Author: Susanne Markgren

Assistant Director of the Library for Technical Services
Q: Any hints for a husband and wife seeking to relocate together to another academic institution?

Q: Any hints for a husband and wife seeking to relocate together to another academic institution?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 1 Comment

Q: Any hints for a husband and wife seeking to relocate together to another academic institution? Can it be done? (He’s in archives/special collections, I’m currently in resource sharing, but have cataloging experience and have worked in public libraries in various capacities. Both of us have an MLS.) If either of us were a finalist for a position somewhere, would it be proper to inquire about job possibilities for the other spouse?

SM: Dear Librarian + Spouse,

The good news is that yes, it is possible, and even somewhat common in higher education for institutions to hire spouses. This is usually called dual-career hiring. It is fortunate that both of you are seeking academic positions.

My advice is for the two of you to apply for positions, ones that you are qualified for and truly want. Don’t concern yourselves at this point about whether or not a particular institution will also hire a spouse. Before you go for an interview, do your research into dual career resources at the university or institution. Gather all the information you can on it, and contact the correct people at the institution, if needed, to ask questions. Keep in mind that this is all moot until you actually get a job offer.

At the interview stage, do not mention to the search committee that your spouse is also looking for a job at the same institution. The search committee cannot legally ask you about marital status and by bringing it to their attention you could put the committee at risk of investigation if you were not hired. If your spouse applies for a job at the same library, chances are the search committee already knows this, but still do not mention it. Once you get a job offer, then you can bring it to the attention of the library director, or human resources (or the person who formally offers you the position), and ask what kind of program they have in place for spousal hiring. Some institutions will have well-defined programs and others will not. After you have been offered the job, it is your right to negotiate terms and your right to ask for time to consider what they have to offer.

As you’ve probably already figured out, you and your spouse need to decide if securing jobs for the two of you is a deal breaker. Will you only take a job if they have one for your spouse? What factors (e.g., your dream job, dream location, salary, benefits, etc.) will you need to consider when making this important decision?

I know several faculty members (including a few librarians) whose spouses were hired along with them (not all were faculty positions). In an ideal world, if the university/library/search committee really wants you then it would be in their best interest to find a job for your spouse. But, in reality, finding jobs for the two of you at the same institution, or even in the same city, can be a complicated and prolonged process. Best of luck to you both.

Here are some informational sites and resources from higher education institutions on dual-career hiring:

Realities of Dual Careers
Inside Higher Ed

Dual Career Academics
Stanford University

Lessons of a Dual Hire by Rebecca Manderlay
Chronicle of Higher Education, August 19, 2009

The Dual Career Network
The University of Iowa

Dual Career FAQs
University of Virginia

Faculty Spousal and Partner Hiring Assistance Program
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Spouse/Partner Employment: Dual Career Services
The University of Minnesota

Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium

Q: Can the color of my hair prevent me from getting a job?

Q: Can the color of my hair prevent me from getting a job?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I am pursuing my MLIS and will be graduating in December. I have started to look for jobs already and have been to a few interviews with no luck. My hair is dark brown with bright red streaks in the front but I dress professionally at my workplace and on interviews. My question is: could my hair color really be affecting my career prospects? I live in a fairly liberal city and I am striving to become a Young Adult librarian. I even use the argument that my ‘alternative’ hair could encourage teens to interact with me, as they’ll relate to me more if I look like them.  I’m curious to hear feedback from someone in the field. If the hair is really considered an issue, then I will dye it all brown. But I do not wish to do so if it is not completely necessary.

SM: This is a difficult question to answer because I want to tell you to be yourself, to stand out, to express your individuality and creativity, and to not conform to what is expected – but, as much as I may love to see someone flaunt their creative flair, another person may find it inappropriate.  Interviewers are not objective. They rely on their own personal tastes and may have pre-conceived opinions about others based on appearance. And, remember, you are being scrutinized and judged on many different levels by many different people when you interview.

I know many people who have facial piercings, tattoos (I have a few myself), and alternative hair styles and colors. Do they take out their nose/eyebrow/lip rings when interviewing? Yes. Do they attempt to hide their tattoos? Depends on where the tattoo is located, but a suit or tights will typically do the job. Do they tone down their alternative hair color and/or style? Usually.

