We get it. Looking for work can be scary, especially if you’ve been at it for a long time and haven’t gotten any results.
Understanding which fears are getting in the way and how to overcome them will make all the difference. Sometimes you might not be aware of which obstacle is getting in the way of your goals. If you want to overcome these fears once and for all, we invite you to join us!
In this training, you’ll learn how to:
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Although some companies may have no budget left for hiring, others still have openings they need to fill by the end of the fiscal year. That means it's unwise to assume a company won't be bringing on new candidates unless they announce a hiring freeze.
The savvy job hunter maintains job search momentum throughout the holiday season and finds fresh ways to leverage networking to open doors with hiring employers. After all, there are increased opportunities to network offline throughout this period, and each event you attend offers the gift of connecting with people you haven't met or haven't seen in a while.
Also, since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual networking has become an essential part of your career, allowing you to continue to grow your professional network from the comfort of your own home. Over the holidays, attending a few virtual networking events will be easy, since you should already be familiar with them from your experience working from home or attending some in the past.
As you launch your own holiday networking campaign, make sure you avoid these “naughty" tactics and follow the "nice" holiday networking tips instead.
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1. Focusing only on your search needs. Leverage a give-to-get strategy instead by cultivating your relationship with the people you encounter in your holiday merrymaking. Ask them astute questions about their workplace needs, and look for ways you can help.
2. Asking for jobs, information, or leads without offering to give one or more of the same first.Above all else, the holiday season is a time to connect in meaningful ways with people you already know and those you don't. You can't do this if your sole focus is on you.
3. Pushing your job search agenda on influential contacts. If you focus on proving your usefulness first, you won't have to push your agenda at all.
4. Sending out networking requests disguised as holiday greetings. Remember: you don't have to ask for something each time you connect with your network. Focus on giving something every time instead.
5. Expecting quick responses from anyone about anything. The closer we get to Christmas and New Year's, the more delay you can expect in any job-search-related communication. Accept this and move on.
Focus your holiday energies on leveraging these "nice" door-opening strategies even Santa would love...
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1. Attending a wide variety of holiday events and being prepared to make connections. Whether you're going to parties or open houses, joining a friend for a company event, or enjoying dinner with one or more friends, use every outing to gather insight and information. Replace your usual holiday networking outings with virtual networking events if you have safety concerns (or just like the convenience of it).
2. Preparing a two-sided business card for on-the-spot networking. Present your personal branding statement on side one, and showcase your experience, credentials, and impacts briefly on side two. If a two-sided card is too small, try a fold-over card that allows you to print text inside and out. If this is still too small, why not try a postcard instead?
3. Building a holiday list. Like Santa, you need to know what everyone on your target list is seeking. Ask the contacts and job seekers you meet how you can help them, and keep a record of their responses for immediate follow-up. Look for ways to refer job seekers to recruiters and companies, and suggest recruiters and companies to job seekers.
4. Proactively referring potential candidates to recruiters, companies, and hiring managers. Be the star in your network by preparing a brief intro about job seekers you know and feel comfortable recommending, then offer their contact information (with permission, of course) to recruiters and companies that match the job seekers' search targets.
5. Following up promptly. Don't let those holiday connections go to waste! Make sure you follow up with new members of your network soon after meeting them, to let them know how nice it was connecting with them, and to keep the communication lines open.
6. Using the period between Christmas and New Year's to re-contact all previous interviewers. Let your past interviewers know that you're still available. I've known more than one candidate who reopened an opportunity by proactively reaching out during an otherwise slow period.
7. Sending out New Year's greetings to influential contacts in your network. Include a short, brand-driven message about your value proposition, assuming that you have previously sent a holiday message with zero branding included. This strategy allows you to refresh the memories of your influential contacts with your candidacy as they put the holidays behind them and return to work in the new year.
Remember persistence and assertiveness are always in season. When paired with smart search strategies, your holiday networking can yield a bounty of new gifts in the new year.
Networking is something most professionals struggle with. But the truth is, your network is your net worth.
If you don't have a strong network, your career will suffer. It will also make your job search more difficult than it needs to be.
Need help building your professional network? We can help!
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
How much you will eventually earn with your MLS depends a great deal on the type of library in which you are working. With a master’s degree, you should have the qualifications to handle many top jobs as a librarian.
In 2011, it was found that around 40% of librarians in the United States work in either elementary or secondary schools. Those librarians earned approximately $59,000 per year. Also, note that librarians who work at universities tend to earn a higher salary—around $65,000 per year. If you are fortunate enough to get a librarian job with the federal government, you can earn $80,000 per year.
Some of the highest-paying careers and titles in the field of librarianship include the following:
The highest-paid librarian usually has one of these four job titles: federal government librarian, university librarian, special librarian, and curator.
If you want to become a librarian, a master's degree in library science is preferred, and often required, for most librarian positions, according to the American Library Association.
According to Indeed, the best undergraduate degrees to receive before earning your master's degree in library science are:
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Every government agency has its very own library, such as the Air Force Materiel Command, Library Of Congress, Health & Human Services, Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Archives. Most of the higher-paying federal librarian positions require an MLS to be considered. It is possible with enough experience and education to be paid more than $70,000 per year. These jobs are highly competitive, so the better your education and work-related experience—including volunteer library work—the better.
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Librarians who specialize in universities and colleges will usually be better paid than those who work in primary or secondary schools, with a median salary of around $62,000 per year. Colleges usually have endowments and have larger budgets than many school systems. Remember that these jobs are competitive, and many universities will expect you to have your MLS, and possibly another master’s degree or even Ph.D. in a related field.
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Many medical schools, hospitals, corporations, and other entities have special libraries that need to be effectively sorted and managed. The median salary in the field is about $56,000 per year. Your chances of landing this type of librarian position increase if you have a strong academic background in the particular type of library you want to manage. If you are trying to obtain a librarian position in a legal library, it is very helpful to have legal experience and possibly an advanced degree in political science or public policy. If you are looking for a job in a medical library, a degree in the life sciences is beneficial.
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A curator is responsible for important collections of artwork or historic artifacts. Most of these professionals work at zoos, museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, and historical sites. The median pay is approximately $49,000 per year, and most conservators need to have a master’s degree.
Keep in mind some other important details if you are looking for a good salary as a librarian:
Never underestimate how competitive the librarian job market is. Often, just an MLS is not enough to assure you will get the job. Get as much practical work experience in libraries as you can, to ensure your best chances for a choice librarian job.
If you're struggling to find a career or job you're passionate about, you're not alone. The good news is we can help.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
