in General, Libraries/Info Sci

ALA 2005 – Job Search

When: Saturday, June 25 2005
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago IL
My Role: Attendee
There were two main reasons I went to ALA this year – the Library Journal Blogger’s Roundtable, and the job search prospects. Both were amazingly successful!

The ALA Placement Services section opened Friday morning at 9. I was there, along with Lori, Emily and Melissa from Pitt. We made up a substantial part of the line waiting to get in!

ALA has an internet messaging system set up, wherein you post your resume. Employers can browse/search it and get in touch with you, or you can pick out interesting employers and contact them. Alternately, job hunters can wander the booths talking to the 20 or so “official” recruiters there.

I went in with one interview scheduled. By the time I left I had a number of informal chats, 3 interviews, one request for a second interview, and most notably a job offer! The system works! I had a number of other employers who weren’t present at the conference contact me as well, so I’ve sent out e-mails and am waiting to hear back.

I suppose I should talk about the job offer. I don’t want to identify who it is (or the others I interviewed with) publicly until my mind is made up. But the offer is very tempting, and I’m thrilled to have any offer at all – its a wonderful feeling to know that my skills actually fill a need and someone is interested.

Especially since graduation is a mere five weeks away now. Man, time has gone fast!

So watch this space for more news.