The Job Hunt Toolkit: Session 1
This was the first session in our Job Hunt toolkit focusing on “What You Should Know Before Starting Your First Job”
Rosie Allan and Joyce Wu from The Sophie Macpherson team chatted us through how to create a standout CV, decode job descriptions, and align roles with your personal values and skills.
Members get exclusive access to the event recording and our full list of takeaways:
An Effective Art CV
Remember that hiring managers are reviewing dozens of CVs so clarity is key. Ensure the text is not only clear, but there is no flashy graphics or complex fonts. Inconsistent formatting shows a lack of attention to detail.
Indicate the start and end dates with months and years for transparency and the nature of your previous employment (full-time, part-time, freelance etc.). Employers may assume that a role is part time if they see a candidate working during their studies
Tailor CVs to specific job requirements by rearranging bullet points and focusing on relevant experience. Avoid overloading with irrelevant experience
SML has an some tips for CV writing for early career professionals
Regular Job Descriptions and Art World Buzzwords to Watch For:
"Small team" - This can mean very different things depending on the context. For example, moving from an auction house with 100+ colleagues to a gallery with a small team might feel like a bigger jump in responsibilities than expected. In a team of 3-4, you’ll likely need to take a more hands-on approach across a variety of tasks.
"Hands-on" - This can literally involve hanging, packing, and unpacking artworks, so be prepared to get involved in practical tasks.
"Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and under pressure" - Employers want someone who’s comfortable juggling multiple responsibilities or assisting senior staff with quick turnarounds.
"Flexible" - Can you jump into different scenarios and offer support beyond your core role? Being willing to step outside your job description (within reason) is highly valued.
"Client-facing" - This doesn’t necessarily mean making sales. It often refers to interacting with visitors, managing public interactions, and maintaining client relationships professionally.
"Commercial awareness" - You don’t need an accounting degree, but an understanding of budgets and financial terms will help you here.
Aligning Job Roles with Personal Values and Skills
Consider what genuinely motivates you: if you thrive on creativity, marketing might be a better fit; if you enjoy talking to people and building relationships, think about gallery roles.
Consider the environment you prefer: in a small team, you might wear many hats, while larger organizations often offer clearer role boundaries
Joyce emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and asking for advice from networks like NXT GEN.
Final Tips
Be explicit about skills or experience gaps, stay transparent and highlight an eagerness to learn.
Keep CVs to one page for junior candidates.
When making a mid-career pivot - say from environmental policy to the art world - you can contextualize your experience at the top of your CV. Go beyond just a sentence or two: use this space to explain why you’re making the move, emphasize the skills you bring, and show how you’re building experience in the sector (for example, by joining NXT GEN!)
Sophie Macpherson
SML are the leading recruitment search specialists for the global art market. Established in 2002, our experienced London and New York based team support galleries, art fairs, auction houses, museums, collectors, artist and design studios and luxury brands to find the very best talent through our core services of art recruitment and executive search. We work globally with a focus on London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Berlin and are specialists in building teams for complex global businesses. We build long-lasting connections with our candidates, often supporting talented professionals throughout their careers. We pride ourselves on our knowledge of the highly unique businesses that make up the global art sector, many of whom we have worked with for a decade or more. We believe the art sector is only as innovative, dynamic, engaged and creative as the people that work in it and are committed to supporting different views, experiences and ideas. We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds, communities and industries, who have demonstratable relevant experience, to apply to the roles we are working on.