UNCG Libraries Webinar Series: LIS Career Building Basics - Part 1: Become the Successful Job Candidate

1. Career Building Basics: Becoming the
Successful Job Candidate
April 10, 2012
Anna Craft, Metadata Cataloger, UNCG
Mary Krautter, Head, Reference and
Instructional Services, UNCG
With Support from Nancy Ryckman, Assistant
Head, Reference and Instructional Services, and Beth Filar
Williams, Distance Education Librarian, UNCG

2. Webinar outline
 Locate job openings
 Job-finding resources on
campus
 Interpret job ads
 Create a strong application
 Gain experience to build a
stronger resume or CV
 How libraries evaluate candidates
 Timeline for filling jobs

3. Finding job openings
 Websites
 ALA JobLIST
 Combined Library Job Postings
 HigherEd Jobs – Libraries
 LibGig Jobs
 Library Jobs in North Carolina
 Library Job Postings
 Library Journal JobZone
 Listservs
 LISjobs-L
 SILS-jobs
 LibJobs

4. Job-finding resources on campus
 Career Services Center:
http://csc.dept.uncg.edu/students
/services/
 LIS Career Day
 Library workshops
 Resume workshop 1: recording
and materials
 Resume workshop 2: recording
and materials

5. Interpreting job ads
 Examine the required and
preferred qualifications
 Consider where there may
be leeway with the
qualifications
 Read between the lines
 Think about the “fit”

6. Creating a strong application
 Follow directions
 Proofread, proofread, proofread
 Tailor your materials to address
the points of the job posting
 Resources
 Hiring Librarians
 Open Cover Letters
 LIScareer News

7. Getting relevant experience
 Relevant work experience is critical.
 Experience can come in many forms:
 Practicums
 Internships
 Student positions
 Volunteer positions

8. Leadership and Creativity
Look for chances to shine outside the
classroom!
 Make yourself and your talents visible to others.
 Take responsibility
 Implement a creative idea
 Organize a group
 Get experience:
 Take an office in a graduate student group
 Volunteer for a community group

9. Professional activities
While you’re still in library school attend professional
conferences, webinars and workshops in order to:
 Build new skills
 Demonstrate professional commitment
 Network with librarians (potential co-workers)
Join professional organizations
 Student dues MUCH cheaper
 Listservs and other job search opportunities

10. How libraries evaluate candidates
Word cloud created with www.wordle.net

11. Timeline for academic searches
 Announcement of position availability
 Review of candidates
 Phone interviews
 Reference checks
 On-campus interviews
 Job offer
This process can take a long time!

12. Any questions?

13. Suggested Resources
American Library Association. How To Get a Great Job: A Library How-To Handbook. New York: Skyhorse, 2011.
Cannady, Rachel, and Daniel Newton. "Making The Best Of The Worst Of Times: Global Turmoil And Landing Your
First Library Job." College & Research Libraries News 71.4 (2010): 205-212. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
Easton, Bonnie1. "Career Reality Check." Library Journal 137.1 (2012): 49-51. Library Literature & Information Science
Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
Hadro, Josh. "Dear Hiring Committee:." Library Journal (1976) 136.14 (2011): 32-33. Library Literature & Information
Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
Kane, Laura Townsend. Working in the Virtual Stacks : The New Library & Information Science. Chicago : American
Library Association, 2011.
Olguin, Mallory K., and Tony Stankus. "Dressing Like We Mean It." Information Outlook 15.2 (2011): 8-11. Library
Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
Pollock, Ronald D. "Facing Trying Times For Librarians." Texas Library Journal 87.2 (2011): 55-57. Library Literature &
Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
Von Drasek, Lisa. "Hang In There." School Library Journal 57.2 (2011): 24-29. Library Literature & Information Science
Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
Reeves, Robert K., and Trudi Bellardo Hahn. "Job Advertisements For Recent Graduates: Advising, Curriculum, And
Job-Seeking Implications." Journal Of Education For Library & Information Science 51.2 (2010): 103-119. Library
Literature & Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 5 Apr. 2012.
Sproles, Claudene, and Robert Detmering. "Job Seeking In An Academic Environment: A Dual Perspective."
Southeastern Librarian 58.1 (2010): 9-18. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 5
Apr. 2012.
Woodward, Jeannette A. A librarian's guide to an uncertain job market . Chicago : American Library Association, 2011.