No Experience Necessary
Tight Labor Market
The current unemployment rate should be of interest to the StandingStart newsletter readers. Trading Economics reports:
The unemployment rate in the US was unchanged at 3.7 percent in November 2022, matching market expectations and remaining close to September's 29-month low of 3.5 percent. The jobless rate has been in a narrow range of 3.5 percent to 3.7 percent since March, suggesting that the tight labor market will likely continue.
Tight labor markets are a boon for workers. The numerous benefits afforded to workers include wage growth, job mobility, and employee development. Recently, Kweilen Ellengrud, wrote in Forbes,
In such a tight hiring market, companies need more emphasis on retaining and developing their own employees. A new approach can start with reconsidering human capital from the individual worker’s perspective.
Horse racing mirrors society at large with respect to labor shortages. Last week, I attended the Racing Secretary Summit held in conjunction with the 2022 Global Symposium on Racing hosted by the Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) at the University of Arizona. When the topic of recruiting and retaining racing office staffing, the common refrain was the difficulty of finding candidates with the ideal experience. Some track representatives expressed that they were open to hiring those with no racing office experience to fill some of their vacancies. Hiring managers see the benefit of training the right people for the available positions.
No Experience Necessary
The most extreme example of employee development fostered in tight labor markets is employers accepting ‘no experience necessary as job qualifications. While racecourses would prefer to hire experienced candidates or even graduates of programs such as the RTIP students, there are always openings that are filled with entry-level candidates or career-changers. More and more of these positions could be filled by those without traditional experience.
The trend of ‘downskilling’ was discussed as early as four years ago in the Wall Street Journal. Kelsey Gee reported, “Long work-history requirements have also relaxed: Only 23% of entry-level jobs now ask applicants for three or more years of experience, compared with 29% back in 2012, putting an additional 1.2 million jobs in closer reach of more applicants, Burning Glass data show.” Some jobs still require highly job-specific skills and are less likely to have relaxed requirements. At racecourses, veterinarian, financial, and legal staffing are likely to have the same requirements.
HSI offers suggestions on how to get an entry-level job with no experience. Although HSI specializes in health and safety employment, their recommendations apply to horse racing careers as well. Entry-level applicants should tell their stories in a cover letter. A cover letter detailing one’s work ethic and motivations while connecting their experiences to the job. All racing jobs require people relationship skills and would benefit from general computer skills. Seemingly unrelated experience in a restaurant, retail, or call-center job help to demonstrate one’s ability to interact with people. HSI also recommends that you tailor your resume to the job: “Customizing your resume for each job you apply for is tough when you don’t have a lot of experience. Look for small ways to make more of a connection between the job responsibilities and your background.”
Not all racing offices will have the same willingness to hire those with limited experience. For example, Ben Huffman, Keeneland’s racing secretary, has assembled a team that could be compared to the Avengers. His staff is primarily comprised of current and former (assistant) racing secretaries and stakes coordinators at other racecourses. The competition for the most desirable racing office jobs such as those from Keeneland will make it tough for those without experience.
Keeneland is the exception. The perception from the Racing Secretary Summit is that all racecourses would be amenable to those without experience. Personally, I have hired retail sales associates, real estate agents, and retired postal carriers to work in the racing office as well as former jockeys, trainers, and agents. Offices have also been known to hire collegiate students during their summer breaks.
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: 2022-12-13
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Mahoning Valley
5 Opportunities: Assistant Stall Superintendent, Outriders, Test Barn Tech, or Track Personel
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2022-12-13
Description: Company Job Posting
Employer: Penn National
5 Opportunities: Assistant Starter, Clocker, Lead Mutuel, Racing Gap Attendant, or Shift Manager of Racing Services
Source: Penn Entertainment
Posted: 2022-12-13
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: 2022-12-13
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: Ellis Park
Opportunity: Track Laborer
Source: LinkedIn
Posted: 2022-12-10
Description: LinkedIn Job Posting
Employer: Colonial Downs
Opportunity: Sr. Director of Racing Operations
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-08
Description: Indeed Job Listing
Employer: FanDuel
Opportunity: Operations Senior Associate
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-08
Description: Indeed Job Listing
Employer: Golden Gate Fields
Opportunity: Lay Assistant
Source: Indeed
Posted: 2022-12-08
Description: Indeed Job Listing
Employer: Caesar’s Entertainment - Shelbyville
Opportunity: Mutuel Teller
Source: GetWork
Posted: 2022-12-06
Description: GetWork Job Listing