A: We think that you should not contact all the potential employers to correct your mistake and hope that they will use either your email or your home phone if they want to contact you. A couple of exceptions to this might be if a.) you know someone at a particular place and you could send a friendly email that explains what happened, or b.) one (or two) of these jobs epitomizes your dream job and you feel like you have a good chance at getting an interview and you won’t sleep at night thinking that they are trying to contact you but cannot reach you. If these scenarios are untrue, then don’t waste your time and energy contacting potential employers for a minor error that they probably won’t notice.

Also, keep in mind that (from our experiences) employers/search committees/hiring managers/etc. will typically contact a candidate by email, first, and if they want to setup a phone interview, they will ask you what number is the best for you — and it may not be one of the numbers you provided on your cover letter. It is common for job candidates to be in the midst of moving and phone numbers (and voicemail) can change or get disconnected or just don’t work for whatever reason, so don’t sweat this one. There are much bigger mistakes you could have made. Best of luck to you!

I am very interested in pursuing more education and it seems like it would be an advantage to get a second master’s degree, as academic librarians are being asked to be subject specialists more so these days, and I’d like to get a second degree to do just that (and to remain employable). But I’d like your opinion to know what you think are growing trends in regards to higher education — and what potentially overlooked opportunities there are for academic librarians hoping to specialize. For what it’s worth, I’m the library faculty liaison to the College of Education & Psychology here at the university. But if you could recommend a second master’s specialization that would be appreciated!

SM: This is a great question! I have recommendations for you, but the real answer to your question “What would be the best second masters degree for an academic librarian to get?” is… there is no right answer, and it all depends on the job.

A certain subject degree can be valued more for a specific job, because that job deals with that specific subject. A library might be looking for a reference and instruction librarian, but that librarian might also need to be a subject specialist in history, or political science, or mathematics or whatever subject that particular library needs at the moment. And, since you are currently the liaison to education and psychology, and (let’s say) you want to stay in that position, it “may” be beneficial for you and your library to get that second masters in one of those areas. However, since you are already in the role and didn’t need the second masters to be a liaison, then (it seems like) you could probably pursue any subject you would like, although you may want to talk to your supervisor first. If you imagine that you will be job hunting in the future, think about what roles (if you want to do liaison work, and like you said, many academic librarians do) you would prefer. Also, think about how many people have degrees in the humanities (literature, history, etc.) and how many of these people you may be competing with for any given job. In this case, something a little more obscure (like the natural or applied sciences) might make you more desirable as a candidate and more specialized as a librarian, but there may not be as many of those jobs.

Another option might be to pursue a different kind of degree in something like educational technology, or social media, or computer science, or instructional design, or media studies, or public relations, or marketing, or management… where the second masters degree isn’t so much a “subject” but a skill or tool for you to use in your role as a librarian.

My advice for anyone contemplating getting a second masters degree is to go for something that you want to study, something that interests you, and something that you think will be useful to you as a librarian (in future positions as well as your current position) – and this may not be a typical, straightforward subject degree.

Another piece of advice is do not put yourself into massive debt to get a second masters degree. If you are working in an academic environment or applying to academic librarian positions, ask about tuition remission and look into the types of degrees offered at the institution. And, keep in mind that while many institutions require that you have a second masters degree, many of those will let you get the second masters on the job. And, the best part — they pay for it. These positions will usually state in their job ads that a second masters is required for promotion and tenure. When you apply for these positions, you should say in your cover letter that you are very interested in pursuing a second masters degree. An advantage to getting your second masters degree “on-the-job” is that you may be able to tailor it more to your current role and the needs of the library. A disadvantage is that you are limited to that institution’s (or system’s) offerings.

Whatever path or subject you decide to pursue, just make sure it is something that you enjoy, something that challenges you, and something that will enhance your career.

SM: If you plan on going to library school at some point in the future, to pursue a graduate degree in library and information science (or equivalent), then the graduate courses would be better… because you are applying your money to that one degree. If you choose the certificate, which may be beneficial and help you get a library job (although not a librarian job), and then you decide that you do want to be a librarian, you will need to start over again in the graduate program. The certificate degree really won’t count and you will end up spending more money in the long run. As for what would look best for the admissions department – I think both would look good and show that you are motivated to learn and determined to work in libraries. But (and this is a big but), neither one is necessary to get into an LIS program. So, you might want to wait and apply to graduate school, and get into an LIS program, before spending any extra money on classes. And while you are in the program, work (or intern or volunteer) in a library to get the much needed experience which will help you get a job once you get the degree.

While living in the UK, I have completed a CILIP qualified Masters of Information and Library Management at a UK University. I am living in a rural area of England, and there are very few library jobs. I have been volunteering at a local library and archive for the last few months. I have interviewed for about 4 positions in the last 9 months, but I have not been successful. I got positive feedback for all of the positions, but they decided other candidates were more suitable. Due to not being able to get employment in the UK, I have decided to move back to the US, and am starting to look for library positions in the Greater Philadelphia area.

