Author: Tiffany

Q: In the business field, there are headhunters who can help match a person to a particular position. Is there anything similar in the library field?

Q: In the business field, there are headhunters who can help match a person to a particular position. Is there anything similar in the library field?

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: In the business field, there are headhunters who can help match a person to a particular position. Is there anything similar in the library field?

Funny you should ask because there’s an interesting conversation happening right now on the New Librarian’s Listserv (newlib-l@usc.edu) about this very topic: Library placement Services.There are a number of these agencies out there that specialize in placements for librarian positions. And they can work in both directions — finding a job or a librarian, and finding a librarian for the job. In the end, I guess it’s the same outcome… the right placement in the right organization to get the job done.Here’s a website with a listing of several placement agencies, many of which specialize in a geographic region: http://www.libraryjobpostings.org/placement.htm. Take a look and best of luck with your search.

How about our readers??? Anyone out there with a related experience? Any thoughts/advice/warnings you want to share?

Q: How do I prepare for a 2nd round interview?

Q: How do I prepare for a 2nd round interview?

by Tiffany ♥ 1 Comment

Question:

“I am preparing for a 2nd round interview with my Board of Trustees for the director’s position. I have spent most of my time in middle management and need to impress the Board that my ‘on the floor’ rapport with staff and patrons can translate into being a great director. What should I focus on for my next interview?”

Answer:

Play to your strengths. Be sure to think and talk big picture (because that’s what they’re going to be worried about—Is she a “good librarian” or can she make the leap to “leader/manager/director”) but also stay grounded and provide real world, “on the floor” examples. For example, when you talk about setting policy, outreach, budgets, etc., put a face to those concepts—talk about your experience with patrons, boards, citizens of the community, and how those experiences and interactions will better inform your decisions as a director.

What you have over other candidates is current/real-life/library/in-the-trenches experience, and you need to make that an asset. But be sure to also impress them with your ability to raise the level of knowledge to the bigger picture and to prove that you’re able to make the big and important decisions. Can you do “the job” AND see the big picture? Can you serve the client, while also managing budgets, setting priorities and leading a staff? In short, think big picture, drawing on your experience locally to illustrate your ideas and outcomes. Best of luck with the interview!!!

Q: What do you wish you’d learned in Library School?

Q: What do you wish you’d learned in Library School?

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

A couple of friends of mine just published an article as guest columnists in the Informed Librarian titled, What Do You Wish You’d Learned in Library School? (http://www.informedlibrarian.com/this_month.cfm)

A couple of questions for you:

  • For all the students still in school-Do you think this information will help you select courses or shape your academic experience to better prepare for the job market?
  • And for all those new (or not-so-new) professionals-As you reflect back on your days getting started in the profession, is there something you would add to Murray and Shontz’s list?

Just curious to know what you’re thinking…