Take time with the application.

The application itself may include screening questions asking for descriptions of your experience. Be thorough but succinct. Complete every step in the hiring process. Is a cover letter optional? Provide one anyway. Taking extra steps shows your attention to detail and investment in getting this job. An incomplete application is likely to remove you from consideration.

On the flip side, do not write a novel-length cover letter. Comprehensively detailing all your past projects is not respectful of the reader’s time. If your cover letter takes five minutes to read, find a good editor.

Public jobs mean public processes.

A public employer needs to fairly process all candidates. Don’t be surprised if several people interview you, either as a panel or through a series of interviews. If you apply for a director-level position, your interview may include members of the library board or the city staff, or it may even be attended by the public. Be aware that your name could be shared as part of the hiring process, even if you don’t get the job.

Education counts.

If you’re enrolled in a library program, include your anticipated graduation date. You may be asked to provide your transcripts. Do you have other degrees? Be ready to describe how your educational background relates to the job. Our library will count a bachelor’s degree as partially meeting a master’s level educational requirement, but not all libraries do, so ask about this before submitting your application.

Show your experience.

Some libraries will consider library volunteering, internship, or work experience toward educational equivalence. Experience at a public service desk is relevant. Have you conducted storytimes or attended Every Child Ready to Read training? Do you have a teaching background? This could set you apart in a candidate pool. Supervising volunteers or student workers shows leadership, so be sure to mention it. Share any pertinent projects you completed in library school. Did you study web design and have a homework example? Bring it along to the interview.

Share your nonlibrary experience, too.

Where you obtained customer service skills—whether at a circulation desk or in retail—really doesn’t matter. Marketing and social media skills are increasingly important in libraries; don’t overlook your experience in these areas. Be descriptive: Do you tweet daily? How do you manage your Facebook or Instagram account? Problem solving skills are desirable. Have you dealt with a difficult situation well? Find a way to tell that story. In one of the best interviews I’ve been part of, a candidate described how experience with a furniture-moving company demonstrated teamwork skills—and, yes, they were hired!

Research!

Use your librarian superpowers to learn about the organization. Most libraries have a public web and social media presence. Who are the leaders? Are there any recent news articles about projects or events happening there? Is the tone of their public communication formal or informal? Use this information to understand the job you’re applying for and to craft questions for the interview panel.

Come ready with educated questions.

An interview is a two-way conversation to help everyone involved understand whether you’re the best fit for the job. I’m surprised at how little some candidates will ask about our library or their prospective job. Make sure this is work you’ll want to do daily. Questions to consider include:

• What will you be expected to carry out this year?
• How big is the department?
• What are the expectations around work hours, time off, or telecommuting?
• Is this job vacancy due to a retirement, or is it a new position?

It’s not over until it’s over.

Don’t forget to follow up with a personalized thank you e-mail or handwritten note to show you are serious about the position. Recognize that public processes can often take a long time to complete. Reference and background checks are common practices and add extra time to the hiring process.

If you don’t receive the job, reach out and ask your interviewers how you can improve in the future. This demonstrates your willingness to learn from constructive criticism. You’ll be better prepared the next time you apply for a library job.

Resources for Library Job Seekers

ALA JobList

INALJ (I Need a Library Job)

State Library Associations

The post Landing the Library Job Interview first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The ALA JobLIST website recently added YourMembership to its features. YourMembership is likely to increase communications between prospective job applicants and potential employers by accounting for applicant interests and employer needs. In short, the newly-enhanced website provides instant, accessible, and essential support to those exploring new opportunities.

The Anonymous Résumé feature enables users to omit identifying contact features that could lead to spam and other unwanted communications, which helps to protect privacy online and gives users the ability to decide what information gets disclosed. An easy-to-use résumé template allows users to edit fonts and typefaces. A résumé can be public, incomplete prior to publication, or private, meaning no one can see it besides the individual user. A public resume can also be modified or unpublished almost instantly. A cover letter can also be added and saved so that a user can return to it later, which is a great feature when pulling together a job application.

