Comments on: Finding a job and finding lasting love

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 12:39:50 +0000

We’ve got to do something to change the labor market for librarians. If anyone wants to join me in becoming confrontational when libraries lay-off, de-professionalize, or otherwise eliminate librarian positions, send me an e-mail and let’s do some direct action until the situation changes.

unemployedlibrarians@gmail.com

By: Amy Proni

Amy Proni — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 20:08:22 +0000

Nice essay, Meredith. I’m feeling more and more like I’ll have to go the consulting route… I’m married to a wonderful guy, we have a great house that’s paid for, and he has a job and routine that he likes.

The odd thing about academic libraries in my region is that many librarians are not being replaced as they retire. Some retire, then come back to work part-time (the joke is that now they only work 40 hours a week!), while the duties of others seem to be picked up by the paraprofessional staff. The local university library also has 12 individuals with MLS degrees working in paraprofessional positions… in theory, some of those folks could move up, but I think the reality is that they’ve been pegged as something less than librarians now.

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:39:30 +0000

Well said, Meredith! Finding a job is often a matter of finding a good fit. I’ve gone through two layoffs and several resume-pounding months. However, when I found my current job, which is an EXCELLENT fit, I was was a bit taken aback by everyone saying, “Well, you just got lucky.” While being in the right place at the right time is certainly good fortune, I also know my own hard work and experience helped me get this job. You can’t find a good fit unless you actively look for it.

By: Dorothea Salo

Dorothea Salo — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 13:35:40 +0000

Fifteen apps in four months — isn’t enough, unless you are engaging in an extremely local search or looking for an extremely specific kind of job. It’s truly not.

At the height of my job search, I was shoving out five a week, on average. I’m not even sure I’ve gotten the last “not interested, thanks” letter, and I’ve been employed for two months!

Consider looking for ways to broaden your job net, and do your best to streamline the application process. Not a silver bullet, because Meredith’s right that nothing is, but it should help.

By: Rebecca Hedreen

Rebecca Hedreen — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 13:25:23 +0000

Being one of the lucky ones who not only found a job soon after grad school (with some harrowing weeks wondering if a job offer would come in before the lease ran out), but also found a second position that’s better, I can echo the point about luck. Or maybe synchronicity. I was looking, they were looking, it worked out.

All I can say is, keep looking and don’t ignore any of your own experience. You never know what will tip the balance and intrigue someone enough to give you that extra shot. Good luck to all!

By: Meng

Meng — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 02:56:15 +0000

Your article makes me feel better. I have sent, perhaps 15 I don’t even remember, job applications, mostly in the past four months since graduation. After I did what I could to improve my cover letters and resume (following some of your suggestions), I am considering applying for PhD programs again.

Maybe it is because I am a foreigner, maybe it is because of my major, maybe it is because I don’t live in the big cities where I apply for jobs, maybe I should send another 10 or 20 applications . . .