Blog #2 Hiring Process at Gila River Casinos

"How long is this going to take???" asks every employee, after their hiring manager offers them a position.

To begin working for the Gila RivercCsinos isn't easy.  Well, to be more specific, the food and beverage department. Otherwise, known as Spectra by Comcast Spectator. Trust me, I've done this twice. You have to attend drug screening, fingerprints, and orientation. GEEZ! There's so much to do..

Let me walk you through this endless process. Follow along. 

First you have to fill out an application, like any other job. The regular stuff applications ask how you heard about them, your desired pay, skills, and work history. There's not much to the application. The casino just wants to know who they are hiring. So, they ask if you're a tribal member, if so what's your tribe number? They want to know if you've worked for them before. Simple things to answer. 

Once you put in your application, you begin the waiting game. You have to wait for the hiring manager to call you. If they are hiring, the call won't take long at all. He or she will call to set up an interview within the next few days. I was told to call them back? Then nobody answered me, very disappointing. Since, it's a casino you're applying for don't be surprised at the interview time, it could be really early or really late. Iv'e been interviewed at 5 in the morning and watched someone get interviewed at 11 at night. The time just depends on when that manager will be there.

When you meet face to face with a manager take it easy. No pressure and don't be nervous. The interview is very casual. They are really interviewing your personality, since you will be interacting with guest 99% of your day. Usually, you're hired on the spot. Depending on who's hiring you, you'll move on to the next step right then and there, or they'll make you wait until your application processes. My manager made me wait for my application to go to Human Resources. I had to wait 4 more days to sign paper work with my manager. Then those papers are sent to Human Resources again. "How long is this going to take?"

Now you have to wait for a call, from Human Resources, to schedule your drug screening and orientation. I waited another week, I would say. Once the person from HR calls you they schedule your appointment for the next week. Specifically, drug screening and orientation is held on Wednesdays. I have no clue why.

As another week goes by, it's time for drug screening! So, you walk in the HR office, take the elevator to the second floor, and the conference room is on your right when you get off the elevator. There's probably going to be another 14 or 15 people there, as well. PAPERWORK. You get a packet to fill out by Monday. They want to know everything bout you. Where did you live the past 5 years? Where have you worked in the past 5 years? Criminal background in the past 7 years? Lots of questions. FYI shoplifting will not let you go past this part. Anyways, you bring this packet back, when you do your fingerprints.

You have 3 active days to bring this packet back. If they don't call you by 10 am the next day, you have the green light to take your packet to HR. HR then notarizes your paperwork at sends you down to GRGE, Gila River Gaming Enterprise, to get your finger prints and your badge. When you goe downstairs it takes a long time. I had 1 person in front of me this time, and it took about an hour. So, make sure you have nothing planned. 

After, finishing with GRGE, you go back upstairs to Spectra HR. Then, they give you your On-The-Job orientation dates. The orientation days are Tuesday, 8:00-4:00, Wednesday, 8:30-12:00 and 12:30-2:30, and Thursday 8:30- 12:00 and 12:00-4:00. You have to attend all of the training required for you position, to begin working. These consist of new hire orientation, Bloodborne Pathogens, Alcohol Training/ Certification, Micros and Cash-Handling, and Suspicious Activity and Food handlers.

All the orientation and training is complete! Yes, finally. Now, you proceed to picking up your uniforms and getting your schedule.

Overall, it takes about a month to start working. That's a loooong process, if you ask me. If you choose that route to work for one of the Gila River Casino's, have fun and enjoy the process. GOOD LUCK! XOXO, Destinie