Sources for job hunters and just what work is out there in the library and information world
Jobs are often not advertised but placed with agencies because employers do not have the resources to cope with huge responses. Although advertising and using agencies can seem to be very expensive some sectors, for example the media, may often go by recommendation to utilise the contacts this method brings. The result is that we are currently seeing that the job search is less structured than it used to be.
These are the main sources for you to exploit in your job search:
· The National Press
especially The Guardian – Mon/Tues/Weds/Thurs
(The Saturday edition does not cumulate all the jobs)
·Other broadsheets e.g. The Times
· Local and Regional Press
· Local papers attract local people thus keeping jobs in local community and economy.
(Not the free ones as they often don’t have full selection of adverts)
· Regional papers e.g. The Scotsman, Birmingham Post, Northern Echo, London Evening Standard
·specialist Journals
· Library & Information Appointments now incorporated in the Library and Information Gazette - the best source, of course!
· Information World Review, the knowledge management press etc.
· Other press for special sectors e.g. New Scientist / Bookseller / Health Services Journal / Times Higher Educational Supplement
· Internet
· Find the electronic version of Library & Information Appointments on www.lisjobnet.com/Lisjobnet
· For the CILIP Graduate Training Opportunities directory of jobs look at the CILIP website www.cilip.org.uk.
· Source Guardian jobs in electronic format on www.jobsunlimited.co.uk and network with other LIS professionals on lis-link@mailbase.ac.uk.
· Opportunities in Higher Education are advertised at www.jobs.ac.uk where you find a section for libraries and learning resources.
· For public libraries and other local government information work look at www.lgjobs.com/
· The internet is useful also for job-hunting tips.
Agencies
· INFOmatch - CILIP’s own recruitment agency. Members especially should be making the most of their services.
· Other LIS specialist agencies - there are about 5 or 6 others and they all advertise in the LIS press. Use your information/research skills to source them.
· Local high street agencies especially for local firms: many have special arrangements with one agency for all their needs;some may encompass information posts as well as more traditional admin/secretarial.
· The local Job Centre.
Try to use an agency that belongs to REC (the Recruitment and Employment Confederation).
· Networking
Friends/relatives/colleagues
College contacts, e.g. ex - tutors
CILIP special interest groups e.g., Solo Librarians group, BIALL for legal LIS sector events e.g. CILIP Members’ Day, Workplace Libraries campaign, Online, Library & Information Show and The Internet Librarian (formerly Libtech).
AGMs/Socials, attended by decision makers in the sector. Good for sharing ideas and keeping professional knowledge up to date as well as hearing about possible vacancies.
LIS sector events…
· Speculative approach
Address the relevant person by name, maybe the librarian, maybe HR. Ask where they advertise or which agencies they use: asking a question demands an answer and you will be more focused in your approach to an agency or a publication.
Send a short, skills-based CV and pertinent letter highlighting what you can bring to their organisation; ask for a brief meeting - people remember people. Ensure you make it easy for them to contact you e.g. include sae, email address, mobile number (with voicemail facility).
Other Sources
·Your careers office
·Voluntary work can lead to something more permanent Headhunters may approach you for a particular post
· Insider knowledge, for example if you are a researcher (but be scrupulously ethical to your employer about using this method)
Useful publications
Updated: 30 June 2008