Librarian CV Example + Template (2024 Guide)

Sobhan Mohmand, Career Expert          3 Oct 2023

There aren’t many librarian jobs available so you need to have a brilliant CV to increase your chances of being shortlisted for a job interview.

Luckily, this comprehensive guide has been created to give you all the necessary information, examples, templates and tips to write your perfect librarian CV and secure this highly sought-after job. Let’s begin!

• Librarian CV example
• Download CV template (Word format)
• How to structure and format your CV
• How to write a perfect CV (a step-by-step guide)
• Personal profile statement example
• Duties to add to your CV
• Useful skills to add to your CV
• Tips on making your CV more effective

CV example

Preview

What makes this CV effective?

• Structured and Readable Layout: This CV features a well-structured format, complete with distinct headings and bullet points, facilitating quick and efficient navigation to locate important details.
• Relevant Work Experience: The CV focuses on relevant work experience, placing the most recent and impactful roles at the top. Each job entry includes specific accomplishments and responsibilities.
• Ideal Length: The CV is 2 A4 pages and not any longer.
• References Included: The candidate has included the details of their referees, adding more credibility to their profile.

Download CV template

Download

Are you writing your CV from scratch or is your CV template outdated? Download this professional CV template to impress employers!

• Free
• Save time and effort
• Guaranteed correct CV structure
• Word document (.docx) format
• Fully customisable

How to save your CV as a PDF document:

• Click on File > Save As > Select “PDF” from the drop-down menu.

How to structure and format your CV

• Follow a standard CV structure: A traditional CV consists of the following sections in order: personal details, personal profile, achievements, education, employment, skills, hobbies and references. There is a reason for this format; the most important information is presented first. It’s best to stick to this (or a similar) format as employers are used to seeing this format all the time. You can swap the places of your education and employment sections, depending on which one is the strongest and put that on top.
• Use an appropriate font: There are dozens of fonts available so which one should you choose for your CV? Well, all great CV fonts should have three things in common; they should be easy to read, professional and mainstream. For example, a handwriting font or typeface fails all these three criteria! Handwriting fonts are difficult to read, they don’t convey professionalism and they are not commonly used for writing CVs. Some examples of more appropriate fonts are Helvetica, Lucida Sans, Times New Roman, Verdana, Georgia and Calibri.
• Use subheadings, spacing and white space: Studies have shown that employers tend to scan CVs rather than read them in great detail. You need to ensure that employers can easily find the information that they are looking for at a glance. Improve the scannability and legibility of your CV by using appropriate subheadings, spacing and white space.
• Use short sentences and bullet points: Another great way to improve the scannability and legibility of your CV is to use short sentences and bullet points instead of long paragraphs. Remember, employers only spend around 30 seconds scanning/reading each CV so make sure they can easily find all the important information that they are looking for.
• Limit the length of your CV: CVs that are long-winded, unfocused or contain too much information are automatically rejected. The maximum length of your CV should be 2 A4 pages. Considering omitting old or outdated information such as irrelevant part-time jobs or school-level qualifications.

How to write a librarian CV (step-by-step guide)

Personal details

The first part of your CV contains your personal details:

1. Name (as the main heading of your CV)
2. Address (how to format your address on your CV)
3. Telephone number
4. Email address

• Florence Connell
• 28 New King’s Street, London, L34 5GM
• Mob: 07978376220       Email: [email protected]

Personal profile

Next, you need to write an impressive personal profile for your librarian CV.

A personal profile, also known as a CV summary, is a short introductory statement to your CV. It informs the prospective employer about your personal qualities, characteristics, abilities and experience.

Guidelines for writing a personal profile:

• Keep it short; no more than four or five sentences.
• Use real-life examples, facts and figures
• Avoid clichés
• Tailor it to each job you are applying for

Personal profile example:

I am a methodical and friendly librarian with more than 4 years of experience working in a library in various roles. I started my career as a library assistant and was promoted after six months on the job. I am currently overseeing and managing a small team of four staff at my local Newcastle West Library. My key strengths and expertise include using library IT systems, managing resources, cataloguing, training staff, providing excellent customer service and organising events for the public.

Achievements

In this section, you should list some of your important achievements or accomplishments. These could be from your studies, employment or life in general.

Example of achievements:

• Good grades in examinations
• Qualifications
• Awards received
• Promotions
• Elected for leadership positions
• Relevant work experience
• Meeting performance targets
• Improving business, processes or procedures

• First-class degree in BA Library and Information Management
• Managed the day-to-day activities and operations of a small library
• Library use increased by 24% after successful outreach activities

Employment and work experience

Next, you need to write details about your previous jobs and any work experience you have previously done. You can include a variety of jobs in this section including full-time, part-time, unpaid and voluntary positions.

Tips:

• Write entries in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Omit very old or irrelevant jobs if they don’t add value to your CV.
• Try to identify and highlight the same skills, abilities and responsibilities of your previous jobs as that of the advertised role.

You can also write “References are available upon request” if you do not wish to disclose your references at this early stage of the recruitment process.

Tips to make your CV more effective

• Write a tailored cover letter: Write a personalised, tailored cover letter with each separate application. Explain the reason for your application, give details of your unique selling points (such as your relevant work experience or skills) and encourage them to arrange a face-to-face interview with you. Check out the cover letter examples page for inspiration and tips.
• Proofread your CV: As a librarian, you are usually perceived to be a bookworm and bibliophile who loves reading, writing and learning. The last things you would expect to find on a librarian’s CV are spelling and grammar mistakes! You should double-check your CV for mistakes and, ideally, let a friend, family member or qualified careers advisor proofread your CV for you.
• How to email your CV and cover letter: Will you be emailing your CV and cover letter to the employer? If the answer is “yes”, then there are some guidelines that you need to follow to improve the impact of your email. For example, use a professional email address, write a compelling subject line, adopt a formal tone and keep your email short and to the point. Also, to avoid an awkward follow-up email, don’t forget to attach your files to the email!