Now, you would think that an interview for a young adult librarian position in an urban public library would warrant more creative expression than an interview for a law librarian position, and you would probably be correct. But, you can never be sure. It really depends on who is on the search committee, and – more importantly – who has the ultimate hiring decision. The people who interview you may love your red streaks, but… the library director may find them unprofessional.

When we interview, we need to present a professional persona, whether or not we normally dress or behave that way.  It is kind of like playing a game… and you should probably play it safe. Once you get the job, you will have more freedom to express your individual style.

There are, what I would call, appearance-related rules for interviewing that everyone should follow:

  • Always wear a suit (or something close to it like a coordinated jacket and pants/skirt)
  • Be clean and polished (showered, brushed, shaved, etc.)
  • Present yourself professionally (shake hands, stand straight, smile, look people in the eye, appear interested)

A downside of following the rules is that it can be easy for you to hide behind a suit and a pair of uncomfortable shoes and present only your professional side. Interviewers yearn for a taste of the “real person” because they want to know if you will be a good fit with the rest of the staff and the patrons. They want to know if you are quirky and have a sense of humor, they want to know if you can get along well with others and can be engaging and thoughtful. Try to let your true self shine through at some point during the interview process and show your creative style in your professional attire, if possible.

Having said all that, if you feel strongly about not getting rid of your streaks, then don’t. Personally, I see no problem with it, but I feel obligated to let you know that yes, it may be an issue.  Since you are in the early stages of searching for jobs, you might want to wait a while and go on a few more interviews before making any changes to your appearance. You hair color really shouldn’t keep you from finding the job you love. I would, however, steer clear of making the argument that your alternative hair color can help you relate to teens unless your interviewers ask you about it. Trust me, they will notice and make their own assumptions… and quite possibly, they will come to the same conclusion. Best of luck to you!

We would love to hear from our readers on this question. How would you answer this question? And, would you (or did you) “tone it down” for interviews, or not?

Q: Will it damage my career to remain in my current job as a library paraprofessional even though I have the MLIS?

Q: Will it damage my career to remain in my current job as a library paraprofessional even though I have the MLIS?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I recently discovered your excellent website and hoped you might be able to answer my career related question:

Will it damage my career to remain in my current job as a library paraprofessional even though I have the MLIS? Obviously I would prefer to be a professional librarian, but overall I’m very happy with my situation. I enjoy my job, my library and my coworkers very much. Furthermore, my employer provides excellent family benefits. I’m not geographically mobile and the job market in my area is extremely difficult right now, so most likely I’ll be stuck where I am for a while whether I want to be or not. However, I worry whether it will look bad to future employers that I stayed on as a paraprofessional after getting my degree; and whether my degree might eventually be considered outdated. I am making the most of my position by writing for publication, serving on committees, volunteering for different activities to broaden my horizons, etc. Is there anything else I should be doing for “damage control”? Am I making too much of this? Any advice would be appreciated.

A: We are both mothers and can attest to the importance of having good childcare and excellent family benefits. Working parents, at some point or another, have to balance not only their own schedules and careers, but they also have to make important (and often difficult) decisions about childcare and family finances. And that inevitably leads to the dreaded familial “s” word: sacrifice.

Normally we would advise people who have their library degrees to not stay in paraprofessional positions unless they are actively searching for profesional librarian positions. You are right to be a bit nervous about your current job situation affecting your future job prospects because, well, it might. It’s not so much that potential employers might view your degree as “outdated,” more likely they will view your skills and experience as not being on the level of those working in professional librarian roles, and they also might question your drive and motivation if you are content to stay in a non-librarian role for so long after receiving your MLIS.

But, we completely understand that everyone’s situation is different and our advice should not be prescribed universally. It seems like you have done your research on possible workplaces in your area (and their childcare options), you are not geographically mobile, and you have already made up your mind to stay where you are for a few years. This is perfectly fine and the most important thing is that you are happy. Happy with your decision and happy with your current work environment. Not everyone can say that, so count yourself lucky.

