CityCenter seeking more than 12,000 workers

MGM Mirage expects more than 100,000 applicants in down economy

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 | 7:37 p.m.

Dec. 11 -- Construction industry drying up, and not just in the desert
Oct. 29 -- MGM Mirage cuts costs, delays future projects as profit falls

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MGM Mirage

As employers nationwide shed workers amid the deepening recession, MGM Mirage will kick off the country's largest hiring spree Jan. 5 as it seeks more than 12,000 workers for its $9.2 billion CityCenter resort and other company-owned properties.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity, even without the economic downturn," said Bill McBeath, president and chief operating officer of Aria, CityCenter's 4,000-room hotel-casino and centerpiece. "We get to be one of the bright and exciting stories in today's dismal economic times."

CityCenter's six hotel and condo towers will open within 60 days of one another in late 2009, beginning with the Vdara condo-hotel, tentatively scheduled to open Oct. 1, and ending with Aria on Dec. 16. The company will accept applications for four CityCenter towers and its Crystals mall, which fronts the Strip. Third-party managers appointed by owners will run the Veer towers, two 800-unit condominium high-rises.

About half of CityCenter's 12,000-plus employees will transfer from other MGM Mirage properties, with internal candidates getting a three-month head start over applicants from the general public. Managers expect to place qualified applicants into roughly 6,000 jobs vacated by incoming CityCenter workers throughout the company, McBeath said.

The company will leverage the CityCenter opening as a means to lure top-shelf applicants to MGM Mirage, he said.

Job seekers must begin the process by filling out online applications at www.citycentercareers.com. Hiring officials will review applications with candidates in person or over the phone and schedule in-depth interviews for those who pass muster.

MGM Mirage also will publicize jobs at community job fairs in coming months.

The company expects more than 100,000 applicants for jobs that will start orientation training as early as September.

Across the Strip, Steve Wynn's Encore hotel will open Monday with more than 5,000 employees whittled from more than 100,000 job applications.

Less than half of Bellagio's employees were transfers from other company-owned properties when Wynn opened the resort in 1998. But Mirage Resorts, now part of MGM Mirage, was much smaller then, recalls McBeath, who ran Bellagio before joining CityCenter's executive team.

Traditionally hard-to-fill jobs such as housekeeping and kitchen positions probably won't be a problem in this job market, while competition will be stiff for in-demand jobs like dealers and servers, McBeath said.

While experience is important, enthusiasm ultimately trumps an impressive resume, he said. "I can train people to do most things but I cannot train people to be enthusiastic and positive."

Discussion: 10 comments so far…

By azsk8fan

12/19/08 at 5:42 a.m.

Suggest removal

CityCenter - please make sure all your workers are LEGAL American citizens. There aren't enough jobs right now for Americans much less anyone else who isn't here legally. So, PLEASE, make sure the jobs go to the citizens of this Country first, ok?
By iwonder

12/19/08 at 8:22 a.m.

Suggest removal

On the opening page of the City Center career site, the applicant must select a property. Among those listed: Primm Properties. Given that MGM sold Primm to Herbst Gaming, why hasn't this been eliminated? Or does MGM have too many HR staff who don't read, speak or write English very well. Or perhaps MGM just has no policy on attention to detail.
By doogie

12/19/08 at 10:01 a.m.

Suggest removal

Based on the comments of casino workers I have talked to lately who have been applying for jobs at other places, the use of the term "enthusiasm" for dealers and waitresses really needs to be changed to "shapely", "young" and "attractive". And no experience needed.
By gqbossing

12/19/08 at 10:11 a.m.

Suggest removal

bubbly all over is how i'd describe what they are looking for.

That's vegas then and now, just the way the world is. If you are unattractive, overweight, look and sound like you've been smoking a carton a day for 30 years (because you have) then you aren't going to get a serving job as easily. Sorry to all of you that fit the bill, I hope you find something. I sit in an office all day, so my figure isn't really an issue, but I feel for all of you stuggling out there
By thecomingdepression

12/19/08 at 2:51 p.m.

Suggest removal

What a joke the place will CLOSED in a year. A deep DEPRESSION is coming, the only people they will have hanging around will be the workers. They will be eying each other thinking..who is getting laid off first? Me or him.
read up: www.thecomingdepression.blogspot.com for the TRUTH as to what is coming! Good luck on the interviews!
By davidwayneosedach

12/19/08 at 4:49 p.m.

Suggest removal

They should post it on Craigslist and then they'll get a million applications! Good luck everybody...
By Melissa1014

12/20/08 at 7:59 a.m.

Suggest removal

It would be nice to give those jobs to Americans & Naturalized Citizens, There aren't enough to go around as is.....Employing those of us that are legal would be the best Christmas gift and a hell of a way to start the New Year!
By mikeg

12/20/08 at 11:45 a.m.

Suggest removal

If you are one of the 10% or so of applicants who will be hired there, the jobs don't even start for another 9 months. If you're looking for real employment, this is nothing more than a mirage.
By azsk8fan

12/22/08 at 7:04 a.m.

Suggest removal

Yes Melissa, it would be nice indeed - but don't hold your breath. Greed begets greed so if they can get some illegals for 1/2 the price they certainly will.