I love Indigo's answer.  I was thinking along the same lines, but I just
couldn't put it into words.  For those of you who are new to the list, there
is a wealth of personal stories from us about our experiences when we first
started out.  If you want a little sympathy comb the archives for our
stories.  Even though you might think it's negative, it is a good thing to
unburden yourself.  Some of us will reply with a bad attitude, others will
support you and tell you there's a light at the end of the tunnel.  But it
also depends on your attitude, and what you are willing to do, in an ethical
manner, to accomplish your goals.  You don't have to be the big shot, famous
curator (or director or museum educator, or brilliant archaelogist,
whatever), to be happy in a museum job.  You just gotta love museums and
stick with it.  That's the major accomplishment, and something that will
make you feel good about yourself.  IMHO your voice should be heard,
especially if you are struggling, because you will find a wealth of kindness
and wisdom from all of us.  That's all we can give you, lots of
encouragement and applause for when you reach your goal, no matter how small
or big!

O
Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Yorba Linda, CA  92886
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224; fax (714) 528-0544

----- Original Message -----
From: "Indigo Nights" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 11:47 AM
Subject: Re: Museum Education?


> I'd like to tackle this one from a different approach.
>  Those of you who have indicated you have had
> difficulty in finding a job in the museums field may
> want to take note of the words of wisdom I'm offering
> here.
>
> First, I am going to assume that each and every one of
> you are truly qualified.  That each of you has taken
> all the requisite courses and have all the talents
> necessary to work in the museums field.  You have
> prepared and poured much hard work into this aspect of
> gaining employment.
>
> What have you done, however, to work on your
> job-hunting skills?
>
> How "together" is your resume?
>
> How "appropriately" did you dress for success?  Did
> you visit the museum in advance and quietly observe
> staff when they weren't looking to ensure you don't
> dress too far up or too far down for the job?
>
> Most of all, how are your interview skills?
>
> Do you start with a firm and confident handshake, or
> do you come across as a real limp fish, lacking in
> self-confidence and it shows?
>
> Do you listen to the questions or scenarios being
> posited to you, or are you so nervous that you jump in
> with answers to questions that aren't asked and miss
> the answers to the question you were asked?
>
> Do you offer too much or too little information?
>
> Could it be that you're simply not as prepared for the
> interview as you could/should be?
>
> Have you ever done practice interviews that are
> videotaped so that you can see how you actually come
> across?
>
> If not, why not?  If you look around in your
> community, or on the internet, you may well be able to
> find a class at a nominal cost you can attend that
> teaches you the fine art of interviewing, and just
> like a great masterpiece, effective interviewing is an
> art.
>
> Believe it or not, interviewing skills are as
> important as that pedigree you're carrying and the
> resume you paid someone else to do for you (LOL).
>
> I believe that competition is stiff in the employment
> field.  I am less inclined to believe that it is
> harder to get into such a field if you have worked on
> your people and interview skills than it is in any
> other field where there are more candidates for
> employment than there are actually jobs.
>
> Take a moment, as well, to consider interviewing from
> the perspective of the employer.
>
> Someone has left or is leaving.  Everyone else already
> has too much to do and now has to take on some part of
> that departing person's responsiblities.  The public
> is still coming to the museum, there are school
> children to be accommodated, the director wants to add
> a new exhibit with a too-short deadline, a coworker
> wants them to hire a friend they know is not a match
> for the position, there's a report due to the
> development department by 5 o'clock that is critical
> for a grant application, and oh, by the way, they're
> having friends over for dinner on the weekend, their
> child just called saying their dog got out, and they
> need to go to the dentist.
>
> And now YOU?
>
> Interviewing is no more fun for the hiring supervisor
> than it is for you.  In many ways, it's a form of
> courting ritual.  It can be a great date, and it can
> be a good lord, did I really give this person my
> number, and I hope they never call me again kind of
> thing.
>
> Finally, it behooves you to know what questions can
> and cannot be asked in the interviewing process.  This
> is important for both the interviewer and interviewee.
>
>
> One of the places you may find those questions is
> either in one of the classes that will prep you for
> interviewing, or you may have some success by looking
> at the EEOC web site (http://www.eeoc.org).  However,
> you'll have to dig them out.
>
> Far too many overlook the critical skills necessary it
> takes to be a part of a successful interview.  I
> encourage you to do what you can to make sure that's
> NOT you.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
>
>
> --- Cindy Barnard <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Hello;
> > I know I'm going to sound like an embittered and
> > negative person- but here
> > goes. This has been my experience; and I know that
> > everyone is different.
>
> =====
> Indigo Nights
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
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