I am not sure what I am qualified to apply for, and how to best represent myself on paper. A CILIP qualified library master’s degree is recognized as equivalent to an ALA qualified MLS or MLIS, but I am not sure if employers will recognize this. I have been putting information in my materials about the CILIP degree being equivalent to an ALA degree by pointing to the ALA website,  as well as providing a link to a great article comparing graduates from library schools in the US and UK. I also have a previous Masters degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, two and a half years as a research assistant at a large university, some supervisory experience, two years library assistant experience at an academic library, and archival/digital collections experience.  And, do you have any suggestions for ways to break into entry-level academic library roles?

SM: I wouldn’t go too far to point out the fact that your degree is “different.” You don’t want it to stand out as a red flag and you don’t want to make it seem questionable, because it isn’t. The American Library Association states that the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand” have been identified as having “formal” accreditation processes and an individual who has received his/her degree from an institution in one of these countries is considered acceptable for employment in the United States.” [Library programs in Canada are accredited by the American Library Association.]

It can be a bit tricky, figuring out what you should include in your application materials and how much explanation is necessary, because you want to educate those who may not know that other countries have equivalent degrees to the ALA-accredited MLS, but you don’t want to push tons of information at them which could be both distracting (since it doesn’t pertain to the job at hand) and demeaning (because they may already know about foreign library school credentials, or they can easily look up the information on their own). So, I would suggest to err on the subtle side and go with minimal information on the degree and focus on how your background and your experience and your skills relate to the job you are applying for. If you are a finalist for the position, the search committee (director, HR, etc.) will have plenty of time to seek out the history of your degree and ask you questions about it during the interview.

All you really need to do when you apply for jobs are two simple things:

• In your resume, list your degree, as you normally would. For example:

2011 – MA, Library Science, City University London

• In your cover letter, write a sentence or two about getting your degree abroad and mention that the degree is an equivalent degree and you can (if you are so inclined) provide a link to ALA’s page on Library Employment and Foreign Credentials.  And, you might also want to mention that you are a U.S. citizen.

As for breaking into entry-level academic library jobs in the U.S. — just apply for ones that you are qualified for and ones that interest you… and play up your strengths. You have library experience, research experience, supervisory experience, and a second masters, and you’ve lived and worked (volunteered, but that counts!) abroad which may be appealing to some search committees and some academic cultures. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude, seek out library organizations and groups in specific cities you are targeting, network online, and look for more than just entry-level positions (which you may be qualified for).  Good luck!

SM: As long as you are motivated and enjoy what you are doing, I wouldn’t worry too much about the stability of the profession. The profession itself isn’t going anywhere, and as long as there are libraries, there will be librarians. Just remember that there are jobs out there in many different types of libraries and companies and institutions, and the skills that librarians possess are valued by other professions. Librarians go by many different names and yes, we often need to be strategic and creative as we search for jobs. If this is want you want to do, then go for it.

You are already checking out programs and attending open houses, which is a great way to meet people and ask questions about the program, specializations, and specific classes. Here are a few more tips:

• Don’t spend a ton of money on your degree. Librarians do not (typically) make a large salary and you don’t need to put yourself into massive debt for an MLS. As you research library schools, find out about financial aid options and grants and scholarships that you might be able to take advantage of and compare the pros and cons of several different programs.
• While in library school, or even before you start library school, get a job in a library. The MLS is a necessity to be a librarian, but it doesn’t guarantee you a job. Employers want experience, even from those just out of library school. Your past experience as a student worker counts, but more current experience will count even more, and will help you secure a job when you get out of school.
• Brush up on your technology and social media skills. Many employers expect their new(er) librarians to be on top of emerging technologies and trends.
• Try to determine your (librarian) niche. This might be difficult to do until you start library school, or start working in libraries, but you can start thinking about the different roles you might want to pursue (reference, instruction, cataloging, etc.), the types of libraries you might like to work in (special, academic, public, school) and the types of resources you might like to work with (archives, film/media, children’s books, consumer health, electronic resources, etc.).
• Seek out a mentor, whether in a formal program (offered by a school or a library organization) or informally with someone you admire and respect. It is always beneficial to have someone who can provide career advice and serve as a resource for you.
• Find support, encouragement, and comraderie in online forums. There are several blogs and sites and LinkedIn groups for new librarians, or those thinking of becoming librarians. Join up and join in the discussions.

SM:  Many librarians have asked themselves this same question, and many have left the profession and taken jobs in different areas and different sectors. We need to do what we need to do for our own well-being; and a paycheck (for most of us) is a necessity. If you can get a job that you enjoy, the more power to you. Our profession is constantly in a state of flux, no matter what the economy is like, and librarians need to be able to adapt to different roles, different technologies, different environments, and different clientele.

As for getting a PhD in order to compete for librarian positions… I would hold off. Unless you have a burning desire to get that PhD, and you would like to teach in a University one day or become a library director, I think it would be a waste of time and money and it doesn’t guarantee you a job (my apologies to those currently getting their PhDs to complement their MLSs). I am surprised, and somewhat concerned, that you say many libraries in your area are requiring a PhD for librarian positions. It doesn’t surprise me that some libraries might include it in a list of preferred qualifications, but to make it required seems extremely limiting. What next, five years of experience required for entry-level positions?

