I always get the best advice from Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. Upon my graduation from library school, I was antsy to find a job right away. This did not happen for me, despite having prior experience in the field and a library technician’s diploma. Self pity would not have me for long, as Tim Gunn’s famous words lulled me into optimism: “Make it work, Katie, Tim Gunn would”. I pumped out resumes like mad, and did some library work for free. After moving back to Nova Scotia from Quebec, I spent six months in total on the job hunt before landing my first full-fledged librarian gig as an Outreach Services Librarian. Fast-forward one year and some change and I am in my second full-fledged librarian position with Capital Health as Librarian Educator.
In any new position, like most things in life, making it work isn’t an option, it’s a requirement. Starting a new job is daunting because you inherit a structure designed and used from a unique perspective. Below, I’ve come up with some tips for starting a new job and making it your own.