How to Get a Job at Smithsonian Institution
A practical guide to getting hired at the Smithsonian Institution: where to apply, what the application process looks like, which roles are commonly posted, and how to prepare your resume and interview answers.
Free to start · No card · 5 credits the moment you sign up
To get a job at the Smithsonian Institution, search the official Smithsonian and Trust careers portals, apply through the required system, and tailor your application to each vacancy’s qualifications and evaluation criteria. Use a detailed USAJOBS-style resume, include relevant experience and volunteer work, and be ready to show mission fit, public-service mindset, and role-specific skills. Hiring steps vary by job, so always confirm details in the posting.
About Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is a large public-serving institution with roles across museums, research centers, education, operations, technology, fundraising, and animal care. Public careers pages show both federal and trust-funded openings, with opportunities in Washington, D.C., New York, Cambridge, and other locations. Its mission centers on sharing knowledge through collections, research, art, history, culture, and education.
Who may be a strong fit
Candidates are most competitive when they match the vacancy announcement closely, demonstrate relevant experience and education, and show clear alignment with public service, outreach, research, and discovery. Strong applicants tailor every application, answer competency questions carefully, and translate volunteer, academic, and technical experience into evidence that fits the role.
Roles and departments
Museums, collections, and curation
Roles supporting exhibits, collections, conservation, interpretation, and museum scholarship across Smithsonian units.
Research, science, and technical
Scientific and technical positions in research centers, observatories, and specialized labs.
Education and public engagement
Jobs focused on learning, outreach, visitor experience, and education programs.
Operations, finance, and administration
Support functions that keep the institution running, including budgeting, accounting, and program operations.
IT, facilities, security, and support
Roles that support systems, buildings, logistics, and day-to-day institutional operations.
Advancement and fundraising
Development and donor-facing roles that support institutional fundraising and engagement.
The hiring process
Smithsonian’s public guidance shows a merit-based process that starts with the vacancy announcement, then evaluates applicants against the listed qualifications and evaluation criteria. Applications are typically submitted through USAJOBS and/or STARS depending on the role. The highest-rated applicants are referred to the hiring manager, and the rest of the process can vary by position.
The exact sequence can differ by job family, whether the role is federal or trust-funded, and the location or seniority level. Smithsonian does not publish one universal interview funnel or timeline for all jobs.
1) Find the right opening
What to expect
Jobs are posted on the main Smithsonian careers pages and, for some roles, on unit-specific pages. Openings may be federal or trust-funded, and each posting should be read carefully for eligibility, location, and appointment type.
How to prepare
Check both official career portals regularly, save roles that match your background, and read the full announcement before you start tailoring materials.
2) Submit the application package
What to expect
Applicants may need a USAJOBS resume, vacancy-specific answers, and additional documents listed in the announcement. The complete package is due by the closing date, generally by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
How to prepare
Build a detailed resume, gather transcripts or other documents if requested, and answer the competency questions directly using examples from your work, education, or volunteer history.
3) Screening and rating
What to expect
Applications are rated in the electronic system against job-related criteria, including the qualifications and evaluation factors in the announcement.
How to prepare
Mirror the wording of the posting where appropriate, show measurable impact, and make sure your resume clearly supports every requirement you claim.
4) Referral to hiring manager and interviews
What to expect
The highest-rated applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection. The exact interview format is not publicly standardized across all jobs.
How to prepare
Prepare role-specific examples, review the mission, and practice discussing how your background supports the specific team or unit you are targeting.
Application and resume strategy
The strongest Smithsonian applications are tailored, document-heavy, and closely aligned to the vacancy announcement. Treat the posting as the source of truth for required qualifications, documents, and evaluation factors.
Application steps
- Search the official Smithsonian and Trust careers portals for openings that match your experience.
- Read the entire vacancy announcement before applying, especially the qualifications and evaluation sections.
- Build or update a detailed USAJOBS-style resume and gather any requested documents.
- Answer competency questions with specific examples, not general claims.
- Submit the complete package before the deadline and verify that every required attachment is included.
- If the posting is unclear, confirm details on the official careers site rather than assuming a standard process.
Resume tips
- Use a detailed USAJOBS resume rather than a short private-sector summary.
- Include relevant work, education, internships, and volunteer experience.
- Match your resume bullets to the vacancy’s stated responsibilities and qualifications.
- Add outcomes, tools, methods, budgets, audiences served, or scale where you can.
- Do not rely on titles alone; explain what you actually did and how it maps to the role.
Useful resume keywords
Use only the terms that truthfully match your experience and the live job description.
Networking tips
- Follow museum, research, and education units on their official career pages.
- Look for mission-aligned work, internships, volunteer programs, and public programs that can build relevant experience.
- Use informational networking to learn which skills matter most in your target department.
- If you already know Smithsonian staff or alumni, ask about the unit’s work rather than asking for a referral by default.
- Connect your outreach to the institution’s public mission and the specific area you want to support.
Interview preparation
Prepare for a role-specific conversation anchored in the vacancy announcement and the Smithsonian’s public mission. Because interview formats are not standardized publicly, focus on clear examples, measurable results, and mission alignment rather than memorizing a fixed script.
Themes to prepare
- Mission fit and public service
- Role-specific technical or functional expertise
- Communication with public audiences and stakeholders
- Research, scholarship, or education impact
- Operations, accuracy, and follow-through
- Collaboration across teams and units
- Adaptability in a large public-facing institution
Preparation tips
- Use STAR-style answers: situation, task, action, result.
