Career Blog
Career Blog
Career development is on everyone’s minds. After all, that’s why most, if not all, of our students come to us. This blog is all about giving you the latest and greatest in what’s going on in the job market. Chock-full of tips and guidance, the Career Blog is a must-read for all students and job seekers.
Volunteering: A Great Way to Boost Your Resume
Published: July 17, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
If your resume is looking a bit sparse but you don’t have the time to dedicate to a formal internship, consider volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community while adding some important lines to your resume. You can also add volunteer experiences to your LinkedIn profile. Even if your volunteer experience is outside of the LIS field, it is still great to use in an interview.
Informational Interviews 101
Published: July 10, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Q: What is an informational interview?
10 Ways to Boost Your Linkedin Profile
Published: July 9, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
If you’re like most job-seekers, you have a LinkedIn profile. Maybe it’s pretty generic. Employers do use LinkedIn to learn more about job candidates, so it is important that your profile is looking great. Here are 10 quick ways to make your LinkedIn profile stand out.
Summer Reading: Get Ahead While You Relax
Published: July 3, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Summer is finally here! Whether you’re on break from classes or just enjoying the warmer weather, these temperatures make everyone want to grab a beach chair and a good book for some relaxation. Why not make that time as productive as possible with a fascinating—yet still educational—book? Here are five titles to choose from that will help you land your dream job with your toes still in the sand!
Listen Up: How Library Podcasts Can Put You on the Path to Success
Published: June 29, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Podcasts are currently all the rage. You might even already have a few favorites. But did you know there are several library-related podcasts out there? These podcasts are a great way to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the library world outside of academia and learn about new career options you never considered. Their topics also make great conversation starters during an interview! Without further ado, here are five library podcasts to keep you entertained and informed.
A Diploma and a Plan: What to Do After Graduation
Published: June 26, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
If you just graduated a few weeks ago and are wondering, “What am I supposed to do now?”—the iSchool offers excellent webinars that answer that very question.
For example, the “Graduated – Now What?” webinar explains the smart steps to take once you toss your tassel. Jill Klees, iSchool Career Liaison, hosted this helpful webinar.
Creating Your Dream Internship
Published: June 19, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Have you always planned on doing an internship before you graduate? Do you know exactly what kind of internship you want?
But, what happens when you can’t find that dream internship?
The answer is simple: create it yourself!
Yes, you really can! With a little prep work, you can create the internship of your dreams at any organization you choose, even if they don’t offer it now.
Prep Work
Top 10 Tips for an Eye-Catching LIS Cover Letter
Published: June 9, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
How many cover letters do you have in your arsenal? Just one? You might want to reconsider your strategy. Cover letters are your potential employers’ first impression of you. You don’t want to send them a generic form letter that doesn’t properly show your enthusiasm for the job. So, how do you craft that perfect cover letter that demonstrates both your skills and your excitement about the job? Read on.
Making a Transformation: Leadership in a Public Library
Published: June 1, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
When you think of a leader, who comes to mind? Maybe a former teacher, a government official or someone in business?
If you didn’t think about a librarian, you need to think again.
10 Takeaways from the MLIS Skills at Work Report
Published: May 25, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Whether you are getting your diploma this month or just starting the MLIS program, your end goal is the same: landing a great job. The iSchool at SJSU conducts an annual study of LIS-related job posting to see what employers are looking for. They reviewed 400 job postings in February and March of this year to determine the similarities among them. The MLIS Skills at Work: A Snapshot of Job Postings Spring 2018 report is an excellent resource for students at any stage in their schooling.
It’s Parliamentary: Leadership in a Government Library
Published: May 19, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Think your MLIS degree will keep you in the background? Think again.
“New MLIS holders are often reluctant or don’t quite understand how quickly they will find themselves in management and leadership positions,” Dr. Cheryl Stenstrom explains.
With this knowledge, how can we as MLIS students prepare to be successful leaders?
Top 10 Tips for Making the Most of Your Time at Conferences
Published: May 11, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Have you ever attended a conference? If not, it is likely you will at least once during your career. Big conferences like ALA Annual or Young Adult Services Symposium to small conferences like ones held by your state library association are excellent opportunities for professional development.
Library Leadership: Making the Grade in an Academic Library
Published: May 5, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
We all know leadership is important. But what does leadership look like in an academic library?
You.com: Creating a Website to Market Yourself
Published: April 27, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
You may already have a LinkedIn profile, a professional Twitter account or a detailed Indeed profile. But what about a website? Employers want to see samples of your work, descriptions of your job responsibilities and a showcase of your skills—preferably all in one place. What platform gives you all this and more? A personal website.
Lessons from a Teacher Librarian: What I Wish I Knew for My Interview
Published: April 20, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Going into my first job interview for a teacher librarian position, I had no idea what to expect. I had not worked in the field before, so I wasn’t sure what to emphasize as my strengths. The administration took a chance on me and now I am in my second year as a teacher librarian.
Networking on Twitter: Building a Professional Presence in 140 Characters
Published: April 13, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
If you have a Twitter account, you probably use it like most people: live-tweeting the season premiere of your favorite TV show or sharing your opinion about the new restaurant in town. While this is a diverting activity, Twitter can also be really useful for networking and professional development—when used properly.
Library Leadership: Taking Charge in the Public Library
Published: April 6, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Many employers look for leaders. But what does that mean in the library world? A new series of webinars aims to answer that question.
Books Behind Bars: An Inside Look at Correctional Librarianship
Published: March 30, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
As students deeply entrenched in the library world, you’ve probably read about the recent controversy over books in New York correctional institutions. If not, let me catch you up. This past January, it was reported that inmates would no longer be able to receive packages except from a few carefully selected vendors. This would mean that families can no longer send comfort items from home, including books, and inmates only have access to the few books sold by the approved vendors.
10 Things You Didn’t Realize Were Sabotaging Your Interview
Published: March 29, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
You may feel like you’re often the best candidate for the job, but for reasons you can’t really pin down, you find yourself going to interview after interview with no call-backs. What’s going on?
According to a substantial number of LIS hiring managers, job applicants unfamiliar with interview expectations and etiquette frequently sabotage their chances without realizing what caused the damage. These are the issues that may be harming your interview outcomes:
Tips & Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Handshake
Published: March 23, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Let’s face it: finding a job can be a job in itself! With all of the job board websites out there, it can be difficult to find what is actually relevant to you.