The “My Job Alert” feature allows a prospective job applicant to select geographic preferences, industries, and job functions from drop-down menus. Once these criteria are selected, the user then decides whether they wish to receive daily or weekly email digests.

The Job Search database allows uses to sort by the date posted, job location, company, and position. Additionally, applicants can filter positions by industry and job function. The Resources page provides  résumé advice, interview strategies, social media coaching, and opportunities to schedule conversations with job search experts who have professional experience and training in helping people find jobs and make career decisions. Similarly, employers can write job advertisements, compile résumés, group candidates into pools, and create company profiles.

Visit JobLIST to take advantage of these capabilities and to get more information.

The post Job Searching Made Easier with New Features on ALA JobLIST first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Open eBooks Initiatives is set to “make over $250 million in popular e-books from major publishers available, for free, to children from low-income families.” This will be accomplished through an app designed by New York Public Library, Digital Public Library of America, and First Book and funded by IMLS. The ConnecteED Library Challenge steps in by collaborating with 30 communities to ensure that every student has a library card and will be able to access these e-books.[1]

Not connected with this initiative, but a very timely piece, is Nicholas Kristof’s New York Times Op-Ed “The Power of Hope is Real.” Nicholas Kristof is a journalist who brings awareness to social injustice, global poverty, and economic struggles on a global and national landscape. He and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, authored Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide and, more recently, A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity. His latest addition to his regular column discusses hope and begs the question: “Could hopelessness and stress create a ‘poverty trap’ — abroad or here in the U.S. — in which people surrender to a kind of whirlpool of despair?”[2] Bringing in randomized studies and statistics, Kristof explains that one’s motivation and outlook on life can dramatically brighten when given a ray of sunshine (hope).

As librarians, we can all agree that a major perk of the job is helping people by introducing them to resources, websites, and books that can change their day, week, month, or even their life. Personally, as the Business Liaison Librarian, one of my favorite moments is when I teach a job seekers course to participants who feel overwhelmed and disgruntled with the job search process. However, after class they are now equipped with new search strategies, effective databases, and optimism. I know that you have similar stories too.

It’s in this spirit that the White House proposal with IMLS, Open eBooks Initiatives, and ConnectED Library Challenge is truly valuable. The inspiration, enthusiasm, and hope for the future that these students (and their parents) experience when they are introduced to a new world of literacy, education, and opportunity are what really matter.

Sources:

[1] “President Obama Announces Open EBooks and ConnectED Library Challenge.” Press Releases. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2015.

[2] Kristof, Nicholas. “The Power of Hope Is Real.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 May 2015. Web. 21 May 2015.

The post Downloading Hope: Providing E-Books to Low-Income Students first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The report begins with a look at The Public Library in the Digital Age and shows how public libraries are poised to play a leading role in helping communities and individuals adapt to our changing world. It names three key assets that the value proposition of the public library is built around: people, place, and platform. The people focus reflects the focus shift from building collections to building human capital and puts people at the center of the library’s mission to inspire and cultivate learning, advance knowledge, and nurture and strengthen communities. In this new environment, librarians will need to be able to anticipate community needs, manage and adapt to new technology, and use data to best advantage. An intelligent community is the goal, rather than large circulation numbers.[3] For the aspect of place, more of a focus is being put on the library as the “family room of a community,” as Akhtar Badshah stated.[4] You immediately get this sense of the library as a place to simply spend time when you walk into a children’s area and find kids playing together with library toys while their parents chat, or you come upon an afternoon of chess or video games. In addition, the report notes that in an increasingly virtual physical libraries are community assets. For the library to be a platform, it has to provide a place for participation and learning, a place where assets are available. Users may customize this platform and adapt its resources to their individual needs. [5] For example, we can provide chairs and tables for business meetings and programs, as well as classes that give an overview of the business resources available to entrepreneurs and programs that can help them connect to resources to develop their businesses.

