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Library Careers: Resumes and Cover Letters

A collection of resources to use while reviewing and updating your resume.

Welcome!

 

Keeping your resume up to date is crucial, as it allows you to reflect your most current skills, accomplishments, and experiences. Whether you’re seeking new opportunities or simply preparing for the future, keeping your resume current makes it easier to tailor for specific job openings. The library profession is constantly evolving, with new technologies, trends, and demands influencing the field.

We have collected some resources for you on this guide, however this is not a comprehensive listing of every resource available to you. Also consider researching resume-writing tips and seeking feedback from colleagues or professional groups. Additionally, consider reaching out to mentors or joining library-focused career workshops (sometimes available through MLS or ALA). The right resources can make all the difference in presenting your qualifications in the best possible light.

BiblioTemps Presents: Resume Panel 2021

Boston Public Library, Kirstein Business Library

The Boston Public Library, Kirstein Business Library offers one-on-one resume review, interview support, online guides, career development events, and online resources.

GALE PRESENTS: Peterson Career Prep

In partnership with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and with additional funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) provides access and support to a suite of both general reference and specialized statewide databases. 

 

One of these products Gale Presents: Peterson’s Career Prep accommodates job seekers at all levels, whether they are entering the workforce for the first time or searching for new opportunities. Career assessments prompt personalized career recommendations and guidance on programs, knowledge, skills, and ability. Search for open jobs opportunities and create visually interesting résumés, cover letters, and websites that can be externally shared with prospective employers, using prebuilt templates.

 

Generative AI Prompts

If using generative AI for cover letters or resumes please consider these very important points.

  1. Always double check output from generative AI. Even though using job descriptions and resumes in the prompts themselves will help reduce hallucinations and bias, it isn't fool proof. Resume writers should always review carefully and make sure the output isn't claiming job duties or skills they might not have, and that it isn't displaying bias.

  1. Generative AI is so helpful as a first step for drafting and editing, but job seekers should always make sure they rewrite or edit the output so it's in their own voice. Generative AI output can be pretty generic, and many employers can now tell if they're reading an AI-written cover letter. 

  1. Be aware of the privacy and data policies of any genAI tool you use. There may be proprietary or sensitive information in your resumes and cover letters (say, about a project you worked on), and you'll want to be sure that sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII) isn't being used to train the AI model. You should acquaint yourself with a tool's privacy policies, and if possible, change their settings so input won't be used to train the model or use a private or temporary conversation option (ChatGPT lets you do both). Or just be sure that you're not uploading anything sensitive or PII.

The above tips have been contributed by our colleague Jane Stimpson. If you are interested in learning more about AI in general we encourage you to visit her LibGuide: ChatGPT and Generative Artificial Intelligence, attend her regular Community Chat, or register for a future professional development opportunity.

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