Apologies for cross-posting
****************************************************
A few weeks ago I posted a request about career advice concerning a
move from voluntary sector/special libraries to academic libraries. My
thanks to everyone who took the time and trouble to reply, and as
promised here are the summaries of the replies I received. Sorry for
the delay - I had two interviews - for which I am still awaiting results!
1) The overwhelming advice offered (16), was to always phone/write
to the key decision maker for feedback after an unsuccessful interview.
One person who participated in the interviewing process stated
"sometimes I wish candidate would contact us as I can see they have
something but they may not be presenting themselves to best advantage".
2) However (4), expressed that feedback is only helpful if it is honest and
constructive. Feedback about the high number of applications, calibre of
the candidates short-listed, etc. didn't help the unsuccessful candidate in
improving his/her performance in the next interview.
3) Those who had successfully gained employment in the academic sector
from the voluntary/special sector (13), felt that the main skills they had
brought with them were customer/person focused approach to their work,
good organizers, working independently, using initiative, using own ideas,
multi-skill aspects of running a library, etc
4) The academic sector (2), labeling people very early in their career -
either in or out! "Although the public sector do it too even within
departments e.g. it's hard to get out of children libraries if you stay too
long".
5) Concern (4), that we are trained to develop transferable skills and
then the profession ignores them!
6) Several replies (5), were sceptical and suggested that from their
personal experience most academic library vacancies went to internal
candidates. However, one reply "both myself and the other successful
candidate came from OUTSIDE the academic world and when I asked
about this I was told that the Librarian was actively looking for "fresh
blood"
and valued those skills obtained in the special library sector".
5) LIS staff (2), working in special libraries - site libraries specializing
in
one subject area - within universities also experience difficulty when
trying
to move into the mainstream academic environment.
6) Reasons givens why those working in voluntary/special libraries might
find it difficult to gain employment within academic libraries were:
* not having the experience of dealing with the needs of tens of
thousands of students, or the networking of hundred of computer
terminals, or stock editing within the context of a vast range of
subjects.
* reservation by academic libraries that solo librarians might have
been in complete control and might be unwilling to relinquish it -
as
academic libraries tend to have large staffs where each member
is a smaller cog in the larger machine - need to demonstrate that
you
can work co-operatively, stick to systems and be able to contribute
without treading on toes.
7) To get a job in academic library :
* familiarize yourself with CD-ROMs, the internet/Web developments
(e.g. database access over the web, BIDS, Web of Science, etc).
* mention latest development in LIS field which could be relevant to
the job such as electronic library, digitisation, etc.
* concentrate on job applications that provide scope for subject.
specialism, eg the site libraries.
* search the website of the academic library - look for the stuff
that is
missing as well as what is there.
* emphasis on IT and communication skills.
* try contacting local branches of LA groups or other organizations.
* research the library you want to work for - try to talk with the
staff.
8) The British Library is currently funding a research project called
'Skills for Workforce Retention' which looks at why people move sectors
of the LIS profession, what enables them to move and what prevents
them from moving and to examine the skills which are thought to be
sector specific, and those that carry across all sectors.
9) Recommended books:
"What Color (sic) Is Your Parachute" by Richard Bolles, 1998.
"Great answers to Tough Interview Questions" by Martin Yale, 1998.
10) Recommended agencies to join:
Aslib Professional Recruitment Ltd,
TFPL.
Susan Hill.
InfoMatch.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|