Kia ora!
Well it's about three months since my last post and what a busy three months it's been!
Three months ago I was in the UK and still getting myself around my new position having gone through a transformation in July and not really knowing when our dream might come true. I had a new set of colleagues and additional aspects to my role, including local studies and delivering taster sessions. We also had a new library to plan for. It was all go.
Then suddenly, we had success! We had a buyer for our flat and we could finally start to plan our dream! So much to do and so little time to do it in... We had to respectively hand in notice at work, decide exactly where we were heading and look for jobs.
We decided to head for Wellington, and fortunately for me before Christmas a number of posts were advertised within the Wellington area. Time to make sure my CV really was up to scratch!
This is where job applications in New Zealand differ completely to those in the UK. From personal experience in the UK, I've generally had to complete an application form with limited amounts of space to really promote yourself. CVs are often an added extra and aren't really encouraged. If you do enclose a CV, woe betide you if it's longer than two sides.
In New Zealand all posts I applied for were by CV and covering letter. CVs include so much information. Mine was three sides without details of referees. There is a completely different emphasis. From templates I reviewed, you are encouraged to say who your customers are, focus on major projects and personal achievements in a position. Applying for posts in this way I have found quite an eye-opener. Tailoring a CV and covering letter really encourages you to see how your skills and experiences fit the position you are applying for. I found the whole task so much more rewarding. A company application form is only for that company and by the time the general information sections are completed, it takes me time to get enthused by the remainder of the form. I actually enjoyed the whole CV and letter experience. There is no fixed format and you're really encouraged to personalise the application and make your whole character and experiences come through in the way an application form cannot do.
Something must have worked... I'm now writing this from our new home in Wellington, NZ. We've got an amazing apartment overlooking the bay and best of all I have a job! I was interviewed the evening before we left the UK. That was an experience in itself. I've never been interviewed by phone before. I can remember sitting in the kitchen with my mobile on speaker trying to imagine the three people attached to the voices at the other end of the phone! Not to mention the fact that it was 9am in NZ and 8pm in the UK!
I'm in the process of finishing formalities now. I've had the formal offer through the post and am now waiting for my IRD (the NZ equivalent of a national insurance number or social security number) to come through the post before I can finish off the final parts of hte acceptance.
With any luck in the next couple of weeks I should be in post as a Collection Management Librarian for the National Library of New Zealand...
My next post no doubt will be about work for my new employer. I'm really looking forward to the job and can't wait to get started. In the meantime, it's giving me the chance to really get to know the capital city of New Zealand. Not to mention the fun we've had over the last weekend with the Hertz Rugby Sevens and then a family day on Monday with Waitangi Day. With the absence of family we spent the day getting to know people with a barbie on the beach!
Showing posts with label new zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new zealand. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Thing 23: The end, but not as we know it!
This is quite sad. I've really enjoyed doing this "course". I've virtually met so many interesting people and I'm going to miss the contact. I know we all say we'll continue writing our blogs, but will we? Certainly I doubt if I will write so many posts on this blog.
I have a lot to look forward to, however, and my SWOT gives me a lot to think about. Some points from my personal SWOT include:
Strengths
Much greater awareness of web 2.0 resources and software
The use of at least four or five things constantly in my daily work life meaning that I'm more organised and more productive
Willingness to exploit new technologies to show how they can improve our day-to-day working
Willingness to learn, even outside the work environment
Weaknesses
Not keeping on top of new technologies as much as I can, particularly now 23 Things has finished...
Not convinced by my brand, I have two currently, one professional, one not - how can I combine the two and make it look professional like Joeyanne Libraryanne?
Opportunities
The new technologies from 23 Things which were a great opportunity
Learning from other people by reading their blogs
My impending move to New Zealand - this is a BIG opportunity and is taking up a lot of my life currently
Threats
My impending move to New Zealand... I know I've repeated myself, but however much I ask questions from friends/colleagues, read up and rely on past visits, the country is still a relative unknown, particularly with the world of work. I'll be completely out of my "comfort zone" and will be a big change, but I'm up for it!!
So where DO I go from here? Well it's all a bit up in the air, my current job contract finishes next July (and most likely not renewed) and if I'm not in New Zealand by then, I'll be job hunting in the UK, mainly as a stop gap. Perhaps I can get involved with something locally for CILIP which may give me something else to aim for. I've never been a mentor, but I think it might be quite a rewarding thing to do, but starting training and finishing it before I move may be difficult. I have also considered Revalidation of my Chartership, but I think it's getting a bit late in the day to start that too.
