Job Search Question

SamIam · 04-19-2012, 10:46 AM

I don't know where this belongs, but employee/employers have a work relationship, right?

Here's the deal. The public library in Durango has an opening for an assistant librarian. This job is far down the heirarcy from the positions I once held as a professional librarian. I don't know that I could perform the work of library director or faculty member in an academic library as I once did, but this job sound like I'd have a chance at being successful at it, anyway.

But it's been 10 years and more since I worked in my own field. I feel the treatment and meds I have received allow me to function far better than I did during the time period when I first became disabled.

The thought occurred to me to go down to the library and strike up an informal chat with the head librarian, ask her about the library and stuff and explain a little of my own situation and that I'm interested in the job.

I'm thinking that this might be one way of getting over the difficulty of my huge career gap.

Or would that be sort of be "bush" or a turn off? I don't want anyone's sympathy or special treatment, I just want a fighting chance.

Thanks to anyone who can give me some input!

infinite monkey · 04-19-2012, 10:54 AM

My friend got a job recently right off the bat, and I think because after the initial interview she stated she wanted the job and if there was anyone else she could talk to about her prospects she would like to meet them too.

By outlining some of your history you're not asking for sympathy or special treatment. You are a unique person with your own unique history. Explain why you would be perfect for the job now!

Good luck!

wolf · 04-19-2012, 11:32 AM

I would go for it. You become a person rather than merely a CV that way, especially since your CV has a bit of a hole in it, one filled by some interesting adventures to be sure, and you can surely mention that you have experience in dealing with unusual situations, and have the ability to calm down a herd of overly loud seniors who are monopolizing the tables in the reference department. And goats.

glatt · 04-19-2012, 11:35 AM

My wife got her job as a floater sub by just going in to the office at the school when she heard there was going to be an opening and telling them she wanted the job. They knew her as a parent and liked her. She was hired on the spot, although had to jump through a bunch of hoops to make it official. There were apparently others waiting for an official announcement before throwing their hats into the ring, and they didn't get the job.

My point is that if you are able to talk to the decision makers personally, that's way better than sending in a piece of paper and hoping yours get picked. The worst they can do is say "send in your resume, and we'll see."

DanaC · 04-19-2012, 11:44 AM

Also it gies you a chance to put it out there that they could get someone very experienced for a lower position wage.

ZenGum · 04-19-2012, 07:08 PM

DOOOO IIIITTTTT!!!!!

Definitely go and make human contact.
If possible, bring your CV/resume with you, just in case.
If you aren't already, familiarise yourself with their library.
Spend the night before with a pen and paper jotting down all the things you can remember from your previous library job, to jog your memory of the sorts of things that happen there.

All dwellars with visualising, manifesting or other powers, get busy!

monster · 04-19-2012, 08:21 PM

Go for it!

DanaC · 04-20-2012, 06:24 AM

I'm manifesting right now. Mmmm.

04-19-2012, 10:46 AM	#1
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	Job Search Question I don't know where this belongs, but employee/employers have a work relationship, right? Here's the deal. The public library in Durango has an opening for an assistant librarian. This job is far down the heirarcy from the positions I once held as a professional librarian. I don't know that I could perform the work of library director or faculty member in an academic library as I once did, but this job sound like I'd have a chance at being successful at it, anyway. But it's been 10 years and more since I worked in my own field. I feel the treatment and meds I have received allow me to function far better than I did during the time period when I first became disabled. The thought occurred to me to go down to the library and strike up an informal chat with the head librarian, ask her about the library and stuff and explain a little of my own situation and that I'm interested in the job. I'm thinking that this might be one way of getting over the difficulty of my huge career gap. Or would that be sort of be "bush" or a turn off? I don't want anyone's sympathy or special treatment, I just want a fighting chance. Thanks to anyone who can give me some input! Last edited by SamIam; 04-19-2012 at 10:52 AM.

04-19-2012, 11:32 AM	#3
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I would go for it. You become a person rather than merely a CV that way, especially since your CV has a bit of a hole in it, one filled by some interesting adventures to be sure, and you can surely mention that you have experience in dealing with unusual situations, and have the ability to calm down a herd of overly loud seniors who are monopolizing the tables in the reference department. And goats. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

04-19-2012, 07:08 PM	#6
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	DOOOO IIIITTTTT!!!!! Definitely go and make human contact. If possible, bring your CV/resume with you, just in case. If you aren't already, familiarise yourself with their library. Spend the night before with a pen and paper jotting down all the things you can remember from your previous library job, to jog your memory of the sorts of things that happen there. All dwellars with visualising, manifesting or other powers, get busy! __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

04-19-2012, 08:21 PM	#7
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Go for it! __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

04-19-2012, 10:54 AM	#2
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	My friend got a job recently right off the bat, and I think because after the initial interview she stated she wanted the job and if there was anyone else she could talk to about her prospects she would like to meet them too. By outlining some of your history you're not asking for sympathy or special treatment. You are a unique person with your own unique history. Explain why you would be perfect for the job now! Good luck!

04-19-2012, 11:35 AM	#4
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	My wife got her job as a floater sub by just going in to the office at the school when she heard there was going to be an opening and telling them she wanted the job. They knew her as a parent and liked her. She was hired on the spot, although had to jump through a bunch of hoops to make it official. There were apparently others waiting for an official announcement before throwing their hats into the ring, and they didn't get the job. My point is that if you are able to talk to the decision makers personally, that's way better than sending in a piece of paper and hoping yours get picked. The worst they can do is say "send in your resume, and we'll see."

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)