Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: An unprofessional job offer

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Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-12-2007, 03:42 AM:

In the mall my theater is at there's another theater as well. It's essentially a really fancy bar/meeting facility that's got an auditorium attached to it. Depending on how many groups rent the place out for stuff, they'll play anywhere from zero to 2 movies a day. And since it's mainly a bar it's a 21+ facility.

So we accidentally got a poster for Pan's Labyrinth and it was their's. One of the mgrs asked me to walk it over there and drop off a piece of mail for them. When I got there their manager asked me if I liked projection and when I said yes he told me that if I ever got bored at my present theater that they're always looking for projectionists.

Talk about unprofessional: asking a guy to more or less quit his current job (while actually on duty) to come there. Funnily enough, this isn't the first time these guys did this. Apparently the guy in charge of the place once showed up at our theater during business hours and asked the manager on duty to come work for them.

Plus, I can't possibly see myself purposely quitting my theater to go work for a place that, by default, would have to give me less hours.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-12-2007, 04:03 AM:

(whoops, [Eek!]

a "teaser" title...better change it to be more descriptive of what the msg you're trying to get across...like change it to "A unprofessional job offer" or something on that line...)

Maybe, he sees something in what you've got that just might benefit that other operation than what you're doing now - why is he showing some interest in you in the first place? Must be something there...

Posted by Sam King (Member # 4029) on 05-12-2007, 05:52 AM:

Don't ya just hate it when people offer you jobs?

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 05-12-2007, 08:53 AM:

At least you know you do your job well enough for it to be noticed by others.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 05-12-2007, 11:43 AM:

They have a term for that. It is called Head Hunting. Not something I condone.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-12-2007, 12:06 PM:

quote: Caleb Johnstone-Cowan
At least you know you do your job well enough for it to be noticed by others.

The only reason he noticed was that I was in his place of business.

And he was clearly head hunting. When I walked in he asked me if I was a manager then went to the projectionist question.

Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 05-12-2007, 03:41 PM:

I don't know why you consider this to be unprofessional. There's nothing unprofessional about offering someone a job. And there's nothing unprofessional about accepting a job.

What would be unprofessional is if you went for a job interview while on your current employer's clock.

And it's unprofessional for clients of companies to "steal" their vendor's employees (and vice-versa), but those limitations are usually spelled out in consulting contracts.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-12-2007, 05:50 PM:

Offering a person a job isn't unprofessional.

But the guy has a history of trying to get his competitor's employees while they're working. Like I said, he even came in to our business just to ask the manager on duty to work for him.

Posted by David Graves (Member # 4069) on 05-13-2007, 01:54 AM:

I don't think it's unprofessional at all- you walked into someone else's theater, they need staff, and you are obviously not a moron. A lot of times, particularly when you're just starting out, this is the best way to get a non-entry level new job.

I'd say entertain the idea if you're curious- there's nothing illegal about checking out a new job (but definitely do it on your day off). See what he's about, and if he makes an offer, tell your manager and see what he can do for you. If you're worth it to him, he'll match or raise.

Play the game! Get paid! Unless your father is the manager and it's a family joint, why not?

Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 05-13-2007, 02:01 AM:

I was once hired by a company to open a new location as the GM. During the course of that, I was told by one of the owners to drive over to the competitors theater, go into their lobby and try to recruit their employees by offering them more money. I more or less refused because I consider taking an action like that to be very unethical. Granted the owner was pissed that I didn't do it and it turned out to be the the least worry some considering some of the things I was told to do later on during the course of my employment with that company. Safe to say that I could get away from that place fast enough. [bs]

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 05-13-2007, 08:51 AM:

Head hunting goes on all the time. In the telecom industry it was not uncommon the get many job offers. What one had to realize though, is that company loyalty works both ways. Both the employer and the employee have an agreement (written or not) to exchange wages and benefits for labor and skill. What I read about most often on these forums is how companies are taking advantage of their employees and making the workplace something other than desirable. So where does loyalty end? That's up to the individual. When a job offer comes in one must weigh the benefits of moving versus staying. In either case, I don't see head hunting as unprofessional at all.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 05-13-2007, 09:16 AM:

Well, if this place doesn't play movies every day on a regular schedule, I don't see how it can be a full-time job. Thus, I don't know how they could advertise for a regular employee. It's hard to find projection operators who are looking for part time work.

