Librarian Lifestyle

Archive for the ‘Careers’ Category


Librarian Lifestyle Goes International

In Careers, Editor's Column on October 26, 2012 at 7:10 am

Dear Readers,

With our travel guides and posts about international conferences, you may have noticed that we have had an American and European focus here at LL. Now, we’re expanding to the Middle East.

I’m very happy to say that I have accepted a position as the Technical Services Librarian at Northwestern University in Qatar and I begin my new job on November 1. The campus is located in Doha, a fascinating city of one million people and the capital of Qatar. I’m super excited about my new job and about living in the Middle East!

As you can imagine, I have had so many things to organize over the last month that I’ve fallen a bit behind on the LL postings. Now I’m back and ready to blog about all things related to the librarian lifestyle.

My next post will be about how I found this position, so stay tuned.

Yours in library love,

Karen Holt

Enjoying my first cup of tea on my balcony in Doha after the 20 hour journey to get here from Austin, TX.

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The Beginning of Cycling for Libraries aka Hanging Out in Vilnius

In Careers, Cocktails, Food, Travel on August 18, 2012 at 8:38 pm

We arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania, three days before the start of Cycling for Libraries, so we had a chance to explore this great city.

(For those of you who haven’t heard of Cycling for Libraries, it is an unconference featuring two weeks of library workshops, debates, and tours with a diverse group of international librarians. This year the unique format combined library discussions with 387 miles of bicycling from Vilnius, Lithuania to Tallinn, Estonia. Yep, that’s right, we biked through the Baltics and solved global library issues! The 100+ participating librarians came from 26 countries and worked for national, public, academic, and special libraries. We’ll be writing more about the cycling in the next few posts.)

Vilnius’s new airport was quaint and easy to navigate. We were greeted with signs advertising “Recharge in Vilnius!”which turned out to be exactly what we did there. While walking around town for 7 hours (trying to beat jet lag), we saw some great gems. If you’re travelling to Vilnius, we highly recommend a visit to Vingio Park, a relaxing park dating back to the 16th century with a really cool Soviet-era stadium where both the annual Lithuanian song festival and Lady Gaga appear in concert. You can rent bicycles there, run through the beautiful forest paths, or just bring a book and chill in the park.

Vingio Park stadium

Gediminas Castle was completed in 1409 and a wonderfully restored tower remains today. You can take a funicular or the stairs up to the top, where you are rewarded with glorious views of the city that show the juxtaposition of the old and the new architectural styles.

View of Vilnius from Gediminas Castle

We were very charmed by Vilnius. The Old Town was picturesque, the restaurants were excellent, and the shopping was some of the best we’ve experienced in Europe. Plus, there’s nothing like sitting in a cafe with a latte watching the rain to make you fall in love with a city.

Our Favorite Places in Vilnius:

Sue’s India Raja totally knocked our socks off. Mint chicken may not sound good, but after one bite, you’ll be hooked. Who knew that the best Indian food we’ve had outside of India would be in Lithuania?

The Coffee Inn chain is the Starbucks of Lithuania, but so much better. Great furniture, free wifi, and good coffee. Recommend are the Frappes and the Almond Latte.

Alchemikas Cocktail Lab – They handcraft the most delicious cocktails. Each drink is a 5-minute work-of-art and as tasty as it is pretty. At half the price of what you would pay in the US, it is also a bargain.

Rental Bike Pick-Up

Picking up our rental bikes from BaltiCCyle for Cycling for Libraries was quite the adventure. We went to the bike shop in the Old Town and were told that the Cycling for Libraries had a special pickup location at the “bike warehouse.” The description of the warehouse was “Go to the big white building with a hook.” Huh? Once we found the building (you’ll note in the picture that the hook was much more obvious than one would imagine), we followed the spray painted signs to the back, where we could pick up our bikes. After a 3 hour ordeal, where we met many of our cycling colleagues, we set out on the streets of Vilnius by bike with our Po Campo bags in tow.

The building with the bike warehouse in the back.

One of many spray painted green bicycle signs leading us to our destination.

     

After hours of waiting, we had our bikes!

