Thread: First meeting with a restaurant/job interview - tomorrow!! Please share your experiences

I have my first ever "job interview" with a restaurant tomorrow. I sent out an email inquiry about becoming one of the house performers, and got a phone call less than 24 hours later asking me to come by the restaurant. ..l;, I'm going tomorrow around 4:30 or 5pm to talk with my contact there

I'm very excited, and pretty well prepared (at least I think). I have business cards, a press kit (with photos, intro letter, rates, experience, past performances, pics, etc) and will probably throw together a few sample sets tonight.

What I'm not sure about it what exactly happens at these sorts of meetings. Would any of you be willing to share your experiences? Things I'm thinking about include discussing rates, any auditions for future dates, dancing on the spot during the interview, etc.

Thanks for any advice and wise words of wisdom.

Well, this is a good article to read:
Top 20 Club Cliches
:) by Artie.

*Don't let them say "we'll pay you more when business picks up." That's a line and they will 99% of the time never pay you more.
*Let them know it's best to advertise first to build interest.
*It takes 3 months of solid advertising for things to really click into place.
*Let them know the show should be fairly consistent in the start time.
*Discuss a policy of cancellation (for example- half pay?)
*Make sure they have a decent sound system that plays burned CDs at a decent volume.
*If there is not room to dance ask if wait staff will be able to move a table or two for you "cos I'll be able to do my best show for you that way."
*know ahead of time what your local ordinances are for tipping. Tips are appreciation from the audience and above and beyond the fair pay the owner should be paying you.
*negotiate at or above the going rate in your area. If you start the negotiation a little higher, he might "feel better" if he "gets a deal" by you lowering it to the current going rate (but only if you have to).
*establish a place where you will change / leave your stuff.
*If he's willing to do a contract, go for it.
*If NOT...write everything down- take notes on all the details AS you are sitting talking to him. He won't ask what you're doing, but he will notice. Later if you experience "discrepancies" you can smile and say "let me check my notes. I really wanted to make sure I remembered everything correctly....ahhh, here it is, we agreed... blah blah blah."

Don't let them make you audition for free.

Also check to see if they currently have house dancers or a booking dancer. Don't go over their heads.

Know the minimum rate in NYC, try to start out a new venue at 125.00

If there are current dancers there 100.00 is the minimum unless agreed to by the community.

Thanks for the great advice and links! I made myself a little cheat sheet to read while on the bus to the restaurant, and it really helped me remember everything I needed to ask during the interview. And....I got the gig, and the right rate! Starting next week :)

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Well, this is a good article to read:
Top 20 Club Cliches
:) by Artie.

*Don't let them say "we'll pay you more when business picks up." That's a line and they will 99% of the time never pay you more.
*Let them know it's best to advertise first to build interest.
*It takes 3 months of solid advertising for things to really click into place.
*Let them know the show should be fairly consistent in the start time.
*Discuss a policy of cancellation (for example- half pay?)
*Make sure they have a decent sound system that plays burned CDs at a decent volume.
*If there is not room to dance ask if wait staff will be able to move a table or two for you "cos I'll be able to do my best show for you that way."
*know ahead of time what your local ordinances are for tipping. Tips are appreciation from the audience and above and beyond the fair pay the owner should be paying you.
*negotiate at or above the going rate in your area. If you start the negotiation a little higher, he might "feel better" if he "gets a deal" by you lowering it to the current going rate (but only if you have to).
*establish a place where you will change / leave your stuff.
*If he's willing to do a contract, go for it.
*If NOT...write everything down- take notes on all the details AS you are sitting talking to him. He won't ask what you're doing, but he will notice. Later if you experience "discrepancies" you can smile and say "let me check my notes. I really wanted to make sure I remembered everything correctly....ahhh, here it is, we agreed... blah blah blah."

Thanks for this.

Originally Posted by najla86

Thanks for the great advice and links! I made myself a little cheat sheet to read while on the bus to the restaurant, and it really helped me remember everything I needed to ask during the interview. And....I got the gig, and the right rate! Starting next week :)

Congrats!

And may you have a long and happy business relationship at your new gig!

Deborah

am resurrecting this thread for the "get started" post....