I applied online with no inside contacts and no network connections--in retrospect, I should have reached out to my university's alumni network before or after submitting my application to try and get a leg up on the process. I got an email from a department admin, who received my info from HR, about 3 weeks later asking me for a phone or in person interview. I was able to an in-person interview, roughly a month after my initial online application. The interview was very informal and easy. i was interviewed by two young admins in one of Christie's art departments. They asked why I wanted to work at Christie's, about my previous experience working with art, and my language skills.

The interview was fair - I didn't even choose the department I got, but HR directed me to an awesome department I would fit in. I unofficially started the process by attending an auction house site visit that I learned about from my college career center. I networked with HR there, and followed up continuously. I then submitted an app online and through my college's career services website. I got an email response a week later, and set an in-person interview scheduled within a few days after the email. Interview was about past experiences, academic experience, etc. anything that will help them assess if you'll be a good fit for the particular department.