Thing 21: Job Descriptions, Interviews & Self Promotion

I have updated my CV in the past 2 years due to the threat of redundancy. Everything noted on the CPD23 webpage is very apt. Really reading the Job Description closely and targeting your CV or application to those key qualities or skills is a bit like doing an exam question. As out teachers always said, read the question 3 times before putting pen to paper.

I firmly believe in keeping a running profolio, not just of good work and skills aquired, but a diary of whenever someone within the organisation actually says thank you, or well done! Sadly, these comments don't come often enough. Not because the work isn't up to scratch, but because people just don't seem to say thank you anymore. Instead, senior management rely on the old adage: 'You've all done very well' a phrase coined by Young Mr Grace in Are you Being Served! I believe a more personal approach has far more effect on anyone in the service industry let alone Libraraies.

As far as job seeking is concerned, where are the jobs?! We can prepare as much as we like, but there are so many of us going for the few jobs that appear, that its going to be tough out there. I have been lucky enough to be shortlisted 4 times in the past year for professional posts in school libraries. I must be doing something right. Then it's down to the interview. Employers seem to be very cautious about what sort of person they are actually looking for. If your face doesn't fit, then no amount of preparation will help. Although employers are obliged to give you information about why you have been rejected, again it's couched in very general terms that aren't particularly helpful. I also think that employers are ageist still, even if they don't admit it. Younger people are cheaper and they are looking at the economics as much as the person. I think it's a bit like going on a blind date! So much of the interview/date is about chemistry that you can't take things too personally if it all goes wrong.Ned Potter's blog post is fabulous advice. Prepre a many of those tricky questions as possible!

What about all those other interests? I for one have very little time running a home, family and a full-time job, so watching my son play sport at the weekend doesn't look that great! So a little bit of stretching the truth to go back to a time when I did have time is all that I can muster. However, by doing a bit of research on the organisation can help: If it's a forward looking employer with lots of technology that gives a few clues, as does a tradition set up. Volunteering shows a bit of commitment, and helping to run an organisation such as a football team shows leadership skills. As Tesco says "every little helps".