Q: I have a resume question and I’m not sure who to ask, so I really hope you can give me some advice…

Q: I have a resume question and I’m not sure who to ask, so I really hope you can give me some advice…

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q:  I have a resume question and I’m not sure who to ask, so I really hope you can give me some advice.

After skimming over my resume, I just noticed that the ending date for one of my jobs is listed incorrectly. The date is listed as July of 2007 — the correct ending date is actually November of 2006. I’m not sure how I did not notice this error before, but I didn’t and have been submitting this resume with job applications for several months now. I was contacted by one of the libraries where I placed an application, and they are bringing me in for an interview next week.

This was truly an honest mistake — I think it was originally the result of a copying and pasting error — and I want to clear this mistake up quickly and be honest about it with the person with whom I am interviewing. However, I am terrified that he will think that I was lying and trying to inflate my employment date, or that I am not a detail-oriented person, and that it will cost me the job. I have gone over the rest of my resume with a fine tooth comb and have had two other people also look at it for me. This was the only mistake.

How can I fix this? Should I email him with a corrected copy before the interview — and if I do, how do I address the error in the email? Should I wait and mention it at the interview itself? Should I wait and see how the interview goes and proceed from there? Or should I do something else entirely?

TA:  People are human and–breaking news!–we make mistakes.  It’s how we correct them that demonstrates our values and professional judgment.  At the point of the interview, bring a corrected version of your resume.  Simply state that you discovered a mistake on the dates of your employment and wanted to present a corrected copy with the accurate information. Don’t dwell, don’t go on and on about making mistakes; just present the resume, apologize and proceed.  Then carry on with the interview as you’ve planned and prepared.  Good luck!

Q: I have been an MLIS graduate for a year now and still have no job. I had interviews and am always told they are impressed with me, but I never get the position. I have lots of experience working and interning in libraries. What am I doing wrong?

Q: I have been an MLIS graduate for a year now and still have no job. I had interviews and am always told they are impressed with me, but I never get the position. I have lots of experience working and interning in libraries. What am I doing wrong?

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have been an MLIS graduate for a year now and still have no job.  I had interviews and am always told they are impressed with me, but I never get the position.  I have lots of experience working and interning in libraries.  What am I doing wrong? How do I get my foot in the door?  Thank you in advance for your time.

 TA: This can be a frustrating experience, but don’t lose sight on the positive: clearly your application materials are strong because you keep getting invitations for an interview.  There are a couple of ideas that come to mind that may get you some additional information.

First, you may want to speak with the institutions where you’ve interviewed.  If they have an HR person, or if you’ve been dealing directly with the chair of the search committee, ask for feedback on your interview.  Some candidates ask if there were particular areas of the interview where their performance could have been stronger, or if there are areas of experience that they could build on to strengthen their candidacy.  Some institutions are more guarded with the information they release to candidates after the interview, but it may be worth your time to inquire to see if you could get some helpful feedback.

Second, you may want to practice some of the more common interviewing techniques.  You could practice with friends or a professional interview coach.  Most campuses offer interviewing services for alumni, so that could also be a resource for you.  Consider practicing your candidate presentation and getting feedback on the content and the delivery.  Also practice the post-presentation Question-and-Answer.  Or practice your answers to some of the more commonly asked interview questions that you will encounter throughout the campus interview day, and get feedback on your responses.

And finally, you may want to consider pursuing an informational interview with librarians in institutions where you’re considering employment.  Be sure to read our recommendations on informational interviews, but briefly, keep the appointments to less than 30 minutes, bring a resume, and schedule the appointment before applying for a position.  What you hope to come out with from those interactions are ideas about what kinds of positions may be on the recruitment horizon at that institution, what the culture and values are of that institution, and what kind of qualities they’re looking for in their candidates.

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: I would like to know what other jobs and industries I could use my Library Support Staff Diploma in, besides libraries. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Q: I would like to know what other jobs and industries I could use my Library Support Staff Diploma in, besides libraries. Any suggestions are appreciated.

