17 Museum Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Museum technicians are the caretakers of our nation’s history. They work in museums and galleries, where they are responsible for the preservation and restoration of artifacts. Museum technicians also prepare exhibits for display and provide support to curators and other museum staff.

If you’re interested in working as a museum technician, you will need to go through a job interview. During the interview, the museum hiring manager will ask you questions to assess your skills and qualifications. They will also want to know if you’re a good fit for the museum’s culture.

To help you prepare for your museum technician interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with a team of professionals to care for and maintain exhibits and artifacts?

Teamwork is an important skill for museum technicians to have. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with others and that you can collaborate effectively. In your answer, explain how you enjoy collaborating with others and what makes you a good team member.

Example: “I love working in a team environment because it allows me to learn from other professionals. I find that my colleagues are great resources when I’m looking for answers or advice about a project. I also appreciate the camaraderie of working with a group of people who all share a common interest. When I worked at the science center, I was part of a team of five technicians who were responsible for maintaining several exhibits. We each had our own projects to work on but we would often help one another if someone needed assistance.”

What are some of the most important skills you have that make you a good museum technician?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to be successful in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important skills, such as communication, organization or problem-solving skills.

Example: “I think one of my strongest skills is my attention to detail. I am always very careful when handling objects and making sure they are properly stored. Another skill that helps me succeed as a museum technician is my ability to solve problems. When something goes wrong, I am able to assess the situation and find a solution quickly. Finally, I believe my passion for art and history makes me an excellent museum technician because it motivates me to do my best work.”

How would you handle a situation where you need to make a quick decision about the care of an artifact or exhibit?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your decision-making skills and how you apply them in the workplace. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to make a quick but informed choice about an artifact or exhibit’s care.

Example: “In my previous role as a museum technician, I once had to quickly decide whether to move a large piece of glass that was on display because it was starting to fall off its stand. I first assessed the situation by asking for help from other technicians who were nearby. Then, we decided together that moving the glass would be best because if we left it alone, it could have broken and damaged the artifacts around it. We moved the glass into storage until we could fix the problem with the display.”

What is your process for documenting your work and recording any changes or updates to exhibits or artifacts?

Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you keep track of your work and ensure that exhibits are accurate. Your answer should include a specific process for documenting changes or updates, as well as how you maintain records of your work.

Example: “I use an electronic database system to record all of my documentation and notes about the artifacts I work with. This allows me to easily access information when needed and ensures that I can always find any previous documentation I’ve recorded. In addition, I also take photos of each artifact before beginning any work so that I have a visual reference for future comparison.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond your job duties to help out the museum.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your work ethic and how you approach a job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example that shows your dedication to the museum and its mission.

Example: “When I first started working at my current museum, we were short on volunteers for our summer camp program. I volunteered to lead one of the sessions, which required me to create lesson plans and activities for the kids. It was a lot of extra work, but I really enjoyed getting to know the kids and helping them have fun during their summer break.”

If you had the opportunity to learn more about the history of an artifact, would you take it? Why or why not?

This question can help interviewers determine your interest in the history of artifacts and how much you know about them. You can answer this question by explaining that you would take advantage of any opportunity to learn more about an artifact’s history, especially if it was a unique or interesting story.

Example: “I would definitely take advantage of learning more about an artifact’s history because I find each piece so fascinating. For example, when I worked at my previous job as a museum technician, I learned about a sword that had been found in a lake. The sword was over 1,000 years old, but it still looked brand new. It turns out that the sword belonged to a Viking who lost it while fishing.”

What would you do if you noticed a visitor touching an exhibit or artifact without permission?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and how you would respond to a challenging situation. In your answer, try to emphasize the importance of respecting museum property while also showing that you can handle difficult situations with tact and professionalism.

Example: “I would politely approach the visitor and explain why they shouldn’t touch exhibits or artifacts without permission. I would make sure to speak clearly so that they understand my message. If they continue to touch objects after being told not to, I would alert a supervisor who could address the issue more firmly.”

How well do you perform under pressure? Can you give an example of a time when you had a tight deadline?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you handle pressure and deadlines. They want to know that you can complete tasks on time, even when there’s a lot of work to do. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you’re organized and able to prioritize tasks.

Example: “I perform well under pressure because I’m used to working with tight deadlines. In my last position, I had to organize an entire exhibit in just two weeks. It was quite a challenge, but I managed to get everything ready for opening night.”

