Dennis C. Kois:

You are making a number of unfair assumptions about me and frankly, I
think you are out of line in attacking me personally.  The fact that I
ended my initial post by saying, "Does anyone disagree?" invited other
points of view, which is at odds with your characterization of me.

First of all, given the nature of the gallery I run, and the fiscal
priorities of the college where I work, there is no chance that this
gallery will ever be more than a one-person operation.  If anyone came out
here to see it, that would be obvious.  Or they could call and ask
me--some job-seekers have and frankly, that makes them seem more credible
to me because they were gathering information before applying.  However,
I realize many people prefer receiving mail to phone calls.

As I stated, I send a prompt reply to all job seekers.  I would not keep
someone hanging.  I know what that feels like, and don't like it any more
than you do.  I don't know where you get the idea that were I to suddenly
have the opportunity to hire someone I would only hire someone I know
personally.  What I said was that I would feel uncomfortable passing on a
resume of someone I don't know TO someone at another institution.
Someone else on the list (much more respectfully) suggested I reconsider
this, and I am.

Helen Glazer
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On Wed, 5 Jun 1996, Dennis C. Kois wrote:

> NO, the "theory" is that you might deign to show a modicum of respect for
> a recent college graduate by actually taking a moment to seriously
> consider their resume should a position be available. Apparently the only
> way anyone gets a position in your institution is to know you... hardly a
> diverse pool of applicants!
>
> As a graduate student in Museum Studies at NYU, I have taken both
> approaches- responding to the few and far between ads, as well as sent
> resumes cold. And in fact, I've gotten more interviews from exhibition
> design firms and museums via the "cold" mailings than via the ads. All I
> can say is thank goodness not everyone takes the same elitist attitude you
> do... I find your comments insulting to those of us who invest our time,
> and hard work, not to mention thousands of dollars in grad school (or even
> undergrad) only to have their resumes ignored by someone who thinks they
> PERSONALLY know everyone who might be qualified for their institution.
>
> Finally, for the many grad students who receive this list, I can say from
> personal experience that sending "cold" resumes can generate results.
> While I happened to find a full-time position by responding to a posting,
> my fiancee found a position at the Whitney Museum here in NYC with "cold"
> resume... good thing she didn't apply to Goucher College!
>
>
> Dennis Kois
> MA Program in Museum Studies
> New York University
> [log in to unmask]
>