Stand Out and Get Hired in 2026: Personal Branding for Library Jobseekers

January often brings renewed motivation to make a change—but hesitation and doubt can derail your job search before it even starts, especially because we all know that library jobs are competitive. The secret to standing out isn't luck or connections alone; it's your ability to confidently communicate your unique value to employers who are deeply fearful about making the wrong hire.

This interactive 90-minute workshop goes beyond resume tips to help you discover and articulate your "secret sauce"—the specific problems you solve and the measurable impact you create. Through proven resume strategies, personal branding frameworks, and practical exercises, you'll learn to present yourself authentically and compellingly in writing and in person. Whether you're new to the field or seeking a career transition, you'll leave with concrete tools and an action plan so you can find fulfilling, sustainable work.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify your unique value proposition and the specific problems you solve for employers
• Learn how to articulate professional impact using concrete examples and metrics in resumes, cover letters, and interviews
• Practice communicating your professional brand confidently through an interactive personal branding exercise
• Develop a personalized action plan for positioning yourself competitively in your job search

Expectations for Participants:

↔ Open to all levels of experience

🚫📷🎙️Video/microphone not required

👋 Hands-on workshop

About the Presenter:

Alison M. King (MLIS, NCRW, CCTC), is a career management coach who helps librarians write the next chapter in their careers. She holds a master’s degree in Library & Information Science from Drexel University and worked in academic, public, and school libraries for over 10 years. In 2022, Alison took a leap and transitioned from school librarian to full-time corporate copy editor, all while building her own business (King Career Services/Leaping Librarians). She is proud to be one of only 76 Nationally Certified Resume Writers (NCRW) and makes it a point to learn one new thing every day to help her clients. Alison is on a mission to help librarians and LIS workers take the leap to achieve their most ambitious career goals!