You should find out how many pianos there are, their makes, models, uses, ages, uprights to grands, climate conditions and level of expectation. Number of technicians full time and part time. Your earas of responsibility. Shop facilities and use of your tools. Will they help in moving your household, shop tools, family and finding a house or temperary residence for you and yours. How much work you are expected to perform and a daily, weekly and annual basis, hours per week, weekend work expectations and compensation for ovetime. Keep a record of everything you do. Who do you report to and who can request or direct work. Pay scale, annual increases, cost of living in the area, cost of houses, benefits, contracts and get any verbal agreements in writing. Health plans, retirement contributions, life insurance, used vacation and sick leave disposition. Vacation amount. Education benefits for you and yours. Be aware that, unless you hgave other techs, you will be by yourself, cut off from the interchange of other technicians and you will find yourself tuning in one practice room after another. Can be boring in the extreme because there is little or no releaf like driving to next appointment, stopping off for lunch at different places, interactions with customers and other nice things about being in business for yourself. On the other hand you will have a dependable income, know where you next tuning is, have immediate shop facilities at hand and can take a break to go get 14 guage wire. Make friends with the faculty and students and get to know faculty in other areas like philosopy, physics, chemistry, French and German departments, if those languages interest you. I wish you luck. Newton nhunt@jagat.com
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