“We had to get people in the door quickly, and there was no time to do a traditional interview with each and every person,” Eckert says. But soon, they were overwhelmed by unending phone calls, inquiries, and walk-ins from prospective employees. With new legislation passed, legalized gambling in high demand, and other jobs scarce, Eckert and her boss, Vice President of HR Andy Green, knew they would get more than enough applicants for the positions they needed to fill.

Eckert, whose father worked in a gaming-related field, came to Parx after what was once a thoroughbred horse racing venue won approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to bring 3,200 slot machines to its 430-acre site. Eckert, the organization’s head of human resources. And instead of Simon Cowell, they met Susan N. They were trying out for one of the eight hundred jobs at Parx Casino. They were not auditioning for a spot on American Idol. Those who had fun, performed somewhat well, and embraced the unconventional process walked away with job offers.

Inside, workers put them into groups of six and escorted them into the auditorium where they performed songs by Bon Jovi and the Village People. Hundreds of applicants waited in a long line that wrapped around the corner of the building. In 2006, the parking lot at the Bucks County Visitors Center looked like something from a reality TV show.

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