HOWTO:Apply for a library job (also applicabe to other professional jobs)

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http://www.liswiki.com/wiki/HOWTO:Apply_for_a_library_job

HOWTO:Apply for a library job
From LISWiki
If you're new to the profession or haven't searched for a library position in a while, this guide is designed for you. It contains some checklists, guidelines, tips and tricks for how to get a library job. Questions candidates should ask are also listed.

Table of contents [showhide]  
1 Find Job Listings

2 Prepare Your Application

3 The Phone Interview

4 Before the In-Person Interview

5 The In-Person Interview

6 The Job Offer

7 For More Information

[edit]Find Job Listings
Here's where you can benefit from the nature of the profession. Librarians have a natural tendency to gather and organize information. As a result there are several ways that you can search for library job advertisements. However, plan ahead when starting your job search! The time between a job's posting and hiring dates can be as much as six months or more.

The best place to start is Combined Library Job Postings (http://www.lisjobs.com/jobs/index.asp). This list contains many combined postings from other sources. It is searchable and even has an RSS feed. Lisjobs.com (http://www.lisjobs.com/) also offers a professional development e-mail newsletter. Library Job Postings on the Internet (http://www.libraryjobpostings.org) is another directory of job posting sites. An index of more job listings is available at the Open Directory Project (http://dmoz.org/Reference/Libraries/Library_and_Information_Science/Employment/Job_Listings/).

E-Mail discussion groups are a good source for job postings. LIBJOBS (http://www.ifla.org/II/lists/libjobs.htm) and LIS-JOBS (http://www.hawaii.edu/slis/lislists/lis-jobs.html) are two of the more popular ones. Topical groups are also a good place for finding advertisements in a particular field of librarianship. For example, Web4Lib (http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/) often receives Web and systems librarian job postings.

Another place to check is the major library trade publications, such as Library Journal (http://www.libraryjournal.com/community/891/Careers/42799.html) and American Libraries (http://www.ala.org/education/careerleads/careerleads.html). There's also related publications, such as The Chronicle of Higher Education (http://chronicle.com/jobs/) for academic library postings or Aviso (http://www.aam-us.org/aviso/index.cfm) for archivist jobs.

If you're targeting a specific institution or geographic area, take a look at individual sites. The Folger Shakespeare Library, for example, has their own employment opportunities (http://www.folger.edu/template.cfm?cid=641) page. Libweb (http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Libweb/) can help you locate library homepages.

[edit]Prepare Your Application
Plan ahead in gathering materials that are sometimes required for a library job application. These include writing samples, official copies of academic transcripts, and professional references (and choose these wisely).

Microsoft Word has a Resume Wizard that can help you create or update your resume. See the book Writing Resumes that Work: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians by Robert R. Newlen for guidance on preparing your resume.

Your cover letter explains why your resume is the best match for the position to which you are applying. Take a look at the organization and find out as much information as you can. If you're responding to a paid advertisement, you may need to look elsewhere for a fuller job notice and/or a complete position description.

[edit]The Phone Interview
If your resume and cover letter make the first round of cuts you are usually contacted for a phone interview. This may be with a single person, or with an entire search committee via a speakerphone (complete with echoes, feedback, and not being able to tell who is talking C do your best to remain patient and professional with any possible technical difficulties).

During the phone and in-person interviews you are usually presented with a standard set of questions asked to all candidates. List of Tested Questions (http://web.archive.org/web/20041129002849/http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/interview.html) and 101+ Commonly Asked Interview Questions (http://www.geocities.com/aer_mcr/libjob/interview.html) and Having a Successful Job Interview (http://www.sla.org/chapter/ctor/resources/career/success.htm) are good reads in preparing for such questions. The people you talk to can have varying interviewing s (http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mbehavioralint.html), and some questions may be deliberately designed to rattle you. See The 10 Toughest Job Interview Questions (http://www.pennlive.com/careerwise/index.ssf?/careerwise/html/articles/011420031331_tentoughquestions.html) for some tricky examples.

