When I first came to NY many, many years ago I was given this advice:  "It's
not what you know, it's who knows about you" and that remains true in this
industry.  Networking is one of the best, and in some locales, the only way
to find your ideal situation.  Also, articulate your ideal situation.  Many
candidates that contact us for both senior and entry level positions often
do not have a clue.  You need to articulate what you want to do (how you can
be useful and of service), build a network, work your network.  I'ts still
six, often three, degrees of separation and it works.  Contact me off the
list if you want to work with us to do just that.  It takes time, effort, a
real look at yourself and your goals, and commitment.  All good wishes,
Cheers!

Geri Thomas, President
Thomas & Associates, Inc.
www.artstaffing.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephanie Silverstein" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 10:01 AM
Subject: searching for jobs


> To everyone out there looking for a job,
>
> I know what it's like to constantly be looking for a
> job in the museum field.  I've only been in it for a
> short time, and most of that time was spent searching
> for my "dream job" (which doesn't really exist).
>
> My best advice is this - don't ONLY rely on websites
> to locate a job.  You have to NETWORK, and get your
> name out there any way you can.
>
> The first thing I did was walk in to several museums
> with my resume in hand, without an appointment, and
> asked to speak to the executive director on the
> spot(about what it's like to work in a museum), and if
> not them, then someone in the education department -
> because that's where my interests are.  The first
> museum I spoke to told me about the small museum
> association conference - so I didn't hesitate to go.
> I had business cards made up with all my contact
> information and handed out as many as I could.  I also
> wanted to meet as many people as possible, and that's
> exactly what I did.  You have to tell these
> professionals what you're after, and ask how they
> might be able to help you get it - or if they know of
> someone else you can talk to.  Someone at that
> conference suggested this list as a way to contact
> others in the field.
>
> After a few conferences, I began volunteering, because
> everyone on the list and at these conferences felt it
> was the best way to break in and get my name out there
> while building on my museum experiences.
>
> All that advice finally paid off for me.  After 2
> years of searching and 3 part-time jobs (and periods
> of no work in-between), I've landed a full-time job
> and I love it!  I've kept in touch with a few people
> from the first conference, and I'm going back again
> next month.  For the first time, I can hand out
> business cards from my museum and not feel like I'm
> looking for handouts from others.  I can actually be
> an insider to conversations that I never was part of
> before.
>
> Just don't give up, if this is a field you really want
> to be in.  Only searching websites is the passive way
> to find a job, with the fewest responses from
> potential employers.  Get out there and hand people
> your resume face-to-face.  It's a much more effective,
> active approach, and it definitely takes some guts.
>
> On that note, I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to
> everyone on the list for helping me out when I needed
> it most.  I've hardly posted questions because other's
> often asked exactly what I wanted to know, and I've
> been reading the list since I made the switch into
> this field.  You all have great wisdom and advice to
> share, so please keep on giving it!
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Stephanie Silverstein
> Director of Outreach
> Jewish Historical Society
> of Greater Washington
> (202) 789-0900
>
>
>
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