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Denzel Washington
Picture of FaithLove
Posted
It seems like everytime I get an interview at a restaurant, they ask if I am an actor, or straight out tell me they think I am.

So okay... I usually tell the truth. Then they say "It's cool, like half of our staff are actors"

But I've never actually gotten hired. So should I lie? If I do lie and say I am not one... how else should I explain my preference to work at night. I am applying for hostess, so it's not so easy to get someone to cover a shift for an audition...
 
Posts: 599 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: January 20, 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Nicholas Cage
Picture of ressydm
Posted Hide Post
You should call these companies and simply ask if you could be told as to why you weren't hired. The fact that most restaurants are aware and hire actors is something that is not working against you. It sounds like it's definitely something else you need to take account for -- and that's not easy to assess oon your own. Maybe you don't have enough experience, are too young, not as flexible with your time, I mean, there are so many factors.

Ask. and be receptive and calm to the answer.
 
Posts: 453 | Location: New York | Registered: October 27, 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Kevin Bacon
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What I started saying is that I'm taking classes part time and I need to work part time.

Usually, people take that as an answer, or if they're asking about what you're taking, then check out a class at NYU or something in the continuing education class or anything basically, and say you're studying part time.

OR say that you're planning on going back to school part time soon. That's not really a lie, what if you're planning, but then will decided not to do it? Smiler
 
Posts: 41 | Location: New York City | Registered: June 12, 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Sean Penn
Posted Hide Post
No need to lie for a server job; many places hire actors exclusively.
 
Posts: 127 | Location: LA | Registered: June 30, 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Denzel Washington
Picture of FaithLove
Posted Hide Post
I seem to get better reception with Im a student rather than I'm an actor. What places hire actors exclusively?
 
Posts: 599 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: January 20, 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Julia Roberts
Picture of miss stone
Posted Hide Post
I would lie. I had the same experience as you at many places. They said the same thing verbatim!!!

Tell them school or you look after a relative during the day. It's noone's business and the less your boss knows about you the better.

Or say your man works nights as an airport controller and you want to work the same schedule as him so you will see each other more.


"A woman, standing nude, looks in the bedroom mirror and says to her husband, "I feel horrible, I look fat and ugly. Pay me a compliment.? Her husband replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect." He never heard the shot."
 
Posts: 2395 | Location: the universe | Registered: June 04, 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Denzel Washington
Picture of FaithLove
Posted Hide Post
good advice, miss stone
 
Posts: 599 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: January 20, 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Julia Roberts
Picture of miss stone
Posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by FaithLove:
good advice, miss stone


And notice how I said say he is an "airport controller" and not an actor, musician or the like? You don't want to suggest that you are connected to the flighty actor/artistic world at all. Get them in the mindset that you are a grounded individual in search of a "normal" career. Even if they do largely hire actors (as they don't really have a choice in LA), they will appreciate someone they deem more "solid" and it may help you get ahead of the pack.
 
Posts: 2395 | Location: the universe | Registered: June 04, 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Sean Penn
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My ex worked at Louise's Trattoria, and many in the staff were actors. They would switch shifts to help each other, etc.
As long as you do a good job I don't think anybody cares.
I waited tables for years(of course!) and it was always known that I was an actor.
I don't think that all of the zillions of eating establishments here could survive without actors.

It's no big deal. Send out resumes by the 100's and you'll get interviews and get a job. That's what I did and it always worked. Times are tougher now but there have to be openings from time to time.
 
Posts: 127 | Location: LA | Registered: June 30, 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Sean Penn
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hey I live a bit outside la but even here there are alot of people trying to make it in the industry. I was hired based off of my wonderful smile and charisma, two things I mastered in a comercial class, Who'd figure? I didnt let them know, I am in college though. However, they are finding out bit by bit that I am an entertainer at heart. Some know completely already. I think if they ask, tell them the truth. If they dont feel them out before you admit
 
Posts: 135 | Location: Los Angeles | Registered: January 06, 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Julia Roberts
Picture of miss stone
Posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Totallycool:
hey I live a bit outside la but even here there are alot of people trying to make it in the industry. I was hired based off of my wonderful smile and charisma.


Get me a vomit bag. A lot of people have that, little girl. Sorry if you are too busy admiring the sunshine coming out of your magnificent ass to realize that.

