Can you be a part-time auctioneer? Many auctioneers are part-time and many are full-time. Can a seller hire a part-time auctioneer? Is a full-time auctioneer necessary?
Most auctioneers who complete auction school continue to work their “day-jobs” until they get established, or they possibly join a larger auction firm or company and work towards someday opening their own company.
These day jobs are often rural type jobs like farming or ranching. Too, some auctioneers work part-time in a myriad of jobs in the corporate or public sector. They might work daytimes at their day job, work auctions evenings and/or weekends … until — if — they decide to work in the auction industry full-time.
Almost anyone entering a new profession is advised to find others already in that profession and see how then can join an existing entity to gain some experience. Thereafter, those same new professionals aren’t so new anymore and can work independently, and even take on others new to the profession.
As such, a few states which license auctioneers have apprentice requirements, where the apprentice auctioneer works for the sponsoring auctioneer for a year (more or less) before venturing out on his or her own. Thus, these states mandate a ramp-up period before working independently.
Actually, it might be a bit difficult to find any auctioneer who only works as an auctioneer and has no other interests. Beginning auctioneers often have to have other jobs, and successful auctioneers often have other “jobs” such as opening a restaurant, bar, selling real estate traditionally, doing appraisals, farming and/or ranching …
Lastly, can a part-time auctioneer service your needs as a seller or consignee? Indeed he or she can. Many of the best auctioneers in the United States are working part time as such, with other interests they pursue in their spare time.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, CAS, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, RES Auction Services, and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. He serves as Distinguished Faculty at Hondros College, Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School, and an Instructor at the National Auctioneers Association’s Designation Academy He is faculty at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University and is approved by The Supreme Court of Ohio for attorney education.
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