I feel getting a job is impossible

Throwaway account because I need to vent.

Library schools really need to stress more how impossible it is to get a job in libraries/archives/bibliographic-adjacent industries currently.

I had read all the horror stories on the subreddits beforehand, but saw a common theme that typically the posting had a reason as to why their employment prospects were so few: they were only looking in a specific city or state, they had no internship experience, etc. so I figured that if I made certain that I gained extensive internship and practical experience during my program, and didn’t limit my search area, I wouldn’t be a victim in the occupational slasher.

I was wrong.

I have done 3 internships, a student work job that was actually pretty involved (fulfilled ILL requests and utilized Alma), a published book review in a major journal, and an award winning paper for new professionals in a journal; yet I can barely even get to an interview stage let alone get hired.

I have had multiple people review my resume/CV and cover letter, and received feedback amounting to “other than a few minor tweaks, these all look good”.

My search area is the entire U.S. (also it’s really overstated how much this helps as it often seems the institutions would rather take someone local)

I’m applying for entry level library positions that require the MLIS, library assistant positions that don’t, and various positions which utilize skills in the MLIS such as legal assistant, or records specialist.

It’s been 4 months and over 60 applications with no real prospects in sight.

I could understand this struggle if I hadn’t sought to buff up my resume while in school, and didn’t do internships, or only did 1, but the fact I specially tried to do the right thing and am failing makes it feel horrible.

I understand there are better candidates than me with even more credentials and accomplishments, but I feel my credentials are strong for entry level roles. I can’t even imagine the struggle if I didn’t have them.

In summation it just feels like all the effort to do the right thing and work hard was pointless, and that library school might have been a waste of time and money.