Comments on: Notes on Reading Resumes

By: Swiss Army Librarian » Great Job Opening: Head of Reader Services :: Brian Herzog

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:04:48 +0000

[...] Job Board. General employment information is also on our website (and I still like my unofficial rules for resumes, too). Tags: job, jobs, libraries, Library, opening, openings, position, posting, [...]

By: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students and Library Job Seekers | Librarian by Day

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:08:43 +0000

[...] Notes on Reading Resumes – tips from Brian Herzog [...]

By: pw

pw — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:46:12 +0000

I’ve done some recruiting in the library field and other industries. All good points except the .pdf format– use WORD 2003 as not everyone has 2007.
And an objective or purpose is just a waste of time, usually doesn’t tell me anything.
thanks for posting.

By: The Best Advice On Finding A Librarian Job From Around The Web from LIS News « Phx Friends of UA SIRLS

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:11:22 +0000

[...] at Swiss Army Librarian Brian Herzog has Notes on Reading Resumes. He lists 15 ideas from reading over 50 resumes for a single [...]

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:02:58 +0000

Having just vetted over 200 resumes, I came up with the same observations, plus a couple more: 1) avoid using lateral co-workers as references–we had two applicants who used each other as a reference, and 2) don’t say “you’d love to work for college X” when you’ve sent your app to college Y.

By: lis.dom » on reading cover letters and resumes

lis.dom » on reading cover letters and resumes — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:56:49 +0000

[...] invaluable Swiss Army Librarian posted some Notes on Reading Resumes a few weeks back. At my library, I am also on a committee that is evaluating 40+ applications for a [...]

By: Brian Herzog

Brian Herzog — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:39:45 +0000

@Lisa: Maybe I’m too much of a parser, but I do see a difference between someone with initiative who wants to be challenged and someone for who our job would be a challenge. What I was trying to say was that I didn’t like it when candidates focused on what they would get out of the job – whether it be just a paycheck, or new skills/experience, or whatever.

Incidentally, one candidate said during the interview that they were applying for any job that came open, because they wants something that will pay enough so they can buy a house – which is fine, but that’s not why we’re hiring someone.

I absolutely get your point, and I think it’s very close to mine. We’re hiring someone who has the background and disposition to help the library and our patrons, and grow and make things better in the position however they can. What bothered me were the candidates who didn’t get the two-way street concept – the ones who focused in their resume solely on what they expected to get from the position.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:09:49 +0000

I have to respectfully disagree about the second part of #7. Perhaps I have a different perspective since I work in academia, but as someone pursuing a degree in human resource development, I don’t see the hiring process as a one-sided deal. Yes, of course, you want employees to contribute to the organization and fulfill their job duties, but if all they’re interested in is a paycheck, I think that’s rather short-sighted. Obviously, the employee benefits from getting paid but lack of challenge is not a motivator for a lot of folks. Perhaps few applicants would be transparent about wanting to build their skill set, but how else can that happen (in most cases), but on the job? (If you believe as I do that school is for the broader education and the workplace is for training in context.) Employment should be a two-way street, mutually beneficial to both parties, which is why the candidate interviews the employer too.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:58:55 +0000

This is an excellent post, with some valuable advice. I am currently attempting to get my first trainee post in a library, and taking a structured approach by looking at each aspect of my application, from approaching possible employees, to applications/resumes/interviews. This post has given me a lot more to think about and ways of improving my chances at getting an interview. Thank you!

By: Weekly Digest for July 22nd « May Yan

Weekly Digest for July 22nd « May Yan — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 06:50:08 +0000

[...] Shared Swiss Army Librarian » Notes on Reading Resumes :: Brian Herzog. [...]