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

Q: Should I put my PhD on my resume?

Q: Should I put my PhD on my resume?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I am a new graduate of LIS and obtained my Masters from an ALA accredited library school in Canada. In addition to my MLS degree, I hold a PhD in French literature. I have been looking for a job for two months yet am not able to find one. I have a lot of education, but I don’t have much library experience. My question is: should I put my PhD degree on my resume? I have been told that most employers would consider me to be overqualified.

SM: Short answer: Yes! Your concern is perfectly valid, and many librarians have found themselves in this same predicament (if you can call it that): educationally overqualified. Honestly, it seems ridiculous that the simple fact of having an additional degree can make you less desirable, especially when so many positions require, or prefer, a second masters.

Most likely, you will encounter some discrimination during your job search — it really depends on what kind of job you are looking for. While there are some libraries that seek out librarians who hold PhDs (these are typically large research libraries with very unique collections), there are many more that might look upon the degree as a detriment. You state that you don’t have much experience working in libraries, which means that most of the positions you are qualified for are entry-level positions. Experience is really what’s desired for any librarian position. I imagine that it may be difficult for employers to hire someone who has a doctorate, for an entry-level position. So, you will need to address it, not hide it.

Include all your degrees on your resume/vita, even your PhD. If a search committee or a potential employer finds out that you have another degree and you did not list it, they might assume that you are trying to hide something. Instead, use it to your advantage, especially if you are applying for academic librarian positions. I’m sure you would like to — if not now, then eventually — use your subject expertise in French Literature to complement your role as a librarian. If the position you are applying for has nothing to do with your subject background, then downplay it, or find some aspect of it that fits into the requirements for the position. Some positions will value your subject expertise and foreign-language background more than others.

Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for: address your educational background in your cover letter, but accentuate your library degree and school work (projects, thesis, etc.). Mention how your PhD and your subject expertise can and will enhance your role as librarian X. Discuss how your use of the library as a researcher and student has helped to prepare you for a career as a librarian. Play up any and all experience you have in libraries – working, volunteering, interning, and just using. And, most importantly, emphasize your interest in the job at hand and your commitment to librarianship.

Two months might seem like a very long time, but when searching for jobs, it isn’t long at all. So don’t get discouraged just yet.

Q: I have an MLS degree but I’m not currently working in a library. How can one obtain continuing education credits without being employed by a library system?

Q: I have an MLS degree but I’m not currently working in a library. How can one obtain continuing education credits without being employed by a library system?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have an MLS degree but I’m not currently working in a library. How can one obtain continuing education credits without being employed by a library system?

SM: It doesn’t matter if you are employed by a library system or not, you can still register for and attend workshops and classes that will provide you with continuing education credits or CEUs (continuing education units), as long as you are  willing to pay for them. Credits, if that’s what you are seeking, do not come free. Continuing your education and staying active in the profession while looking for library jobs is something we always recommend and will most certainly provide a boost to your resume  — and you can find educational opportunities in many different places and in many different formats. National and state conferences usually offer pre and post conference workshops for credit, but if you are unable to attend these you can look into other venues, such as: your state library association, national and local associations (MLA, SLA , ACRL, PLA, etc.), and established online programs that offer both courses and certificates of advanced study (CAS).

Here are some education sites to get you started:

ALA’s Education and Continuous Learning page
Medical Library Association Education
Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science Continuing Education
SLA’s Click U

Online CAS (certificates of advanced study) Programs:

Drexel University, Advanced Certificate of Information Studies and Technology
Rutgers University, School of Communication and Information, Certificate Programs
Syracuse School of Information Studies, Online Programs
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Graduate School of Library and Information Science Online Education (LEEP)
University of North Texas, eCampus

Q: How can I get a job in a biotech, pharmaceutical or medical device company library?

Q: How can I get a job in a biotech, pharmaceutical or medical device company library?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: How can I get a job in a biotech, pharmaceutical or medical device company library? I have an undergraduate degree in psychology and a MLIS degree. I worked for a publishing/software company (that has a scientific focus) for thirteen years and primarily worked with attorneys and law librarians. Many of the attorneys I worked with were also scientists and engineers before they went to law school and are now representing clients seeking patents, so I have experience working with individuals who do scientific research. I also have experience finding business information and searching in patents. I’m having difficulty getting anywhere because I haven’t worked at a biotech / pharmaceutical company before, but I have the skills and knowledge to find information that scientists and corporate executives use.

TA: Sounds a little like the chicken and the egg…which came first? In your case, you want to work in a special library but need experience to get there; but you can’t get the job without the experience. Quite the conundrum, it would seem. But don’t lose all hope just yet. There are several pieces in your question that just may be your building blocks to success.

First, you have a lot of highly specialized library experience, albeit in a somewhat different environment. While you say that you worked primarily with attorneys and law librarians, you also mention that many of these lawyers were also scientists, now working with clients (presumably other scientists) seeking patents. When you’re creating your cover letter and resume, you’ll need to describe this experience in a way that is directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. For more information, see our other articles on resumes, cover letters and transferable skills, especially our July 2007 article, How Can I Switch From Public to Corporate Librarianship?