When you are given the opportunity to ask questions, take advantage of it. This is your best chance at showing your interest in the position, and gathering information for deciding if you want the job. Some of the topics you should be clear on by the end of a phone interview are:

Why is this position open?
What is your interviewing/hiring time line (and procedure)? When can I expect to hear back from you? It may be quite fruitful to ask, possibly later on in the search process, how many other candidates you are competing with. Some libraries force probationary hires through the formality of applying to keep their job, so knowing if there is an internal candidate may also be very useful. As with all sensitive questions, be tactful but direct in asking for this information.
Please describe the organizational structure of the library, and where I would fit in it. Who all would I be reporting to, and who would report to me? What committees and working groups would I be a member of?
Tell me more about the position and its duties. What types of clientele would I be serving, and how? If the posting is brief, ask for a full position description.
What are you looking for in a candidate? What are some of the challenging and exciting projects that the person in this position will be tackling (both short term and long term)?
Try to get in as many of these questions as you can, but keep in mind that the primary purpose of the phone interview is to select candidates for the next round of interviews.

[edit]Before the In-Person Interview
The next step after the phone interview is usually an on site interview. If you have made this next cut and are asked to come in for an interview, there are some extra questions you should have answers to:

What is the salary range for this position? [I would consider this a red flag if you have not been told by now, or if you are unfairly asked to provide any salary requirements (http://www.salary.com/advice/layoutscripts/advl_display.asp?ser=Ser153&part=Par253).]
What do I need to bring? A presentation may be required. Ask about available software and hardware. See HOWTO:Give a presentation for more presentation advice.
It can be interesting to note the differences in how travel arrangements are made. Do they book the flight and pick you up at the airport, or ask you to take a cab? You should never have to pay any of your own expenses, including meals (even if you later turn down an offer). Make sure this is clear before your trip.
[edit]The In-Person Interview
A day-long interview can be an ordeal, and health and stamina can be a factor. You may have free cable at the hotel, but still be sure to get a good night's rest! The typical one-day interview C a whirlwind tour from department meeting to department meeting C can be a drain. Make use of break times to recharge (take frequent time-outs in the bathroom if you need to).

R. Lee Hadden has written a post to LIBREF-L (http://listserv.kent.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0209A&L=libref-l&=R180&m=17784good) on some of the finer points you should notice and ask about during an on site interview. The column Top 10 Interview Tips (http://jobs.asiabot.com/resources/top10interviewtips.shtml) is another useful read. In addition, these are some questions that are likely worth asking:

What are the biggest challenges this library is facing? What would you change about the library, if you could?
Do you have a healthy collection development/departmental/overall budget? Are there any cancellation projects or other cutbacks in the works?
Ask for an organization chart if you don't have one already.
How bi-directional is the decision making process within your organization? [This one is best asked repeatedly, especially at the end of the day during the obligatory one-on-one with the director.]
How productively does this department interact with others? How about the library with the computing center and other departments? Ask for specific examples. What opportunities would I have to work with others?
General policy questions as they relate to your position: do you charge for printing, use censorware, have printed policies for collection development and access to the library, etc..
General services questions as they relate to your position: do you offer document delivery, e-mail reference, chat, etc..
Use some questions to demonstrate your knowledge of how libraries work: ask the interlibrary loan librarian if they are a net borrower or lender; ask the government documents librarian what percentage of publications they receive; ask the circulation librarian how they handle 『lost claims returned' items; ask the automation librarian what systems the web server and OPAC run; ask the collection development librarian about the approval plan; and ask the bindery librarian if they do dissertations or in-house deacidification.
Can you describe a typical day's duties? How accurate is the official job description?
What types of official performance reviews and informal feedback would I receive?
Is there a union on campus? Many libraries have unionized staff support. Be sure and ask about the nature of any such environment.
Make sure you get a picutre of the physical working conditions as well.

