Job Interviews

Irish Stamp

Irish Stamp

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Finally got myself a job interview, after filling in the online forms for Coral's.
Any advice? - i couldn't find the original topic on it but my interview is on Wednesday evening.

All help appreciated
Martin
 
In no particular order.....

- Research the betting industry, both as a whole and Coral's position within it. Who owns who?, which firms are PLCs?, Where are the growth areas? Who has just published figures? How big is Coral? How is Coral structured (shops/call centre/internet/Eurobet/greyhound stadia/etc)? How might deregulation of gambling effect bookmakers?

- Read Coral's rule book

- Wear a tie

- Make sure you convey your passion for racing/sport and your desire to work within it.

- Don't expect the interveiwer to be a racing enthusiast him/herself. Bookmaker's Area Managers tend mainly to be interested in company procedures, neatness, acuracy, reliability, shop tidies and customer service. Stress your awareness of the importance of these things in a betting shop - especially company procedures, there is unlimited potential for fraud/mistakes in a betting office, so procedures MUST be followed correctly.

- Talk enthusiastically about virtual racing, FOBTs, Rapido and 49's (I admit, this may be difficult).

Good luck
 
Originally posted by Relkeel@Dec 13 2004, 03:07 PM
- Wear a tie
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more with Relkeel, however, where the above-mentioned is concerned, I would recommend that you wear a shirt & trousers too or you may get a few funny looks...

Good luck.
 
Yeah lol.
Not got a suit with me so do you people think black trousers, white shirt, black tie and black jumper is ok?
 
Probably better to say you don't bet or only have the odd recreational bet. Certainly don't make out you're a compulso.
 
I wouldn't actually agree there, Tom....for starters, as far as the majority of people who work in the bookmaking inndustry are concerned, anyone who says they don't have a bet is lying. I also don't think that it would be seen as a negative at all to admit to following the horses & having a bet, it shows that you have an interest in the racing & that is a big plus in the industry. I'd also recommend that before your interview you have a brush up on bet types, what constitutes a canadian, etc, & how many bets there are in each one. If you demonstrate a rudimentary knowledge of settling that will work in your favour too.
 
Steal a nice jacket, preferably from a Savile Row tailor. On second thoughts, steal a few and sell the others to obtain funds to feed the gambling compulsion.

Don't tell the Coral personnel people that you have done so - they'll think that you are angling for a main board seat a little early in your career.
 
Black trousers and tie would be a touch funereal I think. If you are wearing a white shirt then a dark tie I would think but not black.
 
I had a couple of spells working for bookmakers in my late teens/early 20's.
My advice and I guarantee you this will get you the job-1)wear a suit & tie 2)tell them you like to do a yankee or multiple on the Ch4 races every Saturday-this lets them know you are familiar with multiple bets and odds in general 3)make them think you will be available long term even if this isn't the case-weekends and bank holidays no problem.
The big no-no is coming across as a smart arse who knows everything about gambling.
 
I had an interview with Coral recently Martin.

He asked me to do a maths test, which i breezed, he seemed genuinely surprised that i got 10/10, and he said that no-one ever got that.

He then asked me about the betting industry, i told him that i was more into the boring stuff such as draw biases and sectional times.

I didn't get the job, even though i am ridiculously well qualified for a PT bookies job.

Not quite sure why, i assume it has something to do with my knowledge of the industry. I suggest you act like you havent got a clue, maybe they'll sign you up with open arms, much like they do to the many housewifes they employ.

Honestly, what's wrong with being well-informed about an industry. Craziness.
 
I have a friend down south who works for them so i've asked for his advice and now i have two maths tests on wednesday lol.
thanks for all the advice so far people.

martin
 
Maybe they want to start with a clean slate and then tell you what to do there own way.
I got two new ties today so now got to decide which one to wear and the shirt is in the wash.

Martin
 
Originally posted by PDJ@Dec 14 2004, 05:26 PM
A clean shirt is a good idea.
Click to expand...
Only have one white one with me and i use that for Sheffield United job, don't plan or didn't plan working this saturday (Cardiff and a 10am start for me) so was going to take it home to wash (with my mums help of course).

martin
ps. it's in the drier right now (already washed).
 
Martin, re the jacket: you can buy quite decent jackets out of charity shops. This isn't meant to sound patronizing! They're mere pennies and you don't actually have to wear it - make sure it's not in loud colours and just carry it casually on your arm if it isn't a terrific fit. (And after Christmas, there'll be loads of Unwanted Presents hitting those shops, so look out for brand-new ones.) A sweater or a cardigan is for old fogeys applying for the job of night cleaner.
 
I bought a really nice suit (£3.50!) from my local oxfam a couple of years ago - I usually go in them to buy books & christmas cards. Anyway the suit fitted to perfection, looked brand new & I now wear it to Cheltenham!
 
At the rate I'm going, my entire library of books, cds & dvds will be for sale soon as I won't have anywhere for them (or me!!) to live!!
 
Originally posted by krizon@Dec 14 2004, 06:06 PM
Martin, re the jacket: you can buy quite decent jackets out of charity shops. This isn't meant to sound patronizing! They're mere pennies and you don't actually have to wear it - make sure it's not in loud colours and just carry it casually on your arm if it isn't a terrific fit. (And after Christmas, there'll be loads of Unwanted Presents hitting those shops, so look out for brand-new ones.) A sweater or a cardigan is for old fogeys applying for the job of night cleaner.
Click to expand...
Not patronizing at all. I can't afford the £39.99 one's from TK Maxx and with the saga of my brilliant bank (HSBC) mucking me about (not had a cash card for 3 weeks) i'll be looking round the charity shops tommorow after my exam for a jacket.

Martin
ps. the pink thong was left out, but i did include...
 
I have been taking down loads of old clothes to The Red Cross the last few weeks. You should have let me know Martin, and I would have checked to see if one of my jackets would have fitted you! :P I was told I was having NO new clothes until I make room in my wardrobe. That's all the incentive I needed at Christmas to have a massive clear out. It's really good for the soul too. :)
 
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