job interview...help?

[kelseydum]

I have an interview for a spot as an airbrush artist at American Ironhorse here in Arlington,TX.
First a couple of questions: I haven't worked in this industry before but am an experienced artist. What should I expect to start at as far as salary goes? Is there usually room for advancement or will I eventually end up opening my own shop (which wouldn't be all bad).

Secondly: I have a fairly secure job at a design agency w/benefits. All I've ever wanted to be is an airbrush artist, but I have a very young daughter and a wife to support.

Should I take the plunge...or put it off until older and more financially stable. (P.S. I'm 23 years old if that means anything)

I deeply value your inputs.

Thanks.

[aixguy]

Not being in the art or paint industry myself, I can not answer your question directly as someone with experience, but, I can give advice
The family comes first! If the benifits are not as good as what you have and the money isn't sufficiantly more and enough to pay for the medical insurance, keep your day job. See if you can get a part time gig with them or maybe peice work for now? You have lots of time and a job with benifits at this point. I totaly believe in "You have to take some chances if you want to get ahead" but only if you can afford to fail in the endevor. My personal experence in this was the transistion from Auto Repair Tech to Computer Programmer. I had to take a farily large pay cut and drive an hour (needed a new car) but my wife was working and had the benefits so I went for it.
It was a good jump and I wish I could have done it 10 years before I did.
All I am saying is make sure you can survive and have the need coverage to take care of your family.
Good luck, it is a tough thing to do, just be carefull.

[rdespins]

These are all things you can ask at the interview. Don't be afraid to speak candidly about your concerns. If they want you, they will take care of you, otherwise, it's not worth your time to work for a place that isn't gonna treat you like you want.

Ron

Hello kelseydum, What is American Ironhorse?? You need to study this very carefully..I don't want to discourage you but I've been in the art business most of my life & I've known it's not something that will show me anything more than a living..I feel blessed because this is the trade of my choice & I enjoy almost every part of it, but I don't have the responsibilities of a young family....If this would be a job trade with your income staying very much the same it would bear thought..but then you talk about benifits & you cannot take them lightly, especially with a young child...You haven't said what you would be doing at the new location.. Would it at least offer you an education in something that would better your life in the future--You're a very young man & I believe lots of opportunities will present themselves before you..Time is on your side so be cautious of jumping too quickly..If times were different I would tell you to throw caution to the wind, but times are shaky at best & because of that I believe making dramatic moves are a little risky..
Unless you have an "Angel" or a very good safety net think this one out well..

[kelseydum]

Thanks for the advice. I already have an Associates Degree in Applied Arts and a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art so I'm not worried about education at this point...I'm just tired of sitting behind a computer.

[Cameron Arts]

For anyone who might not be familiar with American Ironhorse (they're relatively new, 90's I think)...
http://www.americanironhorse.com/flashweb/index.html

Q: I haven't worked in this industry before but am an experienced artist. What should I expect to start at as far as salary goes?

A: I have no idea what kind of salary you could expect as an employee at Ironhorse. Because you haven't done any bike work before, I think you can expect whatever the lower end of their payscale is. Doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to make a living on it, though.

Q: Is there usually room for advancement or will I eventually end up opening my own shop (which wouldn't be all bad).

A: I would assume they have a supervisor of some sort over the artists' group, & maybe shift leaders. I know they've got a paint manager at Big Dog Motorcycles who oversees the artists there. Manager or shift supervisor would be an advancement, but it would be a good way off if you're just learning now. As for your own shop, sure... You could learn at Ironhorse & then quit & go start up something of your own, BUT that's not fair to them after investing time & money into you. I wouldn't be surprised if they make the artists sign a no compete clause at hiring. Anyway, starting your own biz is NOT easy. No guaranteed paycheck each week, especially in the beginning. No benefits, unless you shell out in an artists' insurance pool or can piggyback on a spouse's policy (like I do). So you would be wise to save up several months (or even years) of bill paying $$$ prior to starting up, or maintain your "regular" job until you have enough weekend paint jobs coming in to make a more comfortable leap. Just my opinion, though. If it helps, I make anywhere between $30 & $120 an hour, depending on the job, with an average of around $50. However, there are weeks later in the summer when I will go a week or 2 with no jobs at all. No job = no income. So one week's killer income sometimes needs to float you through the next week's pathetic one.

