Librarian CV Example, Template & How-To Guide (20 Tips)

Your career may be as fascinating as a best-selling novel. But recruiters only have time to read the synopsis on the back cover. So, you need to pen a concise librarian CV that leaves them eager to meet its author during a job interview.

Doing so may sound like a tall order. You know all about books but might not be a writer yourself. That’s fine; our guide will help you.

This guide will show you: 

• A librarian CV example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a librarian CV that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a librarian CV.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a librarian CV to get any job you want.

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Librarian CV Example

This is how you write an excellent librarian CV:

1. Format Your Librarian CV Like a Pro

Librarians assist people in researching on a particular topic by pointing them toward relevant books. A passion for and fascination for the written word is an essential part of any excellent librarian CV, as are people skills, impeccable organization, time management, and computer literacy.

And, like any great book’s cover, your librarian CV should immediately catch the reader’s attention.

So, focus on theformat of your CV:

• Include your name, position, and contact information in your CV header.
• Use a CV font that won’t make reading a chore. Arial, Cambria, or Calibri are great choices.
• Your CV should be designed using reverse chronology, meaning you dive into your work experience in reverse order to show off your most up-to-date and relevant skills first.
• Send your CV as a PDF to preserve your CV’s layout. You’ve probably had your fair share of archived .doc files that proved irrecoverable, so do better.

Finished typesetting? If not, head on over to our repository of CV Templates, you’re bound to find something for yourself!

2. Write a Librarian CV Profile Statement

You’re in a bookstore. It’s packed with books. How on Earth do you make your selection? Looking at the blurb!

Your librarian CV should have something similar—the CV personal statement.

It’s a brief description of your professional achievements.

Write a CV summary if you’re a Princeton-level librarian with the experience to back it up. They’ll be amazed after an achievement and skill or two!

But, if you’re writing an entry-level CV, as you still haven’t had to chase down too many library dues,a CV objective will do the trick. Focus on your aspirations, but also emphasize your existing knowledge and transferable skills.

Read more: More CV Examples for Job Applications

3. Write about Your Experience in Your Librarian CV Job Description

Over 75% of people believe libraries provide necessary resources.

Don’t submit a CV that implies you wouldn’t meet that standard.

When crafting the work experience section on your CV, it's essential to highlight your best and most recent achievements.

Start by listing your current position, followed by your previous job, and so on in reverse chronological order.

For each job, include your official title, the company's name, and the dates you worked there.

In 5 resume bullet points or fewer, describe your most significant accomplishments and most relevant experience. Use numbers to make the impact of your work more tangible.

Avoid using boring words like "used" or "did" and instead opt for snappier, more impactful verbs like “assisted” or “prepared.”

Lastly, have you ever read a book and felt it was written for or about you? Recruiters love that feeling, too, so tailor your resume to the specific job posting by researching ahead of time.

Read more: How to Write a Targeted Resume

4. Sort Out Your Education Section on a CV for a Librarian

You’re a figurehead for education. Therefore, not including it on your CV would be a bit faux pas.

Lucky for you, presenting education on a CV is easy.

• If you’ve worked as a librarian for more than 5 years collectively, list your highest obtained completed degree, the school name, location and the graduation year.
• Applying for a part-time job as your degree is still unfinished? That’s okay; write that down as well.
• If you have less experience, like someone writing a student resume, adding extra details like your GPA on your resume, along with relevant coursework, orextracurricular activities reveal your hidden attributes to the library manager.

Read more: How to List a Minor on a CV (Major Too)

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5. Tailor Your Skills to the Library Job

First, let’s pull up this researched general list of skills for librarians:

Librarian CV—Sample Skills

• Information Science
• Cataloging
• Classification Systems
• Electronic Databases
• Digital Collections
• Strong Organizational Skills
• Record-Keeping Skills
• Dewey Decimal System
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Customer Service
• Patience
• Assisting Users with Information Literacy
• Copyright Laws & Fair Use
• Book Preservation
• Budgeting
• Promoting Library Value
• Community Engagement
• Computer Skills

Spiffy, fresh off the presses.

However, as much as librarians are bookwizards, nobody can do it alone. Adding all of the above skills to your librarian CV would seem slightly off.

Here’s what you need to do instead:

• Review the job posting and identify thekey skills and qualifications the employer seeks.
• List all your relevant skills and compare them to the requirements in the job posting.
• Any skills that match the employer's requirements should be highlighted in your CV, as they are the key to your success in the role.

One example of a valuable skill is marketing skills, as they crucially help the library promote itself. Your employer will likely note your qualifications if you sport that skill on your CV.

Read more: CV Templates Ideal for Passing ATS Checks

6. Add Other Sections to Your Librarian CV

Your CV also needs to ooze some personality. Maybe not quite Tammy II level, but something has to be there.

Think about stuff that makes your life easier in a library.

Someone asks for 18th-century German classical literature, and you’ve read loads of it because of your language skills? Perfect! Other additions, like relevant hobbies and interests, library certifications completed training and other achievements, can also work perfectly well.

Read more: What Else to Include on a CV: 6+ Ideas

7. Enchant Them in Your Librarian Cover Letter

Submitting a CV without a cover letter is like telling a story without an introduction.

That means a cover letter is an important part of your job application, as it allows you to introduce yourself and explain why you're the best candidate for the position.

Write a compelling cover letter by following these tips:

• Use a professional cover letter format that is easy to read.
• Begin your cover letter with a strong opening that grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to learn more about you.
• Throughout the letter, provide specific examples of your skills and experiences that are relevant to the job. Elaborate on those you have the most experience with and/or those you haven’t mentioned anywhere in your CV.
• Finalize your cover letter by expressing your enthusiasm for the position and belief that you can contribute to the library.

How long should your cover letter be? 250 or 300 words.

Pro Tip: Always follow up with a brief reminder email a few days after sending your initial one. This makes sure the original message was delivered correctly and also courteously reminds the employer of your interest in the position.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Still curious about some aspects of writing a librarian CV? Not sure about your librarian CV skills section? Give me a shout in the comments below!

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