OK, so I can't resist adding my two cents to this discussion about job hunting
and the reality of working (or attempting to work) for a museum.  I have been
job hunting for the past two years.  I have over ten years of cultural
administration experience, internships at places like the Peggy Guggenheim
Collection in Venice,  eight years of professional development in Madrid,
Spain, speak Italian and Spanish fluently, etc, etc.  I have a MAster's degree
in Arts Administration (the reason for my return to the US).  I have been
interviewed by the National Gallery for an internship (over-qualified!) the
NMAH (wrong position) the Hirshhorn Museum (over-qualified) etc.  The
Smithsonian requires just the right combination of bureaucratic B.S., which I
have yet to master.

I have worked at AAM for almost three years (from part-time intern to full-
time temp to Coordinator / Consultant).  Am I supposed to intern now?  I am
VERY frustrated with the field.  Not to mention my interview last year in
Bilbao at the Guggenheim.  I paid for the trip to Spain and have yet to
receive a letter of rejection.  This year, I interviewed for a position at the
Solomon R. Guggenheim in NYC - a coordinator's position.  Again, the salary
went un-advertised.  After the interview, the HR person informed me it paid
$24K per annum.  Who can live in NYC on that money?  Yet another travel
expense for something that SHOULD have been advertised.

IF museums expect to get QUALIFIED professionals, they better start giving
those individuals the respect they deserve.  In defense of the headhunting
firm in NYC, I did send my resume to which you responded with a form letter.
Over-qualified for entry level, under-qualified for top management.  Now what?
More internships?  Can't you take a minute in your busy day to actually
CONSULT with someone like me?

I don't think anyone is being unrealistic about the status quo of empoyment in
the museum field.  The fact of the matter is that there are more people
(qualified and not) who want to work in the field than there are jobs. While
volunteering is a good way to get your foot in the door, museum professionals
should take more time to review resumes and RESPOND to the applicants,
qualified or not.  Let people know what the applicant needs to do to further
their careers.

While those of us outside the institutions CAN complain about how those of you
inside treat our applications, wouldn't it be nice if you remembered how
difficult it was to get a job and actually made that process less painful for
us?  I know that when I FINALLY land the job and am looking to hire others, I
will respond to EVERY letter and application and will keep a file of
applicants to refer to others.  I hope you who have failed to do so in the
past will in the future.

Best of luck to all those out there still looking.