for personal reasons, including relocation with my family, I am enthusiastic about returning to librarianship, and I’m especially excited about this opportunity at XYZ Library. I feel confident that my education, experience and skills make me a strong candidate for the position of XYZ Librarian.” The statement is brief, slightly personal but not too much, and is optimistic and confident. You address the gap without going into too much detail.

Beyond your cover letter, there are a couple of other things I would recommend. First, have a really nice resume. Part of the resume is work experience, which as you say, is not work in libraries, but look for transferable skills. If you have worked in public service, customer service, web authoring, organizing volunteers, etc., think about these things as they relate to libraries (and to the specific position you’re applying for) and highlight them in your resume. Even volunteer work counts as long as the experience you gained directly relates to the position for which you are applying. It’s your job as the candidate to do all the work for the committee – show them how you meet the qualifications of the position and how your experience relates. You are your own best advocate.

Second, stay connected professionally. Be sure to join listservs, read blogs, attend workshops, join professional associations, etc. By staying connected, you’ll not only stay aware of current issues and trends in the profession and be ready to discuss those during an interview, but you’ll also begin to build a network of other professionals who will be able to support your job search. Additionally, potential employers will see that you’re active professionally as you build your resume with professional development and professional memberships. Furthermore, take advantage of technology training and be sure to keep these skills current – that’s another great thing to highlight on your resume. It not only shows initiative, but it’s also one less thing for a potential employer to worry about with someone who’s been off the job market for several years.

And finally, when you’re called for an on-site interview, be sure to stay open, positive and optimistic. Don’t shy away from or downplay the experiences you’ve had outside of librarianship. And if you feel that you’ve developed a rapport with the interviewer and feel comfortable sharing a little more personal detail than you’ve included in your cover letter, you can do that. I would still keep it fairly brief (this is, of course, still an interview, not speed dating) but at least in person you are able to judge a reaction and tailor your responses accordingly. At the cover letter stage, it’s just you “on paper“; during an interview, it’s you — the real you, the healthy you, the professional you — “in real life.”

SM:
You say that you are

“very aware that I cannot mention cancer … or motherhood.”

This statement, although understandable, is somewhat disconcerting. It shows your fears and reluctance to put yourself out there again. Gaps in your resume will stand out; and if they are not explained, they will send up red flags and leave the potential employer wondering what you were doing for those missing time periods. Don’t let them wonder, explain yourself first, eloquently and convincingly, and make them believe that you are ready to re-enter the workforce. You are certainly aware that your family decisions and your illness have impacted all aspects of your life, including your professional life, and you are trying to get yourself back into the profession that you want to be in. Make sure that your self-esteem is ready as well.

Be tactful, sincere, professional, and bold when addressing gaps in your resume. Keep the wording and tone optimistic, confident, and slightly personal in your cover letter (as Tiffany mentions above). In the interview stage, expect that you will be asked about the gaps. This is when you can say a little more, if you feel comfortable, without setting off alarm bells (as you might fear).

Tactful:
Be tactful when talking about personal matters – you wouldn’t go on and on about a painful divorce, or about losing a job, so make sure that you keep your personal matters still slightly personal. In your case, you have a few things to celebrate – a healthy outcome, and a child. These are not things to be ashamed of in any way, and have most likely made you a stronger person. Use this strength in your job search, and promote yourself and your experiences confidently.

Sincere:
I can appreciate and understand your unwillingness to mention an illness and protectiveness of your decision to stay at home for a few years, which many new parents make. And, it can be extremely difficult, not to mention uncomfortable, to discuss personal decisions with people you’ve just met. Having said that, I’m not advocating that you actually have a discussion about why you chose to stay at home to raise your child, or provide details about your battle with cancer. I only mean that you should be as honest and up front as possible without getting too personal. Hiding information will only hurt your chances at getting a job.

