That's also the problem with a lot of federal jobs--they're not real. I don't know how many times I've applied to jobs with the Park Service only to be told that "funding" was cut or they've re-evaluation the need for the position, and then I've seen some positions that *were* full-time permanent come back as term or temporary positions. Yes--less than 2 weeks, I'll believe they already have someone in mind. Just my $0.02, and I'm not a personnel person--just someone who's learned through doing.... Amy Marshall Curator Ft. Bliss Archaeological Collection My own opinions--not those of my employer. > ---------- > From: Laura Mahoney[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Reply To: Museum discussion list > Sent: Friday, January 16, 1998 9:10 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: questions on posted jobs -Reply > > I was thinking the same thing. At least at the Smithsonian, flags > should > go off if a position is only open for 2 weeks. Even within my own > office, > we have had open positions which we were required to advertise for > when all along it was know who would be hired. For Smithsonian and > Federal jobs, I generally won't even bother to apply unless the > position is > open for longer than 2 weeks. Another suggestion... I will generally > try > to call someone I know at the museum and ask them to find out if the > position is "real." It is surprising how many are not. > > -------------------------- > Laura M. Mahoney > Grant/Contract Specialist > Office of Sponsored Projects, Smithsonian Institution > 955 L'Enfant Plaza, Suite 7400 > Washington, D.C. 20560 > Voice: (202) 287-2170; FAX: (202) 287-3707 > E-mail: [log in to unmask] > > >>> Ross Weeks <[log in to unmask]> 01/16/98 10:20am >>> > The question is raised about why so many museum job postings allow > very > little time for someone to submit an application, and the anticipated > "start date" for the successful applicant isn't mentioned. > > Are many, if not most, of these postings simply an effort by the > museums > to > be able to verify that their openings were "advertised" widely in the > effort to seek non-traditional applicants, i.e., to comply with > affirmative > action policies? > > In so many cases, I am afraid, the museum has already pre-selected > someone > for a job but either government regulation or museum policy requires > that > every vacancy be advertised. I'd be curious how many museums really > do > open their best positions to all who might be > qualified/interested....and > then select from that pool without prior familiarity with the > applicants. >