Advice for job interview (stablehand/groom)

[attabelle]

You guys!!! I have an interview for a groom position with a college equestrian program tomorrow morning!!! Eeek I’m so excited!!! :tickled_pink:

Enough exclamation points. Let me tell you a little about my background: I learned to ride as an adult and rode consistently for 3 years (coincidentally, my trainer was the head coach for a different college equestrian team). Then I took a little break for a couple of years after we moved (thanks a lot, Army). I started riding again just in time to get pregnant with my son, so I had to stop riding. I haven’t ridden a horse in almost 4 years now (!).

BUT I truly love horses (as do we all) and I am thrilled about this job opportunity. I would LOVE to get back into horses again and I am capable of what the job requires, which is really more of a stablehand job than a true groom––I’d be mucking stalls, feeding, medicating, turning out, keeping barn clean, etc. I know it’ll be hard work but I’m looking forward to the additional physical activity (I need to get a little more svelte to fit into my old riding clothes).

So…any advice from people who have done this sort of work before? What should I expect from the interview? Anything I should bone up on before tomorrow?

And what should I wear? I am thinking jeans, (freshly cleaned and polished) paddock boots, nice polo. I am also planning to bring my riding stuff just in case they want to see me on a horse––I don’t know if they’d want me to exercise horses as part of the job.

I’m probably overthinking this, per usual––I mean, I think they are just glad to get someone to apply for the job (it’s been available for months and months).

PS––If it matters, I’m 35, married, one kid (3 years old). I would be doing this part-time in the mornings.

TIA from a overly-excited horse lover

[Linda]

Well I havent done that job, but I was an HR manager for about 30 yrs before retiring and did a LOT of interviews.

Things you will probably be asked will include
Tell me about yourself - and that should include your riding and horse management experience as well as a bit about your personal life… Not a lot of personal info but its a way to “break the ice” and chat some.

Why are you interested in this job? Tell them what you like about the position - not that its a way to generate cash. The mgr will want someone who WANTS to do this work - not someone who will show up each day grumbling about the work.

What other jobs have you had before? What did you like about them? What did you not like? Why did you leave? Again, the mgr is looking for someone with some stability in their work background - not someone who is likely to quit a few months down the line.
Your attire is fine - you should be neat and dressed in a manner that would fit the job.
Good luck!

[Wonders12]

Your attire is great. They would probably tell you if you would be riding, but there’s no harm in throwing the clothes in your car just in case.

Be on time. Usually for an interview you want to be early, but unless this is a huge place with a receptionist and a waiting area, showing up 15 minutes early is going to inconvenience me.

Be polite and generally enjoyable to be around. Any decent BM can teach you how to do chores well. Being a pleasant addition to the staff will put you head and shoulders above other applicants.

Be honest, and be willing to learn. Again, if you don’t know how to give oral medications, I can teach you how to do that. (That’s kinda what I’m here for.) So if I ask you if you know how, just say, “I don’t have any experience with that, but I would love to learn!”

Don’t be a know it all. There are 100 ways to care for horses. I want you to care for our horses MY way. I’m open to suggestions and always excited to have a knowledgeable candidate, but if I get the feeling that you’re always going to insist you’re right, you’re not getting the job.

Don’t mad mouth past jobs or other barns. I know this is Interviewing 101, but you would be surprised.

Everyone interviews differently. Mine is a “working interview” and includes mucking stalls. I would brush up on your general anatomy, horse colors, and maybe common feed. I wouldn’t quiz you on any of those things, but if I mention “the chestnut” and you start talking about the bay, I’m going to wonder. If you have a mini note pad that can slip in your pocket, do so. It could come in handy if you end up meeting a lot of people or your interview turns into an orientation.

Interview the barn. This is my biggest tip! What are the hours like? What happens if your kid gets sick? Who works holidays? Are there perks like riding and boarding (and if not, are you going to be bitter watching everyone else ride day after day while you care for their animals)? Is the manager someone you want to work with/under? Do the other employees seem generally happy? Barn work is hard and the pay generally sucks, so really consider if you want the job they’re offering.

Honestly, if your OP is a true reflection of you, the barn would be lucky to have you. You sound like the type of person I would love to have on staff.

Good luck!

[ChasPonyCat]

I’ve never been a groom before, but any job interview I have ever had, regardless of the position, has included some type of conflict-resolution/tell me about a time when such and such happened and how you handled it type question, so I always come armed with an example fresh in my mind.

[Daisyesq]

@Wonders12;8281164

Interview the barn. This is my biggest tip! What are the hours like? What happens if your kid gets sick? Who works holidays? Are there perks like riding and boarding (and if not, are you going to be bitter watching everyone else ride day after day while you care for their animals)? Is the manager someone you want to work with/under? Do the other employees seem generally happy? Barn work is hard and the pay generally sucks, so really consider if you want the job they’re offering.

Do NOT take this advice until you’ve already been offered the job. If you start asking about hours, perks and holidays during the interview, you will not come across as a hard worker who wants to learn!

DO try to leave the impression that you are knowledgeable about horses, but willing to “do it their way” not always your own way. You are unafraid of hard work. You want whatever is best for the horse and the barn clients (ie, sweep the aisle and finish your stalls before their first paying client shows up). And you are easy to be with/be around, especially when something gets stressful.

[offtracked]

If you are not familiar with this barn - Near the end of the interview, the interviewer should offer to give you a quick walk-through around the place. That’s standard in interviewing at non-horse employment. If they overlook this, ask cheerfully and with a keen attitude if it is ok if you take a quick walk around to see it.

You just want to see signs that you will be comfortable there. You don’t expect to see red flags that things aren’t done well, but if you do, this is something to be aware of before accepting a job offer, assuming one comes.

Good luck!!!

[MtnDrmz]

If you are coming in with only a few years horse experience, make sure you are ok to handle horses that have been on layup who want to show you their altheiticism during the handwalk, catching the pony out of the turnout who may not want to leave yet and shows you by trying to kick you or just runs away, and also taking extra special care with the horses who you look at wrong, and break down somewhere. Your attitude sounds perfect, but a few years is not a ton, and I would ask if there is someone that you would be working with or trainng under.

I was always a working student growing up, and have done EVERYTHING from Mucking stalls and handling difficult (read questionably dangerous :winkgrin:) horses, digging out areanas edges with a shovel, to getting to ride and handle some amazingingly nice and quality horses that I otherwise wouldn’t. Stay patient, be ready, and make sure you are willing to come home physcally exhuasted when you also have a kid. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anythign in the world! Good luck

[222orchids]

In another context, I do tons of interviews of candidates that want to work where I do. The one that always gets my attention is the one that can tell me why they want to work here. Not just for a law firm or in law generally, but HERE. Why this firm, more than one down down the street? Convince me that you want this more than I need you.

Also, have some questions in the can for the person interviewing you, that shows your interest but turns it around a little, and lets them “brag” a bit …like “What makes your team stand out from the others?” “How do you see the riding program growing over the next 5 years?” “Have you had alumni that have gone on to any big riding accomplishments?” “Where do the team’s horses generally come from?” and “Tell me about your dream horse for an IHSA program” When they say “Well, do you have any questions for us?” be fully locked and loaded!

[Linda]

working hunter…I dont think there is anything wrong with asking questions about the job. Actually I would encourage that. You do want to know about expected, hours, weekends, holidays and expectations.

The last thing I would want is someone to take the job and then say “gee I didnt know I had to do that…”

But to your point, the applicant should LISTEN, and then ask applicable questions about the job based on what they hear.

[attabelle]

Thank you all so much for your advice! I feel pretty confident about my ability to do the work but I hadn’t thought about the general working atmosphere. Good point.

Wonders12 –– believe me, I really am this excited about the job. I know I sound crazy to my non-rider friends and family, but I’m looking forward to it!

[jn1193]

I start with taking the applicant around the farm, telling them about our routine, pointing out a few horses and giving them a general overview. IN part, I do this to get an initial impression of how they interact with the horses (timid, friendly, knowledgeable…) and, if clients are around, how they initially interact with them.

I DO expect them to tell me if they have children and I WILL ask how they handle child care. I ask about work experience and ask for references. I DO also ask about whether they believe they are physically capable of doing the job and if they understand that this is hard, physical labor in all weather conditions.

I don’t ask someone to muck a stall first interview, but if there is a mutual interest after going through the details of pay, hours, etc I set up a second “working” interview or try out day (for which I pay them) so they get a feel for what we do and how. At the end of the tryout, I have a brief quiet word with my barn manager and then sit down again with the applicant to review pay, hours & duties again. THAT’S the time to ask your questions about pay, benefits, riding, etc. to make sure both you and prospective employer are on the same page.

Good luck!

[BoysNightOut]

[QUOTE=jn1193;8281516]

I DO expect them to tell me if they have children and I WILL ask how they handle child care. [/QUOTE]

Um, that’s illegal…it’s called discrimination. :rolleyes:

http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/inquiries_marital_status.cfm

The following pre-employment inquiries may be regarded as evidence of intent to discriminate when asked in the pre-employment context:

Whether applicant is pregnant.
Marital status of applicant or whether applicant plans to marry.
Number and age of children or future child bearing plans.
Child care arrangements.
Employment status of spouse.
Name of spouse.

[equus137]

[QUOTE=BoysNightOut;8281728]
Um, that’s illegal…it’s called discrimination. :rolleyes:

http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/practices/inquiries_marital_status.cfm

The following pre-employment inquiries may be regarded as evidence of intent to discriminate when asked in the pre-employment context:

Whether applicant is pregnant.
Marital status of applicant or whether applicant plans to marry.
Number and age of children or future child bearing plans.
Child care arrangements.
Employment status of spouse.
Name of spouse.[/QUOTE]

Employers cannot outright ask “Do you have kids?” but there are ways to find out if a candidate is a parent, without outright asking about it. The interviewer can tell a story about her daughter, a story that is so interesting and funny, that the candidate may reply by saying “Oh really? Your daughter did that when she was 8? How old is she now? My little one is 5 now…” I read about a hiring manager who had pictures of kids on her desk, even though she didn’t have kids, just as a ploy to see if the candidate will open up about their family.
If a candidate volunteers information, it is not illegal for the hiring manager to consider that information when they make their hiring decision. If the BM explains that the workweek runs from Tuesday to Sunday, the candidate may say “I can’t work Sunday! I have church.” So, the BM never asked the candidate about her religion, but the candidate just volunteered that information.
I took a human resources class last Spring, so the skills used to gather personal information out of job candidates, without violating EEOC, is really fascinating.

[Linda]

i am a retired HR Manager and I wouldnt go there if I were you.

[BoysNightOut]

[QUOTE=equus137;8282947]
Employers cannot outright ask “Do you have kids?” but there are ways to find out if a candidate is a parent, without outright asking about it. The interviewer can tell a story about her daughter, a story that is so interesting and funny, that the candidate may reply by saying “Oh really? Your daughter did that when she was 8? How old is she now? My little one is 5 now…” I read about a hiring manager who had pictures of kids on her desk, even though she didn’t have kids, just as a ploy to see if the candidate will open up about their family.
If a candidate volunteers information, it is not illegal for the hiring manager to consider that information when they make their hiring decision. If the BM explains that the workweek runs from Tuesday to Sunday, the candidate may say “I can’t work Sunday! I have church.” So, the BM never asked the candidate about her religion, but the candidate just volunteered that information.
I took a human resources class last Spring, so the skills used to gather personal information out of job candidates, without violating EEOC, is really fascinating.[/QUOTE]

Oh, I believe it! I’m sure there are pretty shady HR departments out there. It’s none of the employer’s business if the candidate has children, or what their plans are for daycare. That’s the potential employee’s job to figure out what to do with their kids.

JN’s post just irked me; when a BO expects a possible worker to TELL them if they have kids, and they WILL ask them what their daycare plans are is none of their damn business. You CANNOT discriminate or make a person explain their family life, even for a barn job.

[Callista17]

A big part of the college teams around here is showing. You can mention organizational skills, if you are a member if any clubs, even possibly if not horsie even, if you’ve volunteered or scribed at shows…

[findeight]

So, how’d the interview go? Get a job offer out of it?

[attabelle]

The job interview went really well! The only sticking point is their schedule. It’s pretty inflexible, even for part-time. I have to see if I can adjust my hours at my other job to make it work. Hopefully I’ll be able to. I’d really like to take the job––the facility is GORGEOUS and I’d learn so much!

[jn1193]

Good to know - thanks for the heads up. Most people I’ve interviewed have volunteered the information about whether they have kids and I’ve felt it a natural transition to ask about child care. I’ve had a couple of questions over the years if the interviewee can bring their child/children to the barn when they come to work. But will be more careful in the future.

[hb]

[QUOTE=Linda;8281433]
working hunter…I dont think there is anything wrong with asking questions about the job. Actually I would encourage that. You do want to know about expected, hours, weekends, holidays and expectations.

The last thing I would want is someone to take the job and then say “gee I didnt know I had to do that…”

But to your point, the applicant should LISTEN, and then ask applicable questions about the job based on what they hear.[/QUOTE]

But you ask those questions at the point where you are getting an offer, not in the first interview. Big turn off in first interview.