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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