Navigating the Gig Economy Maximizing Your Short-Term Library Contract.pdf
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These slides are from my 2021 Atlantic Provinces Library Association conference presentation of the same name. I discuss the pros and cons of library contract work, navigating the application and interview process, and provide suggestions as to how you can maximize your time in a short-term role. This presentation is intended for early career or new library school graduates, but the skills presented in this presentation are broadly applicable to many fields.
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Navigating the Gig Economy Maximizing Your Short-Term Library Contract.pdf
- 1. navigating the 'gig economy': maximizing your short-term library contract sarah bartlett apla talk june 10, 2021
- 2. about me worked in both public and academic libraries as a library assistant, library technician, librarian academic+public library experience summer placement students - supporting TD Summer Reading student assistants within academic library term librarian hiring committee hiring experience Bachelor of Music - Memorial University, April 2017 Master of Library and Information Science - Western University, December 2018 Began Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology, Memorial University, Sept 2020 (relatively) recent graduate 8 months; 8 weeks; 10 months; 2 weeks; 13 weeks; multiple temporary assignments within public library system variety of contract lengths
- 3. define 'gig economy' identify what you want from a short-term contract connect skills, knowledge, experiences, to job ads precisely & with confidence ask specific & effective interview questions OBJECTIVES intro
- 4. defining the 'gig economy' term popularitzed by Diane Mulcahy, author of The Gig Economy: The Complete Guide to Getting Better Work, Taking More Time Off, and Financing the Life You Want" (2016) refers to short-term, precarious work in the private sector, primarily facilitated by apps (e.g., uber, taskrabbit)
- 5. flexible schedule work as much or as little as you want save up to take vacation, spend time with family, etc expectation reliance on contract and on-call staff along with staff who work part-time involuntarily or whose hours fall below the threshold for employee benefits (Henniger et al.) physical and emotional strain (Lacey) Disproportionately affects women, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, people with disabiltiies (Leonard-Boland) reality for libraries gig economy EXPECTATIONS VS REALITY HENNINGER, EAN, ET AL. “PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT IN CANADIAN LIBRARIES: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY.” PARTNERSHIP: THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PRACTICE AND RESEARCH, VOL. 14, NO. 2, 2, SEPT. 2019. JOURNAL.LIB.UOGUELPH.CA, DOI:10.21083/PARTNERSHIP.V14I2.5169. LACEY, SAJNI. “VIEW OF JOB PRECARITY, CONTRACT WORK, AND SELF-CARE.” PARTNERSHIP: THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PRACTICE AND RESEARCH, VOL. 14, NO. 1, MAY 2019, DOI:HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.21083/PARTNERSHIP.V14I1.5212. LEONARD-BOLAND, JOSEPH. “SURVEYS HIGHLIGHT NEED TO BARGAIN AGAINST PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT IN LIBRARY SECTOR.” CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, 5 NOV. 2018, HTTPS://CUPE.CA/SURVEYS-HIGHLIGHT-NEED-BARGAIN-AGAINST-PRECARIOUS-EMPLOYMENT- LIBRARY-SECTOR.
- 6. limited-term appointme precarious labour - 72 number of jobs posted in total 41 of those full-time permanent - 61% 24 positions were management-level - 33% 31 that involve some level of precarity - 43% (limited-term/auxiliary/on-call position, under 35 hrs/week, less than livable wage) point-in-time check: may 17/21 SAULNIER, CHRISTINE. A LIVING WAGE FOR ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR. CANADIAN CENTRE FOR POLICY ALTERNATIVES, 9 MAY 2019, HTTPS://WWW.POLICYALTERNATIVES.CA/PUBLICATIONS/REPORTS/LIVING-WAGE-ST-JOHNS-NEWFOUNDLAND-AND-LABRADOR.
- 7. why work contracts at all? if you have little or no library experience already it can be difficult to get started competitive job markets mean the most qualified, longest-standing employees are likely first in line for permanent positions can give you a variety of different experience and boost your resume
- 9. open with what excited you about the posting, where you found it, what uniquely qualifies you for the position explain why you're the only person who can do this job cover letter make sure you're using the language in the ad to describe your qualifications tailor your experience nobody will give you a job you didn't apply for. you don't know how many people have applied or what your chances are. apply widely & often applying
- 10. Qualifications: Requires a strong knowledge of adult nonfiction, library materials selection practices and tools, public library systems and current library trends. Must demonstrate strong organizational and communications skills as well as strong interpersonal skills, initiative and attention to detail. The required knowledge and abilities would normally be acquired through successful completion of a Masters in Library Science/Library Information Science (MLS/MLIS) degree from an accredited university or equivalent combination and experience working in public libraries.
- 11. hard skills: knowledge of adult nonfiction selection practices and tools public library systems current library trends soft skills: organization communication interpersonal skills initiative attention to detail requirements: MLS/MLIS/relevant experience
- 12. know where your areas of expertise are and don't overstate your knowledge be honest about what you know, and explain how you plan to compensate or adjust for areas in which you have less experience bridge knowledge gaps indicate your interest by asking about exactly what the organization is looking for by filling this position ask about projects within your areas of interest ask strategic questions using the last exercise, tie each soft + hard skill to at least 2 examples of your own relevant experience prepare answering questions using the examples listed know your experience interviewing
- 13. asking good questions Q: What types of work do you want to do? Project-based, team-based, short vs long deadlines? "I'm interested in group-based project work. What opportunities are there to collaborate with other in the library system?" "I like working as part of a group. Does this position involve committee work?" Q: What does the organization want to have completed by the end of the contract? Keeping things running? Overseeing a project to completion? "What does an average day look like in this position?" "What does a successful term as [position title] look like?" employer's needs your needs
- 14. ensure you have enough time to meet the objectives you've set out for yourself and that are required of you. schedule check-ins, set up multiple goal posts throughout your contract to keep yourself on track plan, plan, plan keep track of what work you're doing day to day keep meticulous notes in the role connect with coworkers individually, ask about their projects, work experience look for opportunities to work together meet with your coworkers
- 15. if you're launching back into the job hunt, ask potential references early to vouch for you ask for references show gratitude to those who spent extra time helping you adjust, explaining institutional norms, break room rules, job duties or anything else. this goes a long way towards establishing your professional network thank your mentors present your work in a document demonstrating what you worked on and completed if non-contract employees submit annual reports of their work, ask for a template or collective agreement for structure highlight your accomplishments as the contract ends
- 16. mental health toll expense planning union representation extra-professional considerations
- 18. additional resources Harvey, David. A Brief History of Neoliberalism, Oxford University Press, 2005. Poverty and Employment Precarity in Southern Ontario. The Precarity Penalty: The Impact of Employment Precarity on Individuals, Households and Communities - and What to Do about It. PEPSO, May 2015. Ravenelle, Alexandrea J. Hustle and Gig: Struggling and Surviving in the Sharing Economy. 1st ed., University of California Press, 2019. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvcwp0kc.