job interview tomorrow - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

06/03/2015 12:32:41 PM · #1

I have a phone interview with these guys tomorrow. Apparently they've expanded to Lexington, which is 20 minutes away. I hate my current job. I hate it, hate it, hate it. Ever since my photography 'took off' and I started getting some recognition and respect, it's been getting harder and harder to get up in the morning and come to this ungrateful place where I sit on my @ss for 8 hours and take orders for basically just benefits.

Has anybody ever heard of Everything But The House? Or, better yet, know anyone that works for them?

tate

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

06/03/2015 12:54:13 PM · #2

Never heard of it but it sounds like a decent company / idea. I assume you will shoot for their web listings?

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/03/2015 01:41:22 PM · #3

Originally posted by tate:

Never heard of it but it sounds like a decent company / idea. I assume you will shoot for their web listings?

Yeah, I mean, not my dream job, but a step in the right direction. I haven't done a whole lot of product photography, but I have and use all of the tools for other photography (white background, softbox, etc.).

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

06/03/2015 07:45:58 PM · #4

Not getting much love over at Glassdoors

Sounds like it would be a "get as many images up on the web as fast as you can job". Those can be a grind, but it is photography and you would get very good at speed editing and archiving. There are similar jobs in Real Estate Photography and the question is are you compensated by the image, the piece, or by the hour. Some companies end up paying below minimum wage when you add in travel costs and wear and tear on equipment.

The company just went through a round of funding. "The company has raised $13 million in Series A funding from investors that include Spark Capital and Greycroft Partners, with participation from other individual investors" So basically you had a local company with a good idea, taken over by new guys who are trying to move the concept nationally. The question in these models is how they hope to grow. If they have high employee retention, then they promote from within and getting in early is a great thing. If they have high turnover, then they are keeping benefits for top tier management and focus on ROI; so they will tend to see the folks on the ground as commodities that they have to burn through to keep cost low.

In my experience the tendency to try to sell yourself in an interview, without asking the interviewer to sell the company to you, is not a great idea. You want to sell yourself enough that they think you have a desirable set of skills and are looking for the right organization to use those skills within. If the interviewer feels like they have to sell you, you are more likely to get an offer because then they can feel good about their sales skills because now, they have to convince you. Don't just sell yourself, make them sell their company to you. Showing that you have done your homework, know about them, and that your research has raised questions that they need to answer is often what will set you apart.

Message edited by author 2015-06-03 20:11:21.

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Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/03/2015 11:06:51 PM · #5

i think this would be a complete waste of time. just my opinion.

if you want to make a living at photography, you can't spend your time doing nickel-and-dime work. you have to spend your time doing things that will make you money.

1) be good enough to produce consistent results
2) set your prices and rates based on how much you need to make to be self-sustaining
3) market to people and companies that can afford your rates

if what you really want to shoot doesn't pay, or you can't find a way to make it pay, then it's quite simple: you do something else to subsidize your shooting, or you shoot something else that pays enough for you to be able to do what you really want to do. some people hate shooting weddings, but they do it for the money, in order to be able to shoot birds and bugs or sports and music.

keep in mind, there are a lot of differences between picking up some extra gear money, making a living, and running a business. you have to decide just what it is you want to do, then focus your full attention on making that happen. don't get caught up in a distraction unless it pays really, really well.

good luck!

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS

06/04/2015 09:43:28 AM · #6

Thanks guys... I'm not taking the job unless is pays more than what I'm making now.

Here's the deal. I started focusing on a goal of doing photography full time about almost two years ago. I've actually had quite a go at it and I'm slowly getting some steady clients. A marketing company has me do Bud light promotions once a month, a dance crew pays me well to do their show twice a year, and a horse show is putting together a contract for once a month stuff. I also have a couple of drummers booked for off-stage shoots.

But I still have this day job. With the exception of one time a few months ago, I haven't been able to match what I'm making here. Obviously, I would LOVE to jump in full time and see what comes of it, but hubby and I would lose health insurance and things are so tight I still have to hit my parents up for food sometimes.

So, what I'm getting at is, the purpose of this job is to replace the secretary job I have now... not the stuff I'm doing on the side. I currently spend 8 hours a day making copies and running out for coffee and lunch for $250/wk plus benefits.

At least there I'll be working with a team instead of for a team.

markwiley

Fujifilm X-Pro2

06/04/2015 10:27:21 AM · #7

Good luck, Cynthia. Hope the interview goes well for you.

Jules1x

Fujifilm X-T1

Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R

06/04/2015 10:37:39 AM · #8

Good luck!

LN13

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

06/04/2015 12:29:54 PM · #9

Originally posted by cynthiann:

$250/wk

I hope you're only working 34.5 hours or less