{"id":69091,"date":"2014-04-22T10:30:16","date_gmt":"2014-04-22T15:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=69091"},"modified":"2014-04-20T11:54:13","modified_gmt":"2014-04-20T16:54:13","slug":"7-must-have-tools-for-your-job-hunting-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=69091","title":{"rendered":"7 (Must-Have) Tools for Your Job Hunting Kit"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Naomi House, MLIS<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

7 (Must-Have) Tools for Your Job Hunting Kit<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"DSCN0229\"<\/a>Most of us already use tools in our job hunt but what we may not be doing is using them together.\u00a0 Tools are different from characteristics and attitudes because they are things that you use- not aspects of who you are.\u00a0 Especially where social media is concerned, our online presence can help us connect and network with potential employers no matter where we are. Even with a social media presence it is still important to write further and in depth about what you feel passionate about.\u00a0 Whether you are a current MLS student, recent grad, seasoned pro, or someone transitioning into the information sciences field, the following tools when used together can assist in making your job hunt easier.<\/p>\n

\"7<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Actively used Twitter<\/a>\/Facebook<\/a> profiles:<\/strong> I still read library journals and publications but some of the most important discussions in our field are happening on #tweetchats and Facebook groups.\u00a0 What social media gives us is the chance to interact with thought leaders in our field no matter if you are transitioning into this career from another one or you are a student.\u00a0 Your voice, perspectives, thoughts and more can be heard on these platforms by people who are looking to hire.
    \n____<\/span>
    \nSome of my favorite tweetchats are\u00a0     #libchat<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 #uklibchat<\/a> \u00a0 #slatalk<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 #medlibs<\/a>\u00a0 #tchat<\/a>\u00a0 and of course, #inaljchat<\/a>.\u00a0 Share yours in the comments.
    \n____<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Blog\/Tumblr<\/a> self publications:<\/strong>\u00a0 Tumblr and personal blogs are a great communication tool and one way beyond the interview that you can make an impression on potential employers.\u00a0 Though Twitter and Facebook are great conversational tools Tumblr and personal blogs are great for long form musings which you can link to on social media.\u00a0 There are many great blogging tools but the one I use is WordPress.\u00a0 Be sure to include a web based resum\u00e9 that you update regularly as well if you have a blog.
    \n____<\/span>
    \nYou can find some fantastic     Tumblrarians<\/a> listed online and for blog platforms I have found WordPress<\/a> to be intuitive.\u00a0 For further info read this handy primer on Tumblr for librarians<\/a> by the #1 most read library blogger, The Lifeguard Librarian<\/a>, Kate Tkacik.\u00a0 Spoiler alert, Tumblr got her a job!\u00a0 Which ones do you recommend?\u00a0 Share in the comments.
    \n____<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Presenting:<\/strong>\u00a0 I am old school.\u00a0 I use PowerPoint for nearly every presentation I give but I know that this is not the only presentation tool I need so whenever I see a remarkable presentation I always find out which tool the presenter used, usually by asking them on Twitter.\u00a0 Mostly the ones I am drawn to use Prezi or PowerPoint.\u00a0 It isn’t enough just to know these tools but you have to use them.\u00a0 Haven’t been asked to present yet? No problem- this is another type of posting you can host on your blog and then share on FB\/Twitter and LinkedIn.\u00a0 What do you feel comfortable presenting on and how would you best communicate that concept? Then create using one of those tools and self-publish.\u00a0 You can also link to these self published presentations on your online resum\u00e9 as well.\u00a0 This is one way to boost your profile to potential employers.
    \n____<\/span>
    \nThe two I see most often are Microsoft Office’s     PowerPoint<\/a> and Prezi<\/a>.\u00a0 Share below any other great presentation tools.\u00a0 Also Steven Bell<\/a> recommends that if you become a regular speaker that you get a clicker that has a timer on it so you don’t have to check your watch to see if you are running over the allotted time.
    \n____<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Actively used LinkedIn<\/a> profile:\u00a0<\/strong> It isn’t enough to just have a LinkedIn profile, it must be regularly updated; you must hunt for jobs on LinkedIn and you should become active in job hunting related LinkedIn groups.\u00a0 These groups are important ways to seek out information on better job hunting strategies and to connect with potential employers.\u00a0 LinkedIn seems more official than Twitter and Facebook and is something potential employers often assume you should have.\u00a0 For me the benefit has been in connecting with my peers and with people I have networked with in order to find more jobs.\u00a0 I harvest from LinkedIn and can’t recommend it enough for finding jobs in corporations, especially.\u00a0 It does not tie in to the other tools so much as compliments them.\u00a0 I do link to my blog, Twitter account and more on my LinkedIn page and vice versa.
    \n____<\/span>
    \nSome of my favorite job hunting LinkedIn groups for info pros     can be found here<\/a>.\u00a0 What are your favorites?\u00a0 Place in the comments below.
