This page highlights resources for job seekers in the information sciences and information management and for those looking for professional development in their careers. Those looking for information on informational interviews, mentoring, or other career-related information beyond those listed here should consult the Careers page of the iSchool.
For other related career information, also see our page on Researching and Publishing in IS.
Job Posting Lists | Salary Surveys and Related Professional Trend Statistics | Articles and Books on Professional Development Topics | Game Studies
Job Posting Lists
Find jobs in IS through aggregators of position announcements.
- ALA JobLIST
A searchable database of job ads, plus links to information about resumes, salaries, interviewing, and more. Sponsored by the American Library Association. - ARL Career Resources
Current job postings at Association of Research Libraries member libraries, a resume bank, plus information on residencies and diversity programs. - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Search the job database or browse by category. Job tools (saved resumes/cover letters, job alerts, and online applications) available with a free account. - HigherEdJobs
This database contains a comprehensive list of library jobs in higher education. Search by “Category: Administrative” and then click on “Libraries.” - Illinois Library Association JobLine
Job listings for libraries in Illinois. - INALJ (I Need a Library Job)
Comprehensive international job postings updated weekly, job hunting resources, and a resume bank. - LibGig: Your Career, Your Community
Lists jobs and offers extra features for job seekers, such as career profiles and interview tips. - The Partnership Job Board
This is the most comprehensive job board for library jobs in Canada. - RAILS Job Board
RAILS hosts a list of library jobs in Illinois, with occasional listings from surrounding states. - iSchool Careers Page
The iSchool provides a more expansive list of job list options.
Salary Surveys and Related Statistics on the Profession
People on the job market or interested in a particular career path use salary surveys to help get a sense of realistic expectations and to negotiate a job offer. These surveys are often also the best source of data on gender and ethnic representation in professional positions.
- ARL Annual Salary Survey
Reports statistics based on a survey of professionals in research libraries. Reports separate data for health and law libraries. - SLA Annual Salary Survey and Workplace Study
Salary survey data for special libraries. - ALA-APA Salary Survey (Positions Requiring a Master’s Degree) and ALA-APA Salary Survey (Positions Not Requiring an ALA-Accredited Master’s Degree)
[Print only.] Includes public and academic library statistics. The version for positions not requiring an MLS is run much less frequently (last version 2006). - Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
This government publication profiles career paths, telling you what they do, median income, educational requirements, and related information. See especially the sections on Computer and Information Technology and on Education, Training, and Library Occupations. - Library Journal’s Annual Placements and Salaries Survey
Each October, Library Journal includes a report and the basic statistical tables for its annual placement and salary survey of new IS graduates. You will need to browse a little to find the article–often the article has a thematic title rather than clearly indicating that it is the survey report. For example, the October 2013 issue’s report has the title, “The Emerging Databrarian.” But the report is full of unique information, such as emerging job titles, distribution of placements among job types, starting salaries, and more.
Books and Articles on IS Professional Development Topics
You can search IS databases and the library catalog to stay up to date on whatever your field of specialty is. However, some resources are specifically focused on professional development, and these are assigned specific subject terms you can use.
- Articles in LISS
There are a significant body of trade magazines included in this database. Try search terms like “Job description”; “Job qualifications”; “Librarians–employment.” Some research articles cover topics like trends in job requirements for particular positions that you may want to consult if you are on the job market or wanting to know what skills to develop for a particular field. - Print and EBooks in the Library Catalog
For this topic you will want recent information, so be sure to sort by date of publication! You can attach the Library of Congress Sub-heading “Vocational guidance” to different fields as the main subject term. Try “Information Sciences – Vocational Guidance“.
Game Studies
A brief list of resources for careers in Game Studies & Design.
- Game Developer
A site dedicated to “The Art & Business of Making Games.” It contains the latest industry news, job postings, and links to some of the top companies in the business. The organization also hosts the annual GDC (Game Developers Conference). - How to Build a Game Design Portfolio
This article offers portfolio advice for gaming professionals. Portfolios allow you to build an industry reputation and promote yourself to prospective employers. - International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
The IGDA is the largest non-profit membership organization serving individuals that create video games. Their site has many useful elements including a resource library and career center. - List of Gaming-Related Conventions
You can use this list on Wikipedia to identify gaming conventions or conferences to attend in your location.