In the meantime, I'm also trying to keep up with LIANZA and the job market in NZ. I may do best to see if I can join in with their activities from a distance.
This all seems quite indecisive, but it's difficult in my current position to say right, this is what I will do. It may be that I get to NZ and find I can't get an information post, in which case I'll be falling back on plans B or C... That means re-learning teaching methods and mathematics or doing lots of sewing to get my confidence up!
In the meantime, thanks 23 Things, this has been useful, interesting and I've a lot to take away from this. I won't say it's been easy, but how can I learn if it's all easy. I've had to do a lot of this at home, however, the main frustration I had over this, was the fact we have these fantastic technologies with which to improve our daily work and services, and they're blocked. What I need to do is to continue practising with them to ensure I don't forget them! I certainly will continue to read any blogs which are still updated, I've no end saved in my Google Reader!
As for a 6-word story, I may have to pass on that one, or could I put "Here's to the next 23..." Ooh, that's only five words - how's about that then? :-)
I have a lot to look forward to, however, and my SWOT gives me a lot to think about. Some points from my personal SWOT include:
Strengths
Much greater awareness of web 2.0 resources and software
The use of at least four or five things constantly in my daily work life meaning that I'm more organised and more productive
Willingness to exploit new technologies to show how they can improve our day-to-day working
Willingness to learn, even outside the work environment
Weaknesses
Not keeping on top of new technologies as much as I can, particularly now 23 Things has finished...
Not convinced by my brand, I have two currently, one professional, one not - how can I combine the two and make it look professional like Joeyanne Libraryanne?
Opportunities
The new technologies from 23 Things which were a great opportunity
Learning from other people by reading their blogs
My impending move to New Zealand - this is a BIG opportunity and is taking up a lot of my life currently
Threats
My impending move to New Zealand... I know I've repeated myself, but however much I ask questions from friends/colleagues, read up and rely on past visits, the country is still a relative unknown, particularly with the world of work. I'll be completely out of my "comfort zone" and will be a big change, but I'm up for it!!
So where DO I go from here? Well it's all a bit up in the air, my current job contract finishes next July (and most likely not renewed) and if I'm not in New Zealand by then, I'll be job hunting in the UK, mainly as a stop gap. Perhaps I can get involved with something locally for CILIP which may give me something else to aim for. I've never been a mentor, but I think it might be quite a rewarding thing to do, but starting training and finishing it before I move may be difficult. I have also considered Revalidation of my Chartership, but I think it's getting a bit late in the day to start that too.
In the meantime, I'm also trying to keep up with LIANZA and the job market in NZ. I may do best to see if I can join in with their activities from a distance.
This all seems quite indecisive, but it's difficult in my current position to say right, this is what I will do. It may be that I get to NZ and find I can't get an information post, in which case I'll be falling back on plans B or C... That means re-learning teaching methods and mathematics or doing lots of sewing to get my confidence up!
In the meantime, thanks 23 Things, this has been useful, interesting and I've a lot to take away from this. I won't say it's been easy, but how can I learn if it's all easy. I've had to do a lot of this at home, however, the main frustration I had over this, was the fact we have these fantastic technologies with which to improve our daily work and services, and they're blocked. What I need to do is to continue practising with them to ensure I don't forget them! I certainly will continue to read any blogs which are still updated, I've no end saved in my Google Reader!
As for a 6-word story, I may have to pass on that one, or could I put "Here's to the next 23..." Ooh, that's only five words - how's about that then? :-)
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Thing 7: Professional Associations and networking
I'm definitely on a roll today (my excuse is that I'm off on holiday and wanted to get these typed before I went). Perhaps getting up early woke up my creative juices...
Over the years, I've actually been a member of a number of professional associations. CILIP has always been at the forefront and I was even a member of the Institute of Information Scientists and the Library Association before they combined to become CILIP.
I worked in a school library for a while and so joined the School Library Association. I attended a their conference in Sheffield in (I think) 1997. It was the first professional conference I attended and it was such an eye-opener. I was young and full of enthusiasm for my new post. I can remember getting so much out of it and going back full of ideas. I'm sure I found the face-to-face networking easier then! I remember the SLA being a very friendly organisation with lots of resources, courses and relaxed local meetings. If I remember rightly, I was even encouraged to be the main local contact for Somerset, organising meetings and training! Things do change!!