That night we had our first informal meeting at Town Hall, where we got to meet many more members of our new cycling family. We had a great dinner of traditional Lithuanian food, including potato pancakes and beet soup, which comes with more potatoes, the theme of the entire trip. (Seriously, after two weeks of potatoes twice a day, we can never eat another boiled potato. Luckily, we had Chef Pasi on the bike ride and he fed us the most amazing meals ever out of a tent.)

Many of the Cycling for Libraries participants at the Vilnius Town Hall the night before it all started.

Beet soup with potatoes – yum!

Stay tuned for more posts about all of the exciting adventures we had on the road with Cycling for Libraries in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia!

By Karen Holt and April Kessler of bizologie.com. Karen and April are librarians at the University of Texas at Austin and are now super fit after biking nearly 400 miles with amazing librarians from around the world.

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From One New Hire to Another: Tips for Success

In Careers on June 29, 2012 at 8:42 pm

We have all, at one point or another, been the “new kid.” But when you’re getting paid to be there, being new can seem much more daunting. It’s not just a matter of knowing where the restrooms are or where to eat lunch. Instead you’re trying to figure out just where you fit in to the workplace and exactly what your job description translates to in real life. As a recent new hire myself, I’ve been a jumble of nerves and felt like all I have to offer in my new job is a seemingly endless amount of questions. What I’ve come to realize, however, is that it’s okay to feel that way and, in fact, it’s good to feel a little bit nervous. Still, to make certain you’re not too nervous, here are a few observations and suggestions from my first month at my new library gig about how to calmly navigate being the new hire at your new job, be it at a library or elsewhere.

 

First Impressions Count

Don’t underestimate the impact of first impressions. Sure, you’re frazzled and overwhelmed by all of the information you’re receiving in those first few weeks, and most employers will recognize this.  Instead of coming off as a bundle of nerves, try translating that nervous energy into enthusiasm. A positive attitude goes a long way, and approaching your new coworkers with enthusiasm for being a part of their team will make for a good first impression that will stay with them long after your first day. This is the only time that you’ll have a clean slate, so make it count.

 

Dress the Part

It’s always better to be a bit overdressed your first few days. Looking well groomed gives the impression that you will be just as well put together with your work. If you are able, it’s very nice to be able to visit your new workplace before your first day or speak to a coworker to get an overall idea of just how lax the dress code may be. Still, it is more natural to feel professional when you dress professionally, so in the beginning it is a good idea to avoid dressing too casually. Use it as an excuse to buy a few new pieces for your wardrobe and have fun with it. I’ve already earned a reputation at my new job as the girl with the big hair and the big accessories. So much so, in fact, that I was asked to retake my staff photo because I’d initially had my hair pulled back and “no one would recognize” me that way. Most importantly, make sure you’re comfortable! No matter how professional your outfit may be, if you’re tugging on straps and pulling down hems all day you’ll look uncomfortable and like you’re wearing a costume instead of an outfit.

 

Be Professional but Friendly

There is a fine line between enthusiasm for your new job and being a bit too Pollyanna. Shoot for being pleasant as opposed to blindly optimistic, and always remember that these are coworkers first and potential friends second. Smile and say hello to your coworkers in the hallway. Make an appearance in the staff lounge here and there. Make a point of learning names early on (I can’t stress this one enough). Ask coworkers what their job is like, how their department interacts with yours and for their opinions on the culture of your new workplace. Still, being professional doesn’t mean you can’t ask about things unconnected to the job! Suggestions on good places to eat or where to grab your afternoon cup of coffee or the best used bookstore in town are a good way to make a cordial connection without getting too personal and can lead to an opportunity to have a valuable, informal interaction with a colleague. The key to being friendly & professional is balancing being pleasant without being invasive. You’ll find out about everyone’s strange-but-true stories and idiosyncrasies soon enough. And boy oh boy do librarians have some stories!