Professional:
When you get to the interview stage, remember that you are interviewing them as well. You need to find a workplace that you will be comfortable in and a workplace that suits your needs. Your interviewers can not (or should not) ask you certain personal questions, but you can share as much or as little as you like. How much you share will depend entirely on the situation, timing, and comfort level. Just remember, if your interviewers feel that you are hiding something, or that you are closed up, they will project that into the workplace and wonder if they can work with a person who is, or may be, overly guarded. Collaboration is a major part of librarians’ roles, and you will most likely (depending on the job you are applying for) have to prove that you can work comfortably with others in a collaborative environment. A large part of any in-person interview is finding a good fit for the library, so personality, sincerity, and rapport with key people are very important.

Bold:
Finally, be bold – ask your interviewers if they have any concerns about hiring someone who has been out of the workplace for a few years, and if so, find out what they are and see if you can address them. This is your chance to shine and to alleviate any fears they might have, while (hopefully) leaving your own fears behind. Best of luck!

Related articles:

“Gaps in Your Resume: Addressing an Interruption in Your Career Path” by John Lehner

“Mother’s Hone Leadership Skills on Career Breaks” USATODAY

“Tips To Handle Employment Gaps” by Nathan Newberger

“How to Handle a Gap in Your Job History” by Cynthia Wright

“When Stay-at-Home Fathers Return to Work (Elsewhere)” by Julia Lawlor
“Workforce Re-entry for a Stay at Home Mom” by Stacie Cathcart

“Coping With Chronic Illness When You’re on the Job Market” by Mary Morris Heiberger

Q: What can I do to get organized? I am feeling overwhelmed.

Q: What can I do to get organized? I am feeling overwhelmed.

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 2 Comments

Ahhh! A new year begins. It is time to stretch the old bones and the weary brain cells, and say farewell to substandard work habits of yesteryear. As we all know, it is extremely difficult to focus on specific tasks when your office, or work environment, is chaotic and disordered.

The image of the stereotypical librarian lends itself to a very organized person, someone who revels in classification and order. This always amuses me because most of the librarians I know (myself included) work amidst chaos as they juggle daily tasks and multiple roles, forcing organization to take a backseat to getting things done.

The New Year is the best (although by no means the only) time to take stock of, reorganize and prioritize your current work habits, work environment, and work goals. And, if you happen to be looking for a job, or wanting a change from your current job, you need to get organized, make a plan and set some goals!

Let’s look at ways to become more organized, which will hopefully lead to a successful and productive 2008.

  1. Clean up your space and de-clutter. Whether you inhabit an office, a cubicle, or a desk, you probably have extra paper, books, projects, and random items piling up. It is time to climb out from under the piles of stuff, get out the trash can and be realistic about a.) What you can accomplish, b.) What you need to complete, c.) What is impossible or unrealistic, and d.) What you want to take on if you have time. Everything else can go in the trash except for the books, you need to return them, as they are probably overdue.
  2. Create working (useful) piles and put those (not so useful) piles that are less urgent aside for now. Use file cabinets, bookshelves, or your desk to contain these files, just try to keep them small, neat and manageable. If you have to, go shopping to find functional containers to store your piles and files, rearrange your space to make it more usable, and utilize personal items that work for you. You will be much more content and productive in an environment that suits your needs, your style, and your work habits.
  3. Clean out your email! This is got to be one of the worst clutter magnets for any librarian I know. It is appalling how much time we spend emailing and checking our email, and how little time we spend on organizing and de-cluttering our email files, folders, and boxes. We should treat our online documents (email included) as we treat our printed documents.
  4. Start writing lists. Lists of goals, lists of things “to do” for the day, for the week, for the month, and don’t forget the wish lists. Once you write them, you need to use them and update them as you go. Make this an ongoing task for the year.
  5. Once you find an organization tool or trick that works for you, put it into practice and see if you can continue for the year. Make that a resolution. Getting organized can be extremely satisfying, and setting goals and making plans for the future can be both energizing and inspiring. So, what are you waiting for?

