Career Blog

Overview

Career Blog

Career development is on everyone’s minds. After all, that’s why most, if not all, of our students come to us. This blog is all about giving you the latest and greatest in what’s going on in the job market. Chock-full of tips and guidance, the Career Blog is a must-read for all students and job seekers.

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Career Blog

It’s a Date: iSchool Poster Session and Reception at CLA Conference Oct. 25

Published: October 21, 2019 by Greta Snyder

If you’re in the greater SoCal area, or can make it to Pasadena, California last minute, you should absolutely come to the SJSU iSchool reception at the California Library Association conference! You don’t need to be a member of CLA to attend this networking opportunity. It’s free to attend and who doesn’t love complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a chance to meet movers and shakers in the field, and to shake hands with some of the iSchool’s incredible instructors and alumni?

Career Blog

Did You Blow Your Last Job Interview: How to Turn It Around

Published: October 12, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt like you belong on a “best of” job-interview fail compilation. Oh, guess what? You’re not alone; we all do. So, let’s be real, the self-doubt fallout is tough to navigate. But deep down you know that to get that dream job you have to keep growing and trying. Time to start adulting:  don’t think of it as rejection and another reason to feel intimidated, spin it as an opportunity for updating your interview prep strategy.

Career Blog

Is Your Workplace Toxic?

Published: September 3, 2019 by Greta Snyder

A large proportion of our iSchool students are also working at full- or part-time jobs, so while focusing on your education and future career as you move through the program is of primary importance, a key part of your ability to manage it all and really grow is being in a good work environment right now. So, what can you do if you’re not?

Career Blog

LIS Career Books Roundup

Published: August 26, 2019 by Kim Dority, SJSU iSchool Career Consultant

Looking for a good career book to help you explore your options in the library and information professions? You’re in luck! The following nearly two dozen titles all address aspects of being an LIS professional, and should help you expand your thinking when it comes to what career paths might fit you, how to build an information career (or careers) that will be rewarding both financially and personally, and how to move from student to happily-employed LIS professional.

Career Blog

Stay Ahead of the Curve

Published: August 21, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Okay, so the summer was busy. No matter if you were working tons of hours, applying for jobs, taking classes, or attempting to finally do some self-care and binge watch your favorite series, go for a hike, or just relax (what’s that again?) you were trying to stay focused in the world-record heat. With fall about to kick in, don’t stress, just find strategic ways to catch up. That’s why I put together a June and July SJSU iSchool News and Blogs highlight reel. So, get smart, and watch this quick recap video, read the overview below and click on stories that will inspire you to keep pushing forward with your education and career.

Career Blog

Unexpected Benefit of the Interview: Confidence

Published: August 9, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Nothing like working a job that doesn’t utilize your education and talent to suck the life out of you and drain your confidence. If you haven’t already moved on, it is time to start breaking up from this vampire job. This isn’t Twilight, you need to leave all the drama and frustration behind and find a new job. You are the star of your own career; when you start going for new opportunities it will re-energize your passion, clarify your goals, and give you that burst of confidence you need to succeed. Go to that interview and get your groove back!

Career Blog

Interview Questions: Bring It On

Published: July 29, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Preparing for a job interview? Then prepare to be caught off-guard with surprising behavioral questions those questions designed to assess how you deal with unanticipated circumstances. First of all, trust your interviewer, they do this all the time so don’t doubt the point of the question. Instead focus on entertaining and impressing. Cool, but how do you do that? By identifying the goal of the question and using your creative problem-solving skills to address the objective with a compelling and clear anecdote. Don’t let the nature of the questions, no matter how weird or intimidating, fill you with doubt. The interviewer wants to get to know you and what it would be like to work with you. Be yourself, see yourself in the job role and take center stage. Be the star of your own interview!

Career Blog

The Secret Key to Finding the Perfect Job

Published: July 25, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Think of finding a job like finding a potential date on Bumble or Tinder. While finding the right information environment in person and starting out as “friends,” or in job terms as an intern, volunteer, or para-professional, can definitely lead to the offer, job searching, like dating, is now often online. So, play career matchmaker for yourself, keep an open mind, cast a broad net, and match your interests and skills to possibilities.

Career Blog

Resume: Check; But, Are You Ready for the Interview?