 

Know what is Expected of You

One of the most disconcerting and anxiety-inducing parts of a new job is the unexpected. Luckily, this can be one of the easiest anxieties to avoid by simply asking your boss what is expected of you. This is a simple conversation that many of us avoid in an effort to seem knowledgeable and self-sufficient.  But you’re new; you don’t have to be knowledgeable and self-sufficient yet! Early on at your new job (and I do mean early! If you can set sometime aside to speak with your supervisor in the first few days, do it!) speak to your supervisor and ask about the game plan for your first month at the new job.  This will give you an idea of what your boss considers to be your priorities as you jump into your new position. And make sure you know the why behind your work, too. It’s important not only to understand the overall structure of your new workplace but to understand just where you fit into it all. The sooner you wrap your head around your place in the overall scheme of things, the sooner you’ll be able to take some initiative and show what a great self-starter you can be. Finally, check in with your boss regularly. If nothing else this will build a good rapport with your boss and show that you’re invested in your work. In the best circumstances, this allows you to get some feedback and know that you’re doing well, making it all that much easier to garner some confidence in your new position.

 

Be Confident but Not Cocky

You should approach your new job confidently and not be afraid to share whatever knowledge you’ve accrued through your schooling and previous work experience. You were hired for the job for a reason – because the people doing the hiring thought you were the best fit for the position. Don’t ever let yourself forget this! It’s also pretty easy to feel somewhat competitive starting off, like you have to prove yourself, but the fact is you got the job on the basis of your skills and strengths. Let this give you the confidence to not have to show your worth in every situation. Still, make sure you recognize that you don’t know everything. There is a very fine line between being confident and cocky. Feel free to share your opinions but make sure to listen even more often. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to make mistakes. Own those mistakes when they do happen and learn from them. I found that once I was able to balance being convinced of my own skills with the acknowledgement that I had lots of room to grow, I felt liberated.

The fact of the matter is you won’t be the “new kid” forever. Someone else will get hired and you’ll move a notch up the totem pole. Eventually you’ll figure out where they hide the Wite-Out at the reference desk. And after some time, you’ll start feeling like you belong there. Until that sets in, try to cut yourself some slack and be proud of yourself for making it this far. I’m still trying to get there myself, but I’m starting to feel confident (but not cocky!) that it’s going to happen soon.

Written by Alexis Shpall Wolstein. Alexis is the new Instructional Services Librarian at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. She is doing her best to take her own advice on being a new hire.

Cool Librarian Jobs: Interview with Katie Needs, Community Manager at Gidsy

In Careers on June 21, 2012 at 5:08 pm

For the first article in our Cool Librarian Jobs series, we interviewed Katie Needs who is working at the startup Gidsy in Berlin.

1) What is Gidsy?

In a nutshell? Gidsy is a place where anyone can explore, book and organize unique things to do, all over the world. Gidsy takes care of the hassle of organizing things (cancellations, payments, refunds, all that business), and lets people who have a skill to share or an event they want to host do so easily. It also gives an opportunity for people to connect in real life, and experience something fun together.

2) What do you do as a Community Manager there?

A whole lot of talking to people, which I love. I handle customer support, creating content and managing our social networks (we use Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and SoundCloud quite a lot). I also work on developing cool projects to get users engaged in our community, from organizing meetups to developing ambassador programs or other bigger things like that. It’s a really collaborative environment, and I work with all the different teams (developers, product, etc…) to help make Gidsy super awesome.

3) How did your library experience prepare you for this position?

I studied LIS as well as Archives and Records Management at the University of Toronto iSchool. One of the big things I took away from my time at the iSchool, aside from the practical things, was that I would more than likely not work in my field right away – it might have been one of the first things I was told. This really stuck with me, so I made sure to learn as many different things as I could, and get as many experiences as I could during school.

In terms of practical things – the classes I took in reference and outreach/advocacy and the experience I have applying that knowledge (ie: circulation desk, volunteering with Librarians Without Borders, and other such things) have been my biggest help in this line of work. I really love connecting with people and working with them to bring communities together, helping people solve problems creatively…

I really feel like librarians are the ultimate Community Managers – and this idea was something that was instilled in me during school. Taking this into account, this position is a perfect fit for me – I like being able to use my librarian powers in new and creative, non-traditional ways.