Finally, four strategic opportunities for libraries are presented.[6]

1. Aligning library services in support of community goals.
2. Providing access to content in all formats.
3. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of public libraries.
4. Cultivating leadership.

To ensure success, libraries must provide services that support community needs and not just exist as the cool new thing. They need to offer access to content in all formats by working with creators, publishers, and government. They must work toward transforming standard operations to ensure library sustainability. To be able to accomplish any of these, libraries have to actively develop leaders who can go out and become an active part of their community, learning the needs from the people.

The report also spotlights lots of exciting ideas and examples of new ways public libraries are working to meet the needs of their communities. Check it out at http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/documents//AspenLibrariesReport.pdf .

References
[1] The Aspen Institute. “About the Dialogue.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/what-is (accessed February 19, 2015).

[2] —. “Members of the Dialogue on Public Libraries Working Group.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/participants (accessed February 19, 2015).

[3]  “Members of the Dialogue on Public Libraries Working Group.” The Aspen Institute Communications and Society. 2015. http://csreports.aspeninstitute.org/Dialogue-on-Public-Libraries/2014/participants (accessed February 19, 2015). Page 11.

[4] Ibid. Page 13.

[5] Ibid. Pages 17-18.

[6] Ibid. Page 33.

The post Dissecting The Aspen Institute Report first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

These are five steps to becoming embedded in your business community:

• Create a list of groups, businesses, or business people that you might work with.  Think of  standard groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Village Hall Merchant Group, Small Business Development Center, and any local career places. Then think of the not-so-typical organizations: church employment ministries, entrepreneur forums, community colleges, and networking groups. Also check out meetup.com to find what types of business or entrepreneur groups are meeting in your area.
• Once you have a list of groups that you would like to connect with, get in touch with someone from that organization. Explain that you would appreciate an opportunity to attend an upcoming meeting to discuss some of the resources that the local library has for small business owners/ business people/ job seekers.
• Whether you have 10 minutes to speak or an hour, make your information relevant to your group. I try to refrain from mentioning typical library things like “we have business books” because that doesn’t surprise people. Talk about the type of resources that they would have no idea the library has: subscribed databases, technology training opportunities, meeting spaces, one-on-one appointments, workshops, and so forth. Make the presentation fun and interactive.
• The worst thing that you can do once you’ve got your foot in the door is to say “thank you for your time” and leave. You must create follow-up opportunities: promote an upcoming event at the library, offer to provide a group training session on a particular database or technology, and emphasize that you’re available for individual appointments. Have your business cards ready to pass out.
• Keep your face in the business community by attending as many opportunities as you are able. Try and think outside the box: ribbon cutting events, open houses, networking scrambles, exhibits, career fairs, job seeker series, etc. The same type of people go to these events so it’s a great opportunity to learn about the business community, find out what their needs are, and develop your reputation.

It’s important to remember that being truly embedded in your business community is not something that will happen over night. It will take time and a willingness to put yourself out there and listen to people’s stories about their business or career journey. The ultimate goal is to move from a mindset of “it’s strange that the library is involved in the business community” to a mindset of “it would be strange if the public library weren’t involved in the business community.”

Are you trying to reach out to the business community? What has your experience been like so far? Share your comments below!

The post Embedded Business Librarianship in 5 Steps first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Many public libraries have begun to recognize this dilemma, with one of the most notable initiatives coming out of the University Heights branch of Cleveland’s Heights Library. Last month, this branch hosted a series of three career workshops for young adults, called Teen Job Prep. ¹ Topics of discussion included resume writing, best practices for completing job applications, and how to make a good first impression at an interview. The series came to a close with a teen-specific job fair where participants could meet real employers who were willing to hire students.

