[Publib] "Cold Calls"

[Dionne, Joseph]

Mr. Papier,
	As a Library Director, and often the person doing the
interviewing at my library, I think you should be doing this. I
appreciate it when librarians call to say they are new in the area and
would like to stop by and discuss their qualifications, even if no
position is currently open. I believe it does give you increased
visibility and put you a step ahead when a position does open and I know
I can call you for a formal interview.
Joe
Joseph R. Dionne
Library Director
Nashua Public Library
2 Court Street
Nashua, NH  03060

Greetings Pub-Libbers,

I'm prevailing upon your collective wisdom for some advice.  For 14
years I was a public librarian in New Jersey.  Most of those years I
spent at the same library, where I had an excellent job.  

I gave that job up just a short time ago to move with my partner to
Saint Louis, where he was offered an incredible opportunity at a
thriving company.  Now that I'm here, I'm finding it difficult to land
an interview, despite what I think is a resume packed with some
excellent accomplishments.

Dave (my aforementioned partner) is an experienced businessperson, and
is encouraging me to network, network, network, by calling up library
directors, department heads, HR people, etc., and requesting some of
their time, just so they can get to know who I am, even if no job
openings exist at their particular institution.  Then, if and when I
apply for a job, these individuals will have some idea of who I am.

This makes complete sense to me, intellectually.  In this world of ours,
it's often who(m) you know.  And I am an outgoing person.  But being a
librarian, and not a businessperson, the idea of "cold calling" goes
somewhat against the grain for me.

My question to those of you who are library directors or department
heads is this:  do you think this "cold calling" is a good idea?  Would
you be more likely to interview someone who'd previously called you and
whom you'd perhaps met for lunch, or for a 15 minute chat (assuming your
intial impressions were favorable)?  

Or would this turn you off, as something of an intrusion?

I know this kind of thing is done in the business world all the time.
And I know that at library conferences, networking certainly happens.
It's expected and encouraged.  But do you think that outside of library
conferences, in a cold call kind of way, this is a good strategy?

Please feel free to respond to me on or off the list, as you prefer.

Many Thanks,

Jeff Papier  jeff_papier at yahoo.com
formerly of South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ




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