The Job Hunt Toolkit: Session 1-4
Breaking into the art world can feel like navigating uncharted territory - the industry has its own language, its own unwritten rules, and a job market that operates quite differently from the corporate mainstream. That's exactly why we created the Job Hunt Toolkit: a four-part series developed in partnership with Sophie Macpherson Ltd (SML), the leading recruitment specialists for the global art market.
Brought to life by Rosie Allan, Joyce Wu, and Rachel Johnston from the SML team, each session was designed to give early-career and mid-career professionals the honest, practical knowledge that rarely gets shared openly - from writing a CV that actually gets read, to decoding the buzzwords buried in art world job descriptions, to negotiating your salary with confidence, and knowing when a career move is the right call (and when it isn't).
Whether you're applying for your first gallery role, pivoting from another sector, or simply wondering if it's time to take the next step, the Job Hunt Toolkit meets you where you are - and gives you the tools to move forward with clarity.
The Job Hunt Toolkit: Session 1-4 recordings:
Session 1: What You Should Know Before Starting Your First Job
Session 2: How to Ask and Answer the Questions That Matter
Session 3: Getting Paid Right
Session 4:Career Moves (And When Not to Make Them)
Session 1 Takeaways:
In the first session of our Job Hunt Toolkit - “What You Should Know Before Starting Your First Job”, Rosie Allan and Joyce Wu from Sophie Macpherson Ltd guided us through the foundations of entering the art world job market — from writing a CV that gets noticed, to understanding what employers really mean in their job descriptions, and finding roles that genuinely align with who you are.
Your CV
Keep it to one page (junior candidates) and ensure formatting is clean, consistent, and free of decorative fonts or graphics
Include start and end dates with months and years, and specify whether each role was full-time, part-time, or freelance
Tailor your CV to each role by prioritising the most relevant experience
If you're making a mid-career pivot, use the top of your CV to explain your motivation, highlight transferable skills, and show how you're building sector experience.
Decoding Job Descriptions
"Small team" - expect broader responsibilities and a more varied day-to-day
"Hands-on" - this can literally mean hanging, packing, and moving artworks
"Fast-paced" - comfort with multiple priorities and quick turnarounds is essential
"Flexible" - be prepared to step outside your defined role when needed
"Client-facing" - focused on relationship management, not necessarily sales
"Commercial awareness" - a basic grasp of budgets and financial language, not a finance qualification
Aligning Roles with Your Values
Reflect on what genuinely motivates you creativity, relationships, logistics - and let that guide your search
Consider your preferred environment: small teams offer variety, larger organisations offer clearer boundaries
Stay open-minded and use networks like NXT GEN for advice and perspective
Be transparent about experience gaps and lead with a genuine eagerness to learn
Session 2 Takeaways:
The second episode in our Job Hunt toolkit focused on “How to Ask and Answer the Questions that Matter” with Rosie Allan and Joyce Wu from The Sophie Macpherson team. As many first round interviews are done over teams or zoom it can be harder to demonstrate your professionalism suitability and interest. Its even more important to prepare and practice to make a good first impression.
Do Your Research
Study the company's website, social media, press coverage, and LinkedIn before your interview
Find out who will be interviewing you and familiarise yourself with their background
For auction house roles, look at recent and upcoming sale highlights
For gallery roles, review current and past exhibitions, the artist programme, and art fairs they participate in
Common Questions to Prepare
"Tell us about yourself" - prepare a concise career overview and leave space for them to ask follow-up questions; avoid a lengthy monologue
"Why are you interested in this role?" - be specific about why it suits you, why you suit them, and where you see yourself long-term; mirror the language used in the job description
"What are your strengths?" - have two or three concrete examples ready
Questions to Ask Them
To understand progression: "Who will I be working closely with?" and "What are the next steps for this position?"
To understand the team: "How many people are on the team?" and "What are the day-to-day responsibilities?"
To show genuine interest: "What are the immediate priorities for this role?", "What does success look like in the first year?" and "What qualities do you value most in someone in this position?"