Here are a few resources that just might inspire a little de-cluttering and goal-setting in your life.

Penelope Trunk’s Brazen Careerist: Advice at the intersection of work and life
How to make a New Year’s resolution that you’ll keep

Productivity Cafe by Susan Sabo

Psychology of Clutter by Dr. Amie Ragan

Real Simple – Organizing Strategies

Successful Organizing Solutions (S.O.S.) by Nancy Kruschke McKinney

Q: Objective Statements – Necessary or Unnecessary?

Q: Objective Statements – Necessary or Unnecessary?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 2 Comments

We saw this question on Info Career Trends and couldn’t help but chime in with our thoughts on this often misunderstood and poorly interpreted resume addition.

Personally, I believe that objective statements are completely unnecessary, and that career goals and objectives can be conveyed better, and more prolifically, as part of the cover letter. I’ve read plenty of resumes and sat on many search committees over the years, and I’ve never read a good or memorable objective statement. Most of the ones I see say something like: “To work in an academic library as a reference librarian,” and the person is applying for a reference position, in an academic library (go figure). Or, there are the few that don’t relate to the position at all. A mistake by the candidate, yes, but it certainly makes it easier for the search committee to disqualify the person.

To be kind to the people who use them and like them, I think objective statements can be very difficult to write because many people may not have a clear-cut career objective that can be succinctly and narrowly summarized, and so they usually end up recycling the job title. This is not helpful to an interviewer, or potential employer. It is – or should be – obvious that once you apply for a position, you actually want to be in that position (unnecessary overkill to restate that in an objective statement). If I had to write mine, it would probably be something like this:

Objective Statement: I am seeking a position that will motivate me to constantly learn new skills; a position in a forward thinking and flexible environment, with a supportive director who will allow me to use my own judgment and initiative in as many ways possible.

A little vague, perhaps; a little bold, definitely — but better than repeating the job description. And yet somehow, I don’t really think that a potential employer would want to see this on a resume. If you feel strongly that you want to have something else on your resume, something enticing that will sum up information for potential employers, you should consider an alternative such as a qualification summary or summary statement. Qualification summaries allow you to summarize your skills and experience for the job at hand, and (in a few words) let potential employers know how you can benefit them, rather than an objective statement that can potentially harm your chances for that interview. For more information about qualification summaries, here are some useful sites:

Effective Resumes: An ‘Objective’ Debate (Yahoo! HotJobs Exclusive by Erin Hovanec)

At-homeworks.com (Step 3: Qualification Summary & Skill Set)

University of Minnesota’s Office of Human Resources (Profile or Summary of Qualifications)

………………………….
What do you think? If you are applying for positions, do you use either objective statements or qualification summaries? If you are interviewing, what is your opinion of these resume additions?

Q: I’ve recently accepted a new job. What should I be doing now to prepare, and what should I expect when I start?

Q: I’ve recently accepted a new job. What should I be doing now to prepare, and what should I expect when I start?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Before You Start

So, you’ve interviewed, negotiated and accepted the job. It’s time to kick back and relax, right? Well, yes — and no. Certainly, after a successful interview and negotiation, you’ve earned the right to bask in the glory of an accepted job offer. But as the time approaches for you to begin in your new position, there are a few things you’l need to do to make a smooth transition.

 

First, are you relocating to a new area? If so, you’ll need to find a place to live, eat, shop, and everything else that relates to life in a new community. Hopefully you had a chance during your interview to explore the area, but now is the time to get familiar with the organization, campus, and/or local community. You’ll want to take some time to find your way around — practice the drive (walk, bus route) to work and get familiar with getting to work (traffic, how long it takes, where to park). You’ll also want to be sure to complete any pre-employment paperwork you received and submit it in a timely fashion. Often a lot of work is completed in advance to help smooth the transition into your new position. Finally, as the first day approaches, phone or email your new supervisor, express your enthusiasm about reporting to work, and ask if there’s anything you should do to prepare for your first day.