One of the perks of teen-specific career programming is that many high school students have not yet learned the nuances of job searching that so many adults take for granted. For example, Teen Job Prep addressed some dos and don’ts of making a strong first impression on a potential employer, including not chewing gum during an interview and avoiding low-rise or revealing pants. Moreover, if a teen has never had to apply for a job before, he or she may not even know how to find openings or construct a professional resume. Career resources geared primarily towards teens can highlight these finer points, which may seem monotonous to adults.

Teen Job Prep was a novel and highly useful program to residents of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights area, where the poverty level has reached upwards of 18 percent, but a similar program is key in all socioeconomic environments. In its most recent report, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics counts youth unemployment at 16.3 percent nationwide², far higher than the total April 2014 unemployment rate of 6.3 percent³. BLS defines “youth” as 16-24 year-olds, and this figure is driven even higher if cut off at age 19, the maximum age for Teen Job Prep. Youth unemployment is a problem across the country, and few resources are presently available for the affected.

Providing teens with the tools they need to find a job is an investment that will pay off for years. As people retire later in life, the amount of time today’s youth spend in the workforce will increase. Participants can use what they learn as they move up through their careers and apply for work in the future.

Does your library currently offer career resources or training for teens?

RESOURCES

[1] Akins, E. (2014, April 27). Heights Library presents Teen Job Prep Series and Job Fair for local youth. cleveland.com. Retrieved May 3, 2014, from http://www.cleveland.com/university-heights/index.ssf/2014/04/heights_libraries_presents_tee.html

[2] Employment and Unemployment Among Youth Summary. (2013, August 20). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/youth.nr0.htm

[3] CPS News Releases. (2014, May 2). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.bls.gov/cps/

The post Career Resources: Not Just For Adults first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Preparing for an interview consists of a few elements:

• be ready to answer a range of questions
• research the organization and information relevant to the position
• wear clothes you feel confident in
• get enough sleep

I strongly believe that there are general questions we should all be prepared to answer honestly. They aren’t all that exciting, but help achieve a confident and focused mindset:

• What are your five top strengths?
  • Show off what you are good at—you are selling yourself at this interview.

• What are your five weakest areas?
  • This is a tricky question—some weaknesses can really be strengths. Choose weaknesses that can be improved upon.

• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
  • Be specific about the particular job.

• Tell me about yourself (not a question, but it is asked a lot!).
  • Use this question to make yourself multidimensional. Talk about interests outside of the library.

• When you were part of a successful team, what made it successful?
  • Be specific about the reason and what you contributed.

• When you have a disagreement with a coworker or boss, how do you address it?
  • Explain in detail, but do not speak negatively about previous employers.

Library specific questions may include:

• A patron wants a book to be removed from the library. How do you respond?
  • This question is addressing censorship.

• A patron asks for information about something you don’t agree with. How do you respond?
  • This question is addressing access to information.

• What technology are you familiar with?
  • In addition to general tech, include library specific software and resources.

• “What is your philosophy [of] librarianship?”
  • Address this question specifically.

One question that doesn’t seem like it will have much impact is: What questions do you have for us? The thoughtfulness of your response is appreciated and noticed. It shows that you took time to think through issues that might come up in the position. For more resources about questions, take a look at Mr. Librarian Dude’s list of library specific resources and interview questions.

Knowing information about the organization where you are interviewing is essential. Researching the company ensures that it is a place where you want to work. It also provides a good basis for developing questions about the organization. Asking questions about the position itself is important. Questions about programs and library initiatives will help you understand the direction of the department and library.

Confidence is a state of mind that can be built in a number of ways. How you look and feel will show through with non-verbal communication. Dress professionally: the clothes you wear for the interview are more professional than the clothes you will wear every day at the job. Take your time answering questions and make sure you fully understand what is being asked. Your confidence will show if you sit up straight and make eye contact with the members of the interview panel.

Being honest in an interview is essential. The interview goes both ways. You need to know if you like the organization and they need to know how you will fit in. The interview where I was most honest was for the job I got—and they offered it to me at the interview!