As for damage control, it sounds like you are already doing it by taking on extra commitments and duties and writing for publication. You are definitely making the most of your current situation and gaining professional-level experience along the way. Keep this up and when the time comes to apply for librarian positions, you will need to: a.) address why you chose to stay in a paraprofessional position in your cover letter, and b.) highlight your professional work/activities/committees/publications/etc. in your resume.

In the mean time, keep up your skills, show initiative in your current job by volunteering to take on new projects and new technologies, maintain connections with the library community in your area, attend classes and programs, and continue to build your professional portfolio.

We hope that this advice has given you some justification for your situation and some much needed reassurance that your future job prospects have not been ruined… because, as parents, we all need some of that.

Q: Are you getting many questions about ageism in hiring librarians or library staff?

Q: Are you getting many questions about ageism in hiring librarians or library staff?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: Are you getting many questions about ageism in hiring librarians or library staff? I am a librarian with 22 years of experience, an MLS, and an advanced certificate in preservation management. I don’t consider myself old (I’m in my late 40’s) but feel like I am seen that way when I apply for jobs. I tried to get a volunteer position at a public library, and was asked if I was retired. I have applied for various positions, both professional and paraprofessional, part-time and full-time, over the last four months, and have not even been called for an interview for any of them. I even applied for a library page position, hoping to bring in a little bit of money, and did not even make it to the interview stage! I applied yesterday for a temporary contract position that stated a preference for recent library school graduates. I used to think that years of experience was a good thing, but apparently if I just graduated from library school and had little or no experience I would be a more attractive candidate.

I’m just curious as to whether or not others have written in with similar issues, and whether or not you had any advice on how to find a job after being in the field for over 20 years. Thanks so much!

SM: We get many more questions from people who lack experience and the advice we give to them, as you can guess, focuses on how to get that much needed experience.

Each person’s situation and experiences are unique, which makes it difficult to determine why or why not someone is a good candidate for a particular job. You have lots of experience, which (you are correct) is a very valuable thing to have, but (you are also correct) it might not be helping you out in your current search for a job.

Here are some possible reasons:

  1. Entry-level: Many of the available positions are entry-level jobs – jobs that require little experience and jobs that are at the beginning of the pay scale. For these positions, an employer may avoid candidates with years of experience because they might consider them overqualified or feel like they cannot justify paying them less than they deserve. In this case, your years of experience may indeed make you a less desirable candidate.
  2. Technology-centric: This is not a recent trend, but it is becoming increasingly critical for all librarians, in every role in the library, to have technology skills (have you seen the recent job ads for “emerging technologies librarians”?). These are skills that are being taught in library schools today, skills that are highly desired, and skills that those of us who graduated years ago need to pick up on our own.
  3. Geographic mobility and timing: Job openings continue to be sparse. Budgets are in crisis, institutions are experiencing hiring freezes and positions are being filled on an as-needed basis. If you are able to move for a job, it will open up more opportunities. If you are unable to move, you will need to be more patient as you wait for positions to open up in your area. Continue to seek out alternative positions, such as volunteering and part-time jobs or seek out a library employment agency [http://www.libraryjobpostings.org/placement.htm], in order to maintain and utilize your skills. You’ve only been searching for four months, which (even though I’m sure it feels like a very long time) is not long at all. Give it more time, and rather than apply for any available job, try to find one that suits you.
  4. It is easier to get a job when you have a job: If you do not have a current job, you are creating a gap in your work history. Potential employers will notice this and wonder why you are not currently working… so you will need to explain the gap in your cover letter. The longer the gap, the more difficult it can be to find a job. Employers expect their new employees to be on top of current trends and aware of emerging technologies, and they want to avoid conflict. So, if there was any at a past position, you can be pretty sure they will find out. If you are unemployed due to circumstances beyond your control (e.g., temporary position, relocation, budget cuts, etc.), then you need to relate that information in a cover letter. Be honest about your past work history.


Here are some things you can do that might help.

