Career Blog: Job Search

Career Blog

What Else to do While Job Hunting

Open Notebook with Red Pen

Published: May 23, 2025 by Aryn Prestia

For some, job hunting can be a full-time job in itself. While there are dozens of library-specific search sites that can help make your search more effective, there is no set timeline for finding a job in the information space. Whether your search takes days or months, it’s important to keep up the momentum and remind yourself why you want to work in a library or archive. Whether you have work experience in information science or not, using the gap-time in your job search can be a great opportunity for honing your skills. 

Career Blog

Learning the Art of the Interview with Big Interview

Woman waving to computer screen

Published: May 5, 2025 by Aryn Prestia

An interview can be intimidating, whether it’s in-person, over the phone, or held as a video call. The only true way to improve interviewing skills is through practice, but if you are not in the active job search process it can be hard to find scenarios in which to do that. This is where Big Interview comes in. 

Career Blog

How to be a Library Advocate

Open Book

Published: April 22, 2025 by Aryn Prestia

Being a library advocate is not only a job responsibility for anyone working in the information science profession, but an opportunity to showcase your personal values surrounding equitable information access. Whether as a student or a recent graduate, it’s important to take your role as a library advocate seriously.

Career Blog

Finding a Job in Archives and Preservation

Rows of Archive Files

Published: March 14, 2025 by Aryn Prestia

The Archives & Preservation pathway is one of the most popular career pathways at the SJSU iSchool and more than 300 students are members of the Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists. Yet how common are Archivist jobs, really? Let’s explore the current hiring landscape to learn more about the nuances of finding work in the Archives field.

Career Blog

Building Your Library Resume

Hands holding a resume

Published: February 28, 2025 by Aryn Prestia

An updated resume is arguably the most important aspect of your job search process. Regardless of the information science sector you choose to work in, you will be asked to provide an updated resume. But what exactly should you include in a resume for a library-specific position?

Career Blog

Do Cover Letters Matter Anymore?

Woman Typing

Published: February 7, 2025 by Aryn Prestia

Our last career blog post focusing on cover letters was published six years ago. In some industries, employers no longer even ask for a cover letter during the application process. But in the information science space, cover letters are still an important part of job applications. 

Career Blog

So You’re Graduating in May, Now What?

Shadow of four graduates

Published: January 15, 2025 by Aryn Prestia 

It can be exciting to enter your final semester in the MLIS program. Whether that effort has been months or years in the making, you are now ready to demonstrate the culmination of your hard work in your e-portfolio and a degree that will lead you to a new career. 

Career Blog

Getting that First Library Experience

Several people on laptops working at a table

Published: December 4, 2024 by Aryn Prestia 

If you have started the job search, you’ve likely noticed that a majority of the postings indicate that experience is required. In fact, the most recent MLIS Skills at Work Report disclosed that 88% of job announcements include the stipulation that experience is required or preferred. 

But what do you do if you’ve devoted yourself to your MLIS degree full-time and have no library experience? In this post, we’ll be looking into how you gain library experience when you have none. 

Career Blog

Transitioning from a Library Assistant to a Librarian Job

Brainstorming in front of a window

Published: September 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

A majority of students in the MLIS program here at the iSchool are already working in library environments. Yet without an MLIS degree, the only positions available to students are typically Library Assistant, Circulation Aide, or Library Page. As you get closer to graduation and begin thinking about the next step in your career, what does it mean to take that jump from assistant/aide/page to librarian?

Career Blog

How to Tailor a Resume Using AI

Hands holding a resume

Published: July 24, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

AI Chatbots like ChatGPT are one of the most accessible avenues to Artificial Intelligence for students. Not only is it fun to play around with new technology, but it can actually be beneficial to the job search as well. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at how AI chatbots can be useful while crafting resumes.

Career Blog

How to Craft Your DEI Statement

Manicured Hands Writing with a pen in a bound notebook

Published: July 10, 2024 by Aryn Prestia 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become essential elements of library organizations in the past few years, and rightfully so! With libraries serving diverse communities and striving to be accessible for all, it makes sense that DEI statements are now a part of more than 63% of library job announcements and DEI is listed as a skillset needed for qualified applicants on 32% of job posts

Career Blog

Tips for Staying Positive During the Job Hunt

Woman writing in notebook and looking out window

Published: June 15, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

The process of searching and applying for, interviewing, and following up on available jobs can be exhausting. It feels like a part-time job and requires a lot of energy and attention. If you haven’t landed your dream job yet, or have experienced some rejection, it becomes very easy to feel defeated. Here are key tips to help you avoid burnout and maintain an optimistic outlook.

Career Blog

How to Prepare for a Virtual Interview

Woman waving to someone on her computer

Published: April 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Even in organizations where most work is completed in-person, it is becoming more common to conduct interviews virtually. This especially applies to the first round of interviews, sometimes referred to as the “semi-finals.” In fact, according to a recent Indeed survey, 82% of employers are currently using virtual interviews. This format eliminates some of the stress of driving and locating parking at an unfamiliar location, but it comes with its own set of issues to consider. Although virtual interviews may feel less intimidating, they are often more competitive because they take less time and can be offered to more candidates. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for your next virtual interview.

Career Blog

Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at OverDrive

Woman reading e-book on tablet

Published: April 19, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

The unprecedented events of the past few years caused many libraries to close to the public, resulting in a massive increase in digital library usage. The company OverDrive provides the largest digital media catalog in the world to libraries and schools through their award-winning app Libby. They are a certified B Corporation dedicated to improving literacy and supporting libraries and schools with their shared vision. I spoke with Mike Dresch, the recruiting manager at OverDrive about what it’s like to work for them and why information professionals in particular will find this work rewarding.

Career Blog

Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at EBSCO

keyboard

Published: March 23, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Have you ever explored working for a library vendor? Vendors in the library and information science space make a massive impact by serving libraries all over the world. Many of these organizations share the same philosophy and goals as information professionals, and your experience and field of study should make you a competitive candidate. I spoke with Tammy Ross, the Senior Product Marketing Manager at EBSCO Information Services (and iSchool alumni) about her career with one of the largest research database vendors serving libraries.

Career Blog

Understanding Industry Jargon in LIS Job Ads

Image of dictionary definition of the word jargon

Published: March 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Applying for jobs can sometimes feel like its own part-time job. Library positions are competitive and can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the process. Many library and information science (LIS) positions are in higher education or government, which often use specific industry jargon in their descriptions. Here is a list of explanations for some of the common terms found in library job ads to help those currently on the hunt.

Career Blog

What It’s Like Interning at the American Film Institute – Q&A with Sabrina Gunn

Image of film reel

Published: February 17th, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Many Library and Information Science students worry about a lack of experience or connections getting in the way of their career prospects. Some students simply have a hard time narrowing down their field of interest. An internship can be an excellent solution for all of these issues. I interviewed iSchool student Sabrina Gunn about her experience as a remote archival intern at the American Film Institute (AFI). Find out what it was like to work with their historic collection!