Prepare an audition piece and a set list. Those who are hiring for various gigs will want to hear what you sound like and know what type of music you'll be playing. A set list will show them the exact songs you can sing and play on the piano.
Promote yourself everywhere you go. You won't get playing and singing jobs if people aren't aware you're looking! Create a fan page on Facebook and a musician page on Myspace. These social networking sites can go a long way in terms of self-promotion if used correctly. Make it known on the page that you are available for gigs and list the rates you charge. To create these pages, visit the website and create an account. These sites are free of charge. Invite your friends and acquaintances to "friend" you or become your fan. Myspace is especially good for musicians, as you can upload your songs for visitors to your page to hear. Make business cards with your information, including the URL to your page and carry them with you wherever you go.
Research and contact area bars, restaurants and churches. Some restaurants and bars often hire singers and pianists for one-time or recurring gigs. While churches may not be for everyone, they often keep a list of musicians on hand for special occasions such as weddings, funerals or concerts that require more musicians than volunteers can provide. While a regular church job can be hard to find due to their scarcity, occasionally jobs will be open for a paid soloist with the choir or paid piano accompanist. Church jobs are often not as easy to find because of the fact that they tend to rely on volunteer singers and pianists in their congregation. Bars and restaurants that provide live music to patrons usually want to ensure they are giving their customers the best quality performance possible, so they are more likely to hire people as opposed to relying on volunteers.
Network with other musicians. They may turn out to be your best source for finding insider information about places that pay. Even if they play an instrument other than the piano, they can still be a great source because they are tapped into the music world. Check on websites like meetup.com or craigslist.org to see if there are any groups of musicians that meet regularly in your area.