5) Working abroad is a dream for quite a few of our readers (myself included). How did you find this position?
Well, I am a very lucky girl as I have dual UK/Canadian citizenship – so I am able to work and live in the EU without any trouble. But, as for the job – I came to Berlin with the goal of finding work at a startup because I am really drawn to the whole culture, and how innovative and exciting it is. I had worked on a really cool project for SoundCloud the summer of 2011 called Sounds of My City, which was how I got to know Berlin and the startup scene here a bit. So when I arrived, it was sort of full speed ahead trying to find the best fit for me. Luckily, Gidsy had a Community Management Internship open, and everything sort of fell into place. I’m now employed there full time, and love every minute of it!

In terms of actually finding the job – lots and lots and lots of googling, following every type of job feed – libraries, archives, tech, you name it – talking to people and learning about what was available. I certainly didn’t stumble upon the job, but the right opportunity came at the right moment.

6) What advice do you have for librarians interested in working at a startup in Berlin?
Go for it! You definitely have the skills and knowledge, you’ll learn so much (be a sponge), and you’ll be better for it in the end! Working at a startup is so exciting and challenging in a way that I don’t think anyone can prepare you for, which keeps you on your toes.

If you want to work (and REALLY work), immerse yourself in a product you believe in, get an outside-the-box experience and be afforded insane opportunities to meet brilliant people and really disrupt things, then a startup is definitely for you. In Berlin or otherwise – you’d be surprised at the amazing things people are building and working on in your own communities, no matter how big or small.


7) There is a lot of focus on developing a startup culture in the library world.  How would you compare working a startup vs. working in a more traditional library setting?

It’s like apples and oranges, really. They are two different beasts entirely. I’d say the whole culture is different in a startup – things are much smaller, people are a lot younger, there is a lot more fluidity in the day-to-day life and a lot less books & dust, haha! The industry is a lot more tech-focused, a constantly evolving organism with less overhead layers to stop fast progress. A lot more coffee, a lot less women (but this is changing, which is great!).

The fact that startups aren’t usually making a lot of money probably ignites the same kind of fire under your butt, just like if you were working at a smaller library, archive or other heritage institution with little funding, though. I just think that you always want to be doing an amazing job, and can clearly see the bigger picture, no matter what the setting.


8) What is living in Berlin like?
Berlin is an amazing city, such a cool vibe. There is nowhere else like it in the world. The people are all great, and from so many different backgrounds. The city is pretty cheap too, so it makes living much less of a hassle. Someone told me this once, and it was so dead on: I think Berlin is really unique because it’s one of these places where you can literally arrive with nothing but a backpack full of clothes, a good idea, a little ambition and 20 bucks and totally make it.

9) Do you have any recommendations for places to visit in Berlin?
Oh, plenty! There’s so much to do. But, if I had one day I’d say – check out the German History Museum, it’s so amazing and curated so well. Carry on down Unter den Linden to the Brandenburger Tor, hop on the U-bahn and find yourself at Tempelhof airport for a stroll. Eat a currywurst or a döner kebap (just to say you did), get a coffee at Cafe CK, wander along the Maybachufer or the Spree. Come visit the Gidsy office! And then come back to Berlin soon, because there’s so much more to do!

 

You can follow Katie on Twitter @katieneeds. Thanks for talking to us about your awesome job, Katie!

 

Interviewed by Karen Holt, Librarian Lifestyle Editor. Karen tweets @karenholt and @librarianlifest. If you have or know someone who has a cool librarian job, contact Karen at librarianlifestyle@gmail.com and we may profile you for our new series. 

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Fifty Shades of Gray

In Careers, Fashion on April 30, 2012 at 5:32 pm

Well, that got your attention, didn’t it? Instead of talking about the delightfulness of this popular erotic tale (which I admit I haven’t read), this entry is all about going gray, as in hair color. It’s a fairly taboo subject, too, come to think of it.

A couple of years ago I decided to stop coloring my hair, mainly because of the upkeep, but more so because I wondered how it would look. Would it be salt and pepper gray? Pure white? A mix of colors? Would the texture be straight or frizzy? How long would it take to grow out? I also began to notice older women with gray hair at library conferences. There were lots of different colors, textures, and styles, from very chic to blah.

While I’ve never walked up to anyone and asked about why they decided to go natural (maybe I should), I often wonder about they came to that conclusion. People have volunteered their own opinions about hair color, though. Some say they will color their hair for as long as they can, i.e., “My students will think I’m old if I go gray.” “I’m not ready to give up and let myself go.” Others say they’re fine with going natural, and embrace it with new hairstyles, or just cut it short and call it a day.

