Dogs and Board Interviews

I had to bring my dog on an interview.... I think the goal is to assure the board that your idea of a well behaved dog jives with theirs.... I broughtreference letters for my dog from my then current neighbors.... these were unsolicited but made a big hit. I think him falling asleep on your lap sounds pretty ideal. Good luck.

Doggie valium?

Just kidding!

One of my reference letters mentioned how the writer adores my dog. Having him on my lap is probably the best bet but seems horribly unprofessional.

I would disagree that having your dog on your lap is "unprofessional". You need to make the dog feel comfortable and that seems to be the best way. The dog will also be more visible rather than sitting under the table.

Most board interviews are less formal than you may be expecting ... if they've invited the dog, they won't mind his sitting on your lap. The few times I have been interviewed, it has always been much more neighborly than I expected. As long as your financials are in very good shape, they really just want to meet their new neighbor and make sure you seem like a reasonable person.

The letters from previous neighbors are a great idea. Assuming it is true, I would suggest that they include one claim that he doesn't bark during the day!

Or during the nite for that matter - but I think people worry that an owner will leave for work at 7 am and his dog will bark all day long.

Not a problem there. I bring my dog to work with me. So, day barking is a non-issue.

My only real concern is that I am relatively young compared to, most likely, others that own in this building. Financials are tip top. That isn't an issue.

hate to get off topic, but do board's request that you bring children (if you have them) as well?

Look, bringing a dog to a meeting is in itself kind of 'unprofessional.' So I wouldn't sweat putting him in your lap. Whomever is hosting the meeting will probably be glad he isn't on their floor.

NO RAWHIDE. It gets disgusting and gluey and all you need is for him to 1/2 cough up a slimy string of the stuff that you then need to extract from his mouth and throat while the president is asking whether you've read the house rules.

Tucker the dog out before the meeting. I'm serious. Why take chances. Bring your tired dog, sit him in your lap. And then be yourself while giving short, polite, utterly unprovocative borderline dull answers. You do not get points for having clever questions for the board. You can tell them the brokers have answered them all for you and that you are just very looking forward to joining the building.

Solid finances go a long way. I sweated all sorts of details, but in the end all they cared about was the $$$ and since that wasn't an issue, the interview lasted 12 minutes, 11 of which was welcoming us to the building.

I once got past a Coop board as an investor when they were obviously against investors by walking in and immediately making friends with the Board President's Doberman who apparently didn't like anyone in the Coop. She let him out of the cage which she usually had him stay in when strangers entered the apartment. The board spent the whole interview transfixed at the Doberman sitting next to me with his chin on my lap and me petting him that I don't think they heard a word I said during the whole interview.

Kylewest: You were pretty much right on target. My dog just laid down on the floor and was well behaved.

The interview was a breeze. I left at 7:30 last night. I was approved by 10 this morning.

Moving soon! Yay!

congratulations!

Thanks! I'm closing next Friday.

This co-op process is a NIGHTMARE.