1. Katie Rapp May 2013 MLS Grad Federal Librarian
Check out my portfolio for ideas on how to network and enhance your resume while you’re a student:
Katie works as a librarian at the National Institute of Standards and Technology library in Gaithersburg, MD, about 10 miles outside the DC beltway.

2. My timeline to Federal employment
September 2011: Started library school and started networking
Sept 2011-May 2013: Library school
January 2013: Virtual Field Study project for Army Research Laboratory
May 2013: Graduated with MLS
July 2013: Given heads up about contract job opening; applied
Sept 2013: Started working as a contract librarian
November 2013: Applied for federal position
January 2014: Federal Librarian!

3. A day in my life as a Federal librarian
Reference – science and engineering librarian
In depth analyses – lab liaison
Library marketing
History and archives
Team work

4. How I got here – you can do it, too!
Network, network, network! Continuous networking, volunteering for professional orgs and student orgs, applying for scholarships, contacting people for library tours, maintaining contacts and using contacts as resources for class work
Enhance your resume through targeted volunteer work and internships with tangible products you can point to
See my presentation about enhancing your resume: panel-presentation
See my handouts with even more helpful hints: handout pdf

5. Instigator, Careers in Federal Libraries Google Group
Nancy G. Faget
Federal Librarian
Instigator, Careers in Federal Libraries Google Group
The Careers in Federal Libraries online Google group provides lots of good
information (job announcements, career advice, mentors, resume reviewers,
event info).
Join at
Nancy works as a librarian at the Army Research Laboratory library just outside the beltway. She is chair of the Library of Congress FEDLINK Technology Working Group

6. Known and Unknown
More than 1/3 federal employees eligible for retirement by
“average annual salary for all librarians in the Federal Government in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions was $84,796” Occupational Outlook , US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Flexible schedules, telework options, good benefits
Perhaps in future – less hiring, furloughs, fewer pay increases

7. Federal Libraries
medical, academic, school, public, law, scientific technical
all around the world
you can transfer between libraries and never leave the same employer

9. Many avenues of entry
Contract positions: join list servs, LinkedIn, be open to contract and temp positions for experience and foot in the door
for Pathways, Outstanding Scholar, Temporary, Summer, Volunteer, Practicum, Field Experience, Independent study, Internship, Fellowship
National Library of Medicine Associate Fellowship Program:
Presidential Management Fellows (PMF)

10. Careers in Federal Libraries Google Group
Federal job listings
Chat with Federal Librarians
Learn about Career Fairs and other events, internships, fellowships, practicums, scholarships
Ask questions to better understand the process

11. Careers in Federal Libraries
Google Group

12. USAJobs.gov TIP: Set up an account. Perform a search, and save
it as an alert. Receive daily s about new jobs.

13. 1400 jobs Librarian Electronic Resources Librarian Systems Librarian
Collection Management Librarian
Supervisory Librarian
Reference Librarian
Cataloging Librarian
Embedded Librarian
Technical Information Specialist
Archivist

14. You are qualified to be a
librarian, content manager, taxonomist, management and program analyst, knowledge manager, wiki gardener, records manager, social media specialist, program and development specialist, writer/editor, technical information specialist, metadata specialist, bioinformationist, community facilitator, associate fellow, and more

15. Applicant’s Road Map to Federal Job
Agency Job Announcements
Eligibility for Position
Qualifications for Targeted Position
Winning Application and Resume
Verifiable Education and Experience
Successful Interview
Positive References
Job Offer
Patience!

16. Screening of Applications
Evaluation of your application against the position’s qualification requirements
Review by Agency Human Resources Specialist and/or Automated System (NOT a Career Librarian)
Ranking relative to the other candidates (for some agencies)

17. Referral List to Selecting Official
List of Highly Qualified Candidates or Most Highly Qualified Candidates issued by Human Resources Office to Selecting Official
Agency Review by Panel or Selecting Official
TIP: Remember that there is competition for the position. Being Qualified does not guarantee that you will be interviewed or selected for the job.

18. Winning Application & Resume
Create an account on USAJOBS and build your resume.
Write information in advance and save separate text files according to required sections for future editing.
Check the word count before copying and pasting sections to your resume.
Include awards, certifications, and special skills that pertain to this career field.
Be specific about computer training, systems, and databases.

19. Successful Interview Prepare!
Review your printed copy of the job announcement and your submitted application.
Write down building, room #, and time.
Check directions to the location in advance.
Be on time.
Have the contact number with you in case of an emergency.
Dress professionally.
Relax! You are considered a highly qualified candidate.
Send brief thank you message - nice gesture & memorable.

20. Positive References
Notify your references in advance so that they will expect queries about you.
You may request that agencies should not notify your current employer unless you are a final candidate.
Before final selection, your current employer should be contacted.

21. Virtual me – Katie Rapp Other great contacts!
Portfolio:
LinkedIn:
Contact me any time:
Other great contacts!
Careers in Federal Libraries: Nancy Faget
Pathways: Katie Chan, National Library of Medicine:
Presidential Management Fellow: Jodie Peterson, Office of Natural Resources Revenue,
National Library of Medicine Associate Fellows: Kristina Elliott