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I would like to know what other jobs and industries I could use my Library Support Staff Diploma in, besides libraries.  Any suggestions are appreciated. 

A: I guess a lot would depend on where and when you received your diploma, and the coursework you took toward the degree.  In looking at the ALA-APA Library Support Staff Certification program online (http://ala-apa.org/lssc/) there seems to be several areas of study that could transfer to other jobs and industries.  In a January 2010 press release, ALA introduced the program: “This new certification program will help library support staff achieve recognition for current and new skills and abilities, as well as increase access to continuing education opportunities.” (http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/lssc_apa1.cfm)  The certification requires three courses of study (Foundations of Library Service; Communication and Teamwork; and Technology), plus three electives (ranging from Access Services to Youth Services). 

Additionally, in an appeal to Library Administrators to support the certification program, ALA-APA’s webpage states that:

“Research shows that LSS certified in a rigorous certification program:

  • have more self confidence in their own ability
  • believe they provide better service to the public
  • better understand how the entire library operates
  • are more willing to accept responsibility
  • work better on the library team”  (http://ala-apa.org/lssc/for-library-administrators/)

If you take all of this information and try to apply it to another job or field of employment, there are several areas that I believe would transfer well.  First, two of the required courses are relevant to just about any workplace today: Teamwork and Communication, and Technology.  Second, if the research is supported, a confident employee who works better on teams and is willing to accept more responsibility is appealing to any employer.  I would recommend that you explore new areas that include service, technology and teamwork.  Look for positions that are exciting and of interest to you, and think broadly about how your skills, experience, and credentials would apply.

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: I have been a school librarian for over 15 years. I would love to work in the public sector and do have 10 years PT experience in a public library. How do I craft my resume to: (1) Show that the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele? (2) Show that what I have done running school libraries are the same skills required for being a reference librarian? And (3) explain why I would accept such a pay cut? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Q: I have been a school librarian for over 15 years. I would love to work in the public sector and do have 10 years PT experience in a public library. How do I craft my resume to: (1) Show that the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele? (2) Show that what I have done running school libraries are the same skills required for being a reference librarian? And (3) explain why I would accept such a pay cut? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have been a school librarian for over 15 years. I would love to work in the public sector and do have 10 years PT experience in a public library.  How do I craft my resume to: (1) Show that the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele? (2) Show that what I have done running school libraries are the same skills required for being a reference librarian? And (3) explain why I would accept such a pay cut?  Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

TA:  Your full-time experience in a school library, as well as your part-time experience in a public library should position you well for making a transition.  As we’ve discussed in previous articles, you’ll want to use your application materials (cover letter, resume and references) to address transferable skills (skills that you’ve learned in one context that will serve you well in another).  Be sure your cover letter expresses a deep interest in and enthusiasm for the public library position and draws parallels between your experience and the needs of the position.  Your resume should also do the same by highlighting experience and accomplishments that relate to your current and previous positions, as well as the position you are applying for.  And finally, use your references wisely.  Be sure to prepare them in advance for the fact that you are applying outside of school libraries and ask them if there’s anything you can provide that will prepare them to speak about your ability to work in all kinds of contexts. 

Also in your application materials, you will want to talk about the core values and responsibilities of libraries (collection building, access, facilities, technology, instruction and research assistance, and connecting with a constituency)—all of these will be relevant regardless of setting (i.e. school versus public).  Be careful to avoid basing your comments on assumptions; be sure to base your comments on data gathered via experience in both public and school libraries.  For example, it’s really not well received when someone external to the operation makes a “Sure, I could do that” statement without any experience to back it up.  So tread carefully with things like “the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele.”  I would bet there are many other differences (maybe funding, collections, access, and responsibilities) so go in with confidence in your experience, but also with an intellectual curiosity to explore those differences. 

And about the salary issue, this seems like something you could address (lightly) in the cover letter.  I wouldn’t advise making any firm statements about salary requirements in the cover letter, but in this case, since you have a concern about making it past the initial review due to the salary differences, you could use the closing paragraph of your cover letter to touch, reassuringly, on the subject.  In the closing paragraph, reiterate your interest in and enthusiasm for the position, and acknowledge the obvious with something like “I’m also aware of the considerable differences in salary for public librarians as compared to school librarians, and remain interested in switching fields, particularly because this position, and the missions of public libraries, are so appealing to me.”