RESOURCES

1. 10 Job Interview Tips From A CEO Headhunter, Fast Company: Business + Innovation. Accessed April 16, 2014.
2. 99 Interview Tips That Will Actually Help You Get a Job, Passive Panda. Accessed April 16, 2014. .
3. Library Interview Questions. Mr. Library Dude. Accessed April 16, 2014.

The post Ace the Interview first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

On the front line of library service, we see it every day: people looking for jobs. The stress of looking for employment is made even worse when you lack the skills necessary to create a resume or fill out an online application. Libraries are uniquely poised to assist our patrons and make what can be a highly frustrating task easier

One of the easiest ways to help job seekers is simply by offering computer classes. From the basics of how to use a mouse to creating Excel spreadsheets, many patrons have a great need for computer skills. Being able to offer a wide range of computer classes to get people started on the basics of computers and the various software options is a beneficial service. Databases and services that can help with continuing into the higher complexities of common office software are also a wonderful learning tool. Some locations offer one-on-one sessions to focus entirely on the specific questions of their patrons.

Many job search-specific databases are also available to provide to patrons. ResumeMaker is a great option to provide patrons who need to create a resume. Templates can be incredibly helpful in creating these complex documents, but can also create complex formatting issues. ResumeMaker is great because patrons can simply fill their information into the various fields, which is also great practice for those online applications, and then a nice resume is created for them in the style they select. Job Now is another useful resource. Once patrons have their resumes, they can send them in for suggestions on how to make them better; or, they can connect online for a mock interview.

If your library cannot provide the databases, you can still offer patrons information on reliable, free websites to help with employment.Career One Stop from the Department of Labor provides many useful pieces of information, including information on resumes and interviews, as well as self-assessments and employment trends. Their My Skills, My Future website allows users to type in former jobs and see related career paths they might try. The Workplace Writers section of the Online Writing Lab from Purdue University also offers some helpful information on how to write a cover letter, resume, or CV.

Once you have your resources gathered, make them easy to find. Create a job section for your website and put a link to it on your homepage. Have your handouts and pathfinders readily available for patrons. Gather a list of organizations that you can refer people to, as mentioned in a post by Louise Svehla on Public Libraries Online.

The job search process is rough. While some talk is going around about small improvement, the economy hasn’t picked up a lot of steam. Online application and resume help questions don’t seem to be likely to disappear anytime soon. Be prepared. Know any other great resources? Share them below.

The post Job Help @ The Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Partnerships can provide you with extra resources to help job seekers.  Identify which organizations in your community assist job seekers already.  This list can include, but is not limited by, the following:

·         County Workforce Services
·         State Employment Agencies
·         Local job clubs
·         Career Services departments at local colleges and universities
·         Career Services agencies
·         Goodwill Workforce Connection Centers
·         Recruiters and temp agencies
·         Career Coaches

To start, invite representatives from these organizations to visit your library so they can see what you have to offer to job seekers.  Share what your patrons need and your goals to help them.  Next, arrange a meeting at their facility.  You will gain firsthand knowledge about what these organizations can provide and you can easily share this with job seekers.  Open the lines of communication, share brochures and flyers, and sign up for mailing lists.

Start referring your patrons to these organizations.  Create a one page pathfinder or handout that includes contact information and website links to each agency.  Distribute this to the job seekers who ask for help at the public services desk or make sure to put them on display for those who are too shy or embarrassed to ask.  Make sure to update this list often and add the information to your library’s website as well.

Invite your new partners to present at your library.  Many are willing to speak for free at public libraries or may ask for a small honorarium.  Topics such as resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, networking, and social media are all important to today’s job seekers.  A different perspective and new strategies or skills can boost confidence, and the group setting will encourage networking among the participants and speakers.  One never knows where they will find their next job lead.

As the list of partnerships grows, you will have more resources available to your job seekers.  If you receive a good response, consider adding more services as time and budget allows.  For more ideas, consult Project Compass’s Pathway for Job Seekers.

The post Forming Partnerships to Help Job Seekers @ Your Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.