- Bring examples that map directly to the posting’s competencies.
- If you are changing fields, explain transferability clearly.
- Review the unit’s work so your answers reflect the environment you want to join.
- Prepare to discuss both technical skills and public-facing communication.
Practice questions
- 1Tell us about a project where you supported public engagement, education, research, or service.
- 2How have you used your education, volunteer work, or professional experience to prepare for this role?
- 3Describe a time you handled a detailed process, deadline, or compliance requirement.
- 4How do you adapt your communication for different audiences?
- 5What interests you about working in a mission-driven institution like the Smithsonian?
Your 30-day application plan
Days 1-7
Identify target roles and understand Smithsonian’s hiring structure.
- Create a list of role families that fit your background.
- Bookmark the official Smithsonian and Trust careers portals.
- Read 3-5 live postings and note repeated qualifications and document requirements.
- Draft a master resume that can be tailored quickly.
Days 8-14
Tailor your application materials.
- Customize your resume for one or two target postings.
- Write concise examples for common competency themes.
- Gather transcripts, writing samples, or certifications if a posting requests them.
- Create a spreadsheet to track deadlines and submission requirements.
Days 15-21
Build mission fit and professional visibility.
- Review the mission and the target unit’s work.
- Reach out for informational conversations with alumni, colleagues, or public-network contacts.
- Look for volunteer, public program, or project work that strengthens your fit.
- Refine your talking points about public service, research, or education impact.
Days 22-30
Apply and prepare for interviews.
- Submit polished applications before the deadline.
- Practice speaking to competencies with specific examples.
- Prepare questions for recruiters or interviewers about the role and team.
- Review your resume and application package for consistency before each submission.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for Smithsonian Institution jobs?+
Start with the official Smithsonian jobs pages. Some roles are posted through the federal hiring system, while trust-funded roles use a separate careers portal. Always follow the application instructions in the specific posting.
Does the Smithsonian use USAJOBS?+
Yes, many federal Smithsonian roles are handled through USAJOBS and STARS. The exact system depends on the job, so the vacancy announcement should tell you where and how to apply.
What kind of resume should I use?+
Use a detailed USAJOBS-style resume with clear dates, duties, accomplishments, and relevant education or volunteer experience. Smithsonian says application quality is important and that a USAJOBS resume is required for the federal process.
Do I need to answer extra questions in the application?+
Often yes. Smithsonian says applicants may need to answer vacancy-specific competency questions and upload additional documents listed in the posting.
What are the most common hiring stages?+
Public guidance supports a typical sequence of job search, application submission, screening against the announcement, and referral of top candidates to the hiring manager. The interview process itself can vary by role.
What skills does the Smithsonian seem to value most?+
The public materials emphasize mission alignment, public service, outreach, research, innovation, and the ability to serve diverse audiences. Role-specific expertise still matters, especially in technical, museum, education, finance, and operations jobs.
Are remote or hybrid jobs available?+
Some unit pages mention telework or location-specific arrangements, but Smithsonian does not publish one universal remote-work policy. Check the individual job posting for current work-arrangement details.
How can I make my application stronger?+
Tailor every submission to the vacancy announcement, use concrete examples that prove your qualifications, and make it easy for reviewers to see how your background fits the role. Relevant work, education, and volunteer experience all count.
Turn this guide into a tailored resume
Match your real experience to the role, sharpen your impact, and build a focused application for Smithsonian Institution.
Build my tailored resume freeFree to start · No card · 5 credits the moment you sign up
Sources and methodology
This guide is based on publicly available Smithsonian sources and general job-search best practices. Hiring steps, eligibility, and work arrangements can change by role, unit, and location; always confirm details on the official careers site before applying.
- source-1: Job Opportunities - Smithsonian Institutionwww.si.edu
- source-2: Jobs at Smithsonian Institution | Smithsonian Institution Careerstrustcareers.si.edu
- source-3: How to Apply - Smithsonian Institutionwww.si.edu
- source-4: Working at the Smithsonian - Smithsonian Institutionwww.si.edu
- source-5: Office of Human Resources | Smithsonian Institutionwww.si.edu
- source-6: Careers - National Air and Space Museumairandspace.si.edu
- source-7: Job Opportunities - Smithsonian National Museum of Natural Historynaturalhistory.si.edu
- source-8: Employment - National Museum of the American Indianamericanindian.si.edu
- source-9: Employment - Smithsonian Gardensgardens.si.edu
- source-10: Mission and Vision - Smithsonian Institutionwww.si.edu
- source-11: Smithsonian Brandguide - Smithsonian Institutionlogo.si.edu
- source-12: Office of Advancement Career Opportunities - Smithsonian Institutionwww.si.edu
- source-13: Careers - Smithsonian Science Education Centerssec.si.edu
If you want to get hired at the Smithsonian Institution, focus on the posting, not assumptions. Use the official careers portals, tailor your resume and answers to the vacancy’s criteria, and show clear mission fit for public service, research, education, or operations. Because processes vary by role and unit, always verify the latest details on the official careers site before applying.
Keep exploring
Related company guides
Coursera
A practical guide to Coursera’s hiring signals, role families, application flow, and interview prep—based on current public sources and clear uncertainty where the process varies.
Udemy
A practical guide to applying for Udemy jobs, tailoring your resume, preparing for interviews, and understanding the company’s values and hiring approach.
Duolingo
Duolingo hires across engineering, product, design, marketing, business, and content roles. This guide explains how to tailor your application, what to expect from a role-specific process, and how to prepare using Duolingo’s public careers and handbook resources.