The Résumé

©2011, Ronald D. Pollock Side 1

The Résumé

Facing Trying Times for Librarians

Important Info for laterContinuing Education

Certificates will be available tomorrow, August 5, at www.txla.org/CE

A free recording of this webinar will be available by August 11 at www.txla.org/CE-library Photo by iStock Photo

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About Ron Pollock Retired 2010, Director of Career Services,

School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin

MLIS, The University of Texas at Austin. 1995 Past Chair:

– TLA Professional Recruitment and Retention Committee

– TLA Continuing Education and Development Committee

Current Involvement:– Incoming Treasurer: Cedar Park Public

Library Foundation Board– Planning Committee & Subject Matter

Expert, Williamson County Institute for Excellence in Nonprofits

– Advisory Board, Judge, Trainer: University of Texas Center for Performance Excellence

– Scholarship Committee Member: University of Texas Alumni Association


The Résumé

How to Separate Yourself from the Crowd


What should I take away from this Webinar?

Importance of analyzing job announcements

Understanding of how to relate to the job announcement

Understanding of how to describe accomplishments

Understanding of the different types of résumés

Understanding of the value of the words you use

Ideas for expanding the scope of job search


What is the purpose of a résumé?

To answer the employer’s question, “What can you do for me today?”

To provide the employer with a “knowledge representation” of ourselves - as related to the employer’s job needs.

To provide the employer with information about our past performance so our future performance can be predicted.

Ultimately, to get an interview.


Analyze you current skills in the terms used by potential employers


HOW?


Ask yourself, “What do I know?”Do I know how to: Identify and obtain information to meet the

information needs of customers? Organize information for easy access? Use a variety of technologies/media to meet the

information delivery needs of customers, like the Web, social networking, etc.?

Develop and maintain a budget? Develop and conduct programs of instruction to

develop the information skills of patrons? Relate information services to the needs of the

parent organization? Interact with the public using written and verbal

communications?


Job Announcement Review Steps

1. Read entire job announcement first.2. Read job announcement second time.

a. From position requirements: Identify each requirement.b. From position duties: Identify each duty.

3. List requirements and duties on one side of a sheet of paper.

4. Review organization’s Web page.5. Identify opportunities and background information from

employer’s Web page.6. List your skills and experience that match the

requirements, duties, and opportunities on the sheet of paper.

7. Identify what is needed for the application process.8. Identify deadlines for submission.


The Job Announcement

is your blueprint for your résumé


Types of Résumés

Chronological

Functional/Combination

Federal


Chronological Résumé Most commonly used résumé format - understood by both

employer and individual preparing it. Most effective if you have experience in the field of

interest:– Can include metrics indicating successes in previous

jobs.– Can include big-name employers or impressive job

titles.– Can include promotions or increased responsibilities.

Includes reverse chronological listing of work experience. Flexible: Allows sections such as “Summary of

Qualifications” or “Profile” if you have specific experience related to the position.

Demonstrates continuity of work experience. Does not create questions about work history.

©2011, Ronald D. Pollock

Chronological Template

Limited Experience Heading

Experience Skills/Languages Education

Organizations (If relevant)

Relevant Experience Heading

Professional Profile

Experience Skills/Languages Education Organizations (If

relevant)


Functional/Combination Résumé Organized by skills/knowledge related directly to the job

announcement. Facilitates inclusion of experience from internships and

volunteer positions. Preferred by many high tech firms. Usually limited to one page, but not always. Advantages:

– Provides a synopsis of skills and abilities.– Communicates professional growth.– Diminishes importance of a problem work history.

Caution: Employer may become suspicious about applicant’s work history.

Combination Résumé includes listing of previous employers.


Functional/Combination Template

Functional Format Heading Experience/Skill

grouped by employer categories

Education

Combination Format Heading Experience/Skill

grouped by employer categories

Employer names, locations, & dates

Education


Federal Résumé Usually use online program such as that in USA Jobs.com. Will require personal identification information. Will require detailed information about current/previous

employers and educational experiences. Don’t forget to include special skills (tech, etc.), languages,

knowledge, relevant coursework, honors, etc. in the Additional Information section.

Includes section to address required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs).

