JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018 - 170

Under the hammer
I

f you love old and beautiful things,
working in the antiques trade
may seem like the perfect fit,
but be warned - the sector is fiercely
competitive. In fact, competition
is so high for entry-level vacancies
as porter or antique shop assistant
that posts are rarely advertised.
To succeed in the industry you'll
need passion, drive and dedication.
That said, the sector is buzzing, with
online auction sales at thesaleroom.com
increasing 11% in the three months
to October 2017 compared with the
year before, and online sales up 24%.
Here's a taste of what you can expect.

Antique dealer
Antiques dealers scour the country
for items to sell. You may choose to
specialise in furniture, jewellery, glass or
china, for example, but your day-to-day
activities will be similar - negotiating
purchases and sales, carrying out minor
restorations, researching the identity
of objects and assessing their worth.
What skills and qualifications do I
need? You'll need sufficient capital to set
yourself up in business, an appetite for
researching your chosen field, a good head
for business and keen negotiating skills. If
you plan to advertise and sell online, you'll
need to be computer literate too. There

1 7 0 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S

are no formal qualifications, but you'll
need an in-depth knowledge of antiques.
How much can I earn? Earnings are
unpredictable and vary enormously,
depending on where you're based and
market fluctuations. However, with
experience you can earn between £20,000
and £50,000,
or more if you
have a lucrative
speciality such as
Chinese porcelain.

Auctioneer

observation skills and quick reactions
are also essential. You'll also need good
numeracy skills, an ability to research
current prices and understand the
law in relation to the sale of goods.
Major auction houses tend to look for
candidates with a degree in fine art or
decorative arts, as
well as professional
qualifications. You
can also undertake
internships or paid
graduate training
programmes at some
of the more prestigious
auction houses.
How much can I
earn? The average
salary in the UK is £42,250, although
you can earn in excess of £60,000.

Antique dealers
need a good
head for business
as well as keen
negotiating skills

An auctioneer
describes items
going under the
hammer while
closely observing the audience and
taking bids. Your aim is to secure the
highest price while ensuring the auction
runs to schedule. Outside the saleroom,
you'll inspect items and assess their
value, liaise with sellers and organise
transport and insurance of goods.
What skills and qualifications do
I need? Being calm under pressure
is crucial. A strong clear voice,
confident manner, good hearing, keen

Stately home tour guide
Who wouldn't want to spend their days in
beautiful surroundings? As a tour guide,
you'll escort groups around the property,
talking about its history, architecture,

WORDS EVE BOGGENPOEL IMAGE SHUTTERSTOCK

Working with precious and valuable items in an antique
shop or auction house can be a fascinating career


http://www.thesaleroom.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JOBS & CAREERS SPRING 2018

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