Placements & Salaries 2015: Skills for the Search

Respondents commented on the challenges of the search, with many noting that it was essential to develop the skills needed for the search and to be prepared to devote significant energy to the process. These are different from the professional LIS skills that were part of their degree program. New for this year, we are looking beyond the outcome of the search and focusing on the search process itself in hopes of providing future graduates with some insight for developing their own successful strategies. The search process begins while seekers are still students. Schools offer support to students in a variety of ways. Most schools (92%) post job opportunities and openings on Listservs. About half the schools post announcements on bulletin boards (both physical and electronic). Only about a third of the schools offer formal placement centers within the school, although some noted support at the university level. Half the schools noted they created job awareness through a variety of other channels, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and blogs; supporting student chapters of professional associations; engaging alumni; and participating in information sessions or career fairs. Some schools noted that they offer individual career advisement or rely on personal outreach to employers.