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.
Do You Need a Reference or a Recommendation? Know the Etiquette to Ask!
Published: April 5, 2022 by Jillian Collins
We started with the basics in
“Do You Need a Reference or a Recommendation? Here’s How to
Tell.” Our other blog posts, “So, You
Need a Reference? Here’s What to Know,” and “So,
You Need a Recommendation? Here’s What to Know,”
explored and explained the nuances of each. Yet, a key aspect is
the professional etiquette of requesting a recommendation or
asking someone to be a reference – and that’s how this series is
going to end and putting knowledge into practice begins.
So, You Need a Recommendation? Here’s What to Know
Published: March 27, 2022 by Jillian Collins
A recommendation, in the professional world, is a glowing and
strong case made by someone on your behalf, when career goals are
within reach. There are so many situations that require a
recommendation. You need to know the types of recommendations you
can get, and help you understand when and how they can benefit
you.
So, You Need a Reference? Here’s What to Know
Published: March 8, 2022 by Jillian Collins
References come from people who know you, your work, and the
position you’re applying for. You want to make a direct impact
during your interview, but references are your rave reviews from
others. With that in mind, here’s a deep-dive reference
guide to references!
Do You Need a Reference or a Recommendation? Here’s How to Tell
Published: February 15, 2022 by Jillian Collins
Whether you’re applying for a job or an internship, it’s great to
have good references, e.g., people who have seen your work (and
how you work) and can confirm that you have what it takes to do
the job. Same with recommendations. But how do
references/recommendations work these days, and what process
should you follow when requesting one? We’ve got you covered!
Fun Fact: You Should Share a Personal Interest on LinkedIn
Published: February 7, 2022 by Jillian Collins
LinkedIn is the career platform to attract, interact and
connect with potential employers and peers. Your profile is like
a résumé, personal statement, and community endorsements. With
all the highlights of professional space in your profile, what
can you share – as a person – to answer the question: “What’s an
interesting fact about you?” A fun fact can cultivate a
professional relationship beyond your résumé.
We Need to Talk about Burnout
Published: January 19, 2022 by Jillian Collins
We all have high expectations set for ourselves. Burnout is when
those expectations cross the line from the goals we celebrate, to
defining who we are, by our metric of “perfection.” Knowing
what burnout is – and isn’t – will help you now, before you find
yourself caught in it later.
Create and Maintain a ‘Living Résumé’ to Make Life Easier
Published: January 12, 2022 by Jillian Collins
The purpose of your résumé is to open a door. Writing a résumé is
a process that shouldn’t have to be done over and over. You just
need your résumé to be tailored to fit the position,
providing you have the skills and ability to perform in the
position. A trick to streamline the résumé part of a job
application is to create a “living résumé” – a one-stop-doc that
you add and record all information you included in your
résumé.
Reassess Your Self-Assessment for 2022
Published: January 3, 2022 by Jillian Collins
The career self-assessment is yet
another amazing iSchool tool. The
self-assessment is a template for you to conceptualize the
functions, people, and setting you want for your career. It’s
2022, a new year with obstacles beyond your control. Consider the
optimism and strengths gained both academically and personally to
map out important aspects of interactions, duties, and physical
work environment.
Direct Your Career by Managing Up
Published: September 10, 2021 by Jillian Collins
Managing up is the process of learning your boss’s management and
communication preferences, and then adapting your communication
in the workplace that supports those preferences. Clear
communication among all staff members is one of the building
blocks of great working relationships that enable teams to reach
the goals of the organization. The same holds true for your
relationship with your boss.
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.
In case you missed it: How to Build Your Professional Network (Without Feeling Weird About It)
On-Demand Webcast with Kim Dority
Published: June 15, 2021 by Jillian Collins
So many people have networking anxieties. That’s why we’re lucky to have Kim Dority, the fantastic iSchool career consultant! Check out her presentation, How to Build Your Professional Network (Without Feeling Weird About It). Kim goes beyond networking as a ‘thing to do’: strategies, etiquette, and what you can do now that builds up a network bit-by-bit!
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.
It May Feel Weird, But You’ve Got This: How to Ask for Feedback about You
Published: May 5, 2021 by Jillian Collins
The first part of my conversation with iSchool instructor Scott Brown was focused on how the results of your skills inventory impact others. The Personal Brand Assessment (PBA), on the other hand, is how others have been impressed by your impact on them. With that, comes confidence and another definition of networking.
Spotlight on Your Skill Inventory
Published: April 30, 2021 by Jillian Collins
Scott Brown, SJSU instructor, is a name you may remember from my earlier post about Skills Inventory; I had the opportunity to interview Scott, and part of our conversation will show you – and definitely showed me – that the best way to see skills in action is by taking action.
Your Terms, Your Action Plan
Published: April 26, 2021 by Jillian Collins
In February 2021, Kim
Dority, our iSchool career advisor, gave an amazing
presentation about creating and executing a personal career
action plan. Action planning is a career – and life – skill. If
you watch the
presentation, you will see how actively constructing your
career starts with actively knowing that small steps become
larger leaps to greatness.
Take Stock of Yourself with a Skill Inventory
Published: March 15, 2021 by Jillian Collins
Being able to identify (and discuss) your skills and strengths is
a really important aspect of job-hunting. But how do you
find these qualities in yourself? If you’re stuck, you’re in
luck! Information is your super power. Now it’s time to
concentrate on information about you. The skill of creating a
Skill Inventory!
The Impact of Feedback on Your Personal Brand
Published: March 10, 2021 by Jillian Collins
Your professional reputation, also known as your “brand,” is the
foundation of the essentials in career kits and in your long-term
career development strategy. And because everyone forms an
opinion of us during any interaction we have, it’s not like we
can just decide to ignore all this brand stuff. Better to take
charge of how others see you to ensure they’re seeing the
real you.
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.