Las Vegas Sun

September 4, 2008

Wynn ‘relaxing’ interview strategy for Encore

When Steve Wynn hired some 10,000 workers for the 2005 opening of Wynn Las Vegas, he initiated an interview process designed to draw prospective applicants into casual and free-flowing conversation, thus discovering and hiring the most engaging personalities.

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Wynn hopes to top that effort at Encore, the 2,034-room resort adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas that will open by year end with more than 5,300 employees, ­ an estimated 1,700 of them moving from its sister property.

He thinks he's found the answer to getting people to open up in interviews: a bar. Don't count on ordering a stiff one, though.

Instead of calling out "next" and guiding in the next applicant into a cubicle, interviewers at the hiring center will instead ask job seekers if they'd like a drink at a nearby bar. And while the applicant is waiting for her Coke, lemonade or other nonalcoholic drink, she just might show off some of her small talk skills ­ or the lack thereof.

"Nobody shows themselves unless they are relaxed," Wynn said. And when interviewers are blowing through dozens of applicants with little pause in between, they become "just as confused" and turned off by the process as prospective employees.

Body language is key, Wynn said. If interviewers are "a little silly and relaxed and honest", they can make applicants more comfortable.

"We recruit for personality. We train for the job," he said.

Discussion: 21 comments so far...

  1. Why not ask Mr. Wynn where he got the Idea?

    Maybe because It worked so well when his Cocktail Director, Nancie Homel created it to Interview and Hire the Servers for the opening of The Wynn Las Vegas!!! You Know, The same Cocktail Director who was wrongfully fired and is having to stand up for her rights and fight a very difficult battle that had she been a man in the Wynn organization and taken kick backs, agreed to accept employee tips or not been so loyal to the Wynn's as Andrew Pascal, Wynn President once told her....probably been terminated with a proper contract settlement or severance and been able to find work....The proof is in black and white!Only No one cares to look at the proof!!!!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTwTfq5Ay...

    It was amazing at the time...No one in Food and Beverage or at the Wynn would support promoting "The ‘relaxing’ interview strategy" for the opening of The Wynn but maybe they needed to get the "brains" behind the program out of the Way since calling her "a stupid little girl" and creating a program that obviously WAS a success would make the legal case stronger????????

    Enjoy your interviews for Encore....

  2. Want a Las Vegas hero? I nominate Steve Wynn. Can someone ask him to please run for governor?

  3. I would vote for Steve Wynn for governor. Maybe for king.

    Nancie - did you refer to yourself in the third person? Wow. Disturbing.

  4. I'm sure you would...There was a time I would of agreed!!!!!!!! Maybe even President! If you are that disturbed I know a good therapist.

    Have an awesome night.... Nancie Homel

  5. When are you going to realize that no one cares about your drama? You keep dragging the past up about what you did back then. Well that was then and this is now and you need to get over yourself once and for all. You are an opportunist, if you would get off your lazy behind and make a new life for yourself maybe you wouldn’t be so miserable. You keep referring to the cocktail waitresses as ‘Your Girls’ what kind of girls are you talking about? where are they now? Certainly not anywhere by your side or anyone else’s even. No one cares about your drama ‘your girls’ are off working and making money or they are married to some sucker who is taking care of them now, what the hell do they want to be a part of your drama for? They give you the same song and dance that they care about you but they could care less about you. You are very foolish so Face reality and just shut up already. Everyone is sick and tired of hearing you complain so just shut up!!!You are history with the Wynn, Business goes on and so should you. Move on already and get a life. No more of your dramatics please!!!!
    Just move on already!!!!!!!!!!!!!! no one cares!

  6. Tell her what you really think closer lol

  7. Or tell the world what you are really saying...You work for Steve Wynn or have something to do with him. You support him calling Women "Stupid little Girls" and asking them to leave town, and you agree he should be holding and collecting intrest on my back pay while I am being forced to leave town...and all this makes him the "Man" and me the "Opportunist"!..

    Guess what... you can see more of this Opportunist on "In Business Las Vegas" Friday.....Cause all of you who hide behind your "Screen Name" just make me more important to those who never knew who I was to begin with...

    Thank you,
    Nancie Homel

    P.S. Find out why "My Girls" are afraid to come forward....