 

The First Day

Most of your first day will be spent on getting to work, getting to know people at work, and getting ready for work — not actually working. You’ll have to set up parking permits, computer access accounts, name badges, employee IDs, e-mail accounts, and everything else. You’ll also probably need to take a look at your office/desk/cubicle to see what you have (someone’s leftover 2003 wall calendar, an old coffee cup and a hundred paperclips) and what you don’t have, but need (a new calendar, a personal photograph, a new coffee cup, a stapler and other random office supplies).

 

Remember that it’s okay to ask questions — it’s actually completely expected. Someone should show you where the restrooms and the water fountain are located, and hopefully the closest coffee place. Your supervisor should also discuss the daily schedule (when to report in, when to leave), if there are strict guidelines for this, if and when to take breaks, schedule lunch, etc. Sometimes, workplaces with flexible schedules have loose guidelines regarding when to come in, when to leave, and when to take lunch. The problem comes when this institutional or departmental culture is not communicated to the new employee — so, as a result of the oversight, you end up with new employees not taking lunch for the first few days because they can’t figure out when everyone else is going. As the new employee, it is completely appropriate for you to ask these questions of your new supervisor if this information is not communicated.

 

You’ll also be meeting a lot of new people on your first day and learning a lot of new names. In between meetings, if you can jot down names, responsibilities and a brief note about the person (John Smith, Cataloger, catalogs everything I order), you’l have a much better chance of remembering details down the road.

 

The First Week

The first week is a time for you to get to know your work environment, the larger (parent) institution, and your colleagues a little better. You won’t be getting much actual work done this week. More likely you will be spending your time meeting with all the people you did not have time to meet on your very busy first day — people in human resources and IT, your supervisor(s), and your colleagues — as well as finalizing all the important details of moving into and getting settled in a new work space.

 

Use this week to get to know the people you are going to be working with and to begin relationships with people that will help you as you advance in your new role. Try to meet with people on an individual basis, and ask them similar questions about their jobs, their goals, and their expectations of working with you. You will learn a lot about the workflow in the library, and you will make friends in the process. Also, use your new colleagues as sources of local information for neighborhood eateries and shops, and events on and off campus. Set up lunch dates as ways to get to know them better. You might be tempted to ask your new colleagues about office gossip and their own satisfaction in their roles and with the larger institution, but try to stay away from any negative talk, which could damper your enthusiasm and energy.

 

While you’re meeting new people in your library, find out who else, outside of your library and even outside of your institution, might be good for you to get to know. These individuals may include people in the IT department, librarians or library staff in related libraries or consortia, and groups or committees that you might want to join. Find out from your supervisor and your colleagues who you should contact and start a list of names.

 

The first week is your chance to ask lots of questions and get to know the people you will be working with and for. It is also a time for you to impress others with your enthusiasm and eagerness to be a part of the team. Making a good first impression will benefit you in the future.

 

The First Month

The first month is when you really get to know the ins and outs of your role in the library and what is required of you. As you dive into your job responsibilities and get into the rhythm of the work environment, remember that you are still new and still in a trial or probationary period. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your supervisor and ask for assistance from your colleagues, if needed. If you are in an existing position, collect and go through materials left behind by the previous person: files, papers, projects, notes. If you are in a newly-created position, you’ll need to work closely with your supervisor to develop goals that will fulfill the needs of the library, and work this new position seamlessly into the team. Organize all your materials and your office space. Save everything at this point, because you don’t know what you might need in the future.

 

The first month is also a good time for you to start to become involved in committees, associations, and groups, both those that interest you and ones that will assist you in your job. You should also join online communities and subscribe to library-related blogs and e-mail lists where you can learn new things and keep up-to-date on new resources and new technology.

