There are minefields... in a couple of instances where I thought to ask
about the possibility of getting a toe in the door and <moving up>, I was
told
        (a) that institution had a policy of *not* hiring people who'd
                volunteered, and of *not* <moving> new hires (even if
                very well qualified) for at least 6 months.
and
        (b) another institution didn't have a formal policy, but
                thought it silly to hire someone who was willing to work
                for free; when a paying position opened up, they looked
                outside so they could have -two- "employees" for the "same
                money."

--Bayla    [log in to unmask]