If you do decide to go natural (or keep coloring your hair), as you get older be aware that changes in hormonal levels due to menopause, diet, or illness can result in:

  • The texture of your hair changing, often becoming more coarse and curly
  • Hair starting to thin out, with slower growth (there is female pattern baldness, too)
  • Hair that is dry and hard to manage

If you already have a good stylist, ask her/him about the best ways to keep your hair looking good. A professional cut is important, but doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you see a style you like on someone, ask them where they got their hair cut, or look online at hairstyles that appeal to you, and show them to a stylist. If you are basically a low-maintenance person when it comes to hair, there are lots of wash & wear styles you can try, and of course, if you don’t like a particular style, you can always try something new! As for me, I’m really glad I decided to quit coloring my hair and let nature take its course. I was born with auburn hair that grew darker as I got older, but my hair now has red, gold, and gray all mixed together, and it will probably be all white in a few years. I also have lots of it, so I get it trimmed and textured every few weeks.

Graying hair can make you look washed out, so if you do wear makeup, you might want to adjust and brighten your look. I’m a fan of Bobbi Brown cosmetics because many of her products are aimed at women with older skin. Go to the makeup counter at a department store and ask for help and a makeover if they can do it. It’s fun and doesn’t cost you anything until you decide to purchase all or some of the stuff they recommend. (I usually go for the more expensive blush and eye shadow because they tend to last a lot longer than most drugstore products, but I stick with Maybelline and Revlon for mascara and powder.) If you don’t wear makeup, try a skin care regimen specifically formulated for older and more delicate skin. What worked in your 20s and 30s may not work for you now.

In closing, the most important thing is to have confidence in, and own your look. Whether you decide to go natural or keep coloring your hair, try to keep a positive outlook in mind and body.

I’d love to hear what you have to say on this subject!

Here are some links you might find helpful and  interesting. I especially love Advanced Style – these women and men are fabulous.

The Gray Hair Bible

Going Gray with Style

Advanced Style

Submitted by Alex Simons

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Branding You!

In Careers on April 26, 2012 at 11:59 am

Why branding? In a tough job market, differentiating yourself from others with skills and backgrounds similar to yours is a necessity. For those of you just entering the job market after obtaining your library and information degree, how do you build a compelling story and effective résumé? For those of you in a second (third or fourth) career, how do you tie in your past job skills to your new career path? For those who want to move ahead professionally, how do you enhance your credentials and name recognition? The key is understanding how to brand yourself – becoming a more polished and professional version of you. Developing your brand helps you focus on how to best present your skills and talents, how to establish your professional credibility, and how to effectively network on a personal and professional level.

 

Developing your brand

Before you begin, ask yourself: What am I passionate about? What are my strengths and weaknesses? Am I an introvert[i] or an extrovert? What jobs and situations do I like and dislike? What is my ideal job? How prepared am I to make changes in order to move ahead in my career? By honestly addressing these questions, you’ll get a better idea of where to focus your efforts. If you’ve taken the Myers-Briggs type indicator assessment, or a similar personality test, look at the career options suggested for you. You can also ask family, friends, and work colleagues for their insights on where your skills and talents are best suited personally and professionally. Now let’s get to some of the building blocks of creating your brand.

 

Your résumé and cover letter

Your résumé and cover letter are your one chance to introduce yourself to potential employers, so carefully crafting both of these documents is a must. I have been on several search committees and the number one thing that makes me skip over résumé s and cover letters is that they are not specifically targeted to the job description. Make sure you read and understand what is being asked for and don’t apply for a job if your qualifications don’t fit the criteria listed for the position. It’s also imperative that you research the company or organization. Your cover letter should convey how your skills will help and enhance the organization, and your résumé should list your qualifications in depth to back it up. (If you are applying for several jobs and using the same basic cover letter, make sure you change the name of the company to which you’re submitting your résumé.) Please make sure to proofread your résumé and cover letter or have someone else look them over. Typos are never a good thing.

