The Information Professional’s Guide to Career Development Online

Citation

Hodes, J. (2003), "The Information Professional’s Guide to Career Development Online", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 382-382. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830310494562

This unusual and interesting book is written by two eminently qualified librarians: Nesbeitt has, since 1995, compiled Library Job Postings on the Internet, a Web‐based guide to help librarians find employment, while Gordon is the Webmaster of the Lisjobs.com library careers site, and editor/publisher of the Info Career Trends electronic newsletter. With a pedigree like that it is no surprise that this publication comes with its own comprehensive Web site.

So what is in the book? There are 13 comprehensive chapters, arranged into five parts: Learning and growing oOnline, Professional involvement, Education, Employment, and comprehensive appendices containing links to professional organisations and conferences with an online presence. These links are also available on the accompanying Web site. The whole package is rounded off with a recommended reading list and a very good index.

There is invaluable information on how to propel your career forward through joining professional organisations, managing current awareness services and keeping on top of the professional literature, getting articles and reviews published on the Net or in print, presenting at conferences, professional development and continuing education opportunities, networking using e‐mail, chat forums and lists, and locating and applying for scholarships, grants and awards. And. most important of all, there is information on finding a job online – from electronic resume preparation and lodgement, to locating and evaluating job opportunities, interview techniques and salary information.

This book is about career development in the online environment, but it is also a mine of practical information on effective Internet use, Web techniques and tips, resume and employment related matters. The emphasis, not unsurprisingly, is on North America, and the rest of us looking for local links and sources of information will probably find this somewhat irritating and frustrating. However, the Internet is increasingly global, so most of the information should be applicable, and if not then local equivalents, if they exist, should be fairly easy to find through relevant search engines. This is one for the ambitious library professional, networkers, job seekers, those wishing to enter the profession, and for library schools.