Résumé determines if minimum qualifications are met; KSA statements determine position in selection roster.

Statements should be written so they describe the problem you addressed, the actions you took, and the results of your actions.


When Developing Your Résumé

Think in terms of ACCOMPLISHMENTS Describe the WHAT. Describe the HOW. Describe the VALUE. CAUTION: Must be able to verify!


What Is an Accomplishment?

You accomplished or achieved MORE with the same resources.

What you accomplished achieved the same results with FEWER resources.

You IMPROVED operations or simply MADE THINGS EASIER OR MORE VIABLE for the overall operation.

You resolved panic problems with LITTLE OR NO INCREASE in time, energy, dollar cost, personnel, or other resources.

You accomplished something for the FIRST TIME.


What did you do? Saw problems, opportunities or challenges and took the

initiative? Developed something? Created/designed new department, program, procedure,

plan, service, or product? Identified need for a plan, program, product, service,

procedure, etc.? Prepared original reports, papers, documents, or grants? Made/participated in any direct or indirect technical

contributions? Participated in major management decisions or

organizational changes? Implemented /participated in any sales and/or profit

and/or cost saving recommendations?


Keys to developing statements How did you develop, design, create, and/or

implement your plan, program, product, service, procedure, etc.?

How did your employer benefit from your efforts? Can you quantify your results? Ideas that may help:

– Did your results save dollars, generate new business, increase sales/profits?

– Did your results improve efficiency (time, manpower, procedures)?

– Did your results make an impact on the organization?

– Can you measure your results in numerical and/or percentage terms?


CautionAvoid excessively general statements: Laying claim to improvements without

explanation. Citing reductions in costs or increases in

efficiency without quantified measurements. Taking credit for progress without providing

some element of detail. Using terms such as excellent, world-class,

superior, etc. without independent evaluation that provided the rating.


How to Write Your Accomplishments

• Answer questions, shelve books, check out books, answer phone.

• Provided print and online reference services to students, faculty, and staff in the research library of a university with 52,000 students and 19,000 faculty and staff.

• Taught faculty, staff, and students the use of online reference resources such as Lexis-Nexis, Dialog, and Factiva.

• Maintained the stacks of a major research library using Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal classification systems.

Replaced with:

From a résumé:


Elements of Effective Statements

What ACTION did you take?

What CHALLENGE/PROBLEM did you address?

What were the RESULTS of your actions?


Action Statements that Reflect Results - 1

• Duties included Website re-design.

• Created an effective association Website, as a member of a 3-person team, that resulted in a 25% increase in hits within 2 weeks through usability testing and re-design.

Revised Entry:

• Duties included Website re-design.

• Created an effective association Website, as a member of a 3-person team, that resulted in a 25% increase in hits within 2 weeks through usability testing and re-design.

Revised Entry:

Original Entry:


Action Statements that Reflect Results - 2

• Responsible for cataloging.

• Managed the trouble-free migration of a card catalog system into an online catalog system through a comprehensive cataloging vendor selection process.

Original Entry:

Revised Entry:


Action Statements that Reflect Results 3

• Responsible for children’s programs.

• Increased participation in a children’s summer reading program by 20% through the redesign of the program and the development of Web-based marketing.

Original Entry:

Revised Entry:


Some additional details: Limit résumé to two pages; one if you have little or no

experience. While some HR managers may not care, use a good quality

white or cream colored bond paper for your résumé. Use a 10 to 12 point font; 10 point Times New Roman is

too small. Do not fold or staple the résumé. Use a large envelope so the résumé can be mailed “flat.” Use language and keywords that are used in the job

announcement. Minimize bold lettering, italics, underlining. Focus on providing education/experience that shows what

you can do to meet the employer’s needs.


Choose Words carefully! “Responsible for”

– Relates to job description, not what you actually did.

“Assisted” – Can mean you just “helped” by making copies,

answering phone, etc.– Does not indicate you actually developed skills

in accomplishing a task with others.– May still be useful if you supported a project

directly related to skills required by the job announcement.


What if you’ve been out of the profession for a while?

Find out what skills are necessary for the kinds of jobs that interest you.

Look for ways to acquire/refresh skills– Volunteer at libraries, etc.– Take CE courses or community college courses to acquire

new tech skills– Use local/area libraries to learn new databases, etc.

