Real-Life Strategies for Successful Library

Job Hunting

Andromeda Yelton | @thatandromedaTiffany Mair | @tiffanylora

January 4, 2012

@ThatAndromeda @tiffanylora

Panelists

Poll: Where are you in the job hunt?

t-rex help wanted by carbonated on Flickr

during the webinar:● chat window● #libjobhunt● google doc -- http://bit.ly/rGHauU after the webinar:● ala editions blog● twitter● andromedayelton.com | infodetective.info

Create Conversation

● Invite colleagues to participate in projects ● Special thanks to Annie Pho (@catladylib)

from Hack Library School (@hacklibschool) for assistance with today's webinar.

Engage Your Networks

Support, strategize, and make it happen (meetup, tweetup, danceparty): http://bit.ly/rrOWQt (You'll need a Google account for this.)

Find Library Job-Seekers Near & Far

Zoom in on where you live; then click on "edit".

Find Your Spot

New icons will appear. Choose the placemark.

&

Put the placemark on your location and click.Add your info.

Put Yourself on the Map

Step 1: Read ALL the job listings○ started in grad school○ read listings for every job I might enjoy -- even if

expired or far away○ made a list of all the recurring skills○ put them in three buckets...

Andromeda: What I Did

My three buckets:1. What I can do and can prove2. What I can do and can't

prove...yet3. What I can't do...yet

Andromeda: What I Did

me and the bucket and spade by slightly everything, on Flickr; CC BY

Step 2: Acquire skills and generate proof○ writing

■ andromedayelton.com■ LITA/Ex Libris contest■ Library Technology Reports

○ tech■ LIS 458 (databases)■ DCKX (LIS 419 final project!)

○ public speaking■ teaching career■ GSLIS tech lab workshops■ Battledecks!

Andromeda: What I Did

Step 3: Networking○ Twitter

(@ThatAndromeda)○ ALA conferences

■ say yes to things■ don't travel in

student packs■ go to happy hour

Andromeda: What I Did

Pick me! Pick me!! by emrank, on Flickr; CC BY

Start early and stay late ● Be well-rounded ● Study the success of others ● Join teams and bring people together

Tiffany's Path to Employment

Know and be known ● Define your leadership style ● Filter advice, limit negativity, and know what to ignore ● Communicate and embody your vision

Tiffany's Path to Employment

Be more than qualified ● Distinguish yourself ● Finding a job is only the

beginning ● Make flexibility, positivity, &

enthusiasm your mantra

Tiffany's Path to Employment

Lotus by _Virdi_ on Flickr

European Van Lines by npGreenway on Flickr

Poll: Would you relocate for a job?

Personal Branding for New Librarians ● Andromeda's article about an ALA Midwinter panel Enjoy Yourself Along the Way● Tiffany's ALA 2011 Virtual Conference presentation on

standing out and enjoying your job hunt So What Are You Going to Do With That?, Susan Basalla and Maggie Debelius● helps you identify & communicate your skills, especially

if you're from academe

Additional Resources

Jenica Rogers on writing cover letters● Ever wanted to know what the hiring committee is

thinking? Jenica is a library director. Andromeda wrote a follow-up blog post on resumes and cover letters. Five Lessons Librarians can Learn from Conan the Barbarian● Tiffany offers tips for succeeding in your epic

professional battles

Additional Resources

Three-step plan for winning in libraryland:1. Talk to people,2. Identify cool things to do,3. And do them.

Closing Thoughts

Balloon Festival, Denver, Colorado by Thad Roan - Bridgepix, on Flickr; CC BY

What's your plan?

Closing Thoughts

Slides will be available at ALA Editions

AndromedaYelton.cominfodetective.info

Please continue sharing your ideas on these

sites, your social networks, & with your peers.

@ThatAndromeda | @tiffanylora

Thank You