by Christina Wilson, former Head Editor of INALJ Alberta and INALJ Manitoba previously published 2/27/14 Your Career Statement Of Purpose: a SOP Story At a recent library conference, l learned a new approach towards the all-important career summary that all job seekers are expected to deliver during an interview. Typically, interviews begin with a request to provide a career overview. Most…
by Christina Wilson, Senior Assistant, INALJ Alberta and INALJ Manitoba The Sport of Networking Recently I read an intriguing article in The Globe and Mail “Hockey Course Helps Women Break the Ice” (September 27, 2014) about “The Gal’s Got Game”, a networking company that developed a crash course on hockey specifically aimed at helping professional women get ahead in business by…
by Christina Wilson, Senior Assistant, INALJ Canada previously published 7/15/13 Boldly Go “Speed Networking” and Beyond …. Embarking on a job search has given me courage to boldly go where I’d never think to go before. On a Wednesday night in early June, this quest took me to my first ever speed networking event. Organized…
by Christina Wilson, Senior Assistant, INALJ Alberta and INALJ Manitoba Volunteer to Boost Your Career Although I’ve worked full time in my field as a library and information professional since graduating from library school, I’ve always found time to volunteer as well. While I enjoy contributing to my community, volunteering has helped me gain valuable experience and learning opportunities that were…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor of INALJ Alberta and INALJ Manitoba Meet Clive Maishment of The Alberta Library (TAL) I’d like to introduce readers to one of Alberta’s outstanding library organizations and its visionary and effective leader. Formed in 1997, The Alberta Library (TAL) is a consortium of 49 member libraries serving over 300 locations in Alberta. It was established…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor of INALJ Alberta and INALJ Manitoba You are Your Brand: job searching is your p.r. exercise In the olden days, perhaps 7 years ago, it was important to dress for success when attending a job interview, a library conference or a professional meeting, in order to present to the world, and potential new employers, your…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor of INALJ Alberta and INALJ Manitoba Why Big Data Matters to Libraries Earlier this week I attended a lecture at Red Deer College as part of their “Perspectives on the World” series. I was invited to represent Red Deer Public Library, a co-sponsor of the series. The topic was “Big Data” and the engaging…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor of INALJ Alberta and INALJ Manitoba Taking a Career Inventory The beginning of a new year is a reminder to reflect on your career over the last year. It’s also a good time to conduct an inventory how things went over the preceding year. What went well? Of which accomplishments…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta Celebrate! Commemorate! And Tell the Story Well! I moved to Alberta in 2007 to take on a position as Emerging Technologies Librarian for The Alberta Library, a consortium serving all libraries in the province. As it turned out, it was a significant year to be working for Alberta’s…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta The Hardest Button to Button: Closing the Deal The White Stripes’ song title came to mind recently when posting yet another job that requested applicants to submit their salary expectations along with their resume and covering letter. It’s a helpful colorful metaphor for a thorny application issue. The…
This interview is over 1 year old and may no longer be up to date or reflect the interviewee/interviewees’ positions by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta On the Education of Librarians: Introducing Anna Altmann, Interim Director, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta Earlier this month, the University of Alberta, School of…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta The Case for Community-Led Librarianship In a recent presentation by John Pateman, CEO, Thunder Bay Public Library, I learned how public libraries are positioned to become more relevant by adapting community development approaches to library service. Along with his colleague, Ken Williment, Halifax Public Library, Pateman has authored…
. . . by Christina Wilson , Head Editor, INALJ Alberta Achieving Success in a Non-Traditional Position: Meet Stephen MacDonald, MLIS and Resource Coordinator for Edmonton’s Social Planning Council (ESPC) After obtaining his MLIS, from Nova Scotia’s Dalhousie University, Stephen MacDonald aspired to become a reference librarian, but was open to pursuing other information management opportunities.…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta Managing Your References Team: a necessary soft skill At some point in your quest for the perfect position, you will be asked to provide references. I think of my references as my team. They are a trusted group of colleagues who know my work style and achievements and…
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta Career Management Tip: Plan to Attend a Conference Library conference season is upon us! Whether employed or not, attending a library conference offers many opportunities for career management, from meeting senior hiring managers in other spheres through gathering information about targeted organizations to expanding your own personal network. …
by Christina Wilson, Head Editor, INALJ Alberta Skype Your Way to Success As a hiring manager, working in a public library I found Skype to be an effective tool when faced with the prospect of interviewing candidates from across this vast land. Although our city had an airport, service was “regional” and the next largest…