  • Update your resume and tailor it to highlight specific skills and experience that relate to a specific job. For example, if you are applying for a public services position, play up your public service experience even if it is minor compared to your experience in technical services. And, it is always a good idea to have someone review your resume for you. You might even want to look into a resume reviewing service.
  • Don’t underestimate the importance of a well-written and convincing cover letter. Like your resume, tailor each cover letter for each position. Your cover letter should communicate confidence, uniqueness, and enthusiastic interest in the position. This is where you can connect your years of experience to the job at hand and explain any gaps in your resume. Be positive and address how you can meet the requirements of the job. Avoid overconfidence, generalizations, and negativity.
  • Attend classes, webinars, symposia, and conferences. You can update your skills and network at the same time.
  • Become involved in local library organizations and take advantage of their meetings, programs, job lists, and people who might be able to help you in your job search.
Q: What is the probability of being interviewed/hired for an out-of-state position?

Q: What is the probability of being interviewed/hired for an out-of-state position?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I would like to know the probability of being interviewed/hired for an out-of-state position. As a recent graduate, I am looking for an entry level position. I am curious if employers are ever hesitant to contact someone who may live out of state.

SM: To answer your question directly, I’m sure there are employers who are hesitant to contact an applicant who lives out of state. Many institutions cannot or will not pay to bring in applicants from other states, or even those who live on the other side of the state. But, I have been on many search committees and I can safely say that employers want the best possible applicant pool they can get. My advice: don’t worry about what employers may or may not think, or if they may or may not have the money to bring in applicants from out of state. Apply for all the jobs you are qualified for, no matter where they are located. Employers want to find the best person for the job, and that means that many of them will be looking at out-of-state applicants.

I am speaking from an academic library perspective. Public library systems, school libraries and government/special libraries may require their applicants (and employees) to live inside the city, county, or state limits.

When a job is posted, employers have to consider and accept resumes from all applicants. It gets a little trickier with applicants from other countries who may require visas in order to work in the United States, and who may not have the equivalent credentials to qualify for the job at hand.

First, you need to ask yourself: are you willing to move for a job? If you are, you will have an easier time searching for that perfect job. Being geographically mobile will allow you to apply for many more positions and, it will allow you to be more selective in your search because you have that many more jobs available to you.

Second, you need to ask yourself: are you willing to pay your own way to interview for a job? Normally, I would advise people to be hesitant (as in “don’t do it!”) about spending their own money for the mere chance of a job. When I was looking for jobs in other states I turned down several interviews because I – indignantly – refused to pay my own way. My thoughts on this have mellowed slightly over the years. I would still advise people to be hesitant, but I realize that many institutions have experienced severe budget cuts and hiring freezes and as much as they would like to pay for a candidate to come for an interview, they cannot.

Here are some things to think about before you pay your own way:

  • You need to have a really good feeling about the position and be fairly certain you would take the job if offered.
  • Only pay your way if you have the money to do so. Some trips and locations are much more expensive than others, so estimate how much it will be and figure out if you can afford it, and if it is worth it (even if you do not get the job). Perhaps you have a friend or relative you can stay with, or it is a destination you had planned to visit anyway.
  • Try to get to know them (the library, the staff, the search committee, the director, the institution) and the city/area as much as possible from a distance. Do your research!
  • Make sure that they know you by having a well-crafted cover letter and resume, and supporting materials (such as an online portfolio, professional web site, samples of your work, etc.) that you can provide to them ahead of time.
  • Ask the search committee how many candidates they are inviting for in-person interviews. Normally you wouldn’t ask this, but if you have to pay your own way, this could affect your decision to interview. If they are inviting two or three people, then your chances will be much better than if they are inviting five or six people.

Finally, before you go for an out-of-state interview, no matter who pays, you will (or you should) have an initial interview, either over the phone or via Skype (or Google Chat, etc.). So brush up on your phone interview skills and be prepared if the search committee wants you to do a Skype interview. You might even suggest it to them… just be sure to wear a suit if you are going to be on camera.

Q: How can I possibly gain some (library) experience while still holding down my current 9-5 job?

Q: How can I possibly gain some (library) experience while still holding down my current 9-5 job?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This answer is provided by our guest author, Rachel Kuhn Stinehelfer.

