Career Blog: Job Search
What Else to do While Job Hunting
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.
Learning the Art of the Interview with Big Interview
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.
How to be a Library Advocate
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.
Finding a Job in Archives and Preservation
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.
Building Your Library 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?
Do Cover Letters Matter Anymore?
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.
So You’re Graduating in May, Now What?
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.
Getting that First Library Experience
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.
Transitioning from a Library Assistant to a Librarian Job
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?
How to Tailor a Resume Using AI
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.
How to Craft Your DEI Statement
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.
Review Your MLIS Skills at Work
Published: June 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
For several years, the research-heavy MLIS Skills at Work report has been compiled by the Career Services department at the iSchool. The 2024 edition of this highly respected annual report for library job seekers nationwide is now available to help you get a jump on your career exploration!
Kickstart Your Career with Membership in a Professional Organization
Published: April 29, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Tips for Staying Positive During the Job Hunt
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.
How to Prepare for a Virtual Interview
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.
Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at OverDrive
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.
Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at EBSCO
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.
Understanding Industry Jargon in LIS Job Ads
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.
What It’s Like Interning at the American Film Institute – Q&A with Sabrina Gunn
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!