[spangler1106]

I am sure you all get sick of this, but, My husband and I are looking to move to Vegas this summer. Where should we look to live, we have a Realtor, so that shouldn't be too hard. We both are in the restaurant industry in Charlotte, nc. My husband is a bartender/server has worked with the same company for 16 years, I am a manager/banquet specialist and have worked with my company for 9 years. We would both be sad to leave our jobs, but think with our experience we could make a killing in Vegas. Realistically what is the job market like in our field. Do you have to know someone to get in a good job. I have contacted the unions but do they really help you find employment, and how quickly, i am not sure how they work we don't have unions here.

[MomMom]

Originally Posted by spangler1106

I am sure you all get sick of this, but, My husband and I are looking to move to Vegas this summer. Where should we look to live, we have a Realtor, so that shouldn't be too hard. We both are in the restaurant industry in Charlotte, nc. My husband is a bartender/server has worked with the same company for 16 years, I am a manager/banquet specialist and have worked with my company for 9 years. We would both be sad to leave our jobs, but think with our experience we could make a killing in Vegas. Realistically what is the job market like in our field. Do you have to know someone to get in a good job. I have contacted the unions but do they really help you find employment, and how quickly, i am not sure how they work we don't have unions here.

Well I don't know what you mean by "making a killing" here in Las Vegas...there are tons of people here who do your line work...the competition is fierce and I'm not really sure the union finds people jobs, never heard of that.

While both you and hubby's skills are in keeping with our tourist industry, you might find yourself competing with a lot of others. I don't mean to make this sound bad or degrading...but you are not "unique" ...meaning, lots of other folks are moving here and have already moved here with the same great skills and experience as you.

First thing to do is start filling out applications online with the hotels, each hotel has a website or you can google our biggies...MGM Mirage, Harrah's Entertainment, Sands Corporation (Venetian-Palazzo), Stations Casinos, etc. Knowing someone in the business does help, sometimes, but it isn't the norm. We have tons of restaurants and bars not located in the hotels or even on the Strip, so some research needs to be done by you and your hubby before you move here. It would be impossible to list all our local establishments where you could potentially find work. A trip or two or three here to Las Vegas on "fact finding missions" would be the best advice I can give you, before you even consider making this move.

We have some new properties coming on line next year..so your timing might be right. The only problem I see is that you don't already live here, employers tend to hire locally, as opposed to someone who doesn't even live here. And if you did get an interview, be prepared to hop on a plane ASAP within days to get here for the two or three interviews you might have to go through, plus the drug testing. It's a long process to actually get hired at one of the bigger properties...can take a few weeks for the whole process including orientation to finally be completed before you start work.

However, you have nothing to lose by trying.

Much good luck to you both, let us know how you're doing!

[BobKovacs]

As MomMom said, you're not going to "make a killing" in the restaurant business in LV unless you'e Wolfgang Puck. There's thousands of folks there already who do what you do, and are probably willing to do it for less than you think you should be paid. I'd proceed very carefully here, and do as MomMom says- Mom's always right, right??? lol

[jfkIII]

lots of people head to Las Vegas...to make a killing.