I felt compelled to respond to Jason's post for several reasons.  The first
being that although I completely understand Jason's frustration, I do not
condone his reaction to some very helpful suggestions.  As one earlier post
stated, unfortunately a lot of getting a job in this field is "who you
know".   So you need to work on your networking skills and unfortunately for
you, this list is a networking opportunity.  When someone sends an e-mail
with the "I'm fed up" attitude you just portrayed you are alienating several
thousand potential employers.  We all understand that getting a job, not
just in museums, is daunting and without experience it's even harder.  I
think we all can sympathize with your feelings of frustration.  I'm sure we
have all been there at some point and those people who have museum jobs, of
which I am one, have worked very hard and have put in a lot of frustrating
hours getting where we are. You get experience by being diligent and
volunteering and interning and having that dead end job.  By being flexible,
by doing what you love because no one gets into this field for the money or
the prestige, we do it because we like doing it.  You can go to your local
museums and start introducing yourself and offering your talents, when
someone gets to know you, you have a better chance of getting a foot in the
door.  Its all about showing initiative and understanding that right now the
economy is poor and museums are quite frankly feeling the strain more than
other fields in the arts.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jason W Onerheim [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2002 12:32 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Thoughts on Hiring and the Catch-22
>
> Good advice, just one question, HOW is one to get experience?  Internship?
> Only if mommmy and daddy have enough money for you to live a year w/o
> income.  Work a second job?  Who will pay enough to live when your
> internship is 30+ hrs. a week.  Work a lesser job and work on up?  First,
> these jobs are just as hard to get as the PhD required jobs, and I've
> tried
> that, I have a crappy job right now with little or no chance to "move up"
> (of course I didn't know that when I started...)    Ah I see, everybody
> wants to hire an experienced employee but are not willing to give that
> experience in the form of a lesser job or try a qualified but less
> experienced applicant.  I can see the need to hire the best appliant for
> the job, fine but what the hell are the rest of us suppost to do?
> Everybody here seems to talk and comment from their ivory tower, and
> really
> doesn't know what it's like working a job you hate, eating ramen 7 days a
> week just on the off chance an opportunity will come your way, and when it
> does, there are 250+ applicants.  Great, so my choices are, somehow tell
> my
> student loans, creditcards, and landlord that I won't be able to pay
> 'cause
> I have an internship, or get a Ph.D be $100,000 in debt, and still be
> shoved around by "lack of experience".  Fuck the status quo, I am sick and
> goddam tired of putting up with this crap.  If you want a spineless
> employee that will do only that which is required, with experience hire
> that looser, if you want an employee that will stick up for himself, has
> the balls to get something done, and with ideas and new innovations for
> the
> position, but doesn't quite meet the experience requirements, hire me.
>
> See, noone cares, what did you say after that last sentence?  He isn't
> going to get anywhere...  I can appleshine with the best of them, but I
> prefer to be honest and forthright.  I will not put up with crap from
> anybody, whether you're a museum director with 7 degrees or a junky of the
> street who came in for the free air conditioning.  And, I will be right, I
> won't bother getting out of bed if my position is questionable so don't
> even bother with that criticism.
>
> so, now what?  What am I suppost to do?  I can't afford an intership,
> style, drive and ambition will not make up for 6 measly months of
> experience, I'm working a job I hate even though it is in a museum, and
> every application I've made (100+ over 1 year) has been rejected for an
> applicant with more experience.
>
> One last thing, I apologize to any of you who may have been offended, I'm
> looking for advice and I just wanted to show my frustration, so save your
> ivy league dibble about my language, I need unfettered and honest advice,
> please.
>
> Jason
>
>
> On 11 Sep 2002, Jon N. Austin wrote:
> > Indigo,
> >
> > Well said.  Those of us in positions to hire staff need gentle reminders
> > every so often.  However, I believe that applicants also need
> instruction,
> > which apparently isn't offered in school, as you suggested.
> >
> > I've seen too many young applicants express their frustration on this
> list
> > over their inability to obtain employment in museums, and I've suspected
> > that the problem may lie at the beginning of the process with the
> > applicant's approach and a mis-matching of the applicant and the
> position.
> >  I've offered the same advice off-list to others based on fifteen years'
> > experience hiring staff to work in small, local history museums.  I,
> too,
> > was faced with the same frustrations after grad school at age
> twenty-five,
> > saying, "I can do THAT!" when I had nothing to back it up other than my
> own
> > self-confidence.  Applicants need to set themselves up for success
> rather
> > than for failure.
> >
> > First, please read the job posting carefully.  As a potential employer,
> > I've identified my institution's needs and resources, and I've crafted a
> > summary of the responsibilities associated with the position.  Through
> > experience, I've determined the types of skills that I need in the new
> > hire.  I've identified the type of personality that will integrate with
> > other members of our team.  Candidates, please don't apply if you don't
> > meet the minimums (education, skills, AND experience) on the off-chance
> > that no one else is applying.  While your enthusiasm is apparent, it
> will
> > not compensate for a lack of experience or skill.  You may be convinced
> > that you can handle the job, but when comparing your material with
> others
> I
> > receive, you quickly fall to the bottom of the stack.  In a small
> > institution especially, I need staff who can hit the ground running
> because
> > I've been without a key staff member usually for a matter of months.  If
> > you lack appropriate experience, be creative and get some; you'll
> probably
> > have to volunteer.  In this day and age, your summer internship may not
> be
> > competitive.
> >
> > If I ask for a resume, please don't send six pages.  If I ask for the
> names
> > and telephone numbers, please don't send me six photocopied letters plus
> > transcripts.  Don't send me a photograph of yourself.  If I ask for a
> > writing sample, please make sure that your grammar and typing skills
> will
> > impress me rather than undermine your chances.  Follow-up calls are
> > appropriate, but they can become annoying if placed too frequently.
> Dear
> > applicant, please know that as the employer I'm reviewing scores of
> resumes
> > and can only select a limited number of prospects to consider seriously,
> > hoping that I've selected the person with the right "fit" for my
> > institution.
> >
> > When we get to the interview stage, please don't be late; also, don't be
> an
> > hour early.  Dress in a manner appropriate for the position and its
> level
> > of public contact.  Do your homework; take time to read the material
> that
> > I've sent you.  I'm investing time in you, and I expect the same in
> return.
> >
> > I hope that the above offers some insight to applicants to assist them
> in
> > their job search.
> >
> > Jon N. Austin, Director
> > Museum of Funeral Customs
> > 1440 Monument Avenue
> > Springfield, Illinois   62702
> >
> > 217-544-3480
> > 217-544-3484 (fax)
> > www.FuneralMuseum.org
> >
> > The Museum operates under the auspices of the Illinois Funeral Directors
> > Association and the Illinois Funeral Service Foundation, a 501 (c) 3
> > non-profit corporation.
> >
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