Music Library Association

Career Resources

RESOURCES FOR THE RECENT GRADUATE

 

PRINT RESOURCES FOR THE RECENT GRAD

Bridges, Karl, ed. Expectations of Librarians in the 21st Century. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2003.

Publisher's description: "In addition to subject area knowledge and interpersonal ability, librarians must now possess considerable technical skill. This collection of 50 essays, all written by librarians working in college, university, and public libraries, elucidates the many facets of modern librarianship, as well as the personal and professional characteristics and skills expected of today's librarians. Topics include: Required knowledge and attitudes ; Interviewing techniques ; The role of technology ; Interpersonal relationships ; The need for business and management skills ; and more. The short essays are written mostly in an informal style that combines library philosophy and practical advice."

Newlen, Robert. "Getting Started: The First Step to a Job-Winning Resume." In Writing Resumes That Work: A How-to-Do-It Manual for Librarians, 1-22. New York, NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1998.

This particular chapter is geared toward recent library school graduates who are preparing their first professional résumé. The author includes step-by-step exercises and several different worksheets.

Stormes, Sheridan, and Gordon Theil. "Job Hunt Rhetoric: The Conversation Behind the Successful Search." In Careers in Music Librarianship II: Traditions and Transitions, eds. Paula Elliot and Linda Blair, 53-70. Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press, 2004.

Stormes and Theil provide essential information for those currently looking for positions in music librarianship. In addition to analyzing recent job postings and descriptions, they offer helpful advice for preparing job application materials.

ONLINE RESOURCES FOR THE RECENT GRAD

Broderick, John. "A Comedy of Errors." Chronicle Careers column, Chronicle of Higher Education, August 3, 2004. http://chronicle.com/jobs/2004/08/2004080301c.htm.

John Broderick, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Old Dominion University, discusses how typos and spelling errors among one's cover letter and résumé can quickly neutralize an otherwise good application.

Collegegrad.com: The #1 Entry-Level Job Site
http://collegegrad.com

Claims to "provide more entry level job search content to job seekers than any other site on the Internet." In addition to being able to search for jobs or posting a résumé, one can find general information on cover letters, résumés, interview preparation, relocation, and salaries.

NexGen Librarian
http://www.nexgenlibrarian.net

"NexGen Librarian is a forum for library and information professionals, paraprofessionals, and students in Generations X and Y to discuss the future of the profession, issues related to being a young librarian, and bring fresh perspective to all things library related" (Mission Statement). Instructions for subscribing to their electronic discussion forum (NEXGENLIB-L) are on their front page.