Interview for a job at a livery yard later - any tips?

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Tash88

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I'm leaving my office job soon for various reasons and looking for a part-time job to support my horse and I while I finish my PhD. I teach as well so was looking for something 2/3 days a week. Have always wanted to work with horses and have done so on an ad-hoc basis at the yard where I keep my horse on DIY livery, but a great opportunity has come up at a yard 10 mins from where my horse is. It's just a part-time groom position at a small full and part livery yard.

I have owned horses for seven years and been riding since I was 10 (26 now) so consider myself to be experienced enough. I have never had a horsey job interview before though; they asked me when I was free to go and see them so it sounds rather informal - what can I expect though? They didn't say anything about assessing my riding or that I needed my BHS qualifications (it is a BHS approved yard) so hopefully the fact I only have my Riding & Road Safety won't go against me.

And interview tips appreciated - thanks in advance!
 
Tash88 said:
I'm leaving my office job soon for various reasons and looking for a part-time job to support my horse and I while I finish my PhD. I teach as well so was looking for something 2/3 days a week. Have always wanted to work with horses and have done so on an ad-hoc basis at the yard where I keep my horse on DIY livery, but a great opportunity has come up at a yard 10 mins from where my horse is. It's just a part-time groom position at a small full and part livery yard.

I have owned horses for seven years and been riding since I was 10 (26 now) so consider myself to be experienced enough. I have never had a horsey job interview before though; they asked me when I was free to go and see them so it sounds rather informal - what can I expect though? They didn't say anything about assessing my riding or that I needed my BHS qualifications (it is a BHS approved yard) so hopefully the fact I only have my Riding & Road Safety won't go against me.

And interview tips appreciated - thanks in advance!
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They'll probably just be very relaxed and informal, ask questions to get to know you and your horse knowledge a bit better and ask to see you ride. Just imagine you're going to test a horse for a share or something and be yourself.

Good luck xxx
 
Thanks! I'm not so nervous about the questions bit but rather nervous about the riding - I haven't ridden a horse other than my own for the last 18 months! What kind of standard would they expect? Obviously I can ride but I am quite soft and although I can get some nice work out of my horse and work him through any naughty behaviour (most of the time!) I'm not exactly setting the world alight. I'm not bad though, just pretty average I suppose but I am experienced and I do have regular lessons.
 
Did the job description say you'd be riding? Most grooms at full livery yards around here are just doing yard duties?

Keep calm, remember they've asked you to come because what you told them interested them.. Best of luck.
 
Tash88 said:
Thanks! I'm not so nervous about the questions bit but rather nervous about the riding - I haven't ridden a horse other than my own for the last 18 months! What kind of standard would they expect? Obviously I can ride but I am quite soft and although I can get some nice work out of my horse and work him through any naughty behaviour (most of the time!) I'm not exactly setting the world alight. I'm not bad though, just pretty average I suppose but I am experienced and I do have regular lessons.
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Agree with Honey08....you don't know you'll be riding, I just said that as a be prepared for it comment. They aren't looking for a rider, they are looking for a groom, so do try not to fret about it xx
 
Make sure you wear smart horsey clothes! When I worked on a yard the amount of people that came up for a informal interview (like what you'll be doing) and then turned up in completely non-horsey clothing was ridiculous! Although they could be really experienced and a fantastic rider it just made us think they were a bit novicey and clueless.
 
It is a BHS yard so I'm assuming they will have insurance for staff, but thanks for posting the link and I'll ask about it. Of course I have my own public liability insurance as a horse owner.

They didn't say anything about riding in the advert or subsequent communication, and they didn't say I needed to bring my hat when I asked whether I needed to bring anything to the interview but I'll take it just in case.

Thank you for the good luck wishes! xxx
 
NellRosk said:
Make sure you wear smart horsey clothes! When I worked on a yard the amount of people that came up for a informal interview (like what you'll be doing) and then turned up in completely non-horsey clothing was ridiculous! Although they could be really experienced and a fantastic rider it just made us think they were a bit novicey and clueless.
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Of course - going to wear a smart pair of checked breeches (newish so no ingrained stains!), a nice Joules polo top and my Ariat grasmeres. Does that sound okay?
 
Don't turn up in full make up, heels and hooped earrings like one girl did at the yard I use to be at.....!

As others have said about clothes- sensible, a bit smart and horsey! it wouldn't hurt to also take along your CV and your certificates, just to show you are fully prepared and keen. Other than that, relax and be yourself, as they will probably be keen to see how you naturally interact with the horses and people.

Oh and at interview, don't be scared to highlight your skills and past experience- don't lie, but don't describe yourself as 'average' or 'ok', have confidence in the ability you have!

You'll be fine, but good luck :)
 
Thanks for the tips! I got the job, well a trial day but I don't know whether it is right for me now. The yard is lovely and the staff and liveries seem nice too, but it doesn't look like there will be enough work to justify leaving my current job. On the advert it said two/three days a week, one of those days being a weekend day, but today the owner said that it would definitely be a weekend day then possibly a day in the week. So I am a little disappointed really! I think I need to email the owner tomorrow politely addressing my concerns and then take it from there.
 
Oh well done,can dyes that's a bit annoying.

Would going freelance be viable? Covering holidays etc? I really struggle to find people sometimes.
 
The trouble is there aren't that many yards around here (London/Surrey borders) and a lot of the freelance work seems to be taken up by students. Is there an agency that specifically deals with that kind of thing? Pm if you would prefer :)
 
Tash88 said:
Thanks for the tips! I got the job, well a trial day but I don't know whether it is right for me now. The yard is lovely and the staff and liveries seem nice too, but it doesn't look like there will be enough work to justify leaving my current job. On the advert it said two/three days a week, one of those days being a weekend day, but today the owner said that it would definitely be a weekend day then possibly a day in the week. So I am a little disappointed really! I think I need to email the owner tomorrow politely addressing my concerns and then take it from there.
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I'd try them for a while, you never know you may be able to move your horse there at a reduced livery price?
 
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