In a message dated 2/17/00 10:52:36 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
> I would love to know whether others have had similar experiences w/the =
> Smithsonian and other Washington DC museums....
I've been hired by the Smithsonian twice and have done the whole Federal
application thing.
First off, SI has both Federal and Non-Federal (trust fund) positions. Thus
if you only look at the Federal job sites, you won't find all the SI jobs
that are available. Trust fund jobs pay the same as Fed jobs but hiring
officals can be a little more lax about how they hire since it's non-federal.
For example, they can put you in a position on a temporary basis without
having to advertise it and they do a token job advert and interviews to make
you permanent. A general guide is that positions that are open for 2-weeks
usually have someone in line for them while positions that are open for
longer don't. This isn't always true.
The best way to find out what's open is to cull through the announcements at
OHR on L'Enfant Plaza each week. But again, these are only offically
announced positions. There are lots more that aren't announced,
To find those, you need to network and the best way to network is to get an
internship or volunteer. Elena Mayberry runs a great internship program with
seminars, bag lunch programs and meet and greet sessions, esp. in the summer.
Take advantage of them and go to all of them you can. Ask people to introduce
you to other people. A lot of positions are word of mouth and are filled
through "Gee, I know someone who'd be interested in this."
As for the Federal job process, your application first goes to a personnel
specialist who has a checklist that your application is rated against. Use an
SF-171 or an extended resume. The object here is to put more information, not
less. The more you have, the more chances you have of getting points. Address
each KSA individually and specifically reference your previous job
experience. Once all the applications have been rated, the top few go on to
the actual person who is doing the hiring. Expect at least 6-8 weeks before
you hear anything and don't expect a letter. You'll get a carbon copy slip
saying if you didn't qualify, qualified but didn't make the "cert" or made
the cert and will be contacted for an interview. Call the personnel
specialist if you didn't hear anything after 6 weeks to see the status of
your application. If you do intern, personnel also has counselours to help
you with your SF-171 and the hiring process. This is well worth doing. I
think there are also other federal employment centers around DC that will
help you as well.
Remember that advertised SI jobs usually get around 100 applicants per job.
They are highly competitive. The first job I got through word of mouth. The
second job I interviewed for and then got a year later so don't expect to get
something right away. Many people apply 30-40 times before they get
something. (Thank goodness for computers!!)
Other tips, go to local seminars and conferences. Again, meet people and get
your name out. Volunteer. Looking for 1-2 years for a decent job that pays
the bills is normal. Remember you are also up against tons of other GW Museum
studies graduates as well.
Good luck!!
Deb
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