So, the guy puts out feelers to see if there are people available.

He must think you've got the "stuff" if he just offers you work on the spot like that.

I don't see this as unprofessional.

Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 05-13-2007, 02:46 PM:

I haven't actually applied for a job in quite some time. Where I currently work I was called and offered an opportunity and they same thing occurred when I was offered a theatre management position several years ago. I found it flattering, not unethical. They must have respect for my abilities. I currently work part time at an IMAX doing projection as a second job. I was offered this by a board member of the Science Station who is client at my full time job. I simply filled a need and earn extra money.

Posted by David Graves (Member # 4069) on 05-13-2007, 04:24 PM:

Events can require projectionist personnel too- someone needs to set the lights, or run a clip or a slide show, or perhaps just make sure the music and everything is on. This can be pretty lucrative- if you've got a 300 seat theater, and you rent it out for $1,500 for a night, that's more than you'd ever make on a normal weeknight.

Don't knock it until you find the facts. Since you don't NEED a job, you're in an even better position to ask the tough questions- "what kind of hours will I REALLY get", "how can I make enough money- can you give me a minimum salary each week?", that kind of thing.

I'm telling you- play the game.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 05-13-2007, 04:34 PM:

quote: Chris Slycord
When I got there their manager asked me if I liked projection and when I said yes he told me that if I ever got bored at my present theater that they're always looking for projectionists.

Head Huntiong is quite normal and can be lucrative for all involved except the person's past employer who looses out.

The thing that got my attention was the line above from your first post.... "They are ALWAYS looking for projectionists" tells me that they may NOT be a good employer to work for. If they were good then they probably would have several long time employees there locking up the positions.

BEWARE! BE CAREFUL! Especially if you are happy where you are...

Mark

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-13-2007, 04:36 PM:

If the original poster is being offered a job that would require quitting his current job then, yes, I agree that the offer is unprofessional and borderline unethical. If he's being offered a part-time job, however, I fail to see the problem. Lots of places run film on an occasional basis and they often have difficulty finding operators. Sometimes they have to call local theatres and ask if they have anyone on staff who might be qualified. As long as it doesn't affect the relationship between the employee and his primary employer, I don't see the issue.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 05-13-2007, 05:09 PM:

I certainly do not see that as unprofessional nor unethical! Actually, it's a compliment to the person receiving the offer.

To climb the biz ladder, it all goes back to "contacts" and "networking" ... you know, it's not what you know, but who you know. It takes the "who ya know" to get the job, and then your skills, attitude, and knowledge to KEEP the job.

Bad news travels faster than good news...

It's the way of the biz world. Get over it and quit whining! Use it to your advantage.

Posted by Andy Muirhead (Member # 712) on 05-13-2007, 07:15 PM:

quote: Chris Slycord
In the mall my theater is at there's another theater as well. It's essentially a really fancy bar/meeting facility that's got an auditorium attached to it. Depending on how many groups rent the place out for stuff, they'll play anywhere from zero to 2 movies a day. And since it's mainly a bar it's a 21+ facility.

To me, It just sounds like this guy is desperate for a trained projectionist to run the projector in his (very part time) hall. To be honest, you would probably end up working the bar or doing other stuff, and running the projector when required.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-13-2007, 11:02 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
The thing that got my attention was the line above from your first post.... "They are ALWAYS looking for projectionists" tells me that they may NOT be a good employer to work for. If they were good then they probably would have several long time employees there locking up the positions.

I agree. I would think that projectionists would be a dime a dozen. Surely, there are tons of people out there who could do projection on a part-time basis. The place in question essentially runs 2 evening shows a night which could easily be worked around with a day job.

Posted by Phil Ranucci (Member # 3820) on 05-14-2007, 04:31 AM:

quote: Chris Slycord

I agree. I would think that projectionists would be a dime a dozen. Surely, there are tons of people out there who could do projection on a part-time basis. The place in question essentially runs 2 evening shows a night which could easily be worked around with a day job.

