An appraiser is someone who evaluates the value of an item or property, or estimates the projected cost of a repair. A staff appraiser is an appraiser who does so as a direct, regular employee of a company. Appraisers exist across a broad range of industries, and the requirements vary. In general however, if you want to become a staff appraiser, you must acquire a high degree of knowledge about your industry through a combination of education and experience. You will also have to find and apply for jobs and may have to become licensed, certified or registered.
The requirements for someone who wants to become a staff appraiser depend largely upon the industry in question. Some industries have specific certification courses that are either optional or required for appraisers. Likewise, some sectors routinely require that appraisers pass background and/or credit checks. Other markets stipulate that an individual must attend formal training or have a specified amount of experience in order to qualify as an appraiser.
One thing that is certain is that you must be very knowledgeable about your field in order to become a staff appraiser. For example, an appraiser who evaluates the cost of auto repairs against the value of the car often does so for an insurance agency and is required to have a strong understanding of both the automotive repair industry and of the insurance industry. Likewise, a jewelry appraiser must know how to identify and value many types of gemstones and must be familiar with the marks of important jewelry makers. Additionally, a home appraiser must understand the construction and real estate industries as well as the market conditions in her geographic area.
Unlike independent appraisers, staff appraisers are direct employees of a company or corporation. This might be a firm specializing in appraisals, or it might be another type of company, such as a real estate firm or insurance company. Depending on the company, you might be required to attend training on company policy and procedure if you want to become a staff appraiser for the corporation. This is usually in addition to any industry education you have received.
As with other types of regular employment, you cannot become a staff appraiser without searching and applying for jobs. This means that you will need a professional resume, a list of references and will need to pass through one or more interviews. In this field, you can expect most companies to check your past employment history and references carefully, and you should not be surprised if a credit or criminal background check is required, even if it is not standard within your particular industry.
