LISSO Resume Workshop Minutes

Resume Workshop Minutes
• The person reading your resume is not invested in you yet or even considering interviewing you – this is where you hook them!
• Is it graphically pleasing to the eye?
o Microsoft Word Templates are ok
o Make sure it is easy to read, clear, and consumable!
 That says more about your objective as a professional than a statement at the top of the page…
 It’s not a good time to be clever, cute, or funny!
o Spell Check!!! It is so basic, but spelling errors are always spread through resumes.
 Have friends review – spell check will not catch everything!
 When a couple of applicants are so closely matched, sometimes the only difference between who gets hired would be a typo in a resume.
 A resume with errors would show a lack of trust to write, for example, a grant or newspaper column…
 Don’t underestimate the importance of your writing abilities.
o Bullets
o Bold Points
o Lots of White Space
o Use high quality materials (i.e. laser printer, resume paper)
• Web Sites to Use:
o LIS Jobs
o ALA Wiki
• Don’t need an “Objective”; a waste of space and it sounds contrived
o Never read one that made a difference in a positive way, but always a negative way!
 Save career objectives or philosophical comments for the cover letter.
• Your resume is extremely valuable real estate! Don’t waste it!
o Action Verbs (and use same verb tense!): Organized, Administered, Planned, Developed, Evaluated…
o Numbers can be important and show an understanding, especially of management, but be wary and don’t inflate.
o Awards to pad if you do not have a lot of work experience.
 Even if it is just a student, campus specific award!
• Match your material to the position for which you are applying! Look at how the job is described (actions, verbs, etc…)
o Look at the organization as a whole and how you could contribute to their goals
 Do not go into an interview without doing all the research you can.
o Don’t put in your hobbies!
o Don’t include coursework…
 But do include conference presentations and publications
• Always send a cover letter!!!!!
o An email is not a cover letter… a paragraph is not a cover letter!
o No longer than 1 page!
o Standard Business Letter Template
o Content depends on your experience and your job.
o Extremely important to read job description; you must tailor as much as possible to the specific job to which you are applying.
o Don’t send out mass mailing and simply change the institution’s name.
• Do not use the “opportunity” to drop off a resume in person as a mini-interview/getting-the-foot-in-the-door. This is not appropriate.
o Ok to send an electronic copy first and follow with hard copy, but indicated in the electronic message that is what you are doing.
o Who do you send to if there is no name or who packet should go to?
 Greeting can be generic, letter content more important.
o Ok to follow up 1-2 weeks after application deadline to make sure the search is still on and everything was received.
 If it says no call or follow-up, adhere!
 Academic Libraries/Institutions move at a “glacier” place. Varies according to search committee sizes, schedules, etc.
 Public Libraries depend on library size, HR schedule, etc.
 Don’t worry if time passes, it doesn’t mean you are out of the running.
 Great to send a thank-you note, especially after the interview!
• Can go to search committee members and library directors; this shows how you see yourself in the larger organization picture. It is another way to sell yourself.
• Please type – do not handwrite.
o It is business correspondence etiquette.
• Bring a portfolio, even if you don’t get to show it all, and at least a pad of paper!
o This shows you have prepared for the meeting
• Have questions prepared – its looks impressive and like you have done your research!
o Your opportunity to glean as much information about the organization; do you really want to work there?
o DO NOT ASK ABOUT SALARY/BENEFITS until you are offered the job.
o 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview – J. Kador
 i.e. Why is this a good place to work?
 Ask about planning and evaluation
• How do you feel about the progress you are making on your strategic plan? How do you measure it?
• What are the biggest challenges facing your organization right now.
 If you could change one thing about this library, what would it be?
• If they are vague, that sends a red flag.