Positioning Ourselves for New Positions in Library Land Cover Letter and Résumé Do’s and Don’ts Susan DiRenzo Lori J. Fielding Karen A. Plummer Presented by

Academic Search Committees What does a search committee do? Follows guidelines (EEO, University, Library, Faculty) Follows guidelines (EEO, University, Library, Faculty) Creates or collaborates on position advertisement Creates or collaborates on position advertisement Screens and evaluates applications Screens and evaluates applications Selects candidates for interview Selects candidates for interview Creates agenda and schedule for interview process Creates agenda and schedule for interview process Participates in the interview Participates in the interview Makes recommendation Makes recommendation

The Job Advertisement What is included in a typical job advertisement? Description of the job duties Description of the job duties Required qualifications Required qualifications Preferred qualifications Preferred qualifications Brief description of the institution Brief description of the institution Instructions for submitting an application Instructions for submitting an application Minimum salary, benefits summary, and rank Minimum salary, benefits summary, and rank

Interpreting the Job Ad Description of job duties Description of job duties Qualifications Qualifications Required Required Preferred Preferred Experience Experience Education Education

Vitae or Résumé? What is a Curricula Vitae (C.V.), and how is it different than a résumé? What is a Curricula Vitae (C.V.), and how is it different than a résumé? Should you include a goal statement? Should you include a goal statement? Why are dates important? Why are dates important? How specific should you be about past/current positions, duties, and length of service. How specific should you be about past/current positions, duties, and length of service. Is it varied experience or “job hopping”? Is it varied experience or “job hopping”?

Vitae Elements Your name and contact information Your name and contact information Education and degrees Education and degrees Work experience Work experience Research Research Publications Publications Presentations Presentations Courses or workshops taught Courses or workshops taught Professional development Professional development Awards and honors Awards and honors Service (committees, professional organizations, etc.) Service (committees, professional organizations, etc.)

Cover Letter Elements Return address Return address Date Date Address of the institution to which you are applying Address of the institution to which you are applying Salutation (Dear Who?) Salutation (Dear Who?) Introduction Introduction Body Body Conclusion Conclusion Signature Signature

Effective Cover Letters Every résumé /C.V. must be accompanied by a cover letter Structure: Address the letter to a specific person, use correct name and title Address the letter to a specific person, use correct name and title Include information on how or where you learned about the job opening Include information on how or where you learned about the job opening Address the job ad specifics Address the job ad specifics Pave the way for an interview Pave the way for an interviewContent: Size? Does it matter? Size? Does it matter? High readability factor High readability factor Writing style Writing style Physical presentation Physical presentation Spelling and grammar – Don’t rely on your word processor Spelling and grammar – Don’t rely on your word processor Have someone you trust proofread all the materials you submit Have someone you trust proofread all the materials you submit Be cautious of using mass produced cover letters! Be cautious of using mass produced cover letters!

Do’s and Don’ts DO…. Check for accurate spelling Check for accurate spelling Use good quality paper Use good quality paper Limit number of fonts and sizes Limit number of fonts and sizes Use formal language Use formal language Stay focused Stay focused Include dates Include dates DO NOT… Use canned phrases and trendy terminology Use canned phrases and trendy terminology Embellish or overstate qualifications Embellish or overstate qualifications Ramble Ramble Use the “hard sell” method Use the “hard sell” method Share information that is irrelevant, too personal, or in violation of EEO guidelines Share information that is irrelevant, too personal, or in violation of EEO guidelines

Getting Ready for the Interview Do your homework! Do your homework! Visit the institution’s website Visit the institution’s website Faculty/staff listings – who does what? Faculty/staff listings – who does what? Search committee members – who are they? Search committee members – who are they? Read the institution’s annual report, mission statement, and/or strategic plan Read the institution’s annual report, mission statement, and/or strategic plan Read announcements and library news Read announcements and library news Visit the institution itself (if possible) Visit the institution itself (if possible) Check out the most recent literature in the field Check out the most recent literature in the field Talk to colleagues who have been through similar interview processes Talk to colleagues who have been through similar interview processes Anticipate the questions you’ll be asked Anticipate the questions you’ll be asked Bring examples of your work Bring examples of your work Be prepared to ask questions Be prepared to ask questions Know when is it appropriate to ask certain questions regarding salary, benefits, etc. Know when is it appropriate to ask certain questions regarding salary, benefits, etc. Bring a copy of everything you submitted Bring a copy of everything you submitted Be honest, be relaxed, be yourself, and smile Be honest, be relaxed, be yourself, and smile

Questions? This presentation, bibliography, and handout can be found online at: This presentation, bibliography, and handout can be found online at: Presenter’s contact information: Presenter’s contact information: Susan DiRenzo Lori J. Fielding Karen A. Plummer