Q: ...I have a fairly secure job at a design agency w/benefits. All I've ever wanted to be is an airbrush artist, but I have a very young daughter and a wife to support. Should I take the plunge...or put it off until older and more financially stable. (P.S. I'm 23 years old if that means anything)

A: That all depends on the offer on the table. I think you need to take all the good advice already given, esp re: your young family, & keep it in your head when you go in for the interview. Go in with a list of questions to ask. It shows you're truly interested & don't take the interview lightly. Be very open & honest during the meeting. Just because you apply & interview, doesn't mean you HAVE to take the job.

Go. See what they say. Sleep on it a night. Talk to your family & compare it to what you've already been advised. Then go with your gut instinct.

Okay, that's all I've got to offer. Sorry it got so long-winded.

[igor_481]

First off, congrats on getting a chance to do what you really want to do. But, this is the tricky part, when you talk to them about the job painting find out what happens to you if the sales of bikes suddenly falls off and not enough work to keep everyone going. Always look out for your family first, find out if you could take a leave of absence from your current job to "test the waters" at painting, and even if you don't go to painting bikes full time right now you could always try doing a few on the weekends for a while and maybe get yourself known in the biking community. No matter what tkae care of the family. IGOR_481

[kelseydum]

Thanks for all the good advice. I'm going to do the interview but I doubt they'll be able to match what I'm currently making, but maybe it could at least get me a part time spot or weekend projects. Networking is never a bad thing. Oh well, wish me luck.

[Maxx]

Life itself is like gambling in Las Vagas, never take with you more then you can afford to loose.

[Gerard Marum]

Hi, I decided a couple of years ago to give up a very well paid job and start up airbrushing full time. On the plus side, I am generally happier and my work has come on 10 fold. I love the challenge of having to create my own income and it has helped me grow as a person. My wife works and this allows me to carry through with this decision. At the beginning I had enough work to allow me make that decision, but this industry has its ups and downs like any other and when things are quiet, its really tough to get by. I have had to take part time work from time to time to get me over the lean times. This is also something you should consider,maybe your current company might allow you to work on a part time basis and possibly still retain some of your benefits. To sum things up, there comes a time when you have to make a decision which road you want to go. You have great qualifications and I'm sure you wouldn't find it too difficult to get another job not unlike what you currently do. My way is to "seize the day" as I know if I didn't try things I'd always regret it eventually. At least you will have a company bringing the work to you and the experience would be fantastic. I personally would take the offer and try working part time until I felt more secure. Its a tough decision and if you do go for it I hope it works out. See if they would allow you to work with them on weekends or possibly evening time, I know its hard with being a parent (I have two kids myself) Some opportunities are simply worth the risk. Make sure you give it plenty of thought. Ger.

[Snuff]

Take it from experience, KEEP the day job! and do the other part time.
Dont forget they have to like you as much as u may like them.
I would ask if they would do the probationary period during the part time thing thing so you don't have to re do it. Then paint your heart out, if ther'e
worth working for you'll know pretty quick, and you won't have to jepardize the family income. And if you love painting it will be play for pay. I'm doing this right now (building my own buisness) and working too and even though i'm working 12's & 16's the painting is no strain at all.
Hope this helps

[egneg]

I have a couple of friends that do a lot of tins and helmets on the side. They are in the Navy so don't have the option to go fulltime yet. They are mainly doing the artwork only and shops are doing the base/clear. They are getting a reputation, network, and a client base built up and when they get out in a few years they can step right into the fulltime gig. Maybe by then I will also have enough experience to join them.

Another big bike company was recently looking for a new lead airbrush artist, the head hunter I talked to said the $ they where offering was $75,000 per year, sounds about right to me but those jobs don't come around often and many times don't last long

I agree with Snuff take it slowly build a client base of your own

[kelseydum]

Hello everyone,

I was made an offer of 30,000 plus benefits. This is nice but less than what I'm making now, and I am in no position for a pay cut with my daughter and school loans. However, with the setup they have I will get A LOOOOTTTTT of experience and practice...8 hours a day of strictly painting...about 25 bikes a day. I think they enjoyed my pinstriping skills a little better than my airbrushing skills, but I will be doing a little of both.

I really want to work here but am very nervous to take any risk financially. Should I ask for more and see if they follow? If I don't take the job I want to keep a good name with them in case I am in the position to work for them in the future.