The goal of the SLIS Career Servcies Office is to offer additional support to SLIS students as they begin preparing for their job searches. SLIS graduate students are thoroughly capable of searching for jobs on their own. And, there are a number of resources already available (SLIS faculty advisors, internship program, on-campus interviews, student organizations, Director of Admissions and Placement, Beta Phi Mu, IU resources, web and library resources). But, we wanted to do more.

"A Place to Start" is the sub-title of the career office. Why? It helps define the goals of the office. We would like to encourage students to start thinking about the job search process early. We want them to think about their résumé, the interview process, and networking. We want them to understand how job ads are posted in this field. We want to promote professional association involvement. We want students to understand resources available at Indiana University, and in the field of library and information science. We want our students to be confident in themselves, and in their knowledge about the job search process.

New SLIS students may stop by the office for general ideas. We hope that having a peer (a fellow SLIS student) as someone to brainstorm with will help students confidently begin necessary job search preparations. Students nearing completion of their degree may want to have a practice interview. They may want to contribute ideas and time to improving the career resources at SLIS.

The office will staffed by SLIS Student Career Analysts. These students are part of a "think tank" environment designed to improve easy access to resources. They will post full-time job openings to the SLIS_JOBS-L Listserv (established by Associate Dean Howard Rosenbaum) and to the SLIS Website. They will work on web resources for the SLIS Website - Career Section. They will conduct Practice Interviews with students. On November 10, 2010, they hosted an Open House for the SLIS Career Services Office. 33 students attended, and suggestions were collected. They will help promote other career events offered by SLIS and IU. They will work with the SLIS Student Organizations. They will report to and work with the SLIS Director of Admissions and Placement, Rhonda Spencer.

As is the current practice, students may schedule appointments with Rhonda Spencer to talk about career questions and their résumé. Additionally, they may contact her to reserve the SLIS Career Services Office for a Phone Interview, or for a Student Group Meeting. Her office is in SLIS, Room 011-A. Her phone number is (812.855.2666), and her email address is (spencerr@indiana.edu).

The SLIS Career Services Office is located in SLIS, Wells Library, Room 030-A.

SLIS Student Career Analysts
Email: slisjobs@indiana.edu
Office Phone: 812.855.3247

SLIS Director of Admissions and Placement
Rhonda Spencer
Email: spencerr@indiana.edu
Phone: 812.855.2666

Stop by the Career Services Office, or schedule a Practice Interview (email: slisjobs@indiana.edu). For most weeks during Summer 2012, SLIS Student Career Analysts will staff the office on Tuesdays from 1:00-5:00 p.m., and Wednesdays/Thursdays from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Practice Interviews are designed to build confidence. They provide an opportunity to work on general answers to interview questions. They offer a chance for you to prepare what you might say in an interview.

Email [slisjobs@indiana.edu] to set up a Practice Interview with a SLIS Student Career Analyst. The interview will be during the regular Career Services Office Hours. It will be scheduled for 30 minutes.

Preparation:

• Pick a job ad of interest to you.
• Provide a copy of the ad when you schedule your Practice Interview.
• Research that organization.
• Be able to talk about why you want to work there.
• Know your strengths.
• Know how to describe your education.
• Be able to say how your background matches their job description.
• Dress appropriately for the Practice Interview.
• Consider this a "dress rehearsal" for future real interviews.
• Arrive on location 30 minutes early.
• Observe if arriving early helps you relax and feel ready.
• During the interview - maintain good eye contact.
• Be prepared, awake, respectful, interested.

Office Phone: 812.855.3247
The SLIS Career Services Office is available as a quiet place for a phone interview. There is a computer in the room. Employers can call in. Students may call an employer using a toll-free or local phone number. Long distance service is not provided.

Room 030-A can be reserved for a phone interview during "Non-Office Hours". Contact Rhonda Spencer to schedule the space -- in person (SLIS, Room 011-A), by phone (812.855.2666), or by email (spencerr@indiana.edu).

Arrive 30 minutes early for your phone interview.
Stop by the SLIS Office to get the key.
Bring a bottle of water.
Post the "Phone Interview In Session" sign on the door.

While not a service of the SLIS Career Services Office, there are two rooms available in this building for Skype interviews.

Skype interview calls can be made in the Communications Rooms, Wells Library, 4th Floor, West Tower. This is only available for IU students.

Room 030-A can be reserved for Student Group meetings during "Non-Office Hours". Contact Rhonda Spencer to schedule the space -- in person (SLIS, Room 011-A), by phone (812.855.2666), or by email (spencerr@indiana.edu).

Get involved with SLIS Student Organizations. These groups can help you better understand networking, continuing education, publication opportunities, and conference participation within the field of library and information science.