[CAUT] Getting an Interview

[Paul T Williams]

Hi John,

Being still a pretty green CAUT, I remember going through this for about a 
year.  After not getting an interview at Arizona State, amongst several 
others. I called and spoke at length with the head tech down there.  Rick 
Florence was very helpful in redirecting how to go about it.  First, the 
University wants to know how you will benefit them. Be willing to accept 
weekend and evening concert tuning requirements, have three excellent 
letters of recommendation, and an outstanding cover letter.  They won't 
look at the resume unless they really like your cover letter and 
references.  It sounds like your experience is right up there, but make 
sure your resume is professional and to the point.  If the technician is 
still at the school to which you're applying, or if retired, find out who 
he/she is and by all means, give him/her a call.  When I applied at Univ. 
of Nebraska, I called Richard West and spoke to him about the pianos in 
his care, demands of the faculty, etc and proceeded to word my letter to 
"fit in" with their way of "doing business".  I mentioned nothing about 
salary demands and stated clearly that I would work the sometime strange 
hours that I had not previously been used to.  I wish I had done this in 
the beginning, because after rethinking my approach and talking to these 
nice folks, I was called for an interview and here I am and glad to be 
here.

I hope this helps.

Best of Luck,

Paul T. Williams RPT
Piano Technician
School of Music
5 Westbrook Bldg.
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68588
pwilliams4 at unl.edu
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