Review the things you already do that relate to job requirements– Committee/organizational activities– Household management/budgeting– Personal interest in Web design, social networking, etc.

Convert your skills into the language used by the employer.


Current Students Obtain experience any way you can while in

school. Remember, volunteer experience counts. Take courses that provide the knowledge/skills

needed for your chosen field. Select projects that expand your knowledge and

skills. Use technology and develop the skills needed for

your chosen field. If you have a “capstone” project required for

graduation, make it a project that showcases your knowledge and experience in your chosen field.


Learning Resource Center Manager

Tri-State Institute is searching for a Learning Resource Center (LRC) Manager.

The LRC Manager works daily with faculty and students of the school to support the curriculum, and provide information literacy instruction and reference services to patrons.

Duties include library orientation, database instruction, collection development, reference services, library outreach, and other duties.

The LRC Manager contributes to the development of the program’s philosophy, objectives, and services, and assures fulfillment of standards of all accreditation and regulatory agencies.

Interested candidates meeting the requirements above may send their cover letter and personal resume to Robert W. Noah, Director of Administration.

REQUIREMENTS: Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program with

experience and/or education in health science librarianship Comfort level with IT hardware Proficiency in library software Exceptional communication and customer service skills

Source: Monster.com


Professional ProfileGeneral Terms Excellent communication skills Analytical mind Inquisitive Reliable Quick learner

Specific Experience Master’s Degree in Library and

Information Science 6 years’ experience working with

faculty and administration to support school’s curriculum

8 years experience providing information literacy instruction and reference services to patrons

8 years experience providing library orientation, database instruction, collection development, reference services, and library outreach .

4 years experience developing program philosophy, objectives and services as a member of library planning and school accreditation teams.

8 years experience with library software such as Millennium, Horizon, and OCLC

OR


Focus on how your

experience, skills, & education match the employer’s

needs.


A well written résumé sets you

apart from the crowd!


Opportunities U.S. State Department Information Resource Officer:

– http://careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/iro

Federal Library Jobs (Librarian is Series Number Search: 1410):– http://www.usajobs.gov/

Presidential Management Fellows Program (Students about to graduate)– http://www.pmf.gov/

Monster.com– www.monster.com

LISjobs.com– http://www.lisjobs.com/

LibGig– http://www.libgig.com/

UT School of Information JobWeb (Over 200 postings in last 30 days)– http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/jobweb

UT School of Information Online Job Site Listings– http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/careers/online_job_source

s.php

http://careers.state.gov/specialist/vacancy-announcements/iro


http://www.usajobs.gov/

http://www.pmf.gov/

http://www.monster.com/

http://www.lisjobs.com/

http://www.libgig.com/

http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/jobweb

http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/careers/online_job_sources.php

http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/careers/online_job_sources.php


USAJobs Advanced Search

Enter: 14 Will Search

Occupation Group 14

Series Number Search:1410 = Librarian1411 = Library Technician1420 = Archivist


Federal Librarian Descriptionhttp://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs1400/1410.htm


USAJobs Website


monster.com


careerbuilder.com

www.careerbuilder.com Keyword: library science

http://www.careerbuilder.com/


Keyword: library science


Fantastic Opportunity





Contact InformationRon Pollock

Phone: 512-663-6870

E-Mail: [email protected]


Questions?


The Résumé

Facing Trying Times for Librarians


Presented by Ron PollockRon PollockPhone: 512-663-6870E-Mail: [email protected]

Brought to you byTexas

LibraryAssociation

Special Thanks to

More webinars in this series

Tell a great story – get a jobThursday, September 15 ♦ 2pm – 3pmIn their live webinar at 2pm on September 15, Kerry McGeath and Cynthia Pfledderer will share more specific steps for introducing yourself professionally and telling your story in terms that fit your potential new position. Learn about common pitfalls and best practices in the interview process, both within the library community and the private sector.

REGISTRATION and more information available at www.txla.org/CE

http://www.txla.org/CE

The End

For more information on TLA webinars:

Ted WannerTLA Continuing Education

[email protected]/ce512-328-1518 / 800-580-2852

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The Résumé