 

You will certainly feel energized as you start your new job, and you might even feel like charging forward and getting things done quickly. Before you do, make sure you’re not stepping on any toes, that you’re not changing the workflow, and that you’re not excluding others in the process. Many new librarians are hired as “change agents” with the expectation that they will motivate other staff members and bring in new ideas. This can be a very positive thing for a stale work environment, but it needs to be done gradually with clear goals, communication, support from management, and buy-in from the staff.

 

Whether you are stepping into someone else’s shoes, or starting out in a newly created position, learn what is expected of you — and set your own job-specific and career related goals for your first month, for your first year, and beyond.

 

Additional Resources:

Being a New Librarian in a New Library: What to Expect When You Take the Plunge

by Sarah C. King

Your First Year on the Job: Five Tips to Help New Librarians
by Cassandra E. Osterloh

Y’s Guide to Starting a New School/Library/Job

by Alice Yucht

 

[This response was written jointly by the Library Career People. We would like to invite our readers to share their own advice by using the comments. Thank you!]

Q: Am I overqualified for library positions?

Q: Am I overqualified for library positions?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 1 Comment

Q: I am a 40-something communications/PR professional with a degree from a well-known university. I am embarking on a mid-life career change and applying to MLS programs with the hopes of starting school in January. The problem is that I have never worked in a library and would like to work part-time as I get my degree. I’ve applied for about 20 different positions in the last two months that don’t require an MLS and have received no interviews. I’m applying for jobs in the $8-$15 hour range, which is a big pay cut for me, but I’m more than willing to start at the bottom. I know that some may feel that I’m overqualified, but I clearly explain my motivations in my cover letter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

SM: I applaud your efforts to get a taste of the profession and its day-to-day work before you begin library school, and admire your willingness to take a pay cut to get (much needed) experience. Many people are unable to do just that. We have stated many times in this column that any library experience you get before or during your time in library school can be crucial to finding a job once you get your degree. Also, working in the profession while getting your library degree will only enhance your studies and help you to decide on an area of specialization.

Since I do not know what kind of positions you are applying for, and I have not read your cover letters, I can only guess as to the reasons why you are not getting interviews. As you mentioned, potential employers probably do see you as overqualified for the position because of your extensive work experience and knowing that you would be taking a severe pay cut (e.g., does this make you seem desperate?). However, other applicants may have previous library experience, which (in some cases) would make them more qualified for that particular position.

Also, potential employers, knowing that you are going to start library school, might see you as a transitory — as someone who is not all that serious about the position at hand, seeking any experience in order to bide time while getting a degree. Employers don’t like to fill positions with people they know are going to leave quickly, and they often do not like to fill paraprofessional positions with professionals. Even though you do not have the degree, they might view you as a “librarian,” since you are on your way to becoming one.

To get past these obstacles, write your cover letter carefully. Stating that you are interested in the profession and plan on getting your library degree is not enough to get you the job — or even an interview (as you’re finding out). I wouldn’t take that out of your cover letter; it is important to your motivation and addresses the larger context of the position, but doesn’t hold as much weight as you may think. Focus more heavily on the job description and your transferable skills. For example, if the position is in public services, your communications background will come in handy. Use concrete examples of how you might excel at a given position because of your prior work experience. This helps potential employers see you as the right person for the position and your interest in the profession then becomes an added bonus.

If you’re focusing on one type of position (reference, circulation), or one type of library (academic), maybe you need to widen your search. Even if you know you want to be an academic librarian, it won’t hurt you at this point to work in a public library, or a special library. Any experience will be beneficial to you as you begin library school, and any library job will be a stepping stone to that next position, and the next, and so on.

Many library positions in both academic libraries and public libraries require you to fill out applications (some online) and/or take civil service exams. Find out if this is the case with positions you are interested in. If you want to work in an academic library, you might want to wait until you are enrolled in classes, so that you can apply for student jobs at your school. Also, think about volunteering at a library, which could lead to a job; or doing an internship, which could be arranged through your library school. If you haven’t done so yet, talk to someone at the career development office at your school. They might be able to help you find something, or provide you with job leads in your area.