Maybe he can't get one of those "dime a dozen" projectionist that meets his standards. I can't figure out why you're not flattered that you got an offer? You don't really know what he's looking for- full-time/part-time. Keep your options open, and ask what he needs you to do. If you need some part-time work check it out on your day off, otherwise tell him you're happy where you are (assuming you are).

Posted by Anslem Rayburn (Member # 1267) on 05-14-2007, 05:06 AM:

It's not like he got offered the job after the manager at the other place saw a perfectly executed show. If I walk into some other theater (that knows I work at the other theater) and get offered a job, I take it as a "Hey, let's take this guy from our competitor", not a compliment. I have seen other projectionists from OUR competitor watching movies at my place, and I would never approach them and offer them a job. It's disrespectful to both the employee and the employer. If I ever offered someone a job under those circumstances and they accepted, I would consider them a whore and wouldn't place them very highly on my "important employee" list. After all, they could leave me just as easily as they left their last place...

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 05-14-2007, 10:36 AM:

Unless you pay your projectionists $40-50,000/yr (what I would consider a liveable wage in my area). I would expect little to no loyalty from the employee and wouldn't consider leaving for another place of employment "whoring". When you make under a certain amount of money for a skilled trade its a "job" not a "career".

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-14-2007, 03:20 PM:

quote: Phil Ranucci
Maybe he can't get one of those "dime a dozen" projectionist that meets his standards. I can't figure out why you're not flattered that you got an offer? You don't really know what he's looking for- full-time/part-time. Keep your options open, and ask what he needs you to do. If you need some part-time work check it out on your day off, otherwise tell him you're happy where you are (assuming you are).

My point was that he couldn't possibly know if I meet his standards just by looking at me and knowing that I've sometimes done film.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 05-14-2007, 10:15 PM:

*1*

The guy never would have made the offer if he didn't think you had basic aptitude. Some people can tell a lot about a person just by the way they act and talk.

Maybe he saw you trying to look into the booth. Maybe he saw or heard you talking about movie projectors. I don't know. I'm just guessing.

But I can assure you he's not dumb. If he didn't think you could do the job he never would have even mentioned it.

*2*

Just because he told you to look him up if you ever wanted a change in scenery DOES NOT mean you have the job.

Guys like this are shrewd. He could be testing you. He could put you at the concession stand (Bar?) for your first two weeks just to see what you're made of. He could take you to the booth and test your knowledge. He might, very well, call you in for an "interview" but dump your application the moment you walk out.

*3*

As long as BOTH your employers know you are moonlighting, there's no reason you can't have two jobs, PROVIDED there is no conflict of interest.

(And, NO! Simply working for another movie theater is NOT a conflict by itself!)

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-15-2007, 01:35 AM:

quote:
And, NO! Simply working for another movie theater is NOT a conflict by itself!)

(and I've been moonlighting at a Dr-In for three seasons now as a grunt booth operator/hamburger flipper and marquee changer...and I don't consider it a conflict of interest..just need the xtra $bucks$ on the side...and the hamburgers are great...)

Posted by Michael Moore (Member # 3867) on 05-15-2007, 09:04 PM:

I got my current job at the theater because I was at a Orchestra Rehearsal (I play bass) and as I was exiting the building I ran into one of the technical Directors. I casually asked I heard the Center was starting up film. When is it going to start? He replied "if you can find a projectionist for us then we will be on screen." I said "I have experience," he took me to the booth, showed me around said "you want the job." I said "let me think about it." Walked to my truck to put my bass in came back and said "when do you want me to start." I have been there ever since.

Problem was no one in my area wants to do a part time gig without getting paid a full time salary!

This to me is more of paid hobby, and I love it and I put lots of time into it, I really care about it.

Mike

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 05-16-2007, 12:36 AM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
I've been moonlighting at a Dr-In for three seasons now as a grunt booth operator/hamburger flipper and marquee changer

Sounds a lot like my job description. I'm also allowed to say I own the place, but with a family of women here, I know where the real power lies. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-16-2007, 03:52 AM:

Jack...lucky you ... [Big Grin]

. the owner of this Dr-IN is also a woman, but she leaves me alone since I doing a good job taking care of her operation.