Q: I have an MLIS that I received about 9 years ago. Prior to that, I had about 10 years of experience working as a page, circulation desk worker, supervisor, etc. After receiving my degree, I worked for a year and a half as a reference and systems librarian at a small academic library. Due to a job transfer on my husband’s part, I ended up having to quit that job, and was unable to find a new one in our new location. So I went back to school, and have been working as a web programmer and database designer for the last 5 years.

I really miss working in the library world, and would like to re-enter it. I now live in an area where there are many community colleges. One of the biggest problems I’m finding, though, is that all the job requirements mention wanting “recent” academic library experience — how can I possibly gain some experience while still holding down my current 9-5 job? I don’t see myself getting looked at twice by hiring committees without it, and frankly, I could really use some experience to get back up to speed on library technologies and procedures. I’d be happy to volunteer somewhere, but academic libraries don’t seem real big on volunteers. Is it possible for someone, post-degree, to get an internship? Any suggestions on how to handle this?

RKS: That does sound like a tough position to be in. There are several ways to look at your situation and many opportunities in front of you.

First, I would call a couple of the local community college libraries and ask to speak to the person in charge of hiring or the department head of the area you are most interested in. Set up an informational interview try to see if you can come in person to talk to them and if that is not an option then ask if you could arrange a phone interview. Prepare as if it is a real interview. Have lots of questions (not too many!) and take a copy of your résumé. Look the part – wear a nice outfit and take the conversation seriously. They will be able to talk to you about the job market, their particular library and the skills that they are expecting from a librarian. Be sure to follow up with a handwritten thank you note. All the impressions you are making could lead to a future opportunity.

Second, you mentioned that your skills need updating and refreshing. Taking a class either in person or online would be a real benefit to you – not only will it make your résumé more current, it will show that you are interested in staying current in the profession. You may even make connections that could lead to a job – you just never know.

Third, to your comment about academic libraries not wanting volunteers. I think that is not always the case. Sometimes it has to do with the school’s overall policy, so it is worth a phone call to the libraries you are interested in.

From your perspective it sounds like you are a bit stalled in making that next step, so I hope one or all of these ideas will help you to reach your goal. And good luck!

Q: Will my concentration in library school limit my job prospects?

Q: Will my concentration in library school limit my job prospects?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This answer is provided by our guest author, Rachel Kuhn Stinehelfer.

Q: I recently started library school and I am required to pick a specific track, or focus, within the program: cataloging, reference, information technology,  school librarianship, archives, or law librarianship. For the last year, I have worked in a government law library where I shelve and update  the collection as well as provide some reference assistance to patrons.  I love my job – especially the reference part.  Originally, I entered library school  thinking I would focus on reference. Now, after having finished one term of library school, I’m wondering if concentrating on reference will pigeonhole me  into being qualified for only reference positions when I finish my degree.  Since I’m getting reference experience in my job, should I still plan on making  it my academic focus?  Reference is my favorite, but should I pick something else to be more well-rounded in the job search?  If I concentrate on reference,  will I ever have any business applying for a job in cataloging, for example? Thank you for your wisdom and insight!

RKS: From reading your letter it sounds like you really love reference and law librarianship, so I think the question comes down to – would you want to be a  cataloger?  If you love reference, you should focus on reference. I doubt you would want to apply for a cataloging job if you are really a public services  person as those are two very different positions.  That being said, I think that cataloging is fundamental to understanding library catalogs and metadata so be sure to explore many of the courses available to you. Having work experience and an academic focus in a specific area, rather than being a  jack-of-all-trades, will make you a stronger candidate.

SM: I agree with everything Rachel said. Don’t worry about being pigeonholed before you’ve even started applying for positions. Do what you love, focus on what interests you, and get as much experience as possible. Potential employers will be more impressed with your experience and skills than your concentration in library school (trust me). One of the benefits of working (in a library) during library school, is discovering what you like to do and what  kind of role you would like to pursue after you get your degree. After you’ve worked for a while, you just might feel like you want to change roles, or look for something different — many people do! — and it might not be as difficult as you imagine.  Check out this article that Tiffany and I wrote to address questions and concerns similar to yours:

“How do I get there from here? Changing jobs, changing roles, changing institutions”
by Susanne Markgren and Tiffany Allen
C&RL News, December 2004, Vol. 65, No. 11