How many dogs during a grooming interview?

[skye97]

I'm going in for a technical interview on Wednesday, and I just got off the of the phone with the owner, and she already has 6 (!) dogs scheduled for me (including a poodle, bichon, and wheaton, all with longer hair) and was wondering how many more I wanted to do that day. First of all, I put on my resume, and also told her in the initial interview, that I only groom 5 - 6 dogs a day depending on the breed and haircut (I'm a bit slow and don't like to feel rushed). Second, it's an interview. I've only done one technical interview and pretty much had the job already since I'd worked there previously, so I'm kind of new to this, but isn't 6+ dogs for an interview a lot?

Also, it's a brand new grooming salon, and the kennel dryer hasn't arrived yet. She offered to help me dry dogs, but she is not a groomer herself, and I'm thinking that she doesn't totally appreciate the amount of skill or time that goes into drying a poodle or bichon (or any dog, for that matter) properly.

She didn't say anything about whether she'd pay me that day. We haven't discussed salary or anything, either, so I feel kind of uncomfortable going in for what looks like a full day of work without that being settled yet. What do you all think?

[A1Mobile]

Explain to the owner that you will be more than happy to groom one dog. Also explain that you will need a dryer that works properly. Don't spend the whole day grooming a bunch of dogs.

Since she is not a groomer, how is she going to be able to tell if you know what you're doing..or not?

[Moonpiepoodlz]

She's not a groomer herself and she's scheduled you all these dogs?!

Of all the technical interviews I've been on (not many) I groomed one dog that the supervisor picked and I wasn't paid.
I'd be a bit concerned that she's booked all these dogs for you, pay hasn't been discussed, and she's not helping. I'd call and get things worked out now...

[DogChic]

will you be paid for this "interview" ??? that is $300 + worth of work that you will be doing for this shop

[skye97]

Thanks for all of the quick responses! Since I'm new to this I wasn't entirely sure, but it definitely seemed like her plans were a little off. I'll definitely call and straighten things out.

[skye97]

Since she is not a groomer, how is she going to be able to tell if you know what you're doing..or not?

Good question. I guess I'll find out on Wednesday.

[Bingo is his name O]

WOW! OK to many.

I usually give interview people only 3. and I PAY THEM. You may want to call back and let her either know 6 is more than enough for "an interview" and at the same time, ask her what % she pays for them. Don't start off on the wrong foot with her taking advantage of you already.

[Particentral]

I always schedule a full days work for interview purposes because I want to see a variety of differnet grooms. I pay for it. 4-5 dogs with different types of coats are what I want to see.

This doesn't sound legit to me however. Sounds like she wants a full days grooming out of you......call and ask if you are getting paid. If you aren't, then tell them this is more than you want to do.

[RudyRoo]

I've only done one tech interview, & it was only one dog, the salon managers poodle. This lady, she dosen't know if you can groom, but she has 6 customer dogs scheduled??? Sounds like she is getting a free day of work out of you. I know jobs are hard to find, but it sounds like she needs you more than you need her. I would be very nice and maybe do 2 dogs, but after that, she either hires you or you thank her for her time and hit the door. Make sure you find out if you are gonna be paid as an IC, or an employee, how much comission or hourly and who buys what,,,, before you take the job!

[skye97]

I called her back, and to be fair she said that she was planning on paying me (though she never mentioned this in the first conversation and we still haven't discussed details). I told her I'd be more comfortable grooming one or two dogs that day, and she was ok with that. Sooo...I'll see how it goes.

One other quick question - since I'm only doing two dogs (a poodle and another dog whose breed she didn't mention), should I still be paid for them, or is grooming a couple of dogs for an interview without compensation reasonable? Thanks!

[grooming goddess]

I don't even think I'd show up for that interview. Shes abusing you before shes even hired you! She doesn't want to interview you, she wants as much free work as she can get! I have never done more than two for a technical and never asked a potential groomer to do more than two. Run away while you still can!

[brownlikewoah]

6 seems like an awful lot. Two of the places I've worked at did 3 dogs. I would suggest calling her and tell her you've been thinking about things and you just want to make sure you are both on the same page. You should be getting paid for your work. Chances are, she just doesn't know if she isn't a groomer (I hope) but I would definitely call and draw the lines now, before she tries to take advantage of you.

[Tat2DGroomer]

I have done 5 technicals in my career and I got paid for 4 of them. The one I didn't get paid for was at a Pet thingie. When I tested groomers for hire, I always paid them for their work

[KDGROOMER]

I have not been paid or ever offered pay for an interview groom but I only schedule one. I would expect to be paid if you did more then two dogs. Even some would pay for two or more. I wish you the best and I hope everything works out for you

[Dawn125]

Sounds like since she said she had planned to pay you for the 6 she isn't trying to get something for nothing. Since she dropped it to only 2 dogs I would just do them and if she offers to pay you, great...if not then no biggie....well maybe no biggie. Let's see what condition they are in. You said it's a new grooming salon. Does she have other groomers yet? Who was she planning to groom the dogs if you didn't show up?