Build Your Personal Brand February 4, 2017 Resumes and cover letters:
In the public library world, your resume and letter is still being read by a person, not a computer. Show yourself to be enthusiastic, friendly, and hard-‐working.
1. Speak to the ad. If we are looking for a teen librarian, don’t go on at length about your work with pre-‐schoolers. Speak to the job description, if available to you. Tell us how you “keep informed of children’s trends”, or about the outreach work you did in your last job.
2. Keep your letter to one page – and not in size 10 font. Have a friend proofread it for typos. 3. Look at a new resume book for examples. No more than two pages. A long paragraph on your goals is not
necessary. Don’t pad your resume if it is short. Include your blog or website if it is up to date and relates to the library world. Include any professional associations; you’re a member of ALA or have been to a recent conference, for example.
Interviewing:
We understand you might be nervous. Sometimes we are too. Do yourself a solid and practice as much as you can – there are many typical interview questions online (try www.themuse.com). You might get some dumb questions – “what is your greatest weakness? – and of course you can’t just refuse to answer them. Have an answer ready. If you tend to ramble, remind yourself to answer the question, then stop.
1. Make eye contact, sit up straight, smile, shake hands when you enter and when you leave. 2. Focus on the library and the job you are applying for. Know about them and their community. Look on
Wikipedia, at the library’s website and calendar of events. Mention one of the more interesting events or services. Comment on the community’s long history or significant Asian population or many cultural institutions. COMPLIMENT US.
3. Don’t be negative. We don’t want to feel sorry for you or hear you complain. If you can’t avoid talking about a bad experience, talk about the one that broke bad but ended well. What did you learn from it?
4. Prepare a few questions to ask at the end of the interview. “What would my average day be like?” “What opportunities are there for community outreach?” “How often does the department meet as a group?” You’re interviewing us, too, plus this will be our final impression of you.
5. We say to ourselves, “People will show you who they are, and when they do, believe them.” (Maya Angelou) Managers are listening very hard at interviews (at least I hope they are). So be thoughtful, and be honest. You are smart and capable, and you want to work in public service. Show us that.
The Job Offer:
If you have a lot of experience, or special skills, or you just think the starting salary is low, ask for more money. We might say no, we might say yes. ASK.
Roberta S. Johnson Assistant Director, Des Plaines Public Library [email protected]
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