 

Always keep your résumé updated, even if you have been working in the same job for a long time or are just starting out. Also, in the event that you lose your job or decide to pursue another one quickly, having an updated résumé really comes in handy. If you have done presentations, are active in professional organizations, hold leadership roles in your organization or others, have taken continuing education courses, or have other achievements, add them to your résumé as soon as you can. Also include links, if you have them, to your blog and/or website, LibGuides, articles, or other electronic resources and make sure the links are still live. Most potential employers these days ask that résumés be submitted online, so having electronic resources ready to view is very important. To avoid losing your résumé and cover letter files, make sure you back them up using software such as Dropbox or Google Docs or put them on a flash drive. This is important stuff!

Submitting a video résumé is a growing trend in some professions, in particular for Web services, online technology, and graphic design careers. If a prospective employer asks for this type of résumé, find someone who can help you put it together and see what kind of online tips are available.[ii] As with a face-to-face interview, you still need to be polished and professional.

 

Hone your presentation skills

You may think you can’t possibly get up in front of people and do presentations, but like anything else, it takes practice and preparation to achieve success. Most audiences are friendly and want you to succeed. They also want to learn something from you, so if you know your stuff and can convey it enthusiastically and succinctly, they will leave happy. Here are some tips on how to do that:

  • Join Toastmasters International[iii] or a similar organization to help you learn to speak and present more clearly – it’s not very expensive. If you can’t afford it, try videotaping yourself or have someone else do it. You may be surprised to find that you have vocal tics (“um,” “er,” “so,” “well,” “like,” upward inflection at the end of sentences, etc.) or that your voice projection isn’t very strong. Once you’re aware of what you need to work on, it will be easy to fix with practice.
  • Learn how to own the room. Body language helps convey your message as much as your oral presentation. Time your presentation and practice it until you can do it as much as possible without notes. Connecting to your audience through eye contact is very powerful, and it encourages your audience to interact with you, especially during the question and answer period. If you can, try out your presentation in the room prior to your actual session. You’ll be able to test out the equipment, too.
  • Create compelling PowerPoint presentations. How many times have we all sat through face-to-face and webinars sessions, where the presenter is reading what’s on the slides, with no graphics or visual interest of any kind? Don’t let this be you! Look at presentations that you’ve found compelling and use those ideas to jazz up your own. There are a lot of places to get free images – clip art and stock photography through Microsoft, Flickr, Creative Commons, and more. You can also organize and edit your images using Picasa and Picnik software. There are books and online resources available to help you, too. I recommend Lee Hilyer’s Presentations for Librarians.[iv]

A good way to get more comfortable with presenting is to do it as part of a group, such as a panel discussion at a local conference. Good presentations lead to good word-of-mouth and more opportunities to build your reputation as a leader in your field.

 

Create a professional image

This is a tough topic because you may think that your appearance doesn’t matter if you’re smart and well-spoken, but you can be sure that potential employers, work colleagues, and anyone you happen to meet in the course of your professional life do notice what you wear and how you present yourself overall. Creating a professional appearance doesn’t mean you have to become someone you’re not, it just means presenting a more polished and professional you. Trust me, you will feel much more confident and powerful during interviews and presentations when you know you look sharp. Investing in a basic suit, coordinated separates, nice shoes, and versatile accessories doesn’t have to cost a fortune. To get the most professional look, get your clothes altered to fit and make sure everything is clean and pressed (many department stores and dry cleaners offer low-cost alterations). If you have a friend or relative who’s style you like, ask if they can go shopping with you or find a personal shopper to help you (this service is free at many department stores). There are lots of books and online guides to help you, too. As with anything, practice and be patient!

Personal grooming says a lot about you, too, so find a hairstyle and makeup (if you use it) that conveys your individuality but looks polished. Once you achieve the look you want, have a professional photographer (or talented friend) do some head shots, either in color or black and white. Make sure they are scalable for use with a variety of print and online resources.