A few years ago, I was awarded a Diploma in Management Studies and that was when I joined the Chartered Management Institute. I possibly could have joined at a higher lever (ie as a Member rather than Associate), but at the time I was not having a great time at work and preferred to keep my membership of the Institute unknown to my manager. Joining as an Associate I didn't need to have my manager to back my qualifications and credentials. I honestly don't remember gaining much from their membership. I received the magazines and duly read them, but I think I really only got anything useful from the small articles at the front of the Management Today. I could have got more out of it, but there was little funding for courses which were general management (and I wasn't employed to be a manager as such, just senior staff providing support and management in the absence of the campus managers). My professional development at the time was based around CILIP training.
I've attended a number of CILIP training events, all of which I've found to be really beneficial and useful. I just wish I had the space to keep hold of all the training notes I received from their courses. I've not been a committee member for any group, I think the problem as been that I've moved around considerably and as soon as I feel brave enough to put myself forward, I end up moving on!
A couple of years ago, I attended a joint conference for ELG and LISE (Librarians in Schools of Education). This actually ended up being the last conference for LISE, who folded not long after. At the conference I agreed with a colleague that we would try to develop some training sites, etc. However, the group had to fold and unfortunately about a month or two later, I found out that my campus was closing and I was going to be made redundant. My enthusiasm to take part and join in was curtailed! I did, however, write a review of the conference for the ELG newsletter.
Now I'm looking elsewhere... As mentioned in my previous post, I'm in the throes of moving to the other side of the world and so in preparation, I have already joined LIANZA the New Zealand equivalent of CILIP as an overseas member. The memorandum of understanding on qualifications signed by Bob McKee at IFLA last year has come at just the right time! (Both Associations are rightly very positive by the news, here's the CILIP view...)
I've been lucky enough to attend a couple of international conferences for library management systems (LMS) or integrated library systems (ILS) as they are often called. The first co-delivering a presentation and the second a poster presentation. I've managed to make some contacts through these.
It may not seem like it from my posts, but I certainly find it difficult to network face-to-face, but giving the presentations has given my something to talk about and introduce myself with. Reading Jo Alcock's post I'm definitely an introvert. I love giving presentations and teaching (I get a positive kick from them). (I ought to get hold of the book somehow, it's not on our library catalogue!!) I'm determined to get better at the art of networking, my mantra for the past few years has been "it's not what you know, but who you know" and networking is key to this mantra. Contacts can lead to all sorts of things... (I already know a member of LIANZA who just happens to be on their conference organising committee for this year - very useful contact!) We've also got a new library management system at work which is an Australian system, I'm hoping the contacts I've made through that will also help...
My decision to join or not to join is often based on money - that horrible word. We need it to live, but sometimes we just have to prioritise. I had to leave CMI as I felt I wasn't getting enough out of the membership to continue paying them (although they very kindly allowed me to have a year at half the cost when I pleaded poverty!) CILIP has always had to come first. Certainly in my current public library role, Chartership is still considered important and so I needed to keep my CILIP membership alive to retain this. I'm not sure what I will manage to do once I move to New Zealand, but LIANZA will then come at the top of my agenda.
Over the years, I've actually been a member of a number of professional associations. CILIP has always been at the forefront and I was even a member of the Institute of Information Scientists and the Library Association before they combined to become CILIP.
I worked in a school library for a while and so joined the School Library Association. I attended a their conference in Sheffield in (I think) 1997. It was the first professional conference I attended and it was such an eye-opener. I was young and full of enthusiasm for my new post. I can remember getting so much out of it and going back full of ideas. I'm sure I found the face-to-face networking easier then! I remember the SLA being a very friendly organisation with lots of resources, courses and relaxed local meetings. If I remember rightly, I was even encouraged to be the main local contact for Somerset, organising meetings and training! Things do change!!