Here are a few tips and ideas to assist you as you search for jobs (and none of them involve getting a PhD):

• Try to stay positive
  It is difficult to stay positive and cheery when you are looking for jobs and not having any luck, but a good attitude (in person and on paper) will reflect confidence, and this is what employers want see in a candidate.

• Connect with others
  Join local librarian associations/groups, attend meetings and classes and symposia, and network with people. Volunteer for something, use your skills in other ways, in other areas, create and connect at the same time.

• Reinvigorate your materials
  Perhaps it is time to freshen up your resume and cover letter. Remember to customize your materials (yes, even your resume) for each job application. You can tailor your experience and skills to each specific job. The most important two things you need to convey (without sounding overly confident) is 1.) that you can do the job, and 2.) that you really want the job  — not any job, their job.

• Build up your online presence
  Do you have a professional online presence? Well, why not? If you are competing for jobs, you need to have one. It can be minimal and low maintenance such as a profile on a professional network, but prospective employers will expect to find you online, so let them.

• Open your job search
  Stop looking for jobs with librarian in the title. Search with keywords taken from your resume. If you are open to working in other areas (and you might have to be if you are not mobile), you might find a librarian, or librarian-type, position outside of libraries (and there is nothing wrong with that).

In conclusion, don’t give up on the profession — keep an open mind and a positive outlook as you search for jobs. Remember that librarians don’t always work in libraries and other professions often value (and need) our skills and experience. And, if you haven’t discovered them already, check out INALJ (I Need a Library Job).

SM: What a great question! We always love it when people are planning ahead, setting professional goals and getting experience! And, it sounds like you are in a good position to acquire a variety of  skills and experience that will help you prepare for the job market after you get your MLS. As one of our readers pointed out in a recent comment, it is a tough job market out there. You need to be strategic and clever in developing your career path, and you need to arm yourself with the right experience, skills, and tools to compete for the job you want.

There are several things you can do to prepare yourself for graduate school, and for a career as a librarian, while working in a library (and working in a library is one of them, but you already have that covered). Here are just a few:

• Talk to your colleagues about their jobs and their career paths. Get information from people who have worked in the field for a long time. See what they did and ask them what they wish they had done or learned, and what skills they think are necessary for today’s librarian.
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses, your likes and dislikes. What are you good at: public service? cataloging? Are you extremely organized, socially-minded, technologically-driven? Do you love teaching others, do you like working with children? Do you want a career in public libraries? A good way to figure out what you want to do, and what you don’t want to do, is to get all the experience you can in all different areas and different types of libraries.
• Create something professional for your job: web sites or tutorials or handouts or guides. This will give you something tangible to show a potential employer. If that isn’t part of your current job, talk to your supervisor and see if you can develop something, or assist others who are creating materials in your library.
• Get involved with local library organizations or associations. Volunteer for committees or join discussion groups. This is a great way to network with people in your community and learn about other libraries and other jobs.
• Create a professional online identity, outside of your job: create profiles on social community sites, blog or tweet or join groups and conversations in LinkedIn. You want to be findable online.
• Identify schools that you would like to attend, look at their course offerings, their specializations, their instructors, their web sites, their tuition and fees, and their career services. Contact them to get more information, and ask about possible grants and scholarships.

More information on scholarships and grants:

American Library Association Scholarships

College Scholarships.org

ED.gov

Peterson’s College Search: Scholarships, Loans, Financial Aid, & the FAFSA

SM: It really depends on your situation, so I’m not going to tell you to put graduate school on hold, but I will tell you that you need to have that experience under your belt before you graduate. So, if you do decide to pursue your MLS immediately after getting your BA, then plan on working in a library while you attend school.

I do think that working in a library before going to library school can be beneficial because it gives you a better sense of what the profession is like and you will (most likely) figure out what you like to do and what you don’t like to do, what you are good at and what you are not so good at; which will help you to design your curriculum when you enter library school, and help you to be more selective with future job prospects and/or internships. When looking for jobs, keep your options open and get as much experience (in different areas, different roles, different technologies) as you can. You may even be drawn to a type of role or type of library that you hadn’t even considered.

Another benefit of getting a job before going to graduate school is that you might be able to keep your job while you attend library school. And, another good thing about getting that first library job is that it makes it so much easier to get your next library job. Even if you work in a public library for a year or so, and then move to another state for library school, you will have that necessary [public] library experience which will help get you a job in your new location. We can’t say it enough: the degree is necessary, but it really comes down to experience, experience, experience.

SM: To work in a public library as a librarian, you will need to have an MLS (or MLIS or equivalent). School libraries have different requirements for library media specialists and don’t always require an MLS degree. Working as a library (or librarian) trainee is a wonderful way to get experience while getting your degree. These temporary positions usually require you to be enrolled in an ALA-accredited library program and they are specifically designed to train you to be a librarian. If you have any questions or concerns, you should contact the human resources department of the library and speak to someone about the requirements for the job.

Useful Sites:

Education and Careers for School Librarians

Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

Careers in Public Librarianship

Directory of ALA-Accredited Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies