Any member who wishes to utilize the virtual service should email the RCLRS Coordinator, Mallory Sajewski, with a current cover letter, link to the corresponding job posting, and résumé/CV. The RCLRS Coordinator will follow up with you and forward your materials to an available reviewer. The reviewer will contact the applicant, by email or telephone, with comments and suggestions. See the guidelines below for details on the roles of reviewer and reviewee.

In-person consultations are also available at each MLA Annual Conference. Details about this service will appear on MLA-L in the months leading up to the conference.

Guidelines

• The Résumé & Cover Letter Review Service is sponsored by the Career Development and Services Committee of the Music Library Association and is offered on a voluntary basis by members of the Music Library Association who are experienced in administration and/or serving on library search committees. The service is available for use by current members of the Music Library Association.
• Reviewers seek to provide guidance in the formulation and development of cover letters and résumés to both experienced music librarians and novices just entering the field.
• While reviewees are encouraged to submit a current cover letter, link to the corresponding job posting, and résumé/CV to take full advantage of the service, reviewees may also submit just a résumé/CV for a more general review.
• Reviews may be conducted in person at national MLA meetings or via email, Zoom, or telephone during the year. Generally, 30 minutes are allotted for consultations; more time may be taken at the discretion of both the reviewer and reviewee.
• Reviewers will offer rewording and reformatting suggestions, but reviewers will not rewrite application materials for the reviewees.
• It is strongly recommended that the reviewee submit only one set of application materials per review. In some (special) cases, reviewers may work with a reviewee on multiple job applications, but the decision to do this should be made at the beginning of the review process and will be at the discretion of the reviewer.
• It is not appropriate to ask for more than one reviewer to look at the same documents.
• Reviewees may request no more than one review every six months.
• If reviewees have additional job application or career questions, they are encouraged to make use of the Career Advisory Service.
• All reviews, whether virtual or in person, are held in the strictest confidence.