I wish everyone would stop with the "well, it's business"
BUSINESS IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS AND YOUR NETWORK.
Yes, I'm yelling.
She is your friend, and also someone who trusts you enough to bring forth an opportunity, where she works, and where she will no doubt be asked about you.
So be prepared if you decided to go for the mgmt position; her recommendation will probably disappear.
Listen, I don't envy you. This is NOT an easy position to be in. But I promise you the best course of action is to talk to her before you do anything. It will turn out much better if we can coach you through that conversation vs. the one you would have if apply without giving her the heads up.
I wish everyone would stop with the "well, it's business"
BUSINESS IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS AND YOUR NETWORK.
Yes, I'm yelling.
She is your friend, and also someone who trusts you enough to bring forth an opportunity, where she works, and where she will no doubt be asked about you.
So be prepared if you decided to go for the mgmt position; her recommendation will probably disappear.
Listen, I don't envy you. This is NOT an easy position to be in. But I promise you the best course of action is to talk to her before you do anything. It will turn out much better if we can coach you through that conversation vs. the one you would have if apply without giving her the heads up.
I guess everyone is different. I was in a similar position as the OP's friend in this situation.
I still told my employer that my friend was applying and to look out for her resume even though I was also applying for the full-time position.
I didn't have any bad feelings towards my friend at the time because it really is just business and we were both qualified for the position.
APPLY. Business is business and anyone who doesn't understand that is not fit for the position. (Might be my mgt undergrad/MBA speaking, but still valid.)
Post by sapphireblue on Sept 27, 2014 9:29:53 GMT -5
I have been working full time in libraries for about 15 years now. I say apply, and I also say apply to both positions.
I don't agree with the posters that say that looks bad. In the library field, it is HARD to get a job, let alone a full time job. So I think people in our field understand that and would not judge an applicant applying to more than one job.
Also, maybe I'm super great (haha!) but if I were your friend, I would absolutely NOT judge or be upset at you applying or even if you got the job over me. These jobs just do not come up that often in our field.
I would tread very very carefully. If she already has a position there, it could be that she's been groomed to take this management job and is also is able to put in a good word for your hiring in the other position. If she feels slighted or if she's kind of paved the way for you to take this spot, she might be able to make it difficult for you to even get that job, and might make it difficult for you to sub in the future. Not saying this is all how it will go down, but I'm from a small town, and I could definitely see this happening there.
I agree with this. I wouldn't apply for the position she's applying for, it just doesn't seem right to me.
Post by sapphireblue on Sept 27, 2014 10:28:36 GMT -5
I wanted to add--we have had some full time time jobs open up lately at my library (after having NONE for years).
For one, one sub/part timer and one full timer both applied. They both got interviews as a courtesy but a new outside applicant got the job. I don't think there were any hard feelings. The interview committee needs to pick the BEST candidate for that particular position. And if you are deemed to be the best, I don't think your friend should be upset.
Honestly, I really wouldn't be if that happened to me.
Post by sapphireblue on Sept 27, 2014 10:33:07 GMT -5
I totally get the advice from other posters saying business is about networking, etc. and it isn't a good idea. But the library world is SO different from a business setting. I am just not sure the advice transfers directly to a library setting.
Can you share what sort of library it is? Corporate, academic, public, special?
I keep coming back to this post... nine times out of ten, I'd say apply. But in this instance, it's not like the you're an unknown to the organization. You already work there part time. If they think you're good for the management position, somebody will encourage you to apply. The fact that you've only been asked to apply for the other job speaks volumes. You say jobs in this field are scarce... is it possible that someone in management is retiring, your friend is getting promoted to that position, so the other position that's open is the one that she will be leaving? I've never worked at a library, but I have worked for various government run institutions and that seems like the most likely scenario.
I wasn't asked to apply for the one job. My friend gave me a heads up that the position we'd been hearing about was finally posted internally so I could get my resume in. The regular position posted is for a woman who just retired (and a different department that my friend doesn't work in). If my friend got the management position, then they would post hercurrent position.
I totally get the advice from other posters saying business is about networking, etc. and it isn't a good idea. But the library world is SO different from a business setting. I am just not sure the advice transfers directly to a library setting.
Can you share what sort of library it is? Corporate, academic, public, special?
Good to hear from someone in libraries! It is a very different field - I've worked in corporate and for non-profits and libraries are such a strange beast. These positions are in a public library. Jobs are very scarce around here and since we have a university near that offers the MLIS, the job market is SO saturated with job seekers.
Post by rupertpenny on Sept 28, 2014 19:12:31 GMT -5
bobotron3000 I am also a librarian (well archivist, but I have an MLIS) and I would apply to both without a second thought. I agree with sapphireblue, the job market is too hard not to apply for whatever you can find and everyone working in libraries understands that.
Post by sapphireblue on Sept 28, 2014 19:18:29 GMT -5
Thanks! Well, I am in a very similar situation to you then.
I am in a public library and we have a library science program close by, so there are tons of people looking for ANYTHING they can get in a library. We recently posted a 15 hour per week position as an associate (so no library degree required) and simultaneously a real full time position that required the degree. There were several people that applied to both. No biggie to us. We got it--they just want any job in a library. Sure, they would have preferred the full time one, but just wanted to get their foot in the door.
RI isn't bouncing back economically nearly as quickly as other areas so there just have not been any jobs around here for so long. Only in the last year have I really noticed that changing.
That is another reason why I'd like to think that your friend would not be resentful if you applied to both jobs. We all understand that it is practically impossible to go for one of those rare positions that is right up our alley without competing with others we know. The library world is so small!
I really think you should go for it and take the chance (a small one in my opinion) that your friend will be upset.
Post by sapphireblue on Sept 28, 2014 19:22:40 GMT -5
rupertpenny I am an accidental archivist! That's how I think of it anyway. Not specifically trained for it but I've fallen into that role at least partially at my current job. I love it!!!
Post by Jenniatonu on Sept 30, 2014 14:40:10 GMT -5
I love the librarian love here! I work as a middle school "librarian". (Licensed teacher, only person working the library, but considered an "Aide" by the school.
Are any of you going to Book Expo America this summer in NYC? I'd love to go to ALA midwinter, but it's not in the cards for me this year.
I love the librarian love here! I work as a middle school "librarian". (Licensed teacher, only person working the library, but considered an "Aide" by the school.
Are any of you going to Book Expo America this summer in NYC? I'd love to go to ALA midwinter, but it's not in the cards for me this year.
I dream of going to BEA - someday!
I've never been to ALA but I got to go to PLA in Philadelphia a couple years ago (obv. wouldn't apply to you) and it was pretty awesome!
I love the librarian love here! I work as a middle school "librarian". (Licensed teacher, only person working the library, but considered an "Aide" by the school.
Are any of you going to Book Expo America this summer in NYC? I'd love to go to ALA midwinter, but it's not in the cards for me this year.
I dream of going to BEA - someday!
I've never been to ALA but I got to go to PLA in Philadelphia a couple years ago (obv. wouldn't apply to you) and it was pretty awesome!
BEA has this awesome program where they give out 'VIP' passes. You just have to e-mail this chick, and you get a free pass! (You have to be in charge of/have a big role in picking/ordering books for your library.) Since my MIL lives an hour away from NYC, it was a no-brainer! If you ever get the chance to go, it's amazing!
Honestly I don't think there is anything wrong with you applying BUT I do think if you get it over her that it will be weird and she will resent you ... its human nature
Honestly I don't think there is anything wrong with you applying BUT I do think if you get it over her that it will be weird and she will resent you ... its human nature and given her vague response of "do what you feel is right" then it makes it more evident