I got the standard “we are moving forward with other candidates” email. They got 500 applications. FIVE HUNDRED for a part time bookseller role. Holy god. I may never get another job again 
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Oh my goodness that is overwhelming.
imo we have moved past the usefulness of online job postings & applications, and moved back to the bad old days of really needing to work personal networks and physical proximity.
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Yeah it’s seeming that way!!!
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Was supposed to be today…got an email it has been cancelled. Cool!
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Alright. Not going to let myself give in to despair after two teensie setbacks. Keep it moving.
There is an in-person ALA career thingy at the ALA conference–I am lucky I live in Chicago so all I need to attend is a babysitter (I’d go on a Friday instead of the weekend). Registered for that and reached out to my mom about Ziti coverage.
Applied for a CPL Librarian 1 role and a Library Clerk role, because fuck it
Applied for a Library Assistant role at Northwestern. There is an Electronic Resources Access Librarian opening that I will apply for tomorrow but 3 apps in a day is enough 
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OK looks like none of the employers registered for the job fair are in IL so that might be a bust but these other events are free:
Of course they’re all on the weekend. But I think it could be worthwhile to throw some money at babysitters or recruit local family so I can prioritize attending for even one of the two days to hit some of these. Then Sunday my grad school is hosting a free networking thing in the evening which should be easy to get to bc DH can take the kids to my in-laws.
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I am applying for a job. It’s library and academic support at a private high school near me. Lots of the teachers where I used to teach have migrated over there. I have no idea how we’ll handle childcare if I go back to full time work (we’re committed to her very part-time preschool). But I keep telling myself we can figure it out when/if that happens.
It’s too late at night to be doing this but it’s due tomorrow so. I can do it
Later edit: I did most of a cover letter. It feels very “tell, not show” and I’m not sure how to fix that in a short time. I’ll put finishing touches on it tomorrow.
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IMO cover letters kinda gotta tell. You can show in the interview
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I guess I’m just cognizant of rehashing the resume and not adding anything valuable. I made some improvements this morning. Anyway, it’s done! Now we wait.
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It’s not your fault it’s a bad system!!
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Emailed back friend of friend who works at CPL main branch in the office. We are getting coffee in July!
I have a few jobs to apply for this week:
Library Assistant at Chicago Botanic Gardens (!!!) – PT and almost min wage, but what a cool foot in the door that’d be- Library & Research Services Analyst at Sidley Austin (could be interesting to apply library skills at a big company but obviously very different than a public library)
- Library Operations Specialist at Fisher Phillips (seems similar to the one above, would be fully remote so I’m less into this one)
Complete Special Library Association profile/resume
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Unsure if qualified but I will apply for this one if it’s still open next week
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I applied for a PT librarian job with City Colleges. This is exactly the kind of role I most want right now. Yes, it would involve some nights and weekends, but for part time, that’s fine and something my family can handle. It would be exactly the kind of experience I need at exactly the kind of place I want to get it!!!
Off to apply for a law library assistant. Less of a perfect fit but still a job!
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Two applications in this week, and two emails fired off–one a reply to Old Volunteer School Librarian who does want me back and is checking about any requirements I need to renew. Another to a friend’s friend who I would like to meet for an informational interview.
Keep
It
Moving!
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There is a Page posting, different than a Clerk I guess, for CPL. Sheesh, I feel like I’m stuck in this place where I am overlooked for Page/Clerk roles bc I have my MLIS but then passed over for Librarian/Associate roles because I don’t have direct library experience and I hate!!! But I will persist!!! Nevertheless, my emails!!!
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Amazing work on all that progress! I hope something sticks eventually
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A real lineup of a burst of energy and a bunch of tasks waiting for me!!!
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Yeah, Pages are probably strictly materials handling vs Clerks doing desk work and/or working with accounts, in my experience.
Maybe you can sell in your cover letter for a page role how you are looking for the particular schedule they offer or something to imply you’ll be very happy doing routine work on a set pt schedule. The MLIS over-qualification dilemma is real
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does it makes sense to drop that off the resume for those applications? or do you then not get considered at all?
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