Museum staff – the museum’s requirements versus those of applicants and staff

Museums are placing ever-increasing and changing demands on their staff. As recent studies show, overall staff satisfaction cannot be described as optimal. As potential employers, they are also only of limited appeal. The requirements, conditions and aspirations of both sides should be examined in greater depth to gain a better understanding of the situation, and ideas should be developed to ensure that both sides’ needs are met. ‘Skills shortages’ and ‘record levels of unemployment amongst graduates’ must be considered in tandem in the context of museums. Many decades of personal experience in museum work, academic education and continuing professional development will be drawn upon in this process. Ultimately, the suggestions and ideas may serve to further development in the specific fields of the participants, whether as jobseekers or as employers.