Deb had very good advice for you when she suggested that you try find jobs your skills fit, and not a particular job. 

I graduated with a MA in history more than a year and half ago with more than eight years of museum experience and four internships at the time and managed to have three good job offers and five interviews after applying for six jobs. I had very good grades, but was certainly was not the most intelligent or creative member of my class.  However, I was the first to find a job. 

One of the best things I did in looking for a job was trying to fit my skills to the job itself. Organizations are not looking for someone who they can help, but someone who can help them.  It is important to reflect in your application that you are going to be an asset and an assistance in meeting their needs.  In the cover letter, I always made the point of writing about how my skills would help the specific organization, then in the resume I would list the skills that I had.  I also specialized in narrow field, but since a museum career requires a broad range of skills,  I ended up taking some advice recieved years ago from an undergraduate professor.  He always said that when one was not sure in a test, simply "show what you know". Be kind to the people who are reading the resume by trying to be succinct, but you should list your skills and how those skills have been beneficial in the work you have already done.  It may be helpful to ask people whom you have a good relationship with and who work in the type of job that you want to review your resume and perhaps take a look at how they constructed theirs.  They can give you tips about what worked for them and what does not.

Another thing that helped in my job search was not restricting myself to a city, but a region that I would be happy to live in. I also researched the organization.  I was very picky in this respect, because I made a point of looking for jobs where I thought that the organization could actually use my skills. The only job that I applied for where I did not receive an interview was one where I more or less haphazardly sent an application simply because my boyfriend lived nearby.  No wonder they did not even ask for an interview! 

Additionally, it is very smart to use your connections.  I used a former employers, friends, teachers, and professionals that I met through my internships to help me learn about position openings, work as references, and simply be support.  Finding a mentor that will help guide you during your early working and late school life is wonderfully valuable.  Not only will you be guided, but you will also gain connections through them, and hopefully, one day be of assistance to them as well.  It can be a win-win situation if you are willing to do your part.  However, most of the time, none of these people will simply step up and help you.  You need to ask, and be humble about it.  Do not expect help, but try to build relationships.  It will help you find jobs now, in the future, and will be an asset if there are problems in your career down the road.

Lastly, do not expect to have the job of your dreams immediately.  Sometimes taking a not quite perfect job will lead you to the job that you have in mind in the future, and you will be better prepared for that dream job. I was extremely disillusioned about not receiving an offer for my dream job when I finished my masters. I was cranky and mad about the job I did choose-- I have eight years experience, internships, good grades!-- and can think of two museum studies professors who are probably pretty happy that I have not kept very good contact because of this. Not a good attitude to have, and I regret it now.  When it came down to it, chosing a position that will be benificial in the long run is just as good, and perhaps better than having your dream job immediately. It is good to have a job that may force you to grow towards your goal as well as in different directions. In my situation, my position has given me wonderful experience making me more marketable, I work with good people, am gaining connections, and I work with the person who got my "dream job".  When he is busy, I take on some of his extra work.  Yes, it is more work, but because of the opportunities that I have with the job I chose, I am learning a great deal. The next job is more likely to be that dream job and I will be much better prepared for it.  Sometimes it is better to be open, flexible, and patient.

I hope some of this has been of assistance.

Jacqueline Frank, Neville Public Museum of Brown County

Green Bay, WI

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