Ok, I'll bite.
In reference to how to get one's foot in the door, please allow me to throw
my hat into the ring.
What if you DO have nearly twenty years of museum experience (off and on)
ranging from collections management, exhibitions, registrarial work, being a
docent, hospitality, public relations, grant writing... at the MFA in
Boston, CW and the V&A - not to mention several local historic house
museums in the US and the UK... AND a Ph.D. in furniture history???
I know that one is not supposed to admit how long one has been searching for
a position because potential employers may assume that you are not worthy if
no one else wants you, BUT I do admit that I have been searching here, in
AVISO, in Dispatch, in the Chronicle for Higher Education amongst a few
other places to find a museum position for about a year. Despite numerous
resumes and cover letters, I have had very little response.
What am I doing wrong? Is it because I attended a foreign university for my
graduate work? Is it because I have a Ph.D.? Should I have limited my
education and tried to enter the field after a B.A.? Is it becuase I live in
the South?
I am truly puzzled and quite frustrated. I have been so dedicated to working
in a museum that I have specifically chosen to work in a temporary education
position so that I would be available.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? Pray someone tell me?
Kind regards,
Laura Petznick, Ph.D.
PS I'll put in another plug for Historic Rock Castle if I may... Rock Castle
is celebrating once again its original owner, Daniel Smith on September
23-24 in Hendersonville, TN. Smith was a surveyor, soldier and statesman. If
you are in the Nashville area, it is worth the short trip north to
Hendersonville on the shores of Old Hickory Lake. Here you may witness
frontier life of the "West" and many exciting exhibits! Tours of the stone
Federal house will be run regularly throughout the weekend.
------Original Message------
From: Amy A Kleinert <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: September 7, 2000 4:34:06 PM GMT
Subject: Re: Knowing someone
Having recently gone through the job search myself, volunteering and
interning does work. Not only did it get me noticed in my hunt, but I
also met the right people. People inside and outside of the field
that were excellent references and resources. They were gracious with
their time and extremely supportive. One of my references was a well
respected community leader that I met as an intern and he happened to be a
great friend of my new boss.
Something else will get you noticed: a well written and meticulously
proofed coverletter and resume. It took me a while to find a coverletter
that worked, but after I did I received several calls for interviews.
Mistakes and errors on your application materials will disqualify
you before you are even considered. Please have several people read your
materials before you send them.
Good luck!
Amy Kleinert
Marketing Manager
South Bend Regional Museum of Art
On Thu, 7 Sep 2000, Christopher Dill wrote:
> "I applied for a job at a museum and did not even get an interview. I
applied for a job at a museum and did not even get an interview. Does
anyone have any advice?"
>
> Christian: I'll suggest that better than half the applications I get for
employment from new gtraduatesn show some documentation of previous
experience in the form of volunteer work or internships. If you have -0-
experience you're not exhibiting sufficient interest in the field to get an
interview. Volunteer work would also help you "know somebody," which really
only means that the folks reading your application have some frame of
reference for you. I get 30-60 applications for curatorial positions when I
advertise them, and the competition is high. Use whatever you can to get
noticed.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Chris Dill
>
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