How to put it

[msmemory_archive]

If I'm applying for a position in a Masonic library, where/how do I phrase my status as an Eastern Star Past Matron? I probably tuck one line under Memberships on my resume. Do I mention it in the cover letter as well, and if so do I also say Past Grand Representative, or is that over the top and I should save it for the interview?

Comments

[jducoeur]

To summarize some of my suggestions from conversation last night, and add a few more notes:

-- Play up the Past Matron card, with a parenthetical (Palestine Chapter #114): it's not just a chapter, it's a moderately influential one, and worth mentioning. You should also probably mention that you've been a line officer more or less continuously since joining (however many years ago that's been). That shows commitment to the organization.

-- Mention but downplay PGR: the guys reading this are too likely to know that it's an honorary post. The only thing it demonstrates is that someone in power liked you.

-- Mention the SCA, probably in multiple contexts. It shows a longstanding interest in history (useful for a historical library); the Historian job lets you talk about building a non-trivial historical archive from the ground up (useful for a museum); and it lets you talk about some of your administrative experience (useful for the high-level job). In many respects, it's the most *relevant* experience you have, and worth weaving in.

-- Discreetly see what strings you can pull. You're friends with half-a-dozen Past Grand Matrons: that tool needs to be used with discretion, but is a *very* good way to get your foot in the door, and getting an interview is half the battle. In my experience, at least half of all interviews are due mainly to networking, not due to the resume or cover letter. That's doubly the case when there are a lot of resumes coming in.

-- Through all of this, don't neglect the real-world experience. You also need to show that you're a serious professional librarian, not a dilletante who just does stuff for her clubs. This is also a useful distinguisher, because most of the OES-related resumes they get *are* going to be dilletantes.

And have confidence. I really think you're well-suited to this job: you have a mix of professional and personal experience that makes you an unusually good fit. You mentioned that you feel a little under-qualified, and I don't agree -- between your work on the job and in the clubs, I think you have all the experience you need. Sell yourself on this one: I don't think either you or they would regret it if you got the job...