Andromeda Yelton & Tiffany Mair's presentation on January 4, 2012 for ALA TechSource.

1. Real-Life Strategies for
Successful Library
Job Hunting
Andromeda Yelton | @thatandromeda
Tiffany Mair | @tiffanylora
January 4, 2012

2. Panelists
@ThatAndromeda @tiffanylora

3. Poll: Where are you in the job hunt?
t-rex help wanted by carbonated on Flickr

4. Create Conversation
during the webinar:
● chat window
● #libjobhunt
● google doc -- http://bit.ly/rGHauU
after the webinar:
● ala editions blog
● twitter
● andromedayelton.com | infodetective.info

5. Engage Your Networks
● Invite colleagues to participate in projects
● Special thanks to Annie Pho (@catladylib)
from Hack Library School (@hacklibschool)
for assistance with today's webinar.

6. Find Library Job-Seekers Near & Far
Support, strategize, and make it happen
(meetup, tweetup, danceparty):
http://bit.ly/rrOWQt
(You'll need a Google account for this.)

7. Find Your Spot
Zoom in on where you live; then click on "edit".

8. &
New icons will appear. Choose the placemark.

9. Put Yourself on the Map
Put the placemark on your location and click.
Add your info.

10. Andromeda: What I Did
Step 1: Read ALL the job listings
○ started in grad school
○ read listings for every job I might enjoy -- even if
expired or far away
○ made a list of all the recurring skills
○ put them in three buckets...

11. Andromeda: What I Did
My three buckets:
1. What I can do and can prove
2. What I can do and can't
prove...yet
3. What I can't do...yet
me and the bucket and spade by slightly
everything, on Flickr; CC BY

12. Andromeda: What I Did
Step 2: Acquire skills and generate proof
○ writing
■ andromedayelton.com
■ LITA/Ex Libris contest
■ Library Technology Reports
○ tech
■ LIS 458 (databases)
■ DCKX (LIS 419 final project!)
○ public speaking
■ teaching career
■ GSLIS tech lab workshops
■ Battledecks!

13. Andromeda: What I Did
Step 3: Networking
○ Twitter
(@ThatAndromeda)
○ ALA conferences
■ say yes to things
■ don't travel in
student packs
■ go to happy hour
Pick me! Pick me!! by emrank, on Flickr; CC BY

14. Tiffany's Path to Employment
Start early and stay late
● Be well-rounded
● Study the success of others
● Join teams and bring people together

15. Tiffany's Path to Employment
Know and be known
● Define your leadership style
● Filter advice, limit negativity, and know what to ignore
● Communicate and embody your vision

16. Tiffany's Path to Employment
Be more than qualified
● Distinguish yourself
● Finding a job is only the
beginning
● Make flexibility, positivity, &
enthusiasm your mantra
Lotus by _Virdi_ on Flickr

17. Poll: Would you relocate for a job?
European Van Lines by npGreenway on Flickr

18. Additional Resources
Personal Branding for New Librarians
● Andromeda's article about an ALA Midwinter panel
Enjoy Yourself Along the Way
● Tiffany's ALA 2011 Virtual Conference presentation on
standing out and enjoying your job hunt
So What Are You Going to Do With That?, Susan Basalla
and Maggie Debelius
● helps you identify & communicate your skills, especially
if you're from academe

19. Additional Resources
Jenica Rogers on writing cover letters
● Ever wanted to know what the hiring committee is
thinking? Jenica is a library director.
Andromeda wrote a follow-up blog post on resumes and
cover letters.
Five Lessons Librarians can Learn from Conan the
Barbarian
● Tiffany offers tips for succeeding in your epic
professional battles

20. Closing Thoughts
Three-step plan for winning in libraryland:
1. Talk to people,
2. Identify cool things to do,
3. And do them.
Balloon Festival, Denver, Colorado by
Thad Roan - Bridgepix, on Flickr; CC
BY

21. Closing Thoughts
What's your plan?

22. Thank You
Slides will be available at
ALA Editions
AndromedaYelton.com
infodetective.info
Please continue sharing your ideas on these
sites, your social networks, & with your peers.
@ThatAndromeda | @tiffanylora