Second, you may want to schedule a few informational interviews with librarians currently in your field of interest or with HR professionals in the field. When you’re talking with the librarians, ask them what experience they had that helped them get the job. Also ask them what experience they wish they had had when they started and how they gained it on the job. And be sure to ask them if they know of any open positions or if they could refer other colleagues to speak with. When you talk with the HR person, ask about the working environment, general expectations for newly hired librarians in this field, and what they’re looking for in future employees.

Finally, don’t forget just plain and simple networking. It sounds like you already have friends in the industry, so that’s one way to get familiar with the responsibilities of this type of position, as well as with the resources most commonly used in these libraries. Additionally, it’s a great way to meet other people doing similar work. In this age of social networking, you might also be able to find someone to follow on Twitter who tweets about the daily life and challenges in a special library.  And be sure to use your professional network through professional associations. Here’s one to consider: SLA has an online career center for members, with articles, online resources, and career coaching.

SM: When you’re ready to begin the job search, consider contacting job agencies, recruiting companies or temp agencies in your area (or desired area of employment). Many biotech/scientific companies prefer to hire librarians and library staff using the assistance of agencies. And yes, many of these jobs will be temporary or contract positions, but they can turn into permanent or long-term positions. At the very least, a temporary position will provide you with valuable experience that will help to secure your next position. I know a few people who found librarian jobs in pharmaceutical companies this way. Also, when you’re looking for jobs in the biotech field, use more general job sites such as CareerBuilder.com, Juju, Monster.com, and SimplyHired.com, and limit your search by category or industry (e.g., biotech or pharmaceutical). When searching through the job ads, be aware that librarians working in biotech fields may not have titles with “librarian” in them, so look for alternative jobs titles such as: information scientist, information specialist, library manager/supervisor/administrator. Finally, to go along with the “all important networking” that Tiffany mentioned above, you should create a professional profile on LinkedIn (if you haven’t done so already), join biotech and library groups, and start making connections.

Some useful sites:

Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) – Member Directory

Library Job Agencies

Placement & Executive Search Firms

Q: How do I switch to being a catalog librarian without having any real formal cataloging experience?

Q: How do I switch to being a catalog librarian without having any real formal cataloging experience?

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have been a librarian for over 20 years, mainly working in archives and small special libraries.  My question is, how do I switch to being a catalog librarian without having any real formal cataloging experience?  I considered looking for a copy catalog position, but have not found any openings.  I think people look at my resume and see archives and reference work, and never consider me for a cataloging position.  Also, I have only worked part-time during the last 10 years while raising my kids, mostly in para-professional positions, so I feel almost like I should start all over and go back to library school (although I can’t afford to)!

TA:  There are a number of areas that need to be addressed here: switching specializations from archives to cataloging; moving from part time to full time; and moving from a paraprofessional to professional position after 10 years.

My first suggestion is to dust off the old cover letter and resume and make sure it’s up to date in terms of both your experience and in formatting.  Styles change over a decade, so make sure you put some work into your application materials.  Make them look and feel polished and up to date.

Your cover letter will be especially important because it will be how you address all three questions (specialization, part time/ full time, para- to professional).  We’ve talked many times about the value of transferable skills, so you may want to refer to some of our other articles from the “Career Change” category of the column: http://www.lisjobs.com/CareerQA_blog/?cat=23

You should make a compelling case in your cover letter (supported by the work listed on your resume) about the parallels between your experience and the position for which you’ve applied.  For example, if you have experience processing archival collections and applying descriptive metadata using a standardized, controlled vocabulary, these are pretty similar in nature to traditional cataloging.  Describe how your experience will be an asset to the position.  Also include descriptive words that will appeal to the hiring supervisor, such as “detail oriented”, “works well independently as well as collaboratively”, or “self motivated and eager to learn”.  You’ll also need to explain in your letter that you’re in a position now to seek a full time, professional position, and that you’re eager to apply your knowledge, skills, and talents in that level of position.

In addition to your updating your application materials, if possible, you may want to seek opportunities to volunteer.  It’s a great way to gain experience, build skills, and add to a resume.  You will also build contacts in the profession, some of whom may serve as references for future cataloging positions.

A final idea to consider would be exploring the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) at Library and Information Science programs.  Wikipedia defines the Certificate of Advanced Study as:

A Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS), also called a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) or a Certificate of Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), is a post-Master’s academic certificate designed for practitioners who seek a continuing education program to enhance their professional development in areas such as education and library science.

Many library schools, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, offer the CAS, and it might be a way for you to develop or further enhance your cataloging expertise.  Drexel University offers an online CAS program for Information Studies and Technology.  Many of the CAS programs are self-directed and allow you to select courses with a faculty advisor to customize your experience.  If you have the time and desire to supplement your educational background, the CAS may be the additional support you need to switch specializations within the profession.

In closing, I wish you the best.  Start with your application materials and put your time and energy there.  Move next to the volunteer experience, and down the road, if you’re so inclined, think about additional educational opportunities that may help you secure the position you’re seeking.