Future Library Professionals Resume Workshop

I recently attended a program hosted by the SLA Student Group, a Future Library Professionals Resume Workshop, at my friend Jamie's house in DC. We all gathered around her large kitchen table, filled up on scones, and listened to the wisdom brought to us by Kathleen Schmidt from Library Associates. She had some very interesting thoughts as well as the other students who attended, about their experiences in the library field and advice for upcoming graduates. What began as a resume clinic turned into an open forum of solicited advice, friendship, and literary camaraderie. I share her/our/my thoughts here as I wrote them down. Sorry for the disorganization.

Words of advice:

Use caution when applying for a federal position that has been posted online for two weeks or less. - If this is the case an internal candidate has already been selected for the position.

In order to succeed in obtaining a library position you must look at every organization you apply to or are interested in as a business. You must think strategically when you apply for positions.
Tip: Pick up an MBA for Dummies book, read it (it has an easy context), and learn the language of business. Knowing how politics can affect you is also crucial.

You should get other people to review your resumes and cover letters. Tailoring your resume to the job, sometimes using explicit words and phrases from the job description, is crucial.

Tip: Cover letters are important, but the focus needs to be on your resume.

Talk to people who work at the institution you wished to be hired by and gather competitive intelligence as to what their needs are. You can use this information in your future application and interview.

Creating a skills based resume is a good idea, to at least have on hand if you're not comfortable using it right away. You must let people see it.
A skills based resume includes:

1. A summary of your skills (two to three highly competitive and edgy)
2. Relevant skills and experiencing with an emphasis on teaching, leadership, research, communication and information technology, and client service.

Once you're hired and in direct contact with supervisors or superiors.
It's not about territory anymore, it's about looking at the big picture. The worst thing you can do is blindside your boss.

Not sharing information and withholding are inappropriate behaviors.

Tip: Do not put the year you graduated with your undergraduate degree. This could lead to age bias on the part of the HR department or person who hires you.

Resume Tip: Write your employment history in years not months, unless the application calls for months as well.

Focus on the mission of the organization, it's about the work.

What skills should I highlight?
Supervision, Specific Skills Set, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Awareness, Technical skills, Customer Service, Research (leverage your skills as a researcher).

Resume Tip: Do not have an Objective heading on your resume. If prompted for one you can say something like, "I want to work with an organization whose mission aligns with my personal goals.

Tip: If you're a new or upcoming graduate with your Masters Degree, get business cards.

• moo.com has very professional looking business cards for $20/50 cards and also lets you use your own picture as an image on the card
  
• vistaprint.com offers 250 business cards free, you just pay for shipping.
  

Really answer their questions on the job description. The best way to gain information before you apply is to ask for an informational interview. To obtain one you can e-mail or call and ask, "May I come in for an informational interview."

Knowing that your fate lies in the hands of someone who is not a professional is very frustrating.

Phone Interview Tip: Instead of answering with , "Hello?", use, "[your name here] speaking."

Think entrepreneurial.

Be innovative. Find a need and fill it. Employers seek candidates who are going to have to be told everything, who take risks, and who bring new ideas to the table.

Understand the landscape of the organization before you go in, use strategic thinking. Don't undervalue your achievements.

Are you vested in papers you spent semesters working on during your time in grad school? Publish them! (I'm still working on how one goes about getting something published in the library world.)

Linked.com Tip:
Whenever you receive a recommendation from someone on linked.com, always screen it for spelling, grammar errors.

My own words of advice: Keep making connections, you never know what odd and unexpected places you're going to meet a potential librarian or a connection who can help you in your job search/ future career.

Next week: What to put on your business card, advice for the unemployed.