Career Blog: Job Search
Professional Visibility = Professional Opportunities
Published: August 20, 2021 by Jillian Collins
When you’re a student, it’s natural to focus your efforts on your
courses, your GPA, and for a few highly organized types,
your e-Portfolio items. But since the goal of getting a master’s
degree is to land a job that can help launch a career you love,
now is also a great time to be paying attention to an equally
important asset: your professional visibility.
Your First Job is Step One to Your Career
Published: July 13, 2021 by Jillian Collins
Your first job is a huge milestone! As you complete your MLIS
program, you’re gaining specialty tools to thrive in an expanding
market. Your first job with your master’s degree is just the foot
in the door. Your eventual career may end up being completely
different from the door you first walk in, which is part of your
growth as a professional, and the way your fellow professionals
grow, as well.
Not in the Job Description? Sell Solutions to the Hiring Manager!
Published: June 4, 2021 by Jillian Collins
If you’re considering information work for organizations other than a school, public, or academic library, you’re likely to encounter interviewers (for example hiring managers or HR people) unfamiliar with the range of strategic skills information professionals can provide. Even the job description may use terminology that describes things you know you can do, but with non-library language. Not to worry – you’ve got this. Seal the deal by selling the solutions your skills provide.
How to Get the Most from Handshake
Published: February 16, 2021 by Jillian Collins
If you read the first part of my interview with
Carrie McKnight, SJSU graduate student career counselor,
you’ll already know that Handshake is way more than
a smaller version of LinkedIn. That’s important because
although you may be a student now, you’re going to be looking for
a job sooner than you can imagine. In the meantime, you want to
make the most of every SJSU career resource you can, including
virtual career fairs, vetted position postings, and tools that
curate your profile to boost your visibility.
Carrie McKnight Wants to Help You Succeed
Published: February 4, 2021 by Jillian Collins
We’ve been interrupted. 2020 was a sharp turn from what we could
have anticipated, not just as students, but as
individuals.
The first part of my interview with Carrie McKnight, SJSU
career counselor for graduate students, focused on fantastic
tools available to you through the SJSU Career Center.
Take a Look at Your MLIS Skills at Work
Published: November 11, 2020 by Jillian Collins
The puzzle of finding a job. We’ve all been there, searching for that missing piece: the words that make sense; sighing at results that require experience we don’t know or have. The options, though, are more than you would think. The MLIS Skills at Work: A Snapshot of Job Titles report takes a look at current trends, needs, and actual job postings broken down to show you what is out there and what career might be looking for you.
Write for the Job? Strengthen Workplace Writing Skills with the SJSU Writing Center
Published: October 7, 2020 by Jillian Collins
A well-written 14-page paper is great for a grade. But would you want to read a 14-page email? Probably not! This is why you need the expertise of the SJSU Writing Center, an incredibly valuable professional development resource often overlooked by students. As you launch your career, you’re likely to find that the employer who wants you also wants you to be an effective business communicator. That’s where the Writing Center can provide you with a career competitive edge.
5 Things Not to Do When You’re Looking for a Job
Published: October 1, 2020 by iSchool Career Advisor
Looking for a job takes a lot of time and energy. In fact, you may have heard that job searching is a full-time job in itself. That is at least when you do your job search the right way. A half-fast job search is a waste of your precious time and energy. Your confidence and self-esteem may also take a beating due to the constant feelings of rejection when you don’t hear anything back from employers.
Asking Your iSchool Instructors for References
Published: September 25, 2020 by iSchool Career Advisor
3 Steps to Starting a Job Search
Published: September 23, 2020 by iSchool Career Advisor
Conducting a job search can be a daunting task. Here are 3 steps to get you started.
Facebook: For Friends & Job Hunting
Published: September 21, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
If you’re like one of billions of people around the world, you have a Facebook account. You probably use it to catch up with friends and see what’s happening in your community. But did you know that Facebook can also be used to find jobs? Well, it can! Here are a few tips to make job hunting on Facebook a fun and fruitful experience.
Use the Job Description as Your Guide
Published: September 11, 2020 by iSchool Career Advisor
Career Resources Webinar Re-Cap: Your LIS Career Starts HERE!
Published: September 10, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Do you consider yourself an expert on all the career resources on the iSchool website? If not, there was a great webinar to catch you up! This past week, students were treated to insider tips on how to best use the iSchool career resources by Jill Klees, iSchool Career Consultant for Students and Alumni. Klees hosted the webinar “Your LIS Career Starts HERE!” for nearly three dozen attendees.
Frequently Asked Questions about References
Published: September 5, 2020 by iSchool Career Advisor
I have received several questions about the use of references in the job search and interview process. Here are just a few of the questions and answers.
Q: How important are the people I choose to be my references? Does it really make a difference and do employers really call them?
No Experience; No Problem: Applying to LIS Jobs Without Professional Experience
Published: August 31, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
A recent article on The Wall Street Journal website announced that many employers are now placing job ads with the phrase, “No experience necessary.” Just a few years ago, it seemed impossible to find a good job that didn’t require at least two years of experience.
10 Tips for Finding an LIS Job on Linkedin
Published: July 31, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
LinkedIn is a fantastic tool for job searching and networking. With a little work, it could become the key to your dream job. Here are a few tips to maximize your job search on LinkedIn.
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.
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.
Going Global: Using Competency O to Land Your Dream Job
Published: March 2, 2018 by Evelyn Hudson
Whether you are planning a career in academic librarianship, digital services, public librarianship or any information profession, competency O is essential knowledge.
All About LibGig
Published: November 14, 2017 by Kate M. Spaulding
In my quest to learn All The Things LIS careers-related, I spoke to Brad Rogers, Director of Recruiting at LibGig. LibGig is a staffing firm for the library and information management professions, which means it’s customized for people like us and organizations who might hire us.