|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 10/28/2008
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: Sarasota, FL
|
Hello all,
I am a recent MLIS grad with six years of paraprofessional library experience (both public and academic). While currently working in SW Florida, I'm trying to relocate to the SF Bay Area. I have two questions, regarding my cover letters.
First, if I am applying for a non-professional position (Library Assistant), I'm wondering if having an MLIS degree might lower my chances, because an employer may think me overqualified (and thus not likely to hold onto the position for long before trying for a librarian position). Is it prudent of me to include in my cover letter a statement to the effect that I would be quite happy with a paraprofessional library position?
Also, I am wondering if the fact of my geographical distance from my target libraries might make employers question whether or not I am committed to relocating. I would think that the fact that I'm applying for the position communicates that I'm ready to relocate.... but does anyone think it might be helpful to add a statement explicitly saying so?
Thanks in advance for any advice...
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 10/29/2008
Posts: 1
Points: 3
|
We just hired 2 paraprofessionals. One ended up having an MLS, even though it wasn't required for the job. We had a TON of applicants for both positions, and most of them were local, so we really did not pay much attention to the people from a great distance who were wanting to relocate. Had they been professional positions, location wouldn't have mattered. But we did not have the budget to bring in people to interview from a distance for a paraprofessional position and we had so many qualified local applicants that it wasn't necessary. So your distance combined with the fact that you are applying for a paraprofessional position together are probably hurting you.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 94
Points: 291
Location: kansas
|
If you are planning to move there within a certain time period, just say that you expect to be living there by XX date, and hope to be working within a month of arrival. If you are waiting for a job to open up before moving, you will have a harder time getting in as a para. I would be hard-pressed to hire an out-of-state person for my library, given the number of people looking within the community. If you are applying for a professional position, I would consider you from out of state. So, I think I am saying the same thing as Librarian99.
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 10/28/2008
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: Sarasota, FL
|
Thank you both for your input-- it's definitely helpful to hear from two people that employers may not ignore out of state applicants for professional positions, though they likely may do so for paraprofessional ones. Most positions I've applied for are professional, and that's what I really want.... but I'm not about to let any other potential good job pass me by! If the San Fran area had more affordable housing, I cold consider moving and then jobhunting, but elsewhere I read that doing so would be a big gamble, and I could easily lose my savings in rent while trying to get my foot in the door. I've got a couple of encouraging leads, and stable fulfilling work where I am in the meantime, so it's all about patience, I suppose. :)
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
, Resumes - Moderator
Joined: 1/3/2008
Posts: 46
Points: -150
Location: http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com
|
plastron wrote:Hello all,
Is it prudent of me to include in my cover letter a statement to the effect that I would be quite happy with a paraprofessional library position?
I would not include this. The fact that you are applying for the position in the first place leads one to assume you would be happy with the position.
Check out the Talking Books Librarian blog at http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 94
Points: 291
Location: kansas
|
I would be more inclined to say you are excited about the prospect of working for that library, or doing that job, than saying I want to live in SF. Of course, if you can fit your excitment about living in SF into the same sentence, it wouldn't hurt. And good luck!
|
|
|
Guest |
