Published: June 05, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor

Every iSchool student’s goal is to get their dream job immediately after graduation, but finding the perfect position often takes a while. The job search can be time-consuming, confusing, and overwhelming. As I near my graduation, I am planning my post-iSchool life, including getting a library job, and would like to share what I learned to make the job search an easier process.

Figuring Out Job Preferences

Reviewing job postings can quickly get overwhelming, and getting lost in job descriptions and what you desire in a job can be very easy. Having a list of job responsibilities and skills that I desire in a position to compare with job postings has been really helpful in my job search process and in picking positions that I was interested in and qualified for. Though I knew that I wanted to focus on jobs related to liaison librarianship, the iSchool’s Career Environments pages and MLIS Skills at Work: A Snapshot of Job Postings are great tools for current and graduating students to review and learn what types of jobs are available, including skills and qualifications wanted for specific positions.

The iSchool also provides an assessment sheet for career direction that can help you decide on your ideal library job. Some additional things to ask in the job selection process are:

• Job responsibilities. What tasks do you want to do? What tasks do you not want to do?
• Your qualifications. What coursework and hands-on experience do you have that will transfer to a library position?
• Job location. Are you willing to relocate for work?
• Library size. What library size would work best for you?
• Compensation. What is your desired salary range? Are you willing to take a pay cut for the ideal position?

Enhancing Career Goals

Though plans may eventually change, having a good idea of career goals can better prepare you and help you find the job that would benefit your long-term goals. The next step I took when searching for a job was to outline my career goals. I critically reflected on many aspects of what I envisioned my career as a liaison librarian would look like, including if I wanted to take on a management role eventually and if there were any universities I ideally wanted to work at. Though not necessary, I made 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20-year career goals to help me with this process.

LinkedIn Learning provides some great tutorials for new and experienced professionals to assess their career goals, including Taking Charge of Your Career, Taking Ownership in Your Career, and Creating a Career Plan.

Some additional questions to consider as a career librarian are below:

• Do you want to be in management or leadership eventually?
• Do you want to work at a specific library location?
• Do you want to present at conferences and submit academic papers?
• Do you eventually want to earn a PhD?
• Do you want to be a leader in one of the library’s professional organizations?

These questions can help outline what you should look for in a future role to get to your ideal career.

Searching for Jobs

Once you understand the qualities you are seeking in a library position, now begins the job search. The iSchool provides an updated list of job listings and SJSU offers students access to the recruiting platform, Handshake.

There are many job board sites specifically for librarians, including professional organizations ALA and ARL. Many professional organizations like APALA also have email listservs and members regularly share new job postings at their respective institutions. Networking is also a great way to get notified about new opportunities. From the networks I made as a ARL Kaleidoscope Program Scholar and attending many conferences, I regularly am able to see new opportunities via email and LinkedIn.

Writing a CV, Résumé, and Cover Letter

Once you find some jobs that are of interest and want to apply for, the iSchool offers great resources for résumés, including VMock or reaching out to the iSchool’s Career Center Liaison, Carrie McKnight. Writing a résumé or CV for a specific job is also a practical way to reaffirm your strengths and skills and cheer yourself on during the involved job seeking process. I have a primary CV and résumé that I continually update and adapt for each position I apply for to help streamline the job application process.

Though the job search process can be scary, there are many resources available to students and recent graduates to ensure we find the right job to start our career. If you have any job advice to share, please feel free to share in the comments.