  8. If the shoe fits wear it.
    'Your girls' wouldn’t have anything to be afraid of if you weren’t hiding somethings for them.
    Perhaps 'stupid little girl' is the shoe that fits
    Not a single 'girl' is going to speak up for you because of what they are hiding

    Move on with yourself already

  9. So what is it you think we are hiding? "Closer" why not tell your real name since you are so honest and appear to have some Facts that I myself am not aware of????????

    Where would you like me to move without my pay? Since you seem to have some inside information maybe I can get you my checking account number and you can have the Wynn Las Vegas make a Direct Deposit of my back pay?

    I will be more than happy to "Move on with myself already"

  10. Let it go ... not you Nancie... keep fighting for what you deserve...many people admire you... you've helped so many women and children and we are thankful... I respect you... it's kinda funny to see this closer character make a fool of himself...he really has no clue who you are... it's silly...

  11. Nancie Homel is an amazing person with a huge heart that has been a blessing in many peoples lives.

    Nancie's idea for a "Relaxing Interviews" was brilliant. I was there and she was the ONLY department that had these "Relaxing Interviews". It was also common knowledge that the "Relaxing Interviews" was Nancie's thing.

    The posts on this page attacking Nancie is obviously Wynn employees close to the situation trying to paint her in a bad light. They do not warrant a response.

    Nancie, many of us know that because you were righteous, you were badly mistreated, blackballed and completely ripped-off from your contract that was unlawfully terminated. That is what's really Disturbing.

    We can not come forward because we fear for our jobs, but your up against a giant and rightfully so, we all support you! God Bless You Nancie!

  12. Truthfully there is a lot of people who do care that our beloved Director was given horrid treatment and fired without a word of what was happening. I think if Nancie had no class she could have easily gotten us "Girls" involved and we could have done something then. Now it is being shoved under the rug and trying to be ignored as if it never happened. It is about time for the real story to come out. I think that is a shame what has happened. WE DO WANT TO KNOW>> MANY DO NOT KNOW. Nancie started "Caring" about the cocktail girls in Las Vegas. Before her it went on favorites and time in, she changed that harsh condition of our feild and now we've just forgotten? What is that. We don't care? Who is "we" anyways, speak for yourself down there. You are a coward to type those things with no name attached and an ungreatfull peice of work to not appreciate at the very little what Nancie has done. No other hotels can you have an equal shot at the money as you can in the Bellagio and at Wynn (with the rotation schedules Nancie started) and for that Nancie deserves a lot more respect than that. Not to mention all the countless other things Nancie has done to ease the life of a waitress. You would probably still be on extra board this very moment if Nancie wasn't who she is huh. I thought so. Nancie we are here for you, the girls who simply care about the way a person was mistreated and their hardship due to it. Maybe not the selfish greedy little girls who only look out for number one, they'll probably have to learn about karma and kindness another way and another time.

  13. Nancie cared so much for us. She is NOT forgotten, we all miss her and care deeply about her. She did so much not only for us, but for our families too. She cared about what we cared about. We will never forget what she has done for us!
    She was a visionary who took our department to a higher level. Our department is still run following her ideas and procedures. She is being treated unfairly and doesn't deserve it!
    This 'relaxing interview' idea was completely hers and it's pathetic these people can't be truthful and give her the credit she deserves.

  14. An A1 Classy Lady! About time Nancie's "Girls" Spoke up! Everyone knows Nancie is loved by all the cocktail servers and many of us guys who have worked with her. We are on your side beautiful! You have always been right there for everyone! We are here supporting you! Never think we have not been. Most people weren't preve to why they let you go! Understandable if the "Girls" knew the truth they would have made Wynn bring you back when he "Would of had the chance".

    I say Steve Wynn didn't know a good thing when he had "YOU"! Loyalty is rare in this town!

  15. I LOVE THE ABOVE COMMENTS BECAUSE EVERYONE IS SPEAKING THE TRUTH! YOU ARE SO LOVED. IF MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THIS YOU WOULD HAVE SO MANY MORE PEOPLE WRITING POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT YOU. I HOPE THINGS WORK OUT FOR YOU THE WAY YOU EXPECT AND DESERVE! I AM PRAYING FOR YOU. LOVE YOU

  16. WOW! Thank you for the love and Support. I am truly touched. My mom asked to say she is as well.

    Closer, I knew "My Girls" and "My Guys" once they started to know the "Truth" would start to come forward.

    One thing everyone underestimates! I worked for Steve Wynn 15 years. He did not Believe in me that long because I did not know what I was doing1 Did not do my job correct.

