Betting Shop Manager Interview

[scotty2hatty]

Hi folks, I'm moving back to Dundee from London soon and have got myself an interview for Shop Manager of a bookmakers.

I passed the telephone interview stage yesterday so a quick jump on a sleeper train and I'm back in Dundee for the interview tomorrow. I have no betting shop experience but have a lot of retail management experience which saw me through the telephone interview but I want to stand out tomorrow so was hoping anyone in the industry (I know there are a few on blonde) can give me a few pointers as to key words/phrases/ideas that I can throw at the interviewer? Or any general tips would be welcomed too.

Thanks in advance.

[Marky147]

Haven't got a danny about anything beyond passing money over the counter unfortunately

From all the stuff you do around Blonde, the organisational side of things won't be any problem!!

Best of luck with it anyway and hope you get the job!

[Tal]

Will you have to do a fractions test?

[redarmi]

Don't think they are too worried these days about your betting knowledge these days to be honest.  It is all about retail type experience and customer service skills.  Obviously a bit of an interest in the game and understanding of it wont do you any harm and your level of knowledge is probably perfect for them.

[gouty]

The big firms will love someone with lots of retail experience and PREFER new team members not to have betting experience as you will not have any bad habits to iron out. All they care about is integrity and in this case management skills.

If its a small firm then it's a different ball game and experience with hedging liabilities is essential.

So if its one of the big boys your in a great spot and would be an ideal candidate I would imagine.

[scotty2hatty]

That's what they said at the end of the interview redarmi, that they were looking for someone with management experience as the other stuff can be taught. I was just wondering if there was anything else I can drop in.

I've done some research so I know about the company etc.

And you're right about the customer service side of things as every question in the phone interview related to that in some way.

[scotty2hatty]

It's for Coral.

To what extent should I play up my enthusiasm for the industry?

[Tal]

Will you have to do a fractions test?

Believe it or not, this was actually a serious question!

I know it used to be a thing done. I assume it's less needed nowadays, but would have thought there's an expectation you'd spot an error (like paying out 40/1 instead of 4/1) or you'd be able to deal with a bloke moaning about what he thinks the forecast of his 11/8 and 17/2 shots should have paid out.

[gouty]

It's for Coral.

To what extent should I play up my enthusiasm for the industry?

Perfect. Just be honest and say you have researched the industry online and asked friends etc...

[anthonyl]

I'd probably research something on addicted gamblers/difficult customers.

Get someone like a friend or parent to interview you before hand too.

Always helps, good luck.

[The Camel]

Honestly Scott, don't do it.

Working for the big bookmakers at the coal face is one of the worst jobs I can imagine.

Absolutely awful.

[redarmi]

I'd probably research something on addicted gamblers/difficult customers.

Get someone like a friend or parent to interview you before hand too.

Always helps, good luck.

The ability to deal with difficult customers is an important skill but I would be careful with talking too much about addicted customers.   It is a tough area and most of your "best" customers will have gambling problems of some sort.  Talking about how you will "deal" with them might not go down too well although they will never admit it.

Incidentally I don't really agree with The Camel.  It isn't very well paid at all although it is probably okay ish in comparative terms in Dundee but as a job I really enjoyed it.  Admittedly it is 15 years since I worked in a shop but the banter with the punters was fun as it was with the other staff, you got to see most sporting events that happen during the day that a job in a normal office would preclude.  It isn't the best job in the world but it isn't that bad and if you are a sports and racing nut then it is fairly well suited.

[aaron1867]

Do bookie managers these days get a managers wage out of curiosity? Numerous shop managers told me that pay is not that good and one was manager too. Think this was generally at Betfred though.

[The Camel]

I'd probably research something on addicted gamblers/difficult customers.

Get someone like a friend or parent to interview you before hand too.

Always helps, good luck.

The ability to deal with difficult customers is an important skill but I would be careful with talking too much about addicted customers.   It is a tough area and most of your "best" customers will have gambling problems of some sort.  Talking about how you will "deal" with them might not go down too well although they will never admit it.

Incidentally I don't really agree with The Camel.  It isn't very well paid at all although it is probably okay ish in comparative terms in Dundee but as a job I really enjoyed it.  Admittedly it is 15 years since I worked in a shop but the banter with the punters was fun as it was with the other staff, you got to see most sporting events that happen during the day that a job in a normal office would preclude.  It isn't the best job in the world but it isn't that bad and if you are a sports and racing nut then it is fairly well suited.

That's the thing, 15 years ago it was fine.

Now any interesting punters are on Betfair at home.

A couple of nice old boys maybe, but the majority of betting shop regulars are meat head FOBT players nowadays.

[claypole]

Hi folks, I'm moving back to Dundee from London soon and have got myself an interview for Shop Manager of a bookmakers.

I passed the telephone interview stage yesterday so a quick jump on a sleeper train and I'm back in Dundee for the interview tomorrow. I have no betting shop experience but have a lot of retail management experience which saw me through the telephone interview but I want to stand out tomorrow so was hoping anyone in the industry (I know there are a few on blonde) can give me a few pointers as to key words/phrases/ideas that I can throw at the interviewer? Or any general tips would be welcomed too.

Thanks in advance.

If you've got time mate, find the Undercover Boss Paddy Power episode on channel four....whilst clearly a made for TV document it will give you some experience in translating traditional retail tye challenges to the bookmaker sector and understand some of the stuff they have to deal with in terms of customers profile.

I'd also visit one or two of the shops with a different pair of glasses on....I.e. look at the customers, talk to some of them, talk to some staff.  Also do competition, have some good and less good observations to talk about. Whatever the interview theyll love that.

Gouty is spot on; i met a couple of HRDs from bookies in my last role and the emphasis is less on traditional sector skills and. Ore on generic business process, compliance, integrity and tradioal retails team and service skills which you will nail. I'd also think about the line you walk between punter, interest, and being authentic. I think it's important to get across a genuine interest in sports and betting without it going too far; they don't want degens at one extreme...not suggesting for a minute you are lol