Positioning Ourselves Positioning Ourselves for New Positions infor New Positions in

Library LandLibrary LandCover Letter and Résumé Do’s and Cover Letter and Résumé Do’s and

Don’tsDon’ts

Susan DiRenzo direnzo@uakron.edu Lori J. Fielding lott@uakron.edu Karen A. Plummer kplumme@uakron.edu

University Libraries @ The University of AkronUniversity Libraries @ The University of Akron

Presented by

Academic Search Academic Search CommitteesCommittees

What does a search committee do?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 applicationsScreens and evaluates applications Selects candidates for interviewSelects candidates for interview Creates agenda and schedule for interview processCreates agenda and schedule for interview process Participates in the interviewParticipates in the interview Makes recommendationMakes recommendation

University Libraries @ The University of AkronUniversity Libraries @ The University of Akron

The Job AdvertisementThe Job Advertisement

What is included in a typical job advertisement?What is included in a typical job advertisement? Description of the job dutiesDescription of the job duties Required qualificationsRequired qualifications Preferred qualificationsPreferred qualifications Brief description of the institutionBrief description of the institution Instructions for submitting an applicationInstructions for submitting an application Minimum salary, benefits summary, and rankMinimum salary, benefits summary, and rank

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Interpreting the Job AdInterpreting the Job Ad

Description of job dutiesDescription of job duties QualificationsQualifications

RequiredRequired PreferredPreferred

ExperienceExperience EducationEducation

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Vitae or Résumé?Vitae or Résumé?

What is a Curricula Vitae (C.V.), and how is it What is a Curricula Vitae (C.V.), and how is it different than a rdifferent than a résuméésumé??

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 How specific should you be about past/current

positions, duties, and length of service.positions, duties, and length of service. Is it varied experience or “job hopping”?Is it varied experience or “job hopping”?

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Vitae ElementsVitae Elements Your name and contact informationYour name and contact information Education and degreesEducation and degrees Work experienceWork experience ResearchResearch PublicationsPublications PresentationsPresentations Courses or workshops taughtCourses or workshops taught Professional developmentProfessional development Awards and honorsAwards and honors Service (committees, professional organizations, etc.)Service (committees, professional organizations, etc.)

Cover Letter ElementsCover Letter Elements

Return addressReturn address DateDate Address of the institution to which you are applyingAddress of the institution to which you are applying Salutation (Dear Who?)Salutation (Dear Who?) IntroductionIntroduction BodyBody ConclusionConclusion SignatureSignature

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Effective Cover LettersEffective Cover Letters

Every rEvery résuméésumé /C.V. must be accompanied by a cover letter /C.V. must be accompanied by a cover letter

Structure:Structure: Address the letter to a specific person, use correct name and titleAddress the letter to a specific person, use correct name and title Include information on how or where you learned about the job openingInclude information on how or where you learned about the job opening Address the job ad specificsAddress the job ad specifics Pave the way for an interviewPave the way for an interview

Content:Content: Size? Does it matter?Size? Does it matter? High readability factorHigh readability factor

Writing styleWriting style Physical presentationPhysical presentation

Spelling and grammar – Don’t rely on your word processorSpelling and grammar – Don’t rely on your word processor Have someone you trust proofread all the materials you submitHave 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’tsDo’s and Don’tsDO….DO….

Check for accurate spellingCheck for accurate spelling Use good quality paperUse good quality paper Limit number of fonts and sizesLimit number of fonts and sizes Use formal languageUse formal language Stay focusedStay focused Include datesInclude dates

DO NOT…DO NOT… Use canned phrases and trendy terminologyUse canned phrases and trendy terminology Embellish or overstate qualificationsEmbellish or overstate qualifications RambleRamble Use the “hard sell” methodUse the “hard sell” method Share information that is irrelevant, too personal, or in Share information that is irrelevant, too personal, or in

violation of EEO guidelinesviolation of EEO guidelines

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Getting Ready for the InterviewGetting Ready for the Interview Do your homework!Do your homework!

Visit the institution’s websiteVisit 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 newsRead announcements and library news

Visit the institution itself (if possible)Visit the institution itself (if possible) Check out the most recent literature in the fieldCheck out the most recent literature in the field Talk to colleagues who have been through similar interview processesTalk to colleagues who have been through similar interview processes

Anticipate the questions you’ll be askedAnticipate the questions you’ll be asked Bring examples of your workBring 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, Know when is it appropriate to ask certain questions regarding salary,

benefits, etc.benefits, etc. Bring a copy of everything you submittedBring a copy of everything you submitted Be honest, be relaxed, be yourself, and smile Be honest, be relaxed, be yourself, and smile

University Libraries @ The University of AkronUniversity Libraries @ The University of Akron

Questions?Questions?

This presentation, bibliography, and handout This presentation, bibliography, and handout can be found online at: can be found online at: http://www3.uakron.edu/library/ulsys/presentationhttp://www3.uakron.edu/library/ulsys/presentations/alao04/s/alao04/

Presenter’s contact information:Presenter’s contact information: Susan DiRenzo direnzo@uakron.edu Lori J. Fielding lott@uakron.edu Karen A. Plummer kplumme@uakron.edu