Talking with Daniel Fitz-Enz about how to maximize your chances of getting a new job

Daniel Fitz-Enz received his MLS from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa School of Library and Information Science in 2000. After earning his MLS, he worked for a granted-funded distance education program at the university for 9 months. Then he moved back to California and started looking for another job. In early 2002, he was hired by CSA/CIG (Cambridge Information Group). After 5 years, CIG bought Proquest and the two companies merged under the name Proquest. He worked for them for 2 more years until he was laid off in late 2008.
 
In May 2009, Daniel started a new job with Electronic Online Systems (EOS) International, for whom he works as a trainer supporting customers in North America and the Caribbean region. He trains customers on the various ILS modules that EOS sells, and he provides internal and external coordination to ensure that customers’ training needs are fully met.
 
Here Daniel shares some of his insights relating to how to land that next job, even in tough times. He can be reached at [email protected].
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Talking with Daniel Fitz-Enz about how to maximize your chances of getting a new job
 
1. What was the number one factor in your landing your new job with EOS?
      
That’s hard to say. I think there isn't one thing that gets me a job. I think it’s a combination of many things. Some things I can control (e.g., my resume, interviewing skills, interview clothes, networking) and some I can't (interviewers’ expectations, availability of jobs in the market, timing). I try to do the best I can regarding things I can control. I try not to worry too much about things I can't control. 
 
For EOS, I read their job ad and adapted my resume to highlight the qualifications they were looking for. For the interview, I practiced by asking myself questions and giving answers.
 
2. How did you keep up your morale while you were recently looking for work?
 
I have a very practical answer to this question. After Proquest told me they were laying me off, the very first thing I did was to look at my family’s financial situation to see if we would have enough money for up to 9 months, in case it took me that long to find a job. After that, I knew we would be financially OK.
  
With the money question answered, I tried to make job hunting as systematic as possible. Super Job Search, a book I read during that time said to treat the job search process as another job. Searching for a new job was my new job; I was a job researcher. When I found ads for jobs I wanted to apply for, I studied the ads and crafted my resumes and cover letters to cover all the details in the ads.
  
Also, I didn't spend all day and night looking for jobs. I gave myself assignments each day: look at job ads, write a cover letter, investigate a company, send out emails, or some combination of those. I always felt good when I had a goal rather than aimlessly looking for jobs. Additionally, after several hours surfing the Internet, investigating a company, writing a cover letter, or something else, I stopped for the day. 
 
I looked at several dozen job ads, submitted several application packets and had two phone interviews before learning about the EOS position that I applied for and got.
 
3. What job-hunting tips do you have for info pros looking for work in today's difficult economy?

• Get informed. Job searching is a job in itself, so do your research. 
• Network. Start chatting with your fellow SLA-SD members now; make friends, as they might come in handy in the future.  
• Be open-minded. Don't limit yourself to only working in one type of library (academic, corporate, legal, medical, public). Imagine seeing yourself in marketing, sales, planning, technical support, or training positions. You have skills that can be applied to other work environments. On your resume, try to describe your work experience quantitatively. I know this takes thinking and time to do, but it really makes a resume stronger. 

4. What interviewing tips you can offer?

• Practice interviewing: Ask yourself interview questions and give short and long anwers.
• Avoid talking about money during any interview until you’re offered a job. Only then do you know they’re interested in you. If the application requests a salary range, put down “Flexible” or “Negotiable.” Or, if you have to give a salary range, give one you feel OK with. Also use the Internet to determine what the current salary range is for the job for which you’re interviewing.
• Be informed. The more you know about the job and company, the better prepared you’ll be during the interview.

5. How has participating in SLA benefited your career? 
 
Networking with professional colleagues is very important and the chapter makes that easy. Networking is easier when chatting with people before or after an SLA-SD event. Also, I’ve benefited from opportunities the chapter has made available to strengthen and develop my skills. I’ve done a few presentations on library technology for chapter meetings. Currently, I’m serving as the chapter’s listserv manager and the chapter's vendor coordinator for the 2009 Fall Seminar. But, in the first couple of years as an SLA-SD member, I didn't do anything beyond showing up to listen to the lectures and to meet people. 

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Interview conducted and written by Daria DeCooman

Comments

[Kathy Quinn]

Great interview, Daria! Congratulations on your new job, Daniel!