Early Career Connect

Early career connect is the new LIS professional and student's link to information, guides, tips and resources designed by ALIA to help you build a successful, fulfilling career.

We want to help you achieve your first professional position as well as provide resources and advice that will help you move from that first professional role to the next level.

ALIA also supports LIS students and new professionals through the ALIA New Graduates Group (NGG) and the ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee (NGAC).

ALIA New Graduates Group
The aim of ALIA NGG is to facilitate networking for the new generation of library professionals, provide a forum for the discussion of issues relevant to new professionals, organise meetings and training specifically relevant to students and new graduates and facilitate the introduction of new graduates into the wider ALIA community.

ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee
ALIA NGAC exists to help strengthen the participation of recently graduated library and information professionals in the Association. This Advisory Committee provides advice to the ALIA Board of Directors on issues of relevance to students and new professionals. The Committee works to provide information to the Board and National Office staff to inform development and delivery of services for new professional and student members, with the aim of ensuring the Association's relevance to these groups.

ALIA Student e-list
ALIA student members are also welcome to subscribe to the ALIA student e-list which designed to disseminate information of interest to Library & Information students (both Librarianship and Library Technician).

eCourse - Writing to Selection Criteria

Writing to Selection Criteria sets you up for your next job opportunity, gives you focus and direction, and provides you with the tools to 'sell' your portfolio of skills, knowledge and experience to government jobs.

The eCourse comes with a workbook and is illustrated with examples relevant to librarians, teacher-librarians and library technicians who are relatively new to the profession.

Plus there are links to many resources.

Writing to Selection Criteria was written for ALIA by Dr Ann Villiers, Mental Nutritionist® and author of How to Write and Talk to Selection Criteria. Ann has drawn on more than a decade of experience unravelling the mysteries of selection criteria and helping applicants present a strong case.

This eCourse comprises fifteen modules and is delivered by email at four day intervals. On completion you receive a certificate in the Informal Learning Activities category of ALIA's Professional Development Scheme.

To register please complete the registration form. Course applications will be processed weekly.

Early Career resources

• Looking for work in the LIS sector
• How to network successfully
• Using social media for networking
• Applying for Government jobs
• Preparing your CV
• Writing to selection criteria
• Interview skills and techniques
• How to negotiate for pay
• The do's and Don'ts of Keeping Your Job (In Good Times -- and Bad)
• How to negotiate in the workplace
• Tips on time management
• Giving good presentations
• New Graduates and the New Economy: How to find work in challenging times
• Writing for publication
• Tips on mentoring

Other career links

• Aurora Leadership Institute - the mission of the institute is to assist future leaders in the library and associated cultural and information industry to maximise their leadership skills and potential. There is also an ALIA / Aurora Scholarship available to ALIA members
• ALIA employment
• Free Pint
• Info Career Trends
• LIScareer
• Liscareer's Job Hunting page