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The Information and Knowledge Professional's Career Handbook: Define and create your success

Ulla de Stricker, de Stricker Associates, Canada and Jill Hurst-Wahl, School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, USA

Chandos Information Professional Series

The information they provide is practical, actionable, and from this professional's experience, spot on. A recommended addition to the literature of LIS career development.
Customer review on Amazon.com

...a must-read book for anyone in the "information professions" - whether they are students, recent grads, or later-career professionals looking to chart the course of the rest of their working lives.
Customer review on Amazon.com

An excellent resource and is applicable to other professions.
Journal of Academic Librarianship

This book is a thought-provoking overview with practical information about virtually every aspect of the information professional's career and career planning.
Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association

 - written by opinion leaders and highly respected authorities in the field
 - draws upon 50-plus years of experience in a variety of settings and roles
 - offers realistic and honest pointers - no sugar-coating
 - provides valuable insights for mid-career professionals and for new graduates
 - a "constant companion" book - read just the chapters that are relevant at any given time

The definitive guide to developing and managing a successful career in the information profession: Information Professionals and Knowledge Managers deal with significant challenges in building successful careers for a number of reasons associated with common misperceptions of their expertise and roles. In environments where they must often justify their work and value over and over again, those already in the profession need a boost and those just entering need to be prepared for a reality that may differ quite a bit from their expectations. The book is intended to give readers a set of tools and techniques with which to secure a strong career, build an effective brand, and succeed as professionals.

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Readership: New graduates from programs in library and information science and for librarians and information professionals at any stage in their careers. In addition, it is suitable for those contemplating a degree in library/information science.

£49.50 / US$85.00 / €60.00

An e-book version of this title is available to purchase as part of a Collection or Pick n Mix. Visit Chandos Publishing Online

About the authors

A widely respected information professional working in the information industry since the late 1970s and as a knowledge management consultant since 1992, Ulla de Stricker is known for her pioneering activities, leadership, and support to colleagues through conference presentations, articles, books, and in the last several years through her Information and Knowledge Management Blog. Professionally, she assists clients in a wide range of strategic planning projects (see http://www.destricker.com).

Jill Hurst-Wahl is president of Hurst Associates, Ltd. And Professor of Practice in Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies. Her involvement in libraries and the information industry spans several decades and includes staff and management positions and work as a consultant. She also has experience in broadcasting and information technology. Hurst-Wahl frequently advises and mentors those who are interested in a career in the information industry.

Contents

Introduction: an invitation
 - Introduction: an invitation

An opaque profession: special challenges
 - Some professions are universally understood
 - What do people know about what we do?
 - Fashioning the value message
 - Implications: getting used to promotional activities
 - Show us the money: what money?
 - You mean… I have to sell myself constantly?
 - The good news: selling value by giving value

Knowing who you are: your ‘work personality’ and your ‘best fit’
 - Work preferences are personal
 - Our fundamental approach to work vs. personal life
 - Questions to ponder
 - Implications for types of environments
 - Your natural role
 - Developing your personal skills: a growth plan
 - What can you do? Plenty!

Developing your brand: the professional image
 - Do you know how others see you?
 - The core of our brand: the value we offer, the difference we make
 - Choosing a brand: rely on natural strengths
 - Supporting a brand: reputation and visibility in traditional and new media
 - Professional associations: key to brand building
 - Professional demeanor: it’s all about confidence
 - Professional polish: appearance matters
 - Tattoos, piercings, and purple hair: proceed with deliberation!

Looking for a job: tips and tricks
 - Going on a hunt
 - Conventional and unconventional hunting locations
 - Using bait to attract big game
 - Big game sighted!
 - Surviving the interview call
 - Who pays for the hunting road trip?
 - Hunters look for tracks (or what do your feet say?)
 - Big game crossing
 - We’ve been there

Creating your story: crafting a compelling resume
 - Print vs. online
 - Resume as sales instrument
 - Three common myths: don’t believe them!
 - Essential sections in a resume
 - Accuracy, consistency, and economy of words
 - Visual appearance
 - The cover letter

Knowing where you want to go: plan… but let chance have a chance!
 - Getting ready for the trip
 - Taking a detour… or two
 - Watch out for rough roads ahead – but use them to your advantage
 - Arriving at your destination

Navigating organizational culture: understanding politics
 - Become familiar with the organizational structure and culture
 - Gain political power
 - Understand the words
 - Create a common bond
 - Deal with abuse
 - Deal with conflict
 - A few dos, don’ts, and watch-outs

Winning support: ‘selling’ proposals with the business case approach
 - But don’t good ideas sell themselves?
 - What is the business case approach?
 - If money isn’t involved – what about grassroots support for an idea or initiative?
 - How are credibility and social capital built?
 - What does grassroots persuasion ‘look like’?
 - The ‘business case in reverse’: demonstrating existing value
 - The testimonial evidence
 - The ROI calculation

Making the leap to a managerial role: being the boss
 - A management role is not a must
 - What is the definition of ‘manager’?
 - What does a manager ‘do’?
 - Typical management challenges
 - How can one learn to become a (better) manager?
 - There has to be a way!
 - What you need: basic skills
 - What you need: personal abilities
 - A unique challenge: being promoted from a team to manage it
 - Reap the rewards

Resilience at work: coping when things get tough
 - It’s tough all over – let’s pull together
 - An attitude of gratitude
 - A positive atmosphere is everyone’s responsibility
 - Dealing with difficult people
 - ‘But I hate my work’
 - Should you quit?
 - The bottom line: trust your gut

About the money
 - What are you worth?
 - What is in a compensation package?
 - What is in a benefits package?
 - When benefits are more important than money
 - How to assess a job offer and negotiate your compensation
 - The salary roller coaster
 - Trade or labor unions
 - Other professional organizations
 - In the end, it’s not about the money
 - Measuring your success

Passing it on: collegial support or mentoring
 - Passing on knowledge and skills to others
 - What is meant by mentoring?
 - Where do you start? Just go ahead!
 - The unmentorables

Our colleagues speak: career snapshots
 - Constance Ard
 - Lori Bell
 - Patrick Danowski
 - Eli Edwards
 - Nicole Engard
 - Sergio Felter
 - Stacey Greenwell
 - Michael C. Habib
 - Bruce Harpham
 - Ruth Kneale
 - Jane Kinney Meyers
 - Alison Miller
 - Pauline Nicholas
 - Karolien Selhorst
 - Bente Lund Weisbjerg
 - Questions our colleagues want to ask

Jill and Ulla speak: our professional journeys
 - Jill’s story
 - Ulla’s story