A few years ago, I was awarded a Diploma in Management Studies and that was when I joined the Chartered Management Institute. I possibly could have joined at a higher lever (ie as a Member rather than Associate), but at the time I was not having a great time at work and preferred to keep my membership of the Institute unknown to my manager. Joining as an Associate I didn't need to have my manager to back my qualifications and credentials. I honestly don't remember gaining much from their membership. I received the magazines and duly read them, but I think I really only got anything useful from the small articles at the front of the Management Today. I could have got more out of it, but there was little funding for courses which were general management (and I wasn't employed to be a manager as such, just senior staff providing support and management in the absence of the campus managers). My professional development at the time was based around CILIP training.
I've attended a number of CILIP training events, all of which I've found to be really beneficial and useful. I just wish I had the space to keep hold of all the training notes I received from their courses. I've not been a committee member for any group, I think the problem as been that I've moved around considerably and as soon as I feel brave enough to put myself forward, I end up moving on!
A couple of years ago, I attended a joint conference for ELG and LISE (Librarians in Schools of Education). This actually ended up being the last conference for LISE, who folded not long after. At the conference I agreed with a colleague that we would try to develop some training sites, etc. However, the group had to fold and unfortunately about a month or two later, I found out that my campus was closing and I was going to be made redundant. My enthusiasm to take part and join in was curtailed! I did, however, write a review of the conference for the ELG newsletter.
Now I'm looking elsewhere... As mentioned in my previous post, I'm in the throes of moving to the other side of the world and so in preparation, I have already joined LIANZA the New Zealand equivalent of CILIP as an overseas member. The memorandum of understanding on qualifications signed by Bob McKee at IFLA last year has come at just the right time! (Both Associations are rightly very positive by the news, here's the CILIP view...)
(image taken from the full agreement found on the LIANZA website)
I've been lucky enough to attend a couple of international conferences for library management systems (LMS) or integrated library systems (ILS) as they are often called. The first co-delivering a presentation and the second a poster presentation. I've managed to make some contacts through these.
It may not seem like it from my posts, but I certainly find it difficult to network face-to-face, but giving the presentations has given my something to talk about and introduce myself with. Reading Jo Alcock's post I'm definitely an introvert. I love giving presentations and teaching (I get a positive kick from them). (I ought to get hold of the book somehow, it's not on our library catalogue!!) I'm determined to get better at the art of networking, my mantra for the past few years has been "it's not what you know, but who you know" and networking is key to this mantra. Contacts can lead to all sorts of things... (I already know a member of LIANZA who just happens to be on their conference organising committee for this year - very useful contact!) We've also got a new library management system at work which is an Australian system, I'm hoping the contacts I've made through that will also help...
My decision to join or not to join is often based on money - that horrible word. We need it to live, but sometimes we just have to prioritise. I had to leave CMI as I felt I wasn't getting enough out of the membership to continue paying them (although they very kindly allowed me to have a year at half the cost when I pleaded poverty!) CILIP has always had to come first. Certainly in my current public library role, Chartership is still considered important and so I needed to keep my CILIP membership alive to retain this. I'm not sure what I will manage to do once I move to New Zealand, but LIANZA will then come at the top of my agenda.
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Thing 1: starting out
This is actually my second blog, but I'm still quite new to the art. My main blog was set up to record my dressmaking hobby, I only created this a couple of months ago. In some ways I wish I'd used another blog writing software such as Wordpress, but I had a Google account and I could use this to go directly to Blogger - simples!
Although I like to think I'm reasonably in the know about web 2.0 and library 2.0, I felt there was still a lot to learn and this seemed the perfect way to learn. I'm not one for sitting in the session and learning, I like to learn individually onlne, and this fits the bill perfectly.
I'm currently working in a public library where access to some web 2.0 stuff is a complete no-no, so I'm hoping that blogging is OK! In the next few months I'm emmigrating to New Zealand, so I'm hoping what I learn here I can take with me to show that I am up to date in my knowledge.
Here's to the next few months of blogging, oh with a two week holiday in the middle!
Although I like to think I'm reasonably in the know about web 2.0 and library 2.0, I felt there was still a lot to learn and this seemed the perfect way to learn. I'm not one for sitting in the session and learning, I like to learn individually onlne, and this fits the bill perfectly.
I'm currently working in a public library where access to some web 2.0 stuff is a complete no-no, so I'm hoping that blogging is OK! In the next few months I'm emmigrating to New Zealand, so I'm hoping what I learn here I can take with me to show that I am up to date in my knowledge.
Here's to the next few months of blogging, oh with a two week holiday in the middle!
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