Open Forum

Hi all, 

I work in curatorial and I have held several positions where the responsibilities posted online and I was told to expect in the interview did not match with what I actually did. I find this frustrating as I intend to develop my collections management skills with each job I acquire. How do I confront supervisors about this? 

Thank you! 

Hi all, 

I work in curatorial and I have held several positions where the responsibilities posted online and I was told to expect in the interview did not match with what I actually did. I find this frustrating as I intend to develop my collections management skills with each job I acquire. How do I confront supervisors about this? 

Thank you! 

Hi all, 

I work in curatorial and I have held several positions where the responsibilities posted online and I was told to expect in the interview did not match with what I actually did. I find this frustrating as I intend to develop my collections management skills with each job I acquire. How do I confront supervisors about this? 

Thank you! 

Hi all, 

I work in curatorial and I have held several positions where the responsibilities posted online and I was told to expect in the interview did not match with what I actually did. I find this frustrating as I intend to develop my collections management skills with each job I acquire. How do I confront supervisors about this? 

Thank you! 

I agree with many of the comments and suggestions already posted, but it is puzzling why any organization (museum or other) would advertise and even interview without a written position description (PD).  I did a lot of hiring and supervision and never would have omited this step.  It not only clarifies for the new staff member what's expected, but helps the supervisor articulate what he or she needs done.  In addition, how can a performance evalution be carried out without a PD?

I seem to remember (in the olds days) that AAM had a PD library.  Even if they don't exactly match what the organization needs and expects, they can be a good starting point to customize for each institution.  My suggestion for you now is to perform as best you can, document everything you do (and its value to the organization) and upon the performance evaluation (hopefully no longer than a year from your start date), you can offer it as a comparison to what was originally expressed to you.  If you feel you can do more, this is the time to express it, with all due respect.

Good luck !

Hi all, 

I work in curatorial and I have held several positions where the responsibilities posted online and I was told to expect in the interview did not match with what I actually did. I find this frustrating as I intend to develop my collections management skills with each job I acquire. How do I confront supervisors about this? 

Thank you! 

I agree with many of the comments and suggestions already posted, but it is puzzling why any organization (museum or other) would advertise and even interview without a written position description (PD).  I did a lot of hiring and supervision and never would have omited this step.  It not only clarifies for the new staff member what's expected, but helps the supervisor articulate what he or she needs done.  In addition, how can a performance evalution be carried out without a PD?

I seem to remember (in the olds days) that AAM had a PD library.  Even if they don't exactly match what the organization needs and expects, they can be a good starting point to customize for each institution.  My suggestion for you now is to perform as best you can, document everything you do (and its value to the organization) and upon the performance evaluation (hopefully no longer than a year from your start date), you can offer it as a comparison to what was originally expressed to you.  If you feel you can do more, this is the time to express it, with all due respect.

Good luck !

Hi all, 

I work in curatorial and I have held several positions where the responsibilities posted online and I was told to expect in the interview did not match with what I actually did. I find this frustrating as I intend to develop my collections management skills with each job I acquire. How do I confront supervisors about this? 

Thank you!