From ALA and ALA-APA President-Elect Camila Alire:

Attending conferences and networking go hand-in-hand when looking for a job.  I have always looked at attending conferences as in investment in my career, both from the standpoint of making contacts (networking) and professional development.

Attending the ALA Annual Conference, Midwinter Meeting, or division conferences (and other conferences) can be a great opportunity for the job seeker to network while pursuing professional development – workshops, seminars, pre-conference programs.  Making contacts with vendors in the exhibit hall and attending the myriad of social events can also be helpful.  Approaching them with job seeking in mind, however, will make for a different experience.  Rather than an opportunity for personal development, or for achieving some objective on behalf of your employer, your job seeking goal is to view the conference through the filter of “how will my time here advance my job search?”

I have included Ten Tips to help you use conference attendance as a job search strategy:

• Use the preliminary program information to plan your time so that you use it as wisely as possible. As soon as you have access to the preliminary program, review it carefully.  Are there opportunities to participate in a small group activity so that you can meet new people who might be useful in your job search?  What might be available in the host city?  Can you visit a library to learn more about how they operate?
• Mine the preliminary program for possible contacts.  Look at the speakers and their organizations.  Check them out on social networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn.  If they are speaking in an area of your expertise, consider making contact with them in advance so that you can expand your network when you meet them at the conference.

I have always been impressed when job seekers approach me to introduce themselves and to let me know they are looking for a job.  Right then, I ask for their business cards and on the card I make a notation, “job seeker” and the type of library(ies) they are interested in.

• Look at the array of social events being offered as part of the conference, or vendor events if you’re working for an organization that has a business relationship with one or more library suppliers.  Work the room, introducing yourself to as many people as possible.  Ask them questions to get the conversation started or learn about colleagues in common; build your network.

Use your meal times carefully—and include coffee breaks or a pre-dinner drink in your options—so that you are able to have meaningful time with as many people as possible.

• Register for the placement service and block time early in the conference to review available job openings.  For the ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting, the ALA Placement Center serves an important role in connecting job seekers to employers. Registration takes place on-line prior to the conference and there is an on-site center at each conference where employers and job candidates can meet and conduct interviews. The ALA Placement Service is free for job seekers. Be sure to have some flexibility so that you can meet with the hiring representatives when there is a position with a good fit.

• Use your programming choices strategically.  While you might normally choose programs that advance your skills, when you’re job hunting, you might want to consider focusing on the programs that will add to your network.  Introduce yourself to those seated around you; find out what they do and how they might use what you’ve all just learned.  Ask about their home institution.

Look for career advice sessions among the programming options.  In the mentoring section of this toolkit, there are references to several ALA groups that offer resume review and other career advancement advice.

• Spend time in the exhibits talking with exhibitors.  Be honest about your aims (and be sure to end the conversation quickly if a “paying customer” needs to engage the exhibitor).  Because exhibitors talk with lots of librarians, they often know which libraries might be hiring or where someone might be leaving.
• Consider talking with placement firms or library consultant groups in the exhibit hall.  They may have need of your services to fill a small niche or even have longer term assignments available that could turn into a bridge to a new, permanent position.
• Be sure to pack plenty of business cards and print them yourself if you do not have employer-provided cards.  Have updated resumes with you as well, so that you can give one to everyone (within reason) who might be able to help you find a job. 

Make sure you get everyone’s business cards.  Make notations on them as reminders when you do your follow-up.

• Look the part.  You will see a wide range of dress at any conference.  You will want to dress professionally, closer to interview dress than casual—yet still comfortable, as you won’t make a good impression if your feet hurt!

Organize your papers, resumes, and business cards in a trim briefcase so you can access the cards quickly—and always have a free hand to extend as you introduce yourself!

• Once you are home, follow up! Look at the business cards you collected and do a quick follow-up e-mail referencing your conversation.  Be sure to thank anyone who provided specific assistance, or who bought you a cup of coffee.  Keep the lines of communication open, without being a pest, so that everyone in your expanded network will remember you when they hear of a good possibility.

I wish you the best in your job search.  Remember that attending conferences to network and expand that network is worth the expense.  It is part of an effective job search strategy.  Where else would you have more exposure to more people in one place at one time?