    \n____<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Committees & Associations:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0 Being a member of an association is important because it shows that you are interested in the larger field, but to really help yourself meet people who can help you land a job you have to be active on committees and volunteer with associations.\u00a0 Think of it as a non-job way of showing your skills and work ethic. Remember that making a good impression, being timely in your assignments can be critical- you will make an impression just be sure it is a good one otherwise you will hurt your job hunting chances.
    \n—–<\/span>
    \nThe     American Library Association<\/a> (ALA) is the big one to join in the US and also check out their state chapters<\/a> as well.\u00a0 I am a member of the Special Libraries Association<\/a> (SLA); think of it as perfect for anyone who specializes in a field (corporate, universities, government, etc).\u00a0 Also look at associations in other fields like subject specialties (if you are Science Librarian look at joining a science association) and related fields such as prospect research (APRA<\/a>) and competitive intelligence (SCiP<\/a>) as well as leadership societies (85 Broads or Toastmasters).\u00a0 What associations are you a member of?\u00a0 Paste in the comments below.\u00a0 Also check out our tweetchat on associations at #inaljchat<\/a>.
    \n____<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Know Your Sites & Listservs:\u00a0 <\/strong>It is vital that your job hunting toolkit has a varied collection of web jobs resources. These will be different person to person based on whether you are hunting by region, job type or if you are open to many outside the box jobs.\u00a0 If you are hunting in one or two regions be sure that you are on multiple listservs for associations and universities in those areas.\u00a0 If you are hunting by job type (archivists, tech jobs, etc) listservs for associations can be vital in finding jobs not listed elsewhere.\u00a0 For government jobs remember that many government contractors are not specialists in our field so you may have to check their HR sites individually.\u00a0 Listservs are a must follow for job hunters because often they post jobs first.\u00a0 Be careful with job-scrapers as many nationally recognized job-scrapers have expired jobs on them.\u00a0 And as always INALJ has all our jobs in one spot<\/a> pulled from hundreds of sites and listservs.You should be following your local SLA listservs as well as any committee or sections that interest you for ALA.\u00a0 Also follow local MLS program listservs in regions\/cities\/ areas that you are looking for jobs.
    \n____<\/span>
    \nI follow any association listservs that will let me, even if I am not a member.\u00a0 Looks at associations in related fields too for jobs on their regular web job boards such as     SCiP<\/a>, APRA<\/a> and Code4lib<\/a> jobs. Some of the ones INALJ scrapes from<\/a> can be found here.
    \n____<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Informational Interviews:\u00a0 <\/strong>Usually when I present on job hunting strategies someone will point out that the information I am providing is not specific enough to their situation and go on to ask me what they can do to get a job at their local public library.\u00a0 The answer to that can only be found with the staff of that public library system.\u00a0 Each library system (university, public corporate, government) has very rules and regulations.\u00a0 This is why joining local associations and volunteering with them can give you a leg in, but you need more.\u00a0 You need to pick their brains and the tool I have found that works best is the informational interview.\u00a0 An informational interview is where you interview someone in a job or workplace that you aspire to, and find out what their job is like and even what they look for in candidates.
    \n____<\/span>
    \nINALJ has     several articles on informational interviews<\/a> and I also recommend that you familiarize yourself with Ask a Manager<\/a> and Library Career People<\/a> as places to harvest great interview and job hunting skills from.\u00a0 What tips do you have for informational interviewing?\u00a0 Share in the comments below.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    ____<\/span><\/p>\n

    Remember that none of these tools are guaranteed to get you a job, but they may increase your chances.\u00a0 Tools help but so do personal characteristics.\u00a0 People want to hire people that would be great to work with so remember that smiling, asking thoughtful questions in an interview and your digital reputation are important as well.\u00a0 These 7 tools have made a difference in my own job hunts and all need to be taken into consideration by job hunters.\u00a0 Are you doing everything you can in the most effective way to become known in the field as a great potential candidate?\u00a0 And are you being efficient with your time?\u00a0 These are questions this toolkit hopes to help you with.<\/p>\n

    We would love to hear your constructive and great ideas in the comments below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    by Naomi House, MLIS 7 (Must-Have) Tools for Your Job Hunting Kit Most of us already use tools in our job hunt but what we may not be doing is using them together.\u00a0 Tools are different from characteristics and attitudes because they are things that you use- not aspects of who you are.\u00a0 Especially where…<\/p>\n

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