OK, WHAT HOOPS DO I MAKE THEM JUMP THRU? interviewing grooms tomorrow

Angelbones

Angelbones

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To all those with good memories who can recall my rant from a few days ago about my groom quitting....

Place ad locally and phone hasn't stopped ringing. I've decided I'm a real wimp and have been chatting to them on the phone and hearing myself practically begging them to come rather than them begging me for the fab job!

Anyhow, I've lined up some to come and meet me at the yard. Now I'm panicking! I just don't know how to interview them, what sort of questions to ask, and what to ask them to do practically whilst with me. Now that may sound totally wet but I've never done this before (I've always 'inherited' proven grooms from other people) and I'm one of those people who has to fill silences with inane chat and just go on and on and on and on..

So advice please? How do i handle it, what qs to ask and what to get them to do?

(they are all really young - compared to me - and I just know I'm going to come over all maternal and not want to frighten them off!)

Ok, if you want to slap me, join the back of the queue...
 
when i went for a working pupil position, i was asked to groom a horse so they could assess how i went about it, how i handled the horse, etc etc.
i read about someone who would always make sure she was taking the stable bandages off a horse when prospective grooms turned up. she'd then start chatting to them and hand them the bandages as she took them off, and go to the next leg. if they carried on chatting and automatically wound up the bandage, they got the job. if they just put it down or didn't bother rolling it up, they didn't get the job! good way of finding out if someone's the sort to do things or to stand around with no initiative, waiting for instructions!
 
What have they got to do for you?
Ask them about their experience, own horses, previous employment, why they left, what they want from the job.
Tell them exactly what they will be expected to do.
If they need to be a good rider, get them to ride. Take them in to stables and see how they are with the horses. If you have a nervous horse go in with it to see what the horse makes of them and vice versa.
You need to decide if you can work with them and if you ask for something to be done, you know it will be done with no questions asked.

Good luck hope you find a good one.
 
[ QUOTE ]
i read about someone who would always make sure she was taking the stable bandages off a horse when prospective grooms turned up. she'd then start chatting to them and hand them the bandages as she took them off, and go to the next leg. if they carried on chatting and automatically wound up the bandage, they got the job. if they just put it down or didn't bother rolling it up, they didn't get the job! good way of finding out if someone's the sort to do things or to stand around with no initiative, waiting for instructions!

[/ QUOTE ]

I like that idea! Im forever running round winding peoples bandages up for them, I dont even work for them!
grin.gif
 
I like to rolling bandages thing - never thought of that! We used to have quite a formal process for interviewing - this was however for working pupils, but it did weed the wheat from the chaff. They would be expected to catch up a horse, groom and tack up and then we would do a riding assessment (only about 20 mins) untack and settle horse into stable. It was quite interesting to see how people approched this really simple daily routine. We would also set dare I say "traps" - broom left in stable, no water in stable (did they check the stable was ready for horse before sticking it in!) Bridle with bit a hole too low, hand them a pony sized headcoller to catch a hunter etc! It gives you a good insite on how they approach work, horses etc, how safety concious observant etc they are. I do know what you means about mothering them though, we once had 2 girls come from the UK (I was in Ireland and the time) for an interview - they had passed their stage 1 at college and had been assessed by same college as being stage 2 standard - they left sweaty horse in stable with no water and a broom, failed to notice the low slung bit and were frankly awful riders - I hated telling them we could not take them - they cried and I went all motherly and nearly offered them another chance!
 
When I ran a yard I used to ask them to come and work for a day to see how we all got on, that weeded them out, and gave a good idea for them of what the job entails and whether you think they are capable.
 
Cluedo, that's the best way of finding out if they are any good or not!

I think you would need to see whether they can muck out a stable to your standards. When you say their not "proven", do you know whether or not they've worked with horses before?

Good luck, I hope they're not all total numpties.
 
You might also want to say something at the end about when you will make your decision and how you will let them know, e.g. "Thank you for coming. I have had a lot of interest in the job and have seen many lovely people so it will be really tough choice, but I will let you know by ??" I always call people up and let them know, whether they have the job or not because it only seems fair and you never know when you might need someone.
 
One job I got was on the merit of a tail that I had plated,

Another job I went for the girl had me ride her hunter out, and asked me to give her a lead over a jump on her younger horse, the jump was huge and at the bottom of a dip! I just shut my eyes & went for it, it was only when I got to the other side I realised she only asked to see if I could sit the buck that followed!

Id also get them to sweep the yard, i have a pet hate of people who sweep round things rather than move them!
 
Ask them how they would handle situations ie, a horse with colic symptoms / a lame pony / a simple cough / when to worm which brand etc

Ask them to go catch, groom and tack up, including brushing boots...

Anything really that could crop up in your daily routine, including the ailments and tricky situations!
 
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