Word to the wise, keep your tattoos and piercings out of sight during the interview process. Once you get the job, find out if the organization is fine with them or not and proceed accordingly.[v]

 

Networking

Networking enhances your brand, connects you with others in your field, and gets your name out as an expert in your field. I highly recommend the following:

  • Join professional organizations and be an active participant in them. Promoting your organization also promotes you, so take leadership roles on committees and find opportunities to do presentations on the local, state, and national level.
  • Carry your business cards at all times but especially at professional meetings and conferences. You never know when you’ll meet someone who wants to know more about you and what you do. Contacts often come after you’ve done presentations, leading to more opportunities. Make sure you update your contact information, including blog and website addresses if you have them.
  • Set up separate personal and professional social networking accounts if you are using Twitter, Facebook, etc., and even with your professional accounts, always be mindful about what you comment on and link to – prospective employers and others can and do check to see what you’ve posted. A social networking account such as LinkedIn is a great way to reach out to other professionals, so make sure you keep it updated, the same way you would with your résumé. Use Hoot Suite or other software to put all of your accounts in one place, and use Twitter Counter to find out who’s following you if you use Twitter.
  • Maintain a professional blog or website using free blogging software, such as Blogger or WordPress. The caveat here is that you need to keep it updated. If you started a blog in 2009 and the last entry was in 2010, don’t put the web address on your résumé or business cards.

 

Final thoughts

  • Be positive and passionate! You are your own best advocate, and if you are enthusiastic, your target audience, whether it’s one person or a group, will be too.
  • Keep your skills fresh, no matter what your age or stage of your career. If you can’t afford to go back for more formal education, programs are often available online and through libraries, community, and professional organizations.
  • Keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities to market your expertise and ideas. Collaborating and networking with colleagues can really expand your horizons.
  • Build a “resource bank” of books and online resources you can refer to when putting together your résumé, presentations, and professional image. Get RSS feeds from sites you use frequently.

Most of all have fun! Seriously.

By Alexandra Simons. Alex is the history/political science/government documents librarian at the M.D. Anderson Library at the University of Houston’s central campus.

Notes

I (Petrelli, 2012)

II (Elliott, 2011)

III (Toastmasters, 2012)

IV (Hilyer, 2007)

V (de Stricker & Hurst-Wall, 2011)

 

References

de Stricker, U., & Hurst-Wall, J. (2011). The information and knowledge professional’s career handbook: Define and create your success. Oxford: Chandos.

Elliott, A. (2011, 1/17). Top 5 tips for creating impressive video résumé s. Message posted to http://mashable.com/2011/01/17/tips-video-résumé s/

Hilyer, L. A. (2007). Presentations for librarians: A complete guide to creating effective, learner-centered presentations. Oxford: Chandos.

Petrelli, L. (2012, 1/25). An introvert’s guide to networking. Message posted to http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/the_introverts_guide_to_networ.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#.TyvgXa44NaA.email

[i] (Petrelli, 2012)

[ii] (Elliott, 2011)

[iii] (Toastmasters, 2012)

[iv] (Hilyer, 2007)

[v] (de Stricker & Hurst-Wall, 2011)

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How to Turn Your LinkedIn Profile into an Infographic

In Careers on February 23, 2012 at 12:01 am

Looking for a cool, easy way to revitalize your resume?

According to this WSJ article, some companies aren’t even taking traditional resumes anymore. Re.vu offers a way to get you online quickly. It is a “complete rethinking of what a resume can be. You no longer have to cram your experience and expertise onto a plain white piece of paper.” By creating a colorful infographic of your experience, you give your resume a boost and give yourself a way to stand out from the herd.

Re.vu makes it easy to transfer all your experience and education right over from your LinkedIn account. You can choose from one of the 13 designs or upload your own background image.  Then, just fill in for your vital stats, job duties, and skill evolution, and the site creates visual representation
with the click of a button.

revu sample images

And, for those companies that are still a little more traditional, you can upload your resume so that a hiring manager can print out a paper copy.

Here’s a sample of what I was able put together in under 15 minutes. It’s just a start, the tricky part is rethinking your work experience and putting it into numbers that tell the best visual story.
revu resume sample

Written by April Kessler and reblogged from the business research blog, Bizologie. April is the Business Librarian at the University of Texas. Prior to joining the University of Texas Libraries, April was a research analyst for a venture capital firm. In addition to her research experience, she has over 10 years of experience in marketing and public relations.

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