Q: What can I do to better my chances at landing a job in a library? Is there a way I can get more library related experience to put on my resume that would possibly help me in the future? Sincerely, Bummed Bookworm

Q: What can I do to better my chances at landing a job in a library? Is there a way I can get more library related experience to put on my resume that would possibly help me in the future? Sincerely, Bummed Bookworm

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q:  In December of 2008, I completed an MLIS degree from a fairly well-respected state university. The whole time I was in library school (2.5 years) I worked as a circulation clerk in a medium-sized public library which is part of a three county system. When it came close to graduation, I started applying for professional jobs in that system. I got interviews, but no offers. At least once, I was never extended the courtesy of a phone call to tell me I had not been chosen. I ended up getting a good job with a five county library system in a small town an hour south of where I had been living. Reluctantly, I moved there. I am used to living in a vibrant college town which is full of culture and stimulating activity. I was bored and lonely in the small town. The library’s director was a tyrant who treated her employees in a condescending manner. I quit in three months after an unexpected personal tragedy, and moved back to the town where I went to college.  Since, I have been doing some teaching, receptionist work, bartending, and working in a greenhouse. I want to be a public librarian. I wouldn’t mind working in children’s, teen services, circulation, or reference. I am confused as to why the system I worked for during school won’t hire me, and no one else will either. I don’t think it’s my resume, which has been looked over at state conference by a library branch manager and met with approval. Maybe it is my interview skills. Maybe it is the fact that I quit the job in the small town so suddenly and it has affected my reputation negatively. My question is two-fold. What can I do to better my chances at landing a job in a library? Is there a way I can get more library related experience to put on my resume that would possibly help me in the future?  Sincerely, Bummed Bookworm

 
TA:  Dear Bummed Bookworm, I am sorry you are feeling dissatisfaction with your current situation.  I hope that I will be able to assist you in moving forward with a few thoughts and action items. 

First, you need to lose the negative attitude.  I can certainly understand your frustration at not having a library position, and having to make ends meet by teaching and bartending.  You did have a librarian position, but quit after three months in the position.  You described the library director as “condescending” and “a tyrant” and you added that there was also a personal tragedy that influenced your decision.  I acknowledge it may not have been perfect, but it’s time to get angry and get over it, because your negative feelings about the past seem to be influencing the present.  You need to find a way to describe your previous experience in a concise, honest, positive and professional way.  If you disparage one employer to another, their fear is that you’ll do the same to them when you’ve moved on.  And it’s just not professional. 

You’ve got a lot of things working for you, and that’s what you need to focus on.  First, you have a couple of years of solid public library experience.  Second, you’ve had your resume reviewed by others and feel pretty good about it.  Your interests are also wide (“children’s, teen services, circulation, or reference”), which broadens your opportunities. 

Your “To Do List” from me also has a few items to consider.  First, look at your cover letter and make sure its tone is positive and professional, and that it ties your experience to the needs of the position.  Your cover letter should project enthusiasm and confidence, and should be tailored to each position you apply for.  Second, you should consider going back to your supervisors at your first library system and asking them what you can do to make yourself a more competitive applicant for their positions.  Do you, for example, need to brush up on technology or repair any relationships from your previous employment?  If you ask someone to serve as a reference for you, be sure you ask them if they can be a GOOD reference for you for a SPECIFIC position.  Ask them to discuss with you their assessment of your strengths and weaknesses for the position, and ask if there’s anything they need from you to better prepare for the reference.  Make it easy for them to talk well about you.  Third, work your professional network to see if there are any volunteer positions available.  You will need to work carefully to build this into your already-busy schedule, but a volunteer position will allow you to keep your skills current, build a wider professional network, and rebuild a professional reputation.  Prove yourself to be trustworthy, reliable, professional and invaluable as a worker and a colleague.