Your Essential Guide to Career Success

Citation

Layzell Ward, P. (2005), "Your Essential Guide to Career Success", Library Review, Vol. 54 No. 3, pp. 205-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530510588999

This is a very worthwhile investment for anyone working in the information and library sector, at any stage in their career. Everyone considers a change of job or direction at some point and reading this short, but very informative, volume provides practical information and factors to take into account.

The text consists of ten chapters that describe the reality of the workplace today, the options for a “master career plan”, starting a career, job applications, promotion plans, interviews and feedback, other opportunities, factors in career planning and four case studies. Two appendices outline typical questions that are likely to be found on an application form, and a model cv. The content is backed up by a list of further sources of information. There is a good index. The style is readable. Every reader will learn something new – I like the authors' “AEIOU” model for job risk assessment – assess, evaluate, improve, observe and update.

The labour market today offers an extended range of opportunities. There are many options beyond the academic, public and special library sectors that were the basic choices in the past – greater specialisation has emerged. Increased geographic mobility means that for a person working in the information sector the opportunities are only limited by language capabilities. Flexible working offers contract, part‐time, job‐shares, annualised hours and often teleworking. The latter can be an attractive option but needs to be carefully examined. (Ensure you live in an area where there is: fast and cheap access to broadband, good mail or courier services, a home from which an office can legally be operated and – make sure that tax complications will not emerge.)

The authors write about the value of mentors who can play a vital role in career development. Identifying a mentor may not be easy – it must be someone whom you respect and who knows your strengths and weaknesses. They should be prepared to talk with you about the good and the less good points – and be someone whose advice you value. CILIP could well follow the lead of the Australian Library and Information Association. Local groups of ALIA have organised mentoring programmes and evaluated the outcomes. Working with local groups has strengthened the association. It enables experienced professionals to work with newcomers, and for newcomers to be matched with someone from outside their employing organisation.

The need for continuing professional development is highlighted – the vital technical, professional and people skills that need to be learned and honed throughout a career. It is not difficult to see how the professional and technical skills change, but there has to be an understanding about the nature of changes as they occur in approaches to management, political and people skills. No one should ever stop learning, attending conferences and meetings, keeping up to date with sources of professional information, and what is happening in the wider world that affects services.

It is well worth an investment of £19.95 – a small price to pay for sound information and advice. Highly recommended.