Where would my desk/office space be located? Show me! Examine the area carefully; you could be spending a lot of time there. Do you have any natural light? Where's the closest bathroom? Is the workspace ergonomic? (i.e. is the chair a nice wheeling, reclining one with lumbar support, arm rests, and height adjustment, or a 70s-era folding chair? I'm not saying you should demand Corinthian Leather… but an office job or repetitive tasks require a comfortable place to sit.)
Would you have your own phone extension or remotely-accessible voicemail? Many library positions require a good deal of telephone time. If you've ever worked in an office with shared extensions (and co-workers that take frequent or personal calls) you will realize the importance of this question.
If you're on the computer a lot, take a close look at it. How big is the monitor? How durable is the keyboard and mouse? Where's the printer? Is the computer new? What are its specifications? What productivity software is available to you? How fast is the Internet connection? What level of technical support is available? If this stuff matters to you, you should ask.
Is there a break room with amenities (microwave, fridge, tv) that staff socialize in? Where do people eat? What areas of town to people live in, and how do they commute? (The Neighborhood Profiles (http://realestate.yahoo.com/re/neighborhood/) section at Yahoo! has many useful statistics if you are unfamiliar with an area, including a cost of living index against which all salaries should be divided for a fair comparison. Also, if you're looking for places to live, Find Your Spot (http://www.findyourspot.com/) may give you some ideas.)
Below is another set of questions that you should know the answer to before accepting a job offer. If you have time and to convey your interest, these can also be asked during the interview.

Obtain a clear idea of when and how many hours a week you'll be working. It could be forty plus occasional evenings and weekends, or thirty-five including lunch breaks. Get details on lunch and other legally-required breaks, flexibility in working hours and shifts, compensation for overtime if any, and when and how you are compensated for working any required nonstandard hours such as evenings and weekends and holidays. You should be comfortable asking about all of this. Make it clear that you are willing to do the work you are paid for, but also convey your understanding of the fundamental philosophy behind the employer-employee relationship: you are paid to work, and should not be forced to work for free.
Get a written description of all benefits: parking availability and costs, mass transit discounts, available health/dental/vision coverage and premiums and deductibles and co-payments, eligibility to pensions and retirement plan options, flex spending accounts (for tax-free health and dependent care), direct deposit schedules, number of vacation/sick/personal/holiday days awarded and accrued, and so on. [These things are best reviewed with a human resources person. The sum of all this can make a big difference when comparing offered salaries.]
Do you reimburse association membership and/or travel to conference attendance? [Get specific details in percentages or amounts allowed per year. If you care about professional development, these figures can really add up.]
Some places, especially those ascribing to the faculty model of librarianship, have extracurricular requirements for satisfactory job performance and retention. Be sure and get a clear picture on this.
After your interview, many people suggest promptly sending a thank you note (http://interview.monster.com/articles/notes/) to the decision-makers. While it might not accomplish anything, it could help you stand out against other candidates. It's also an opportunity for you to reiterate your "hire me" sales pitch, follow-up on any questions you fumbled, or address anything that didn't get covered. If you're comfortable writing a note after your interview, there's little reason not to.

[edit]The Job Offer
Ask for time to think over the offer if you need it. Some closing points:

The offered salary usually has some wiggle room. It is usually best not to demand anything, just be firm ("an extra few percent would really help… because I have to pay for parking/insurance/mandatory conference attendance…")
Get a clear answer on when the next salary review (raise) would be.
The starting date may be negotiable as well. [It's amazing how the same places that require 60-days notice and take 6 months to conduct a search expect you to break your lease and uproot yourself in 10 days. Demanding expectations like this can be another red flag.]
Don't forget moving expenses! Get a clear offer on this before accepting any position.
If you are provided with a written contract, read it before signing.

