Working as an Archivist, you will maintain and manage historical documents, papers, books, plans, photographs, maps, videos, films, and tapes. You will play a crucial role in making these available for the general public, researchers, academia and professionals.
Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.
When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become an Archivist
Should you wish to work as an Archivist you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.
Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.
Working as an Archivist, you may work alone or as part of a team of Archivists. Opportunities exist within the Archivist profession for international travel and working on a contract or freelance basis with charities, religious organisations, and private trusts and individuals.
Our advice on how to get an Archivist job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.
This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Archivist application. If you have not held an Archivist position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Archivist role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.
Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.
You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Archivist CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Archivist application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.
This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Archivist in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.
As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Archivist and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses.
The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Archivist experience.
What does it take to be an Archivist? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Archivist jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Archivist through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.
If you are wondering how to get into Archivist part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Archivist or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day.
If you have impressive Archivist qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.
How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.
