sales coordinator

intern

technician

cataloguer

associate

Sotheby's

No such thing as a typical day at Sotheby's.  Sale seasons are spring and autumn.  In summer & winter, colleagues are busy sourcing items for sales, preparing for sales, getting sale catalogues ready for production, it's all go!

I learned so much about fine art and the exquisite white glove standards of high end auctioneering.

Great manager, one of the best I've had.

Awesome co-workers, I was sorry to leave.

Hardest part was it being a time limited contract.

Most enjoyable part: everything other than being a time limited contract!

I worked hard to get experience in a business and get 5 A levels, a business qualification and a degree in History of Art and got a job easily within the auction house, however, I struggled with the competitive cut throat culture and left after a year.  I am sure there were really great people there, but I was exhausted from the 12 hour days, minimal holiday available and Devil Wears Prada situations.

Busy interactive role, each day is different, daily contact with colleagues across the business, exciting transactions and compliance within the arts industry, great opportunity to work for the company but not enough career progression options within my team or recognition for the coordinator position bearing in mind my background and skillset.

Great people, amazing art, but all support departments are severely under-resourced, while the company is becoming more and more top-heavy. Very costly new hires to the senior management know nothing about the art market or auction business, and are slowly running the company into the ground. Very sad to see this happening after being a loyal and dedicated member of staff for the past 10 years.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Getting to see all the treasures that came to auction

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The people aren’t very nice. They don’t want to see you succeed 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Terrible. They tear you down without any explanation

Everyone I've met enjoys their job. It's contagious. 

Sotheby's allows for learning on the fly; every day has something new in store. 

The management are willing to answer questions and speak with you and the various departments work well with each other.

You really feel like working in a place with top-quality employees who work towards achieving the best. Salaries in specialist departments are lower than in business departments, but once you are inside is quite easy to move between different departments.

In 2019 I undertook a short internship at Sotheby’s working in the Arts Program. I had an absolutely brilliant experience I would highly recommend it. I made many brilliant contracts, it was great!

Very low pay job compared to the role and 6 months probation period with no pension. Lack of team work. The time spent after your working hours aren't paid 

Although their systems were archaic at the time, it was inspirational to be amongst so many industry experts and exquisate works of art, I tempted in many departments and thoroughly enjoyed them all (apart from Contemporary).

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sales coordinator 3 salaries reported	£31,500 per year
Intern 3 salaries reported	£19,400 per year
Technician 3 salaries reported	£25,667 per year
Cataloguer 3 salaries reported	£29,333 per year
Associate 3 salaries reported	£30,000 per year

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