[edit]For More Information
The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online (http://store.yahoo.com/infotoday/inprofguidto.html), by Sarah L. Nesbeitt and Rachel Singer Gordon.
LIScareer.com (http://www.liscareer.com/), The Library & Information Science Professional's Career Development Center, has several articles worth reading.
The LIS Employment (http://dmoz.org/Reference/Libraries/Library_and_Information_Science/Employment/) category at the Open Directory Project.
Chapter 7 of Public speaking handbook for librarians and information professionals, by Sarah R. Statz.
Chapter 23 of The librarian's career guidebook, by Priscilla K. Shontz (Ed.).
Notes from ACRL Conference Roundtable on Academic Library Hiring (http://www.lisnews.com/article.pl?sid=05/04/27/1914224)
See also: Employment

Retrieved from "http://www.liswiki.com/wiki/HOWTO:Apply_for_a_library_job"

Marvelous! thumb up for you, montrealer!

北美求職經歷記 送交者: montrealer 02/13/04, 03:31 發表於 情回中國主題社區 查看[montrealer]個人專輯
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Author: 這是我找到工作后寫的.願與那些踏踏實實地通過再次學習達到最初移民目的的同胞分享.要想在一個新的國家生存,語言關最重要.當然學語言不如嫁個洋人,娶個洋妞更簡單.
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我是今年六月從麥基爾大學獲得圖書館和信息研究碩士的，但真正找工作從三月就開始了。儘管有思想準備，但在北美找工作的難度還是超出了預期的想像。在北美，大部份人是通過關係也就是親戚朋友找到工作，但我們中國學生就只能靠自己碰運氣了。好在學位專業，所以我主要還是通過美國圖書館學會和加拿大圖書館學會的網站上登的廣告找工作。

準備一份好的北美風格的簡歷是很必要的，說來容易，但大多數中國學生寫不好，一是語言問題，二是格式問題。好的簡歷是完美的，就是沒有錯別字，用詞準確，要用學術性英語寫，突出你的技能，相關學位和工作經驗。一般北美簡歷是兩頁。但簡歷不是一成不變的，要根據每個職位的具體要求做相應的變通，比如突出CATALOGING的技能等。

COVER_LETTER是最關鍵的一份申請材料，一般是一頁紙。一定要回答廣告中職位的QUALIFICATION的要求，而且要回答WHEN，WHERE，HOW得到這些經驗的。用詞要準確，一般每個大學都有CAREER CENTER，比如MCGILL就列出了樣板的COVER_LETTER的和RESUME，並列出了可用的動詞和形容詞。要用學術性英語寫。最好請中心的志願者檢查一遍。我還請志願者幫我做了兩次面試演習。這是很有益的。


一般的求職就是遞交一份簡歷，一份COVER_LETTER，三份REFERENCE的名字，電話和電郵，其中一位REFERENCE必須是你的SUPERVISOR，最少有一位是你的同事。選REFERENCE也是很關鍵的，不是越有名越好，而是看他(她)是不是真心幫你。

我從三月份遞簡歷，到找到工作總共遞了有一百多份，得到了八次電話面試，三次正式面試。

機會最大的是六月份得到的美國亞利桑那大學的面試。我是三月份在美國圖書館學會網站看到的廣告，五月份得到了電話面試，是半個小時，問了四個問題，第一個是關於TEAM_WORK的，第二個是關於DIVERSE PEOPLE，第三是問圖書館的發展趨勢，第四是問對他們圖書館了解多少。看似很好回答的問題，其實不然，在北美，不用你講大道理，而是要舉例講你WHEN，WHERE，HOW得到了比如TEAMWORK的經驗，你對TEAMWORK的態度。時間控制很重要，我是半小時不多不少完成了電話面試。這是第一步。

他們一共收到了54份申請，選了最強的十五個人電話面試，然後再選九個人去現場面試(有三個職位，相當於ASSISTANTPROFESSOR)，我在電話面試后五天就得到了現場面試通知，因為我住在蒙特利爾，去圖森要轉機，所以對方讓我選時間，我選了6月6日，討個吉利。機票和三天的交通食宿由對方支付。選好日期后，對方就給我EMAIL來了AGENDA，一天的面試包括一小時的挑選委員會的面試，一小時PRESENTATION，午餐，一小時的與將來一起工作的GROUP的面試，一小時的FACULTYREPRESENTATIVE的面試，一小時參觀，半小時見DEAN，加上晚宴，真是很TOUGH。

