Job Hunting and Career Growth Tips from #SLAtalk Participants

Thanks to everyone who participated in #SLAtalk: Job Hunting and Career Growth.

Below are some highlights from both sessions from March 5th, which encompass a great career resource.

For a full listing, and other interesting statistics, check out the TAGS archive set up by Emma Davidson

1) What’s a successful job hunting method that helped you land you your current job?

@LibrarySherpa: Networking, networking, networking. SLA has been a tremendous resource for me to accomplish this and get results.

@KatefromUK1. successful job hunting: let your prof network know you're looking for a job; they'll be great at identifying suitable jobs
@DigLiberryA successful job hunting method that helped me land my last 2 jobs was using my alumni career center.
@LauraPikeSeeley: Casting a wide net and being open to nontraditional library jobs led me to my position as Brand Archivist for a fashion company.

@SLAhqcreate e-portfolios: http://slidesha.re/UMk6YX  & http://bit.ly/XR15K9

 

@yankeeincanadaKeyword optimization on LinkedIn!

@LibrarySherpaDon't be afraid to apply for a job in which you don't meet every requirement. You may have other skills they are looking for.

@infopioneerlibNETWORK for hidden jobs. HR experts claim 80% of jobs are never advertised. Networking is a good reason to be an ACTIVE SLA member

2) What’s a profession-specific way you’ve prepared for an interview that worked for you?

@KnowldgeLinkingI prepare for interviews by reviewing SLA Core Competencies so I can speak eloquently abt skill areas http://bit.ly/XocHoe

@tiffanybrandlibC.A.R works (Challenge, Action, Results) describe how you met a challenge at your previous job. Quantify results.


@WoodsieGirl:
 Research! Current employers were impressed I knew my way around their social media presence b4 I joined

@tranlibQ2. Did my homework, looked at the posting and researched what similar orgs and similar positions did. Align with the mission.


@LibraryatLawPersonal doesn't = unprofessional . . . Remember, if all goes well these people will be coworkers! Have hobbies, a life

@TRAKJulieA
be warm/engaging, w/out oversharing/getting too personal. Walk that line. Answer ?'s fully & completely w/out getting off topic

@kama_sueI always try to make the person interviewing me say "I hadn't thought of that" – shows innovation, creative thinking.
@TRAKJulieAplan out a 2-3 min walk through of your resume, covering experience, education & motivation, explaining any gaps or missteps
@KatefromUK: draw up list of likely questions based on job description & practice answers, drawing on examples of previous roles

@klyallLeverage SLA experience in resume: program planning, fundraising, budgeting, and leadership skills are a major asset!

‏@TLWhippie: Knowing that I was going to be interviewed by non librarians, I practiced with people that didn't know library lingo.

 

3) What are key organizational traits you look for during an interview or online job search?

@tranlibI want an org that encourages experimentation and discovery and that they value me as a person.
@henarewhy is the incumbent leaving? another question where the delivery of the answer is as important as the content.

‏@pomponijadaopen mindedness, eagerness to innovate, learn and apply new skills

@TRAKJulieALook for strong tenure in the company – if people tend to stick around, it says a lot.

@jokrausduI want to be in a place that encourages innovation, creativity, & the willingness to try new technologies

@ElaineLibrarian: I ask "how do you describe office culture here" when they ask if I have any questions. What they don't say is often telling.

 

@kate_thornhillManagement and leadership. if there isn't vision/mission/leadership the ship might sink or get real work cray cray

@CyberVIt's important to me that the people I interview w appear to get along & work cooperatively. Morale is crucial to job happiness.

 

4) How did you empower yourself to move ahead at your job? or what skills did you learn which led to your career growth?


@tranlib: Learned from my SLA peers how to talk like an infopro. Translated it to the needs of my org and WHAMO they value me

@library_zoneAs our colleague @MaryEllenBates always suggests, challenge yourself! Learn something new-run a webinar, learn social media

@MMichelleMooreI ask when I have a possible project or suggestion, the worst that can happen is I'm told "no"

@KnowldgeLinking: Early adopter of social media for my org. Changed my career into one of sharing info instead of only collecting/organizing. #slatalk

 

@kate_thornhilltake initiative and start personal projects to show value/worth/knowledge

@LibrarySherpaAt the risk of repeating myself, being active in SLA is what empowered me to excel in my job/career.

@SJLeemanAsk your new coworkers for their opinions- and value them. If you're a new librarian, this will be helpful in many ways.

@kama_sueQ4 For legal-specific libs: see if you can attend practice group mtgs, find out their needs, then you're poised to help

@LibWigcareer growth doesnt seem right word as still new, but for prof development, SLA has done wonders – confidence with vendors etc

@klyallI moved ahead by taking on an entirely new project (social media) outside of regular work…don't be afraid to try something new

@rbateswilfahrtVolunteering as #rmsla chapter president gave me confidence to network and land my freelance side-gig

@el399: I got involved with every project & cross-departmental working opportunity that I could, fun as well as good for development

 

 

Get a low price finasteride is not easy. Remember you need a finasteride drug is not particularly carried away. As long as you think you dare questions. They are currently not easy.

4 responses to “Job Hunting and Career Growth Tips from #SLAtalk Participants”

  1. Nice! I have participated and now I have landed a job. Thanks to this!

  2. […] Check out How to #SLAtalk and the recaps of the first and second sessions. […]

  3. […] Check out How to #SLAtalk and the recaps of the first and second sessions. […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

©2023 Special Libraries Association. All Rights Reserved
Special Libraries Association
X

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close