Wow Shannon! I don't think I'm one to give advice but I do believe we share  
some similarities...I recognize myself in much of what you've written! 
 
It seemed to me that having an eclectic background would be an asset,  but 
I'm finding out that potential employers don't think of it that way. I have  
delved into projects and am continually working on one (or more) at a time. I'm  
working on these as a paid employee, volunteer/gratis and from home  too. I 
don't consider myself an overachiever (I think you are though!) but  I 
guess...well as my current supervisor tells it, "Pam has a lot of  energy".
 
For years, I have sought a well-rounded background in museum work. I like  to 
know how everything operates. All the challenges, how they are  
met...everything. And research...a variety of topics (and many unrelated to one  another) 
so most potential employers see this as unfocused. But on the  other hand, when 
I do have a chance to talk about one of my subject  areas...whoa. Then they 
think that's all I'm focused on, and if it's not what  they're looking 
for....forget it!  I do try to emphasize that this is a  skill/ability that I have and 
therefore try to promote it as an  asset.
 
We have the ability to focus on many things, while doing much more at  the 
same time. Sounds unfocused, huh? And that's my point exactly.
 
I have 2 unrelated academic degrees and one is multi-disciplinary.  
Unfortunately most employers are miffed by this. As they may very well be if you  
relate to them that you can read several languages. You may be best  off just 
listing a couple, and the one's they may be interested in or  require. Your ability 
to read languages is impressive and should be  considered an asset but this 
may be TMI.
 
Just recently, I halved my resume and am going with the one-pager. My CV  
will suffice to provide greater detail (it's 4-5 pages). I erased 8 years of  
accounts payable clerk positions. Waitressing...not worth mentioning. VISTA  
volunteer...that's going next (most employers don't know what VISTA is/was any  
longer). I haven't listed my temp agency work (even had received an 1,000  hour 
pin from Manpower) in years. And there's much more! The overlapping  positions 
(the 3 I worked while an undergrad) -is going down to one (the  
museum-related one). And although all these jobs have given me the experience I  have today 
-they're dated now.
 
And figures! After deleting all these office-related positions, during my  
last interview I was asked if I have experience organizing files. And this  
caught me off guard for sure (the question I was asked prior to this one was,  "do 
you do conservation"). Do I have experience organizing files? Second nature  
for me...not one place I have ever worked, had properly organized files. Glad 
to  do it. My reply to this question was a meek, "yes" and I simply stated 
that this  has been required of me in all my positions.
 
Shoot, I've not only organized files, but have created office/work space. I  
can't possibly list and explain all my duties and having gone above and beyond 
 in every job I've had. Several places where I've worked where we couldn't 
afford  new furniture, I've refinished and painted quite a few tables, desks, 
chairs,  shelving, etc.
 
I am a grunt worker and grunt workers are overlooked, undervalued and  
underpaid. It seems as though it doesn't matter how many skills I have and if I  can 
do them well. And I struggle to talk about myself and my work during an  
interview. Hard to stay focused when I've done so much.
 
 
And it seemed to me that anyone being interviewed and asked these questions  
could just say yes, if even a lie! Which leads me to a resolution of  sorts...
 
They hated me, I swear! Not even bothering to check my references! No  second 
interview! Any one of the questions I've been asked during this  last 
interview...if I was one who didn't have the experience, I could have  simply lied or 
embellished. They are looking for someone likeable or they  already had a 
candidate chosen. Not that I'm not nice, but nervousness is not  likeable.
 
And desperation, nervousness...whoa! My last interview did me in. The  
interview was the day before my mother's funeral. I pulled myself together the  best 
I could. I nearly lost it while waiting to be called into the  
interview...either I was going to start crying, or I was going to bolt! Two  employees had 
come in to chat with the receptionist...one of the employees spoke  about her 
brother (who also works there?), who was hospitalized -liver cancer.  And the 
details they spoke of while I'm sitting there, mourning the loss of my  mother 
and also knowing my aunt was dying of liver cancer (she passed away a  month 
later). They were talking for 10-15 minutes and I was sitting just a few  feet 
away.
 
The interview went well for a time but besides being taken aback by some of  
the questions (they were all over the place) one of the interviewers yelled at 
 me...well raised her voice. When I explained my background experience in  
conservation (not extensive) and the techniques that I use (non-invasive) she  
said, "you can take workshops, you know!"
 
Again, I was a bit taken aback but I feel my response was appropriate, as I  
explained that I have attended a few (basic) workshops but that I am rarely 
able  to afford the costs. I wanted to add that I'd surely take advantage of any 
and  every opportunity for professional development (and on my own time and 
expense)  if and when I can secure full-time (paid) professional employment.
 
My conclusion...this wasn't a serious interview. They already had a  
candidate in mind to hire. Instead, they went through the motions of an  interview and 
as a result, badgered me.
 
