How to apply for library jobs

General application guidance

When applying for a job in a university library, it's crucial to carefully read the job specification and tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications. The job specification provides detailed information about the duties, required skills, and qualifications needed for the position. Thoroughly understanding these requirements will allow you to effectively demonstrate how your background aligns with what the university library is seeking.

Begin by reading and analysing the job description, noting key responsibilities and required competencies. For each requirement, reflect on your experiences and consider how they relate. University libraries often seek candidates with a blend of technical skills, customer service experience, and an ability to support academic research. If you have direct experience in these areas, ensure they are prominently featured in your application. If your experience is more tangential, highlight how it is relevant. Experience of working in a public library or any customer service role can be helpful. It shows that you can assist people, keep things organised, and manage resources effectively.

It’s also important to recognise and articulate when your experience in different settings can be relevant. Skills like database management, information retrieval, and familiarity with academic resources can be gained in various roles, not just in a university library. Emphasise these transferable skills and provide real-life examples of how you have used them effectively. For example, if the job requires experience with digital cataloguing, describe your previous work with database systems or any projects where you organised digital information.

Make sure that you provide specific examples to illustrate your proficiency with required skills. Instead of stating you have "good organisational skills," describe a project where you successfully managed a complex information system or implemented a new filing system that improved efficiency. Quantify your achievements when possible, such as noting the percentage by which you reduced retrieval times or increased user satisfaction.

Taking this approach will help to demonstrate your suitability for the role and significantly improve your chances of securing a position in a university library.