I NAILED every job I went for pre- LA. I was very successful. I left LA, got back to Nevada and guess what? Within a matter of only five different interviews and in an extremely competitive market and horrible economy with unemployment as high as LA, I STILL got hired for an insanely hard to get job that people do anything and anyone to get here. People pay MONEY for jobs that good here. I beat out several hundred younger, skinnier and hotter girls with more experience. A job that only those sort of girls usually get. The Paris types- but younger. Guess what? I too was hired based off MY wonderful smile and charisma. And I didn't shell out for a class for it- I have it naturally. Friendly people with good hearts usually do. We don't need training to fake it.

That post was totally lame and seriously, get over yourself. I expect people to hate on me for my comments and wah wah wah "you're a hater" and "girl, she is just jealous" and blah blah blah (so predictable, people) but I am okay with that and my response is so not about that pettiness. I just hate it when people come online with any holier than thou "well, I am just better than you" kind of attitude and reasoning for why they got a job. No matter how well I now am doing, which I am thank GOD and I still am so thrilled I got this job, I don't come on here or on anywhere with that "I am just all that and you're not" kind of garbage. That kind of s h i t always did, does and always will make me wild.

It was a completely unnecessary and rub people's faces in it remark.


"A woman, standing nude, looks in the bedroom mirror and says to her husband, "I feel horrible, I look fat and ugly. Pay me a compliment.? Her husband replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect." He never heard the shot."
 
Posts: 2395 | Location: the universe | Registered: June 04, 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Sean Penn
Posted Hide Post
How much experience do you have? Were you applying in a fine dining establishment or a casual?

I know you said you are only applying for hostess but I am just curious as to your restaurant background.
 
Posts: 103 | Location: Los Angeles, CA  | Registered: March 19, 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Anthony Hopkins
Posted Hide Post
The question just posed is the primary thing you should be concerned with.

Where have you worked before? What experience do you have? A restaurant or wait staff resume is no different from an actor's resume in this regard.

If you feel that being an actor prejudices you, simply don't mention it.

Always, always tell a prospective employer exactly what they want to hear. This isn't rocket science. Sometimes honesty, in this case, isn't always the best policy.
 
Posts: 1892 | Location: New York City | Registered: January 05, 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Russell Crowe
Posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by miss stone:
quote:
Originally posted by Totallycool:
hey I live a bit outside la but even here there are alot of people trying to make it in the industry. I was hired based off of my wonderful smile and charisma.


Get me a vomit bag. A lot of people have that, little girl. Sorry if you are too busy admiring the sunshine coming out of your magnificent ass to realize that.

I NAILED every job I went for pre- LA. I was very successful. I left LA, got back to Nevada and guess what? Within a matter of only five different interviews and in an extremely competitive market and horrible economy with unemployment as high as LA, I STILL got hired for an insanely hard to get job that people do anything and anyone to get here. People pay MONEY for jobs that good here. I beat out several hundred younger, skinnier and hotter girls with more experience. A job that only those sort of girls usually get. The Paris types- but younger. Guess what? I too was hired based off MY wonderful smile and charisma. And I didn't shell out for a class for it- I have it naturally. Friendly people with good hearts usually do. We don't need training to fake it.

That post was totally lame and seriously, get over yourself. I expect people to hate on me for my comments and wah wah wah "you're a hater" and "girl, she is just jealous" and blah blah blah (so predictable, people) but I am okay with that and my response is so not about that pettiness. I just hate it when people come online with any holier than thou "well, I am just better than you" kind of attitude and reasoning for why they got a job. No matter how well I now am doing, which I am thank GOD and I still am so thrilled I got this job, I don't come on here or on anywhere with that "I am just all that and you're not" kind of garbage. That kind of s h i t always did, does and always will make me wild.

It was a completely unnecessary and rub people's faces in it remark.


Wow...over react much? Take a zoloft and chill.
 
Posts: 215 | Location: under the bus | Registered: May 21, 2009Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Julia Roberts
Picture of miss stone
Posted Hide Post
.


"A woman, standing nude, looks in the bedroom mirror and says to her husband, "I feel horrible, I look fat and ugly. Pay me a compliment.? Her husband replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect." He never heard the shot."
 
Posts: 2395 | Location: the universe | Registered: June 04, 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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