Sara Tompson - Candidate for Director - Question #2 - What advice would you give someone in their 20's just entering the profession about how to find and keep a fabulous job as a special librarian or information professional?

 

Always do amazing "reference interviews," on the job, and including the way you approach your job interview!  The reference interview is a valid dialogue no matter what the modality (face-to-face, IM, etc.). Key components of a reference interview to me are:

• LISTEN.
• Reflect.
• Ask for feedback.

Be agile.  Develop and maintain the self-confidence and competencies to be resilient in change situations.

Proactively learn new skills and gain new knowledge.  Be willing to be this sort of proactive person throughout your career.

Get outside your professional comfort zone, particularly regarding with whom you talk, network, hang -- focus on your client/patron base.  E.g., if you are an engineering librarian, hang out with the engineers at least as much if not more than with your librarian colleagues.  This behavior will help ensure you keep acquiring skills and knowledge, and will gain you respect from, and hopefully more, clients/patrons.

Polish and expand your competencies -- here is where you hang with your librarian and info pro colleagues.  Our profession in general (and SLA in particular!) is fantastic in our support for each other.  Tap that networking to grow.

Have some fun!  Stay resilient (see above) by balancing work with family, friends, avocations.