How to Be Museum Guide - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 24, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Climate change has caused a rise in sea levels, which has resulted in the destruction of many coastal museums. These coastal museums housed priceless artifacts and art, leaving them vulnerable to floods and erosion. As a result of this destruction, museums are now more aware of the effects of climate change and are investing in more resilient infrastructure, such as storm-proofing measures, to protect their collections.

They are also developing new strategies to educate people about the effects of climate change and the importance of taking action to reduce its impact. museums are now using more sustainable practices and materials to reduce their own environmental footprint.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. In order to become a museum guide, you should have a bachelors degree in history, art history, anthropology, or a related field.
Get Certified. You will also need to get certified in order to become a museum guide. Certification requirements vary by state, but generally include passing an exam and completing a training program or workshop.
Develop Public Speaking Skills. As a museum guide, you will need to have strong public speaking skills in order to engage visitors and keep them interested in the exhibits. You should practice your public speaking skills and take classes if necessary.
Gain Experience. Before you become a museum guide, you should gain some experience working in a museum. You can volunteer or intern at a museum to gain experience working in the field.
Apply for Jobs. When you are ready to become a museum guide, you can start applying for jobs. Look for openings at local museums or cultural centers and submit your resume and cover letter.

Staying ahead and efficient in a museum requires understanding the importance of organization, communication, and technology. Organization is key to ensure that tasks are completed in a timely manner and that information is easily accessible. Good communication between staff and museum visitors is essential to ensure that everyone is on the same page and to provide excellent customer service.

Technology can help streamline the process of organizing documents, scheduling visits, and even providing interactive experiences for guests. By keeping these three things in mind, museums can stay ahead and efficient in their operations.

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Job Description

Museum Curator: Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a museum and its collections. They are responsible for the acquisition, preservation, and display of artifacts, as well as the research and interpretation of museum material.
Museum Educator: Responsible for developing educational programs and activities for visitors in order to increase their appreciation and understanding of museum content.
Museum Registrar: Responsible for managing the museums collection, including cataloging, conservation, storage, and loan of artifacts.
Museum Security Guard: Responsible for ensuring the safety of visitors and artifacts within the museum.
Museum Exhibit Designer: Responsible for creating engaging exhibits that bring museum content to life. They are responsible for researching, designing, and constructing exhibits.
Museum Technician: Responsible for maintaining and repairing museum equipment and facilities.
Museum Docent: Responsible for providing tours, leading activities, and offering insight into the museums collections.
Museum Store Clerk: Responsible for assisting customers with purchases in the museum store and providing information about museum offerings.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
Strong knowledge of museum exhibits, artifacts, and history
Ability to answer questions and provide information to museum visitors
Knowledge of safety protocols and procedures
Ability to operate audio/visual equipment
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Basic computer skills
Ability to maintain accurate records and reports
Detail-oriented and organized

Having a comprehensive knowledge of the museum's collection is an essential skill for any museum guide. This knowledge, when coupled with organizational and communication skills, allows the guide to provide an informative and engaging experience for visitors. When visitors feel they are receiving a comprehensive tour, they are more likely to gain an appreciation of the artwork and artifacts on display.

having a strong understanding of the history and culture associated with each piece helps to enhance the visitors experience. This knowledge also enables the guide to answer questions about the pieces and provide context for the visitors understanding. In addition, museum guides must have the ability to work with different groups of people, including children, adults, and individuals with disabilities, and be able to adapt their tour to meet the needs of each group.

Finally, a successful museum guide must be able to effectively communicate the museums mission and educate visitors about the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with museum visitors?
How do you handle challenging visitor interactions?
Describe how you approach providing a tour of the museum.
What methods do you use to ensure visitors understand and appreciate the museums exhibits?
How would you handle an inquiry about a topic that is outside of your area of expertise?
What strategies do you use to improve visitor engagement?
Explain how you determine the best way to communicate complex information to visitors?
What challenges have you faced when giving tours of museum exhibits?
How would you handle a situation in which a visitor was disruptive or disrespectful?
Describe a time when you have gone above and beyond to provide an exceptional visitor experience.

Common Tools in Industry

Computer. Used for computing, writing, and other tasks (e. g. Microsoft Word).
Photo-editing software. Used to manipulate, enhance, and create digital images (e. g. Adobe Photoshop).
Printer. Used to output documents, photos, and other materials (e. g. HP printer).
Scanner. Used to convert paper documents into digital form (e. g. Epson scanner).
Digital camera. Used to take pictures in digital formats (e. g. Nikon D750).
Projector. Used to display images or videos on a large screen (e. g. ViewSonic projector).
Sound system. Used to amplify sound and play audio files (e. g. Bose sound system).
Microphone. Used to capture sound and record audio (e. g. Shure microphone).
Video camera. Used to record videos in digital format (e. g. Sony Handycam).
Headset. Used for listening to audio and communicating (e. g. Plantronics headset).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
International Council of Museums (ICOM)
Association of African American Museums (AAAM)
National Association for Museum Exhibition (NAFE)
Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)
American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
American Association of Museums (AAM)
International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
National Association for Museum Exhibition (NAMEX)
American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)

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Common Important Terms

Artifact. An artifact is an object made or used by people in the past that has been preserved to the present day.
Artwork. An artwork is a piece of art created by an artist, typically one that is considered to be of high quality.
Curator. A curator is a person who is responsible for managing a museum's collection, deciding which artifacts are displayed and how they are presented.
Exhibition. An exhibition is a display of objects or artworks that is put on public view, typically in a museum or gallery.
Preservation. Preservation is the process of protecting objects, artworks, and other artifacts from damage over time.
Restoration. Restoration is the process of bringing an object or artwork back to its original condition, as closely as possible.
Collection. A collection is a group of objects, artworks, and artifacts gathered together for a specific purpose.
Conservation. Conservation is the process of taking care of objects, artworks, and artifacts to ensure they are preserved and protected from damage or decay.