Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone could help me out with a couple of things.
Firstly, I have been invited to an interview working abroad as a 'rep'. Well, it's more like 'repping' for school groups. I've been thinking about what I could be asked, but is there anything you think would be important for me to consider when asked?
If I was offered a position, do you think there is anything I could do which would help me whilst working abroad, as I have some time on my hands before the season starts to do a bit of preparation.
Any help much appreciated, Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Any language skills relevant to the country you are working in will be a big help. Where abouts will you be working . . . .
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Vixxy, first aid course?
My experience was that the attitude required was "I will work first and ski second if at all" rather than "work pays for skiing, right?"
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I've done appointed person of first aid course at my local ski slope. Do I need anything more sufficient than that because it wasn't much?
I speak French and German, and a little bit of Italian already, so will brush up on my ski-related vocabulary!
If you're successful they then allow you to choose where you want to be placed. Ideally France / Austria or Switzerland, due to the language. Would anyone have a preference of these as I've only skied in France out of these?
Thanks.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Vixxy wrote: |
.......I speak French and German, and a little bit of Italian already, so will brush up on my ski-related vocabulary!.... |
You only speak three & a half languages! Tchh, you've got no chance
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Which company?
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Vixxy, When I did a season as rep, one of my criteria was airport transfer time, as I didn't want to spend an entire day each week stuck in a coach. I chose Verbier, which was fine. However, the only time I ever got to speak much French was - to the coach drivers once a week!
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Hurtle, I didn't have any choice, although fate made a good one for me. Re transfer time. mine was 75 minutes which sometimes meant TWO trips to GVA on a day - or a whole day co-ordinating...you can get too clever...
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Dypcdiver,
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Don't miss an opportunity to tell them you have paedophile tendencies
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Was that supposed to be funny?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Dypcdiver, nothing wrong with school groups - bet you learned to ski on school holidays as well.
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You know it makes sense.
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Vixxy,
Suprised it hasn't been mentioned, but try asking on Natives.co.uk
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Sorry, should have recommended you use the search function before posting a question (chances are the answers you need are there already!), and try the buttons at the top left of their page, such as 'seasons' & 'jobs' - these will give you some background info.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Roy Hockley, nobody wants first aid or trains staff in it - all about not getting sued.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Lizzard, A sad reflection but you could very well be right.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Vixxy, do have a look at natives.co.uk. It's a season workers website and all your questions have been anwered on that site! I found it very helpful the first time I went out to do a season. Repping for school groups is quite different to repping for the big Tour Operators, and you might find you are shippped around from resort to resort over the season, which can be a pain if you want to establish yourself somewhere. You'll probably be expected to organise evening activities such as swimming, ice skating and quizzes, and organise them picking up skis and boots. On the plus side, you'll probably get a lot of time to ski, although you'll need to remain close to your charges in case of any 'incidents' - of which there will be many.
I've not done this job but have worked as an instructor with many school groups, so I've been in close contact with the reps.
have fun whatever you decide!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for all the replies guys! Yes I will try Natives.
The company is Ski Plan.
Paedophile tendancies? I won't ask.
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Vixxy - in all seriousness, child protection is a big issue nowadays (BASI have introduced reduced the level at which it's now required) - so would be worth being able to demonstrate some awareness of the issues.
Alternatively, you could just and work for parlor
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Vixxy, I work for SkiPlan (hotel manager). I wouldn't worry about all this child protection stuff as a) any job offer is conditional on a successful CRB check and b) at no time are you actually responsible for children - that's what the teachers are for.
As rep, you are most likely to be attached to one of the company's clubhotels, looking after both school groups and adult guests (more adults this year than last, I'm told). You will be required to do the following:
Schools - airport transfers; fetch/make up lift passes; liaise with ski school; help with ski fit; take groups to ski school meeting points; meet groups for lunch (possibly involving skiing about the mountain while carring a binliner full of 60 packed lunches); deal with doctors/insurance as necessary; organise evening ents programme (quiz, scavenger hunt, swimming, bowling, skating, crepe-eating, talent show, karaoke .............. etc. But don't even think about karaoke in my hotel unless it's my night off.)
Adults - more airport transfers; sell ski packs; fetch and distribute lift passes; promote and run apres ski activities; deal with the usual doctors/insurance/other problems; duty hours morning and evening.
You will be assisted in all this by a ski tech, who will also cover your day off.
The interview is not particularly frightening or rigorous. They are looking for hard-working outgoing types who will enjoy working with kids and adults and can work well in cooperation with others - you are very much part of the team in your hotel. My rep/tech last year were great, but a lot of other managers felt that their ops staff let them down, so a bit of waffle about teamwork and cooperation will go down well.
They are a decent company to work for on the whole - organisation can be a bit haphazard at times, but the general vibe is friendly.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Lizzard, thank you very much for the responce!
All sounds interesting, especially skiing with a bin liner of packed lunches!
I was going to ask about organising entertainment - thanks for the info!
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Vixxy, me and a few of my mates are doing a season (in Tignes), but none of us are working for TOs, infact I am hoping not to work at all.
If you consider going down the route of sorting it all out yourself, drop me a PM and i'll tell you every thing I know now that I wish I had known 6 months ago....
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