Dear Deborah,
Local references are fine, but any good recruiter or museum human resources
professional will welcome the names of out of state or out of country
references if they are doing their job correctly.  What's important is that
they hear from supervisors who can speak intelligently about you as an
employee and how you contributed to your former organization.  As to getting
feedback, you have every right to ask for comments about your interview,
where you were strong and if there were any issues.  As the founder of
Professionals for NonProfits, an agency that provides staffing for museums
and other nonprofits, it was our policy to get back to candidates and
clients soon after an interview, and relate comments to both parties.  All
the best in your job search!  PS:  Although I still am a shareholder in PNP,
I have started another new business that specifically meets the needs of
museums and the cultural community.  I can now be reached at Thomas &
Hirsch, 146 West 28th Street, New York, New York 10001; phone: 212/802-7310;
fax: 212/ 255-4358; email: [log in to unmask]    I look forward to
hearing from both former and new colleagues.  Cheers!

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert and Deborah Bain <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, November 25, 1998 6:56 AM
Subject: job references and feedback


> I have two questions for the list:
>
>1.  How important is it to have local references when searching for a
>job?  I have recently moved and can list only one local reference on my
>resume, but I have been doing temp work for three months with an
>organization that might be beneficial to mention.  Do you think I should
>list my supervisor as a reference for professional character if nothing
>else?
>
>2.  How common is it for interviewees to ask for feedback from
>interviewers when a job offer is not made, and do you recommend this
>practice?
>
>Looks like I slipped a few extra questions in there.  Thanks for your
>thoughts.
>
>Deborah