Yes, asking the museum would have been my first choice, but when the
announcement states in very large letter, "NO CALLS,"  that option appears
to fly right out the window!

Trish McDougall


>From: Jay Heuman <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: writing samples
>Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 12:42:54 -0600
>
>Hi Janey et al.:
>
>The question of writing samples is tricky; however, I'll second my vote for
>Diane's rationale.
>
>A potential employer can safely assume an applicant knows the standards for
>the type of position for which they are applying.  It IS a screening
>technique
>- like any contact an applicant has with a would-be employer.
>
>The applicant who assumes a 402-page MA thesis is appropriate is likely to
>be
>omitted from the rest of the process as lacking an understanding of
>appropriateness.  So, if an applicant is unsure about writing samples (what
>type, how many, how long, etc.) . . . ASK!  It's better to ask for
>clarification from, rather than complain to, a would-be employer.
>
>[Similarly, an applicant who shows up for an interview late, wearing torn
>jeans, a wrinkled tie-dye T-shirt, with offensive odors (pot, booze, body
>odor, and/or "other") is unlikely to get hired.  UNLESS the museum tries to
>recreate the Sixties - complete with lava lamps, "roaches," and books by
>and
>about Georgi Gurdjieff or the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for sale in the gift
>shop.]
>
>The issue is appropriateness - not sadism or being dim.  (Though some
>would-be
>employers may very well be either or both.)  It's sad to think that writing
>samples must be (for some jobs) a necessary "screening technique" when the
>average museum job posting attracts dozens of unqualified applicants.
>
>The peson who gets the job is the person who makes the least mistakes -
>including the selection of appropriate writing samples.
>
>Best wishes to all, sincerely,
>
>Jay Heuman
>Assistant Curator of Education
>Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
>Utah State University
>www.artmuseum.usu.edu
>t 435-797-0165
>
>
> >----- Forwarded Message -----
> >From: Jane Teebs <[log in to unmask]>
> >Subject: RE: writing samples
> >Yes, I agree. I was discourteous not to spell out the kinds of writing
> >samples expected. Making them guess not reflects poorly on the sadistic
> >character of the person asking, it makes them appear dim. This is not an
> >employee screening technique I would brag about.
> >Just being blunt.
> >Janey
>
>=========================================================
>Important Subscriber Information:
>
>The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
>http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
>information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail
>message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should
>read "help" (without the quotes).
>
>If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
>[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
>Museum-L" (without the quotes).

_________________________________________________________________
Use custom emotions -- try MSN Messenger 6.0!
http://www.msnmessenger-download.com/tracking/reach_emoticon

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).