Searching for a job in the information field

Because of the diverse nature of the job titles and employment sectors that are relevant to careers in the area of library and information work, there is consequently a wide range of potential sources of job advertisements. The rule of thumb here is...leave no stone unturned! Note that in order to use some of the World Wide Web sites of the newspapers, journals, online job seekers services etc. you may need to register on-line the first time you access their pages. In addition, some of the websites below may not provide their job vacancy information in web-based format but only in their related hard copy publications.

Dedicated Information vacancy services

• JINfo run by the Freepint service advertises a variety of temporary and permanent roles in a broad spread of information-related fields.  You can sign up to receive alerts
• LISJobNET run by CILIP advertises Library and Information roles for professionals
• Jobsforinfopros.com

Vacancy services in related fields

• Times Higher Education Supplement (THES)
• Times Education Supplement (TES)
• Computer Weekly
• Computing
• The Health Service Journal
• New Scientist
• Jobs.ac.uk: vacancies in the UK Higher Education sector

Information recruitment agencies

The agencies listed below specialise in recruitment for the library/information sector, whilst some also cover related IT/computing/new media sectors. All agencies will have a range of both permanent/contract and full-time/part-time vacancies on their books. Most agencies will be able to help new graduates try to find positions, but some agencies will be more able to place applicants who have had prior library/information work experience. New graduates should not be put off accepting short term contracts, as these can often lead to being offered permanent positions, or indeed provide valuable work experience for that next permanent job! Most of the recruitment agencies have websites which, in addition to detailing job vacancies, also contain useful information about the information sector in general, about CV preparation, interview techniques etc.

• TFPL
• Sue Hill
• PFJ

Graduate jobs and recruitment

• prospects: an excellent starting point for searching for UK-based graduate jobs
• Graduate-jobs.com

National Quality Press

• The Guardian
• The Times
• The Independent
• The Daily Telegraph

Vacancies outside the UK

• The Riley Guide: has a good range of information about job searching in the US and worldwide with links to major recruitment websites.
• LISjobs.com: Library and information jobs and careers in the US
• UN Jobs.org

Undergraduate Job Information

Our undergraduates use a variety of sources to locate job information, including:

• The University of Sheffield Careers Service Job Vacancies Database
• Using graduate publications such as Prospects Directory and Prospects Finalist Magazine
• Using newspapers such as The Guardian and local/regional newspapers
• By attending careers fairs such as the London Graduate Careers Fair and the IT & Finance Fair at Manchester
• By registering with specialist recruitment agencies
• Via speculative enquiries and by searching company websites and intranets
• Via former employers and summer work placements
• By word of mouth through relatives and family friends