The job search process can be daunting for early career librarians and not always something they are prepared for as part of their graduate program training. The success of the search process for these librarians may be impacted by several factors, including the job ads that often dictate whether an early career librarian even chooses to apply for a position. This presentation will highlight the findings of an extensive qualitative study of the job search experiences of early career librarians. Utilizing a series of focus groups and semi-structured interviews, the researchers investigated early career librarians' job search process, including how they located positions, which factors motivated them to apply for a position versus red flags that deterred their application, and other aspects of the job search process. Participants also shared suggestions for library and information organizations interested in attracting early career librarians to their workplaces. The findings of this study offer insights for both job applicants and library and information organizations looking to recruit early career professionals and offer valuable and applicable suggestions to improve the overall job search experience and, ultimately, professional experiences in the LIS workplace.
Thursday October 16, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT Winston 1B301 West 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
