Getting employed in Las Vegas

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

Okay I had a gut feeling that parking my car in a hotel casino lot, or using the valet would be a bad idea, I just wanted to confirm it with everyone.

You could bring the stuff up to your room.

Or, better yet, keep the free night and use it after the move, when you're done being stressed out and want to unwind with your spouse.

Bringing the stuff up to my room would be quite an accomplishment!

They've got carts. You're looking at paying the same tip that you would otherwise have given to the valet, however.

I'll second Nareed in voting that you save the free night until you're wanting to unwind from your move, though.

So the move is in less than a week! I am getting very scared, similar to how I was when I left for college. I am long overdue to being out and supporting myself. Although Las Vegas has the glitter that so many of my coworkers speak of, I do realize living there is A LOT different than being a tourist. I really hope my spouse and I can find jobs so we can support ourselves. I am just using the cheap cost of living as a benefit to both of us living on our own, and the fact that we will be far away from our parents will be some motivation for us to fully support ourselves. I have no problem prepaying the 3 months rent which I already paid $300 towards that will be credited towards the 3 months rent. I thought about paying an additional 3 moths rent, but that would take a chunk of my savings. I feel that by 3 months I should know if it will work or not for us, so I will stick to the 3 month lease. Both of seem to be able to fit in our cars what we want to take. We are leaving a lot behind, but it is cheaper than paying for a uhaul type move. We have auto insurance, and will soon have renters insurance. Although I am scared, I keep reminding myself the rent is cheap, only go into a casino if you work there, and a minimum wage job between my spouse and I, can pay the rent and expenses. It is just too bad the college degrees might go to waste for minimum wage jobs, but in todays economy anyone is lucky to have a job.

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

So the move is in less than a week! I am getting very scared, similar to how I was when I left for college. I am long overdue to being out and supporting myself. Although Las Vegas has the glitter that so many of my coworkers speak of, I do realize living there is A LOT different than being a tourist. I really hope my spouse and I can find jobs so we can support ourselves. I am just using the cheap cost of living as a benefit to both of us living on our own, and the fact that we will be far away from our parents will be some motivation for us to fully support ourselves. I have no problem prepaying the 3 months rent which I already paid $300 towards that will be credited towards the 3 months rent. I thought about paying an additional 3 moths rent, but that would take a chunk of my savings. I feel that by 3 months I should know if it will work or not for us, so I will stick to the 3 month lease. Both of seem to be able to fit in our cars what we want to take. We are leaving a lot behind, but it is cheaper than paying for a uhaul type move. We have auto insurance, and will soon have renters insurance. Although I am scared, I keep reminding myself the rent is cheap, only go into a casino if you work there, and a minimum wage job between my spouse and I, can pay the rent and expenses. It is just too bad the college degrees might go to waste for minimum wage jobs, but in todays economy anyone is lucky to have a job.

Sounds like you are doing it right, I wish I had just moved somewhere right out of college. Keep thinking of it as "not just a move but an adventure" and you will help keep your mind right. Keep your good attitute, unemployment is high but it is partly high because people can sit on their tail for 99 weeks and still eat. You would be amazed how many people I see "find" a job just after unemployment ends. Go for a evening or night job fast and look during the day. Good luck!

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

I keep reminding myself the rent is cheap, only go into a casino if you work there

Geez Nick, do you have a gambling problem?
If you do, dude, don't move to Vegas, it will
break you hard. Gambling in a gambling
town is for idiots, you won't even last the 3
months you're talking about. Seriously, have
you thought all of this out?

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

only go into a casino if you work there

Why. Just about everyone lives fairly close to some form of gambling now and if you are trying to get a job in the industry I don't see why you should banish yourself from casinos simply because its your "salad days". You either have self control or you do not.

There are certain casinos where you will NEVER get hired without social contacts. I believe Southpoint does not advertise casino jobs. Not ever. You apply in person and it sure helps to know someone but they don't advertise. I think it is important for you to define just what "job" you want. Casino Management? Of what? Liquor sales? The cage? Slot layout? Personnel? Meeting people is going to be important for any of this and I think you would be an idiot to "stay out of casinos" and yet try to get a job in the casino industry.

I can't remember if you want to deal or what but if you do, go out and meet dealers. Now that could mean AA, PTA, ... whatever, but go meet dealers and sure you can run into a dealer at Trader Joe's but its probably easier at a casino. There are a heck of a lot of bars in and around Vegas that offer things known as "Industry Night" and "Industry Appreciation Night"... I'd sure show up for some of those and see what they are like. Perhaps get there early and talk to the early arrivals. I don't know how rigidly they define "industry" but go find out. That means buy drinks, leave tips, etc. Not sit in your insured apartment eating on your insured bone china plates. Play poker? If so, go find some very un-busy poker rooms and start chatting with poker dealers. You planning on dealer schools? Go visit a few. Do you volunteer at anything such as dog-walker at a kennel or something? I don't quite know what you are lugging with you and insuring, but your job hunting focus had darn well better be well away from your home and possessions.

I think you should come across to employers as less of a bowl of jello. (Jello is the universal desert at an event: it pleases no one but it offends no one either since it has no ethnic overtones). An employer should know what your assets are and what your intentions are. Toshiro Mifune became a great actor but all he wanted initially was to be a cameraman. Things may take strange turns but right now you come across as someone more like a bowl of jello, one that is going to move to Las Vegas so as to work in the gambling industry, but not go into any casinos. Work in the "hospitality industry" but not socialize? Huh? What sort of a Human Relations type guy would hire a bowl of jello? Some wishy washy I'll Do Anything type doesn't cut it. Show up with some desires and goals... maybe all they will offer you is valet parker but at least you won't come across as a bowl of jello without goals and ambitions whose direction in life will forever be dictated by the current wind direction. Get focused. Its Vegas. Even if you wind up buying a home, you rent your furniture, you lease your car, you eat out, ... and the only thing in your home that is more than three years old is the Scotch.