去面試的過程要講起來可寫一個短篇故事，所以我就不詳細講了。主要看發揮。準備要充分，把可能想到的問題都寫好答案，熟記要點，關鍵是每個要點要有例子，英語是經過NATIVESPEAKER修改過的，用詞恰當。我表現算是很好的，自我評價覺得滿意。所以很有信心。到了七月初，我被告知選進了TOP5。就是很有希望了，但對方來信說還要和我某個REFERENCE聯繫。當時我並不知這是什麼意思。後來才知其中奧妙。

很可惜，到了七月底，我被告知儘管我專業背景強，也很熱情，但沒被選上FINALISTS。我的唯一缺陷是PRESENTATION時間超過了一小時，另外有些方面講的太深太細。這是他們給我的FEEDBACK。但最主要還是我的一位REFERENCE渡假忘了給我提供REFERENCE，這個事是我後來知道的，但不好講，使我錯失了的機會。所以選REFERENCE 很重要。

好在另一家美國公司就是我現在工作的公司錄用了我。我在它的加拿大分公司工作，做軟體諮詢,是永久性職位。這個公司在世界圖書館的市場份額中排第二位，在加拿大占第一。加拿大國會圖書館，多倫多大學，美國史丹佛大學等都是我們的客戶。中國的北大人大也是。


進這公司也是過了三關，第一關是一小時面試，面試時我很自信,兩位面試的一位是我的老闆,一位是大老闆.我一邊回答一邊寫下要點,也問了他們幾個問題,給人印象很好.第二關是專業和管理知識考試，是用法語出的卷子,20分鐘我就全答完了,而且基本都答對了(沒有標準答案,但我的答案我老闆很喜歡,她當時就對我講了)。第三關是三天試編程，我到第二天就被告知OFFER了。我的老闆很高興，說我是SUPER QUALIFIED PERSON。因為我有計算機和圖書館的雙碩士學位，又有編程經驗,很快就完成了她出的試題。

總算找到了一份工作，比起其他同學幸運一些，有些西人同學還沒著落呢，現在就業市場不是很好。特別是在加拿大。很多IT從業人員下崗了，有些是曾在NORTEL的。

工作了有半年多了，現在已是正式僱員,但回想求職經歷，仍覺心驚膽顫。現在願寫出這些點滴供其他和我一樣的中國同學參考和分享。
本文網址: http://club.backchina.com/main/showthread.php?t=31324
北美求職經歷記。

I have been with the company for three years. it is a continuing position. I believe I will be with it for longer. I watched many guys in and out.  I never stopped learning languages skills and interviewing skills. I know someday maybe I have to use them again. Fortunately, I often received interview invitations, sometimes from the government, although most of them were not permanent jobs or the salary was not what I expected.

Unfortunately I didn't have the time to visit the oasis in the desert with lush landscapes in Tucson, Arizona during the three days I stayed there. The day after the interview, I stayed in the library and prepared THANKS letters to every interviewer. It is a wonderful recall.

I think you are still basking in your thrill experience in securing a position successfully. hehehe, well, it is just the beginning of a bright future.

Presently I just keep in mind that I am professional. So I always provide professional services for everybody. Maybe you will say I am too stubborn and stupid. My English still needs more professional training. I did my M.A. thesis at McGill. I did the courses of Academic English Writing and Pronunciation,which were very helpful for my English skills. You know, I am not native speaker. Now my son often laughs at my French.

Yeah, I noticed you can also speak french. Your English is superb and one of the best here in backchina. Adelyn is another top-notch master-hand in both English and Chinese as well as translation.

How old is you son? French is a very beautiful language that I would love to learn, but unfortunately I don't have a good ear for it.

Anyway, please keep in mind ------there is always someone who might be better than you are out there in the world, so be humble!

各各都是身手不凡啊........

You guys here have a very strong base in English....... Glad to see you guys here.