Last week I received an email informing me that I had passed "Phase I" of the application process and that I could move on to "Phase II" - participation in one of NZSki's "Assessment Days." The email went on to explain what the recruitment day would include such as group and individual exercises and a part where everyone would have to teach a 6 min. class on a topic of their choice. I immediately became nervous though the day was over a week away.
This past Saturday morning, I got up early to make it into town at quarter to eight. The night before my Kiwi flatmates had helped me choose what to wear. When I tried on what I wanted to wear they dismissed it as "frumpy" and "boring" and instead recommended me to dress in something "tidy," "smart," and "sporty." That's kind of a hard combination to come up with!
On one of the main corners in town, I was met with hundreds of others doing the same thing I was - attending NZSki assessment day. We lined up to get packets of papers, name tages, surveys etc. and then loaded up on two huge coach buses which took us to the Coronet Peak Ski lodge. It was such an awkward and surreal morning as everybody was trying to be outgoing, friendly, funny etc. while at the same time we all knew we were competing against each other. I felt like I was on some crazy reality TV show.
As soon as we arrived at the mountain we headed into the cafeteria and were then divided up into groups of 6. In my group there was a Kiwi, an Australian, an Irish, a Scot, a Welsh and me. Our leaders (a Kiwi and a Swiss) told us that the morning was meant to challenge us and put us outside our comfort zones. They gave us different activities to do in partners and with the group and then sat back, watched our interactions and took notes. The whole thing was kind of unnerving. For example, one activity was to pretend that the six of us were leaders when there was a power outage at the lodge and guests were freaking out at being stuck on the chair lift. We had to have a conversation where we collectively solved the problem and made sure it didn't happen again.
After a coffee break, we started the mini-classes. I felt super lucky about having the opportunity to teach because it's something I feel confident doing. I taught 6 minutes of introductory Chinese and it went really well. I also volunteered to go first. In our group there were classes on Maori language, how to make a cheesecake, how to beatbox, how to make balloon animals, how to hula and how to perform first aid. Everyone was super creative and I was the only one who came without props or handouts (!) I had no idea that everyone would be taking this so seriously. Dang it.
I don't really get what all the fuss about working for NZSki is all about - the whole morning felt like we were trying to get into Harvard and not vying for crappy minimum wage positions at various ski lodges. So I asked some people on the bus, "What's the big deal?" They said that everyone wants a ski position for three main reasons: 1) Perks - with any job comes an all inclusive pass to ski for free pretty much anywhere on the South Island. You also get free lessons, rentals, transportation to and from the mountains etc. Seems like a pretty good gig. 2) The culture - All the past employees said that the working atmosphere is awesome and that your co-workers are a blast. 3) The chance to ski all the time. Sometimes they open up the mountains for staff/friends/family only.
Since I don't know anything about skiing, I applied for the only position I thought I had a shot at - retail assistant in the snow shop (thank you Hope Geneva Bookstore (and Mom) for training me all about clothes and using a cash register!) Here's hoping I get to make it to "Phase III" (a one-on-one interview with NZSki head of department).
