[Publib] RE: cold resumes

[Theyer, Hillary]

i'm totally with James Sanderson on this one.  If you inquire of our library at any time, I'll cheerfully talk to you, tell you how we are organized, tell you what our Librarians do day to day, give you people you may want to talk to or programs you may want to come observe, tell you how to sign up for an e-mail alert if a Librarian opening is posted (our HR website can do that), but I can't take and hold a resume.  We are strict Civil Service, those go to HR, and we don't see them until the posting closes and we go to do the first round of vetting.

A second round of advice, don't rely only on a couple of job listing places.  Check everywhere, formal and informal.  Develop a network of people who know you are hunting and will send you postings.  I've had good people tell me "i missed your job posting" because they relied only on American Libraries or Library Hotline, and ours was in the LA Times (and usually on Publib).

Hillary Theyer


It might help to research the specific employment policies of libraries you
are interested in.  Many libraries hire through their jurisdiction's HR
office.  Library staff do not see resumes or applications untill there is an
opening.
In those cases a letter to the Library Director stating that you are
interested in employment opportunities with their library and asking about
their proceedures and what qualifications they particularly look for might
accomplish the goal of becoming a "known" quantity.


James W. Sanderson
Supervising Librarian
West Avenue Library
Newport News Public Library
2907 West Avenue
Newport News, Virginia. 23607
(757) 247-8505
(757) 247-2344
www.nngov.com/library
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