In-Person Interviews
Arrive 5-10 minutes early, factoring in time for reception sign-in or finding the location
Smart casual is a safe default unless told otherwise
A confident handshake, good posture, and steady eye contact all signal engagement
Bring a notebook - even if you don't use it, it demonstrates preparation
Online Interviews
Dress as you would for an in-person interview
Look into the camera when speaking, rather than at your notes
Choose a quiet, tidy, professional-looking setting - avoid your car or any public space
Communication & Demeanour
Never speak negatively about previous employers
Be thoughtful about what you share - honesty is valued, but oversharing can backfire
Confidence comes from preparation - the more you practise, the better you'll come across
Session 3 Takeaways:
In the third session of our Job Hunt Toolkit - “Getting Paid Right”, Rachel Johnston and Joyce Wu from Sophie Macpherson Ltd tackled one of the most daunting parts of the job search — salary. From researching what you should be earning, to negotiating confidently and knowing what to do when an offer lands, this session gave practical tools to help you advocate for your worth.
Salary Research & Benchmarking
Use the SML Art Market Talent Report and Google to research salary benchmarks for your target roles
The London living wage (£28,860/year for 37.5 hours/week) can serve as a useful reference point
Factor in your personal financial needs, lifestyle, and long-term goals when evaluating any offer
Salary Communication
Practise stating your salary expectations out loud before interviews — confidence comes with rehearsal
Give a range rather than a fixed number to allow room for negotiation
Frame the conversation around your value and skills, not your personal financial situation, and never apologise for your expectations
Negotiation & Follow-up
If you receive an offer over the phone, thank them warmly and ask for 24 hours to consider it before responding
Follow up salary conversations in writing — informal discussions can be easily misremembered, and a follow-up email sets clear expectations
Approach negotiations confidently, keeping the focus on the value you bring to the role
Benefits & Career Progression
If the base salary cannot be moved, consider negotiating benefits, bonuses, or commission instead
It's reasonable to accept a lower starting salary with an agreed review after a set period — this keeps the door open for future discussion
Use LinkedIn to research how long employees typically stay at a company and how frequently promotions occur, to better understand growth potential
Express genuine interest in long-term progression during negotiations — it signals commitment and gives context to your expectations
Session 4 Takeaways:
In the final session of our Job Hunt Toolkit - “Career Moves (And When Not to Make Them)“ Rosie Allan from Sophie Macpherson Ltd explored one of the most personal and complex decisions in any career — when to stay, and when to go. Rather than offering a simple answer, this session encouraged honest self-reflection and a strategic approach to making moves that are driven by intention, not impulse.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Move
What moment made me think about leaving — was it a difficult conversation, or a particularly pressured period?
Am I moving towards something, or away from something?
What do I want my career to look like in five years?
Is my dream role realistic and accessible right now?
What is my ultimate priority — growth, higher pay, a new title?
What do I want to keep, or leave behind, from my current role?
Do I have the time to plan this properly?
Signs It May Be Time to Leave
Stagnation in your scope of work, job title, or salary — especially if you've raised it and nothing has changed
A clear misalignment between your current role and your longer-term career goals
An unsustainable environment, increasing workload with decreasing support, or circumstances that are affecting your mental health
Reasons to Stay and Observe
If your role feels heavily administrative in the early months, this is common across most entry-level positions — moving too soon may lead to the same situation elsewhere
If the urge to leave is driven by career FOMO, depth of experience often matters more than variety; moving every 12 months or less can raise questions with future employers
If you haven't yet raised your concerns with your manager, it may be worth doing so first — a supportive manager can advocate for you when the right opportunity arises
Practical Next Steps
Explore the market and have industry conversations — understanding what roles exist and how active the market is will help you set realistic expectations
Honestly assess whether you have enough experience yet, and what you can still gain from your current role
Seek out a mentor, inside or outside your workplace, to help you think things through
Register with a recruiter to get early access to roles before they are widely advertised
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.