Working in an auction house can be a very exciting experience. With all kinds of valuable items coming in and out every day, large amounts of money being bid and high stakes it’s an environment that can be thrilling to be in. Here are some tips on how to get your foot in the door and eventually land a job working in an auction house.
Study and Specialize
What is it you’re interested in specializing in selling at auction? If you have a passion for fine art, turn that into your specialization by taking the time to study it at university. Or maybe you would like to be selling antique Chinese pottery. Even better. Having a specific area you are highly knowledgeable in will make you stand out from other applicants to these jobs.
Attend Auction School and Get Licensed
The next step is to attend auction school and learn the ins and outs of how to actually conduct an auction. This typically takes one to two weeks, and during this time you will learn not only how to chant like an auctioneer, but also about many of the legal issues involved. The process can be very intense. It may also be worth considering getting officially licensed as an auctioneer, as having this further accreditation under your belt will give you an advantage.
Attend Auctions
All the time while you’re studying, you should be attending auctions of items relating to your specialization and others in general to have a good sense of how these work in the real world. Becoming a regular attendee at your local auction house, you’ll also start to become known in the scene so when you do start looking for work, you won’t be a totally new face.
Work as an Apprentice
Getting an apprenticeship working in an auction house will not only build on your first hand experience, but will also lead to personal connections with people already working in the industry, meaning that once you’ve finished you’ll be in a good position to apply for jobs as you’ll already be known in auctioneering circles.
Keep up to Date in your Field and Continually Research
Throughout the whole process of trying to get a job working in an auction house, make sure you are keeping up to date with developments in your field of specialization. You can do this by subscribing to academic journals, reading broadly on the topic, and continuing to do personal research into areas of particular interest. Of course, you shouldn’t stop developing your professional knowledge once you start working, as you’ll always want to have an edge on your competitors.
Working in an auction house can be very rewarding, not only financially, but academically as well. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to finding your dream job.