Curatorial Assistant Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Curatorial Assistant resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
A curatorial assistant is an entry-level position that provides a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the art world. Working closely with curators and other museum professionals, you’ll help plan exhibitions, create art guides, manage collections, and more.
If you love art, have a passion for learning, and are eager to work in a collaborative environment, this might be the job for you! Follow these tips and resume example to write a stellar curator assistant resume that will get you noticed by recruiters at top museums across the country.
How to Write a Curatorial Assistant Resume
Here’s how to write a curatorial assistant resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
When you’re writing bullet points, it can be tempting to focus on the tasks you performed. But a much more effective approach is to focus on the results of your work.
For example, rather than saying you “assisted with inventory management,” you could say that you “managed inventory for new exhibit opening, resulting in zero inventory shortages on opening day.”
The second bullet point paints a much clearer picture of what you did and the outcome of your work. And that’s what hiring managers want to see—because it demonstrates your ability to get things done.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. This program will search for certain terms related to the job opening, like “curatorial” or “gallery” in order to determine whether your skills and experience are a match for the position. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common curatorial assistant keywords as a starting point to help you optimize your resume:
- Curating
- Art History
- Art
- Research
- Museum Studies
- Writing
- Event Planning
- Editing
- Exhibition Design
- Adobe InDesign
- Photography
- Social Media
- Adobe Photoshop
- Graphic Design
- Art Exhibitions
- Visual Arts
- Cataloging
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Public Speaking
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Time Management
- Fundraising
- Communication
- Event Management
- Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Teamwork
- Research Skills
- Customer Service
- Microsoft Access
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a curatorial assistant, you will need to be proficient in the use of various software programs in order to effectively do your job. These might include programs like Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Suite. Additionally, you will need to be familiar with museum-specific software programs, like TMS and PastPerfect. Being able to list your level of expertise in each of these areas will show that you are a valuable asset to any museum.