Published: July 5, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Now that you have revised your resume are you ready for the interview? Last week I focused on the process of upping your resume game with the help of our rock-star SJSU iSchool Career Consultant Jill Klees. I cannot thank her enough for all her insight and guidance; Jill should have a reality show, “resume rescue,” no joke! So after you reach out to Jill for some fine-tuning, it’s probable that your now high-impact resume will land you a chance at job of your dreams. Are your job skills as polished as your resume?

Career Blog

When Did You Last Update Your Resume?

Published: July 5, 2019 by Greta Snyder

So, I don’t know about you, but my resume is a hot mess. You’ve all had so many varied, interesting experiences making you the phenomenally skilled and adaptable blossoming professionals you are today, but how to translate this into one to two pages to get the job of your dreams? Take a deep breath, as summer is the perfect time for a resume refresh that will set you up for job search success.

Career Blog

Summer Reading List: Can’t Miss Essentials and Innovator Guidebooks

Published: June 12, 2019 by Greta Snyder

You started the SJSU iSchool MLIS program because of your insatiable curiosity and desire to grow your career; so, let’s keep up the momentum! Summer is a great time to hit reset, recommit to your values and take some time out for self-care and refreshing your thirst for knowledge by reading some game-changing books. This week’s post will give you a great reading list of interesting and essential nonfiction books for LIS professionals to explore.

Career Blog

Immerse Yourself in New Ways to Learn

Published: May 31, 2019 by Greta Snyder

This summer, take the plunge into new approaches to learning! There is no reason to limit where and how you learn, so take a break from Canvas and explore. And what better way than to close your eyes, recline by the pool, and pop in your headphones with some brilliant LIS advice for company? Luxuriate poolside, hike a new trail, go for a road trip, or enjoy an extra popsicle while you keep building your career and expanding your perspectives with podcasts: summer’s most portable learning tool.

Career Blog

LinkedIn: These Tips Will Keep Your Profile Working for You 24/7!

Published: May 22, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Congratulations to all SJSU iSchool students, staff and faculty on a fantastic semester! I remember the thrill of approaching summer break in Undergrad; the stress in the air, some of us studying frantically while enviously watching those students who had already completed finals drive off into the sunset blasting Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” out of their rolled-down windows. Online learning can sometimes dull the impact of all your hard work and perseverance. Please take a second right now to give yourself a celebratory pat on the back, a chance to take a deep breath, and dedicate a few hours to reflect on your learning and how you can share all of your accomplishments with the world!

Career Blog

The Summer of LinkedIn: Let the Adventure Begin!

Published: May 14, 2019 by Greta Snyder

Summer break is in sight! What are your plans for the break? I plan to go canoeing, dust off the grill to try out some new recipes and to finally update my LinkedIn profile. Summer is the best time for both outdoor adventures and investing in yourself and future career. What better way than by updating your LinkedIn profile? It is time to show off all the amazing things you learned, skills you mastered and the amazing projects you completed this semester.

Career Blog

Why LinkedIn, Why Now?

Published: April 29, 2019 by Greta Snyder

I have to admit that 5 years ago or so when more of my friends and co-workers started using LinkedIn, I thought “oh no, not another Facebook!” While my initial cynicism was understandable, this service has evolved into a powerful niche platform. LinkedIn is now the ultimate online destination for connecting professionally, expanding your network, and marketing yourself in a concise, transparent and fluid way. In fact, LinkedIn has become a key tool for LIS students seeking to find jobs and build relationships that will lead to a wide range of career opportunities. Now is the time to diversify your job search and let LinkedIn do the hard work for you!

Career Blog

One Thing You Can Do Right Now to Build Your Career

Published: April 23, 2019 by Greta Snyder

At this point in the semester, it can be challenging to not feel a little burned out and unsure of the best way to forge ahead. First, we are almost there; I can’t believe it is only a month away until end of Spring semester! Next, ask yourself “what can I do right now to build my career?” This focus is a great way to re-set your perception of progress and growth and re-center your approach to intentional development. Your vision can be telescopic in terms of envisioning your future pathways, but it also needs to be microscopic, otherwise you might miss out on the chances right in front of you, right now.

Career Blog

How to Answer that Pesky ‘Greatest Weakness’ Question

Published: April 1, 2019 by Greta Snyder

As I mentioned previously, I signed up for a free “5-Day Interview Bootcamp” through Big Interview. Day 2 focuses on a tricky question that comes up in most interviews: “What is your greatest weakness?” Is it okay to respond with “interviewing?” Luckily Big Interview once again comes to the rescue with an excellent strategy for nailing this question.