Do you have experience using common preservation tools or equipment?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary skills and experience for the job. They might also want to know what specific tools or equipment you’re familiar with so they can determine whether the museum has them. If you don’t have any experience using preservation tools, consider asking your interviewer about the ones they use most often.

Example: “I’ve used a variety of common preservation tools in my previous jobs. I’m comfortable working with UV lights, dehumidifiers, air filters and other types of climate control systems. I’ve also worked with several different types of insecticides and fumigants, although I prefer non-toxic methods whenever possible.”

When planning your workday, how do you prioritize your tasks?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to complete it. Your answer should show that you have a plan for each day, but also that you are flexible enough to adapt to changes as they occur.

Example: “I start my day by reviewing any notes I took during the previous day’s meetings. Then, I check my email inbox to see if there are any urgent messages or requests from other staff members. Next, I look at my calendar to determine which tasks need to be completed today and in what order. Finally, I make sure all of my tools and equipment are ready before starting on my first task.”

We want to increase visitor engagement. What would you do to make our exhibits more interactive?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you can improve the visitor experience. They want to know that you have ideas for making their museum more fun and engaging. In your answer, share a few ways you could make exhibits more interactive. Explain why these changes would be beneficial to visitors.

Example: “I think one way I could increase visitor engagement is by adding more hands-on activities to our exhibits. For example, if we had an exhibit about ancient Egypt, I would add some puzzles or games where people could learn more about hieroglyphics. This would give them something to do while they’re learning about the culture. It also gives them a chance to interact with each other as they try to solve the puzzle together.”

Describe your experience working with different types of artifacts.

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with handling artifacts and how you’ve handled different types of objects. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you worked with an artifact that was fragile or delicate.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with all kinds of artifacts in my current role as a museum technician. I’ve worked with everything from fossils to paintings, which requires me to use special equipment and techniques to handle them safely. For example, I once had the opportunity to work with a painting that was over 100 years old. The curator wanted to remove it from its frame so they could clean it. I used special tools to carefully remove the painting from its frame without damaging it.”

What makes you the best candidate for this museum technician position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a few of your strongest skills or past experiences that make you the best candidate for this role.

Example: “I am passionate about art and history, which makes me excited to work in a museum setting. I have experience working with large groups of people, so I know I would excel at helping visitors find information they are looking for. My organizational skills also make me a great fit for this position because I enjoy keeping track of all the details involved in my projects.”

Which museums do you admire the most and why?

This question can help an interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality fits with the museum’s culture. It also helps them understand what museums you’ve visited in the past, which may be different from the one you’re interviewing for. When answering this question, try to mention museums that are similar to the one you’re applying to work at.

Example: “I admire the Metropolitan Museum of Art because it has so many pieces of art from all over the world. I love seeing how other cultures interpret beauty and creativity. The Louvre is another museum I really enjoy visiting because of its vast collection of French art. I took a semester abroad in Paris when I was in college, so I have a soft spot for French culture.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a museum technician?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be a museum technician. Use your answer to highlight your understanding of the role and how you would perform as a successful museum technician.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a museum technician is having excellent customer service skills. Museum technicians interact with visitors, so I believe it’s essential to have good communication and interpersonal skills. In my last position, I was responsible for answering questions from guests about exhibits and helping them find their way around the museum. I always made sure to greet people in a friendly manner and make eye contact when speaking to them.”

How often do you perform preventive maintenance on artifacts or exhibits?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with handling delicate objects and how you prioritize tasks. Use examples from past experiences to explain the steps you take when performing preventive maintenance on exhibits or artifacts.

Example: “I perform preventive maintenance on all of our exhibits at least once a month, but I also check in on them daily to make sure they’re safe. For example, if an exhibit is showing signs of wear and tear, like a crack in the glass case or dust collecting on the surface, I’ll clean it right away so that it doesn’t get worse. If there are no immediate issues, I’ll still inspect the exhibit for any damage before moving onto my next task.”

There is a bug infestation in the storage area. What is your process for handling this situation?

Bugs can be a common problem in museums, and the interviewer may want to know how you would handle this situation. Describe your process for handling bugs and other pests that might occur on the job.

Example: “I would first determine what kind of bug it is and if there are any eggs or larvae present. I would then use an insecticide spray to kill the bugs and their eggs. Next, I would clean up the dead bugs and dispose of them properly. Finally, I would wash my hands thoroughly with soap and water and disinfect the area where the bugs were.”