Job Hunting During The Holidays
Job Hunting Break?
Many job hunters take a break during the holiday season, but you shouldn't.
Alison Doyle writes for ‘the balance’ the 11 Reasons To Job Search During the Holidays. The top two provided reasons are that employers are still hiring and that there is less competition for available jobs.
Even though you might need a new job, it can be hard to manage a job search when there are so many other things happening during the holidays. For some people, it’s easier to focus on the season than the job hunt. That’s fine, of course, but if you’re a juggler who can multi-task, you’ll find less competition for jobs. Keeping your job search going could give you a chance for an interview that you may not have gotten during another time of year. That's because the candidate pool was more competitive during another time of year.
Ms. Doyle also points out that hiring is no longer a seasonal pursuit. There is no longer a wait to begin hiring at all companies once a decision has been made that it needs to acquire a new employee.
Like other industries, horse racing is a year-round industry that has continual staffing requirements. Many race meets are starting near the start of the year and have staffing needs.
Rekindling Former Contacts
A recent WorkIt Daily blog post reminds us that the holidays are a perfect time to reach out to former colleagues and bosses with whom you have failed to stay in touch. Whether it is a social media message or face-to-face coffee, these reconnections allow you to build your network and ‘cultivate a strong relationship.’ Don’t stop at asking them who they like in the Gun Runner Stakes on Boxing Day or if they are going to stay up and watch the Arima Kinen (G1) on the 25th. This is a good occasion to learn about their company and possibly any opportunities with their employers. Many of your circle will enjoy catching up on your work and personal details.
The Harvard Business Review also advises to Don’t Pause Your Job Search Just Because It’s the Holidays. In addition to the reasons that companies are still hiring, competition is reduced, and holidays are a perfect time to network, HBR’s Samorn Selim highlights an incentive for hiring managers to fill headcount before the year ends.
In most organizations, teams are given headcount for the quarter or year during the planning cycle. Managers have hiring objectives they need to hit by the end of the year because some companies have a “use it or lose it” policy where if a manager does not use their budget for new hires, then they lose the headcount.
As a result, many hiring managers who have not yet hit their hiring objectives will feel the pressure to give offers by the end of the year. This means the hiring timeline can be expedited and you can hear back in a matter of days instead of weeks or months.
Very few racing offices take solace in the fact that they survived a week, month, or meet understaffed for fear of a permanent staff reduction. These racing managers are acutely aware that stuff happens when least expected. Being short by one or two team members equates to potential trouble when the remaining staff is out of the office for vacation, training, or doctor’s appointments.
Horse racing job hunters don’t take a break during the holiday season.
Highlighted Opportunities
Jobs listed under Highlighted Opportunities will be those sent directly to me by the employer (listed chronologically by posted date). For those hiring who would like to have their positions included in the newsletter, please email me, ovals at yahoo dot com, with “StandingStart Jobs” in the subject field.
Employer: Charles Town
2 Opportunities: Equipment Operator/Groundskeeper or Assistant Starter
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Mahoning Valley
54 Opportunities: Assistant Stall Superintendent, Outriders, Test Barn Tech, or Track Personel
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Penn National
6 Opportunities: Assistant Starter, Clocker, Lead Mutuel Teller, Racing Gap Attendant, Racing Valet, or Shift Manager of Racing Services
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Zia Park
10 Opportunities: Assistant Starter, Clocker, Mutuel Teller, Racing Valet, Outrider, Paramedic or Registered Nurse, Racing EMT, Racing Facilities Worker, Racing Security, Track Maintenance
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Prairie Meadows
Opportunity: Track Maintenance Team Member II
Source: Prairie Meadows
Posted: 2022-12-09
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Prairie Meadows
Opportunity: Human Resources - Risk-Medical Claims Manager
Source: Prairie Meadows
Posted: 2022-11-09
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Prairie Meadows
Opportunity: Surveillance - Agent
Source: Prairie Meadows
Posted: 2022-11-07
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Maryland Jockey Club
Opportunity: Van Driver
Source: Maryland Jockey Club
Posted: 2022-11-01
Description: Van Driver needed with CDL license. Must be able to drive tractor Trailer for the MJC shuttle between Pimlico and Laurel on race days. Good salary, benefits, vacation, and sick pay. This is year-round employment in Maryland. Contact: hr@marylandjockeyclub.com
Employer: Maryland Jockey Club
Opportunity: Paddock Blacksmith
Source: Maryland Jockey Club
Posted: 2022-11-01
Description: Paddock Blacksmith – Blacksmith in the paddock on race days. Must be able to put a shoe on a horse in a timely fashion. Good Pay. Year-round employment in Maryland. Contact: hr@marylandjockeyclub.com
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Gap Attendant
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-10-07
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Marketing Coordinator, NYRA Bets
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-09-15
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Associate General Counsel
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-09-15
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Safety Steward
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-08-14
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: NYRA
Opportunity: Track Supervisor
Source: NYRA
Posted: 2022-07-25
Description: Company Job Posting
Opportunities
The Opportunities section is a curated listing of positions harvested from the internet.
Employer: Daily Racing Form
Opportunity: Manager of Sportsbook Operations
Source: SimplyHired
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: SimplyHired Job Posting
Employer: North Dakota
Opportunity: Executive Director, North Dakota Racing Commission
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: LinkedIn Job Posting
Employer: Churchill Downs Incorporated
Opportunity: Senior Director of Start-Up & Integration
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: Churchill Downs Incorporated
Opportunity: Gaming Operations Analyst
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: Sky Racing World
Opportunity: Senior Accounting Manager
Source: SimplyHired
Posted: 2022-12-20
Description: SimplyHired Job Posting
Employer: FanDuel
Opportunity: Human Resources Generalist
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-17
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: Caesars Entertainment
Opportunity: Equine Laborer
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-17
Description: LinkedIn Job Posting
Employer: Breeders’ Cup
Opportunity: Director, Ticketing & Customer Service
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-16
Description: Indeed Job Posting
Employer: Breeders’ Cup
Opportunity: Pre-Game Racing Trader
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-16
Description: LinkedIn Job Posting
Employer: FanDuel
Opportunity: Talent Acquisition Recruiter, Technology
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-16
Description: Indeed Job Posting