Any tips on bagging a horsey job??

[ChestnutConvert]

Have just been asked to go and have a chat about a part time yard job close to home. I'm very interested after getting back in with horses and was wondering if anyone has a few tips for 'looking good' on the day? That's verbally etc not physically! Well maybe physically as well!

 

[Spit That Out]

Dress smart and take your riding gear with you in case they ask you to ride. Be yourself, be honest about your abilities and experience.

Answer all their questions fully but don't be afraid to say you don't know. It's better to have the ability to learn than think you already know everything. Have a few questions for them but your first questions shouldn't be about pay and holidays!!! However make sure things like hours and your responsibility are discussed at some stage. You don't want to be running their yard in sole charge, every hour of the day for min wage!!!

Try and make a negative in to a positive. If you see something that you think you could do better, quicker, cheaper then suggest how you would do that.

Smile nothing worse than a sour faced person who grunts at people!!!

I know times are hard at the moment but remember if the job doesn't sound like it's what you want to do then better to be honest and walk away from it rather than taking the job and lasting a week!!!

Try and have a few reference's from other yards, horse people who know you or previous employers. But make sure they are real in case they check up...It's no good saying you worked as a Head Groom for the Queen and really you used to poop pick the local riding schools fields all day!!!

Good luck and let us know how you got on

 

[Bens_Mum]

All really good suggestions. Insurance is another questions I would ask about especially if its a small yard, will you need your own if riding etc? Like others have said I would be careful when talking about ability (no offense as don't know what you have done) but one persons competant rider isn't anothers especially with competition/ hunting fit horses! I've had a few suprises myself with something that was 'a bit sharp' being more what i'd call a certified nut job on more than one occasion, getting injured is not amusing ever but definately not for minimum wage at a part time job! Good luck with it and definately ask around about the yard i've had atleast one experience ending in a massive battle to get paid which would have been avoided if i'd asked around first- they were notorious!

 

[ChestnutConvert]

Good advice and very grateful for it. I plan to be honest about my knowledge and abilities as although i haven't worked on a yard for the past 20 years i have ridden for that long and loaned horses, worked at schools/yards and can only tell the truth so i avoid sticky situations!
will let you know tomorrow what happens...