Don’t give up hope, you will find a position. I started from the bottom up, and my diverse experiences along the way have provided me with invaluable skills and knowledge. I have become a better, and more well-rounded, librarian than if I would have started somewhere in the middle.

Helpful Articles

“Getting Started: Employment Opportunities for Graduate Students in Library and Information Programs” by Charlie Potter and Shelly Franklin

“Reasons Why People Don’t Get the Job” by Sean Duffy

“Making Your Cover Letter Work For You” by Tiffany Eatman Allen and Richard A. Murray

Q: How do I determine my fee?

Q: How do I determine my fee?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have eight years experience working as a school library media specialist at both elementary and secondary levels. I was recently asked to help a private school get their library up to standard (weeding, acquisitions, cataloging, etc.). I have offered to act as a library consultant to the school for at least the next year, possibly long term. How do I determine my fee? How do I determine how many hours of service I would provide? Can I do this and continue working for the public school system? I have had difficulty finding resources online for setting up a school library consulting service.

TA: There are quite a few factors to consider, some of which I may be able to help with, and others you may need to resolve on your own – such as coordinating with your current employer. Before proceeding with your consulting work, you’ll need to check to see if it’s permitted in your contract, and that it doesn’t present any conflicts of interest with your current job. If you’re clear to begin, I hope you’ll find the following advice helpful: First, some things you need to consider while pulling together your consultant business plan, and secondly, several online resources to help answer some of your questions.

First things first: Congrats on the offer of work with this private school. One of my favorite sayings is, “The reward for good work is more work.” Most often, it truly is a reward. You’ve clearly done a good job, and garnered a great deal of respect for your work — so much so that others are seeking you out for your wisdom and expertise.

So, now that you have an offer to help get this school’s library up to standard. Where do you start? A logical place to begin might be with an initial consultation and survey of the materials. Try to size up the type of work that will need to be done and estimate how long it will take. Be sure to make a comprehensive list of the work required, and an accurate and honest appraisal of the time required. Just as with any other project, you’ll want to know the guidelines and framework before starting.

Once you have a reasonable idea of what needs to be done, you want to think about your billing structure. Will you be charging by the hour, or will you charge on a project basis? It seems natural to charge on an hourly basis, especially since your work may continue past this original project, but first consider all the factors. To get a sense of what to charge, I would suggest a review of the market. Look at the pricing models of similar businesses in the local area or region. You may be able to get some assistance with identifying peers from your local business bureau, chamber of commerce, or even ALA. Also, when setting your fee, don’t forget about the costs that are usually assumed by the employer when working in a larger organization, such as fringe benefits (health insurance, retirement) and the overhead costs of doing business (equipment, office supplies, postage). Factor these relevant costs into your hourly rate.

Next, review the project proposal with the client. Go over the details of the work to be done, the method of billing, and the expectations for payment. Will you receive payment at the end of the project, or be paid in installments? Be sure you have their complete buy-in on the work to be done and rate of pay before proceeding.

I would also recommend that you check for any small business development centers or business incubators in your area. (A business incubator provides support to entrepreneurs through services like coaching, networking, and capital.) You may also want to check out your local public library. The Spokane Public Library has an amazing online resource for freelancers and consultants (see Additional Resources) and your public library may offer similar services and expertise.

Best of luck with your work. I hope it is a successful and enjoyable venture.

Additional Resources

Spokane Public Library, Research, Subject Guide: Start Your Own Business
Excellent site that covers print and online resources on a number of topics related to starting your own consultant services. Also includes information on federal agencies and national organizations for freelancers and consultants.

How to Start a Consulting Business
Pay particular attention to the “Income and Billing” section.

Working Solo: The information source for independent entrepreneurs and companies serving the SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) market
If you decide to do more someday with your new consultant business, lots of resources here…