Interview
What is your ideal working environment?
A supportive, positive environment where I can still receive critical feedback on the quality of my work from an open and efficient team without feeling inadequate.
Questions to ask Lisa (Smithey)
-what does a typical day look like for someone in this position? -what do you enjoy about working for this museum?
What are some of your hobbies?
1.) Art, I like to sketch a lot in my free time 2.) history, I've always enjoyed reading about various historical topics so I chose to get a degree in doing just that 3.) chess! I've never played professionally but I'll often play against other people on chess.com
What are some of your weaknesses?
Going off of my last answer, I think a trait of mine that I would like to improve on is that I sometimes tend to focus on imperfections for too long to the point where it can distract me from other tasks at hand. I am also working on becoming more comfortable with asking for help when it's needed.
How have you managed high-stress situations in previous jobs?
I have come to learn that honing excellent customer service skills is key to handling high-pressure situations. Staying calm and showing confidence are important qualities, even when the situation is very tense. Apologizing is also a key component in such situations, as people can be more understanding when you apologize to them and explain the situation.
What kind of software have you worked with?
I have used Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office extensively for my work as an assistant art registrar.
What are some of your strengths?
I think I excel most in my dependability, as well as my attention-to-detail and precision in my work. I've also been able to sharpen my customer service skills by working in various environments where I've been expected to interact with different people for different reasons, so I'm looking forward to working more on those skills in my next role, as that's something that's always been important for me.
What do you look for in a leader?
I think a leader should know how to remain calm in high-pressure situations and should be a good listener and communicator above all. I also think a leader should be competent in ability to problem-solve and should be willing to learn from those around them along the way.
What would you say are the most important qualities that make a great visitor services assistant?
I think it's important to know how to handle multiple tasks at once, to be highly organized, detail-oriented and a great communicator..and I think having excellent interpersonal skills and knowing how to be friendly while remaining professional is also key for the role.
What is your favorite exhibit or program?
I think my favorite exhibit is the 'tot spot' exhibit because I just think it's such a unique idea that serves as the perfect example for an educational yet fun experience for kids. I love the 'themed environment' aspect and the architectural design is super cool to me as well.
How would your co-workers describe you?
I think they'd consider me to be hard working. My boss and a couple of my colleagues have actually thanked me recently for the extra hours I've been putting in. In addition ,they'd likely characterize me as a reliable team member: when I say I'm going to do something, I do it to the best of my ability.
Why do you want this job?
I think this position would be the perfect opportunity for me to not only be able to execute the knowledge and skills I've developed, but also to better understand the needs of guests and how to find solutions for problems as they arise. I love helping others and I want to provide a meaningful experience for guests and their little ones. I'm also interested in this position because of the cooperative work environment and industry resources available at the Discovery Museum. I've become very passionate about museums and museum work, and I think you guys are doing great things, so I would love to be a part of it!
What strategies do you use to communicate effectively with staff, managers and customers?
I try to always be aware of the processes within my company so I can offer relevant information to those I interact with. When I communicate with team members and higher-ups, I make sure I transfer all messages and correspondences to the appropriate person, and if it's urgent, I'll take the message or forward the email as soon as I read it.
What will you do if you don't get this position?
I'll support the person who gets the job, explore more training opportunities and look into getting further credentials to enhance my qualifications and skills.
What were your primary responsibilities in your past role?
I'm currently working as a part-time assistant for an art registrar at a private trust company called Jozu, and my primary responsibilities mostly include organizing office files and maintaining communications between teams, managers and clients. I apply feedback I receive from my boss, ask for support when its needed and I've even attended workshops from time to time to improve my technical skills.
Which skills do you hope to gain/what do you hope to gain from your experience?
I'm interested in the many ways this job can help me grow personally and professionally. I hope to become more evolved with multi-tasking, as well as conflict resolution if the circumstances arise. All in all I'm excited to hone my collaborative abilities while also getting to see some glimpses into my future career path and gaining exposure to all the parts that make a museum operate.
What are your long-term career goals?
My long term goals would be to expand my education by getting my masters in museum studies or public history and to use the knowledge and experience I've gained over the years to move up in the museum education or collection management fields.
Do you find it difficult to adapt to new situations?
No I wouldn't say so. I've practiced adapting to new environments with my previous jobs so I understand the value of being flexible in the workplace.
Describe a time when you took on additional tasks not part of your job.
The art registrar I'm currently working under hasn't been able to work as much lately for medical reasons, so I've been taking on a lot of tasks for her that I initially wasn't expected to do. For instance, one of our clients needed all of the invoices, condition reports, and other necessary documents for his jewelry collection printed out and organized accordingly in 3 binders for his insurers to see how much they could cover. I ended up sorting over a thousand essential documents before handing everything over to our client, and thankfully everything went smoothly.
Can you describe a situation where you had to multitask?
The first example I can think of was from when I was working as a barista at Penn State, my boss left me to work by myself around an hour before closing, so I had to take orders, make drinks and prepare food for customers while simultaneously cleaning up the whole cafe by myself. It was pretty stressful but I was able to do everything I needed to do in a relatively orderly fashion (cue laugh track).
What do you do to remain organized?
The first thing I do every morning is check my calendar and go through the tasks that demand top priority, like answering emails and communicating with my boss about my workload for the day..If I have tasks left from the previous day, I complete those before organizing the rest of my daily responsibilities.
How would your friends describe you?
They'd likely describe me as a reliable person who you can come to for advice. A good listener, I'm always down to try new things, especially when it comes to food (cue laugh track). I think they'd also say that I'm easy-going, but with a good grip on life. A lot of my friends have commented on how they think I'm crazy for being able to maintain a good balance in my life while still being able to get things done, so they would definitely say I'm a hardworking and focused individual as well.
How will you ensure a positive first impression on guests?
When a guest stops at the front desk, I'll immediately greet them in a friendly and professional manner and ask how I can help. When communicating over the phone, I'll ensure I'm clear and understanding with whatever the caller is looking for. This will effectively help foster relationships with the guests and show them the museum prioritizes their experience.
Why should we hire you?
With my given academic and professional experiences, I believe that I can be a great asset to the museum. I have a strong work ethic, I'm committed to working on a team in a cooperative environment and I'll always bring a positive attitude with me in my work. I think that museums and exhibitions such as the ones here are the best spaces to spark curiosity and a desire to learn across all generations, so I'm more than willing and able to provide the skills needed to help create a meaningful experiences for the museum's guests.
What are your goals for the near future?
Within the next five years, I plan on completing my masters degree and gaining more hands-on experience within the industry. I decided to take a year off from school to gain more knowledge and skills in the collection management and museum realms and I'm excited to get more into the professional world of this type of work.
Do you enjoy being around people?
Yes ! I love working with and being around people. I think I thrive best in a collaborative environment and I enjoy learning from and educating those around me.