Quote: FleaStiff

Why. Just about everyone lives fairly close to some form of gambling now and if you are trying to get a job in the industry I don't see why you should banish yourself from casinos simply because its your "salad days". You either have self control or you do not.

I think you are taking what he wrote far too literally. I thnk he means, "don't gamble what you can't lose," and, "if you live in Vegas, realize you live there and are not on a lifelong vacation."

Failure to do the later will kill you. I'm sure many if not most people in Vegas go about their lives without going near the strip most of the time. But if you live in Vegas and hit the strip all the time, load up on buffets, get drunk seveal nights a week, and bet too many games, well this is a recipie for being 100 pounds overweight and broke.

I managed the 100 pounds overweight and broke but somehow missed the part about drunk several nights a week.

Quote: AZDuffman

I'm sure many if not most people in Vegas go about their lives without going near the strip most of the time.

That seems to be the general consensus on other
Vegas forums. Most people who live in Vegas, those
who post anyway, say they never go to the Strip
unless forced to when friends or relatives are in
town. The vast majority seem to not gamble at
all, in fact. Its like working in a chocolate factory,
they tell you to eat all you want, knowing in about
two weeks you won't be eating any at all. I suspect
you learn real fast in Vegas to stay away from gambling
if you want to pay the rent every month.

Quote: EvenBob

That seems to be the general consensus on other
Vegas forums. Most people who live in Vegas, those
who post anyway, say they never go to the Strip
unless forced to when friends or relatives are in
town. The vast majority seem to not gamble at
all, in fact. Its like working in a chocolate factory,
they tell you to eat all you want, knowing in about
two weeks you won't be eating any at all. I suspect
you learn real fast in Vegas to stay away from gambling
if you want to pay the rent every month.

On a smaller scale I drive by one of 2 casinos on my way to one of the 2 locations I work. Either is just minutes to get to. I have yet to stop at either to play after work. If there was a sportsbook maybe I would stop this time of year more often. If they were everywhere maybe. But I just know my budget and that is that. Was the same in Phoenix where the casino was 5 minutes from home (Vee Queeva.) I was there for the cheapo weekend breakfast 1-2 times a month but nothing more.

OTOH, if I am near retirement I may take the chocolate factory job and quit after a month.........

Quote: AZDuffman

On a smaller scale I drive by one of 2 casinos on my way to one of the 2 locations I work. Either is just minutes to get to. I have yet to stop at either to play after work. .

We had a new casino open in Feb, and they had
a FaceBook page. People who lived near the casino
were positively orgasmic in the weeks leading up to
the opening. They were going to live there, they said,
stop before work and after work. 7 months later that
same FB page is full of bitterness and loathing. They
never win, the casino is crooked, all the games are
fixed. Like I didn't see this coming from a million miles
away. Still, it does crack me up, even if I knew it was
inevitable.

Quote: EvenBob

We had a new casino open in Feb, and they had
a FaceBook page. People who lived near the casino
were positively orgasmic in the weeks leading up to
the opening. They were going to live there, they said,
stop before work and after work. 7 months later that
same FB page is full of bitterness and loathing. They
never win, the casino is crooked, all the games are
fixed. Like I didn't see this coming from a million miles
away. Still, it does crack me up, even if I knew it was
inevitable.

People think a casino moving in means their city somehow becomes Vegas. They think it will be a lifelong vacation. And funny to me, the ones who want to spend all their time there are slot-only players who might give Big-6 a try from time to time.

I would like for PA to do a version of the "restricted" license NV has and allow slots and VP in bars. Right now bars have pull-tab VP machines with those stupid "for entertainment only" stickers. It wasn't until this site I realized what a ripoff they really were. They are sometimes the difference between a bar making or losing money. Put in real machines and let anybody get paid, not just regulars and people the regulars vouch for. With no fear of not getting paid nor fear of what the payout is set for, people like me would actually play them if the pay table was good.

The more things change, the more they remain the same. From the 50's thru 80's, if you wanted to open a bar or pool hall, the pinball man would finance you interest free. But keep all the machines profits until you paid him. Try getting that deal from you local government.
While you are at it, try getting 700 to 1 on the daily number like bookies used to pay instead of that ever so generous 500 to 1 you now get from the state. LOL

Quote: buzzpaff

The more things change, the more they remain the same. From the 50's thru 80's, if you wanted to open a bar or pool hall, the pinball man would finance you interest free. But keep all the machines profits until you paid him. Try getting that deal from you local government.
While you are at it, try getting 700 to 1 on the daily number like bookies used to pay instead of that ever so generous 500 to 1 you now get from the state. LOL

I keep telling people how the state of PA takes 55% of slot revenue while it is generally accepted that the Rosenthal-VanDemark slot skim at the Stardust took 34%. The 700-1 was also still a better deal after the customary 100-1 "tip" for the runner you worked with.

BTW: Didn't putting the pinball machine in get you free health insurance against broken bones or somehow otherwise prevent them?

Not really. Once the boys got back from WW2, territories were settled quickly, except for Philly and South Jersey. Any disputes were taken to the highest court in the land. Bally Machines !

Quote: AZDuffman

P And funny to me, the ones who want to spend all their time there are slot-only players who might give Big-6 a try from time to time.

Yup, its all slots on the FB page. They would play Big-6 if they
could figure it out. If you try and talk realistically about how
slots work to them, they don't want to hear it. Its like a cult,
they're in total denial. The say things like its 'us against the
casino'. No, its you against the inevitable. The inevitable loss..