I thought it was rude and unprofessional for the employees to carry on the  
conversation (which quickly broke up when the boss came to get me for the  
interview) and, I should have quickly realized that I wasn't being seriously  
considered as a candidate...I should have walked out.
 
Shannon, narrow down your focus on one or two areas. Include only your most  
recent (applicable) work experience (including volunteer) ,and for the past  
(relevant) work - include that on your CV.
 
I believe that focusing on one or two areas that the employer is looking  
for, should be fine. This should also reduce some stress during the interview  
and no need to explain all your other wonderful accomplishments. If they are  
nice and sincere and respectful during the interview, all should come together  
nicely.
 
And to make sure you'll be treated properly during an interview...screen  the 
employer ahead of time. Is this a professional environment? A place  that 
will truly benefit from and appreciate all you have to offer? Perhaps by  asking 
ahead...how many interviews will be conducted, are there any interviewees  who 
may qualify for a preference (bargaining units, lateral transfers)?
 
If you really have no chance of being offered this particular position and  
are being interviewed merely to fulfill the employers requirements, you may be  
doing yourself more harm than good. If they are not treating you as a serious 
 candidate...this is obvious and I think this is the real cause of my 
nervousness  in a interview. And if the interview doesn't turn out well, than that 
may hamper  any future [real] opportunities with this employer.
 
With 27 jobs under your belt (I stopped counting mine long ago) we're not  
looking towards the interview as an opportunity to hone  our interviewing 
skills. We've had successful interviews! It's not US it's  THEM. Ever had a lousy 
interview and still have been offered a job? I know I  have. 
 
Most employers can see that we've accomplished quite a bit and have a lot  to 
offer. We've persevered, we've been good persons and that is reflected in our 
 backgrounds. A lousy interview is not going to totally prevent us for 
securing a  position that we're sincerely being considered for.
 
Frankly, I'm not going to allow this to happen to me any longer. Why should  
I be left to feel less than adequate, feel poorly after an interview, like a  
failure?
 
If an employer relates to you that you're overqualified...ask them what  they 
mean by this. If you're not satisfied with the answer, then they're not  
being up front with you. Would you want to work at a place like that?
 
Should we be knocking ourselves out, going broke to add to our credentials,  
always trying to prove ourselves when we already have? 
 
In retrospect, nearly all of the positions I've interviewed for...I already  
suspected that I was only being interviewed for one reason. I never had even 
the  slightest chance of being offered any of these positions. If I could make 
a  living off of continually being part of a pool of qualified applicants used 
 to satisfy the competitive process...I could be ready to retire by now (ok a 
 little exaggeration here!).
 
And for positions that I've qualified for through testing and/or as a pool  
of top applicants maintained on 12 month candidate lists...why are  there NEVER 
any positions open during this time period?
 
And why am I competing with a Ph.D. for a low-level, low paying museum  
position?
 
Pam

 
In a message dated 8/5/2007 8:42:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Chiming  in:

Do strengths matter? I thoroughly enjoy doing
research, laying  out exhibit spaces, running retail,
and giving tours.  Classwork  included education,
preservation, art history, landscape, art  classes,
theater, etc. 

In fact, right now I volunteer at a local  museum,
researching a 1768 wedding for a Yuletide presentation
and  learning the tour.  

Add in a BA in modified history, an MA in  History and
Museum Studies, five internships, two paid  part-time
positions, more
retail and customer service experience than  you can
shake a stick at, twelve years of teaching
(uncertified), having  worked with special
needs and all ages, the ability to read  several
languages and hammer straight...  and still, I get few
or  no interviews.  

Ideally, the job would entail working closely  with a
mentor in a position that allows cross-training. 
Moving is an  option: never unpacked from the last
move, and have purged even more  since.  Nothing ties
me to the area I'm currently in, not even a  lease.

I suspect that the silence is in part due  to
overqualification, a hard question to answer at an
interview without  sounding desperate. Several
interviewers have cited overqualification as a  reason
to go with someone else.  It may be in part that one
knows  one's skills and inclinations, or field
overcrowding.  Questions that  crop up more are:

1) How do you target a resume when you have held  27
jobs [no worries, they were up to 4 at a time around
school] and yet  are specialized for a particular
niche?

2) Is it better to have a  single page resume or CV
with few details, or to have a longer version  that
emphasizes your accomplishments while working
elsewhere to pay the  bills, AND outside interests? 
What if you also have a portfolio and  writing samples?

3) Is contract work an option?  For example, I am  very
good at designing and working with miniatures.  One
eight foot  tall, 400 lb model of a meeting house is
permanent display material.   Do websites support this
entrepeneurial spirit?

4) Does a  certification in teaching actually help your
odds in the museum  field?  Are the extra costs worth
future success or  cross-training?

Any answers would be helpful.

Shannon  Lefebvre








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