    I would just say to Elaine and Steve Wynn, Neither of you ever Mentored me or Taught me to not "Stand Up" for what was "Right" in Your Company's or for Your Employees...why you would ever think I would not "Stand Up for Myself" or the "Rights of Others"!!!! That has been the hardest thing For me to understand. You both gave me the "Respect" and "Expected" me to when it worked for you!!!!!!

    Much Love to Everyone,
    Nancie Homel

    nancie.homel@gmail.com
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/nanciehomel
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTwTfq5Ay...
    http://thedealerslounge.yuku.com/topic/4...

  17. Update for those who have asked.....

    Mr.Wynn wasn't happy I embarrassed him on channel 19 in my second interview saying that I felt hurt he took credit for the "The Relaxed Interview" style which I developed and used to hire all the servers at The Wynn. Although I respect that I was working for him it was my Idea and at the time no one felt It was important to Promote the program. In fact many tried to discredit my style and ability and successfully so in pushing me out of the company. Slowly though they are proving everything I did implement and the job I did was such a success now even the Chairman of the Board wants the Credit.....

    Even though it has been brought to my attention, by many as women for years the company and Mr. Wynn have manipulated ....I now know I have the right to stand up and speak the Truth. It is my right!

    As for the following statement presented to me from Mr. Wynn's attorney in an email saying because I told the "TRUTH" and he did not like that. He is taking away my settlement offer and........

    "Additionally, the offer to further explore a settlement with Ms. Homel should she provide Mr. Wynn with a written apology is hereby withdrawn."

    an Apology? for being forced to "Speak the Truth" which by the way because I stated I would take it public Wynn attorney's when sending me the Formal letter changed "apology" to "resignation"....Maybe they feel asking me to apoligise for being yelled at and called "A stupid little girl" for no reason just maybe ....I should of had the respect to resign and move on with my life if our relationship wasn't a good fit anymore to begin with???? maybe I'm owed an apoligy Mr. Wynn !!!!!!!

  18. WoW. Firing a woman exec is as bad as saying something bad about Obams. Whine and complain, if you were worth what you think you are no company would have let you go. Maybe you should have remembered who you worked for and tried to accomplish the goals of the team. You should definitely find work in government where you get to keep your job no matter how much you fight whats going on.

  19. If my goals as a Director, being a Women has nothing to do with it! were to take tips from my employees, kickbacks and steal from the company, I wouldn't feel very accomplished in my position and So Secure in "Standing Up" for my rights!

    Please share how "Standing Up" has anything to do with Whining or Complaining? Would you not stand up for your rights? Would you make that statement if I was a Man?

    I do however appreciate knowing people out there support the harassment that I have witnessed in Las Vegas and Personally. Makes me only want to Stand up more for the Rights of employees like the ones above afraid of losing their jobs for telling the "Truth"

    Hope all is well at the Wynn

  20. Nancie. It does not matter how right or wrong you are, or how just or unjust the situation is. The fact is, Wynn was moving on and felt you were no longer needed in the company. He had every right to make that decision.

    You have effectively squashed any chance you ever had of getting another job in this town, by taking your case public. Otherwise, you would probably had a bright career with another operator.

    BTW, I think what you have done in your career is great, and there should be more like you. Just give it up. At this point you hurt nobody but yourself.

  21. Actually right or wrong is not what it is all about. Standing up for "Truth" is what I believe in. It wasn't about moving on. I am capable of growing with any company I have proved that in my forward moves creating changes in the industry.If asked and compensated with my contracted amount properly not Fired unfairley I could have had other positions...The Wynn Executives just did not follow protocol on their " No Tolerance" harassment policy so they pushed me out hoping I would be intimidated "TO LEAVE TOWN" as asked by Mr. Wynn personally.

    I did not "effectively squash any chance I ever had of getting another job in this town,by taking my case public." Because I went public because I could not get a job in my industry or equal because, as I was told by Presidents, "My situation with Wynn".

    I do thank you for the compliment, I am proud of all I have achieved! however, I will never give up on believing in myself and others. You are right it hurts to see how little support people actually give from fear of I suppose "Powerful People" but what is it you believe I should just give up on? Steve Wynn keeping my back pay? Why don't you stand up and tell Steve Wynn he should pay loyal employees what the deserve and allow them a good life and the right to move forward fairly. Not threaten them to leave town and take care of them just like he gives the employees who have wronged the company. I was just doing what I was asked by Steve Wynn, for that I got Fired and lost my career. Would you really think it was right to "just give it up" if it was you?

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