24th July 2010, 11:06 AM
Greetings to all,
To echo some and add to others......
Quallifications really are a minor consideration when employing field staff. The important issue is a candidates ability to walk onto any site anywhere in the country and get stuck in from day one. The candidate must be able to work without close supervision as competitive commercial units rarely have the time/resources to provide "pro-active apprenticeships". Peters suggestion that you chase a position that falls within your specialist area may help but wouldn`t you find the same "no-job-no-experience" vicious cirlce?
One thing that really needs ironing out here is this..... a field archaeologist is not a "lower rank" and field archaeology is not "beneath" someone with a PhD. Perceptions like this belong to the Victorian period and to those with little understanding of the profession on the whole (IFA et al).
If someone really is determined to become a field archaeologist, I would suggest that a period of volunteering with a local commercial unit would be a way in. When approaching units for paid work, try and maintain a first-name contact relationship with those on the end of the phone. Who do you know in the world of commercial archaeology? Is there someone out there who could vouch for you? How about suggesting to the prospective employer that they take you on under the understanding that the employment is a trial/probationary period? The key here I believe is not your qualifications (some of my field colleagues have more degrees than a compass) but your anonimity. Nowadays, unless you are known as a competent field archaeologist and people can vouch for that fact- things are going to be hard. My employer strikes a balance between old gits and comparatively newer lambs and this seems to work well. Many of the newer lambs are more qualified than the older gits but.....a good team feeds eachother to ensure that the archaeology gets the best deal it can with the resources it has.
Written "skills" passports may be a way forwards but I fear that nothing compares to a verbal confirmation of competence from a competent practitioner. Reputation can be everything and to that end, start talking to those working as field archaeologists......it only needs one of them to recommend "that bloke with lots of enthusiasm.." and the foot would be firmly in the door.
C.Vs for me-are a pain in the arse. Everytime I write one, I get yet another blueprint for the "correct" format. Whatever you do, keep it short and under headings...express enthusiasm...list competencies....list field projects you worked on...offer references.....emphasise that you can start yesterday...and include a covering page. Forget anything other than a first degree for now-keep that under your hat until you have accrued some good field experience and you spot a nice dry, clean-handed job in the warm!:face-approve:
To echo some and add to others......
Quallifications really are a minor consideration when employing field staff. The important issue is a candidates ability to walk onto any site anywhere in the country and get stuck in from day one. The candidate must be able to work without close supervision as competitive commercial units rarely have the time/resources to provide "pro-active apprenticeships". Peters suggestion that you chase a position that falls within your specialist area may help but wouldn`t you find the same "no-job-no-experience" vicious cirlce?
One thing that really needs ironing out here is this..... a field archaeologist is not a "lower rank" and field archaeology is not "beneath" someone with a PhD. Perceptions like this belong to the Victorian period and to those with little understanding of the profession on the whole (IFA et al).
If someone really is determined to become a field archaeologist, I would suggest that a period of volunteering with a local commercial unit would be a way in. When approaching units for paid work, try and maintain a first-name contact relationship with those on the end of the phone. Who do you know in the world of commercial archaeology? Is there someone out there who could vouch for you? How about suggesting to the prospective employer that they take you on under the understanding that the employment is a trial/probationary period? The key here I believe is not your qualifications (some of my field colleagues have more degrees than a compass) but your anonimity. Nowadays, unless you are known as a competent field archaeologist and people can vouch for that fact- things are going to be hard. My employer strikes a balance between old gits and comparatively newer lambs and this seems to work well. Many of the newer lambs are more qualified than the older gits but.....a good team feeds eachother to ensure that the archaeology gets the best deal it can with the resources it has.
Written "skills" passports may be a way forwards but I fear that nothing compares to a verbal confirmation of competence from a competent practitioner. Reputation can be everything and to that end, start talking to those working as field archaeologists......it only needs one of them to recommend "that bloke with lots of enthusiasm.." and the foot would be firmly in the door.
C.Vs for me-are a pain in the arse. Everytime I write one, I get yet another blueprint for the "correct" format. Whatever you do, keep it short and under headings...express enthusiasm...list competencies....list field projects you worked on...offer references.....emphasise that you can start yesterday...and include a covering page. Forget anything other than a first degree for now-keep that under your hat until you have accrued some good field experience and you spot a nice dry, clean-handed job in the warm!:face-approve: