A couple hundred people were lined up for the Siena "job fair" by dawn this morning, and an estimated 2000 passed through during the day. The same is expected on the second fair on Thursday. It was pretty obvious that most had not read the Siena’s employee profile that was posted on their web site:
"A critical part of the Siena experience is our image to our customers and the community. The single greatest component of our image is the people who make up that image. Therefore, each of our individual appearances will be key to successfully presenting our goals to our customers. We are looking for people who carry a professional look about them at all times. We will not allow visible tattoos, excessive piercings or unconventional hair styles or colors. The Siena is not about self-expression but more about embracing the spirit of hospitality at its highest levels. Individuals should not stand out but merely blend in to a total guest experience that in itself stands out in the minds of our customers."
In just about any other state, this employee profile would be highly illegal – you might think it, but you can’t say it, This was as much a casting call as it was a job fair, and most everyone missed the boat. I kept thing of William Huang auditioning for American Idol – these folks had no clue. I think a lot of the applicants were going through the motions to obtain documentation to continue their jobless claims. You certainly don’t apply in flip flops, board shorts and a wife beater exposing your neck tattoos if you seriously expect to be hired here. What about upscale, no tattoos, limited piercings and "conventional hair" was lost in the translation?
But scattered among the losers were the qualified winners who took it all seriously, dressed for the occasion, and had resumes ready. I wish them the best of luck in their new careers at the new Siena. Though in the back of my mind, I’m already imagining what the new new Siena is going to look like once this one fails to find a market.
Jack
Just got news that TMCC, WNC may merge or close down. UNR is also in trouble. Do you think it’ll have serious impact on the local real estate business?
Anybody can comment on it?
billddrummer
@Mike,
Thanks for the post. This is my response to the REreno thread:
I attended the cattle call today. I was dressed in a suit and tie, and carried my resume in a portfolio. After 2 hours of standing in line in the wind, I left. My experience is in finance and commercial lending–not what you’d consider a good ‘fit’ for the hospitality industry.
A quick peek online confirmed my suspicions: The handful of jobs in the accounting/finance department required specific experience in the hospitality or gaming industries–experience I don’t possess. I don’t feel slighted–in fact, I’m comfortable with my experience and expect to find a position soon. But the post above is illustrative. I overheard several people bragging about how they were padding their job hunting stats with appearances at events like this one. And it occurred to me that I wouldn’t hire those people–one person in particular was wearing facial piercings, jeans, and her turquoise nails matched her turquoise tennis shoes.
If people aren’t really interested in working, why are they taking up space and time from the rest of us who do?
And for Jack, if the university shrinks, it will represent yet another reason for companies to pass on Reno when looking to relocate, and for new graduates to leave the area when they receive their degrees.
Carole
Another poster said on a different thread that “high end gaming” and “downtown Reno” are mutually exclusive. I read the article in the RGJ and it seems to me there is almost an arrogance about the new operators of the Siena. They are going to pull off the greatest turnaround in the history of the gaming industry, at least according to them.
I more and more am getting the feeling that these new operators are so deep into their self delusion that this is just going to be another crash and burn. A new steak house? A wine bar? Employees who don’t have tatoos and piercings? This is what is going to bring about the greatest turnaround in the history of the industry?
Yea, sure.
Stewart
80% of the Siena jobs are going to be $9.00 an hour jobs.
Motel maids, porters, bus help, waitresses, keno runners, janitors,…………..
The ususal casino workforce.
Just the kind of jobs Reno needs to charge into the future.
We’ll all have to continue to wait for Microsoft, Dell, Motorola, Apple, to move to Reno.
Grand Wazoo
Mike, you are truly on a roll this month. Great post and excellent commentary.
Driveby Poster
I’m curious as to why you think the employer’s profile of requested employees is “highly illegal.”
Tom
I tend to share Poster’s curiosity, Mike. The criteria may sound picky or politically incorrect to some (although not so to me), but I think the policy is sufficiently based on non-discriminatory criteria to avoid legal problems. You will note in reviewing it that there is no selectivity indicated by the criteria which might be based upon race, religion, gender, age, sexual preference, nationality or place of the applicant’s origin. This employer is looking for the same thing I would want in my employee group for that business model: The friendly presentation of a neat, wholesome, smiling boy or girl-next-door look by the employees who will interact with guests. They are obviously stressing service and presentation in conjunction with offering the revitalized amenities of their property. It makes sense. I like what they are trying to do and I hope they succeed with their vision.
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