Auditions - not interviews - to pick Topgolf Naperville workers
It's going to take more than a phone interview to get hired at a new golf entertainment venue in Naperville.
A three-hour audition process will help Topgolf choose roughly 450 new hires for its second suburban facility, set to open in September at the northwest corner of I-88 and Route 59.
The auditions are meant to convey the Texas-based company's "culture of fun" and allow managers to get to know candidates better, said Nancy Haller, Topgolf corporate recruiter.
Applicants can sign up for auditions beginning Monday, July 13, that include team-building challenges, an "Idea Factory" exercise to plan a special event for Topgolf, one-on-one interviews and the chance to make a 90-second presentation to a panel of Topgolf managers and associates.
"It really allows us to effectively communicate our culture of fun and really just allows us to show a little bit more about ourselves and our culture to our candidates," Haller said about the "high-energy" auditions, which Topgolf has been conducting in the U.S. since 2012. "It also gives us an opportunity to really get to know candidates a lot better than just a traditional 5- or 10-minute interview."
The 65,000-square-foot Topgolf entertainment venue will feature a hitting range with holes encircled by rings worth different point values. The setup allows experienced golfers and newbies to play competitive games described as "bowling meets darts meets golf." Players score points when they hit a ball into one of the zones around a hole or into the hole itself.
The company is hiring servers, bartenders, maintenance workers and guest services staff members to work in the golf operation as well as a full restaurant, bar and private events area.
Brett Hintz, director of operations for Topgolf Naperville, said in a news release the company is looking to recognize "real potential and genuine personalities" during the auditions.
Topgolf Naperville will be the company's 22nd location when it opens in September, company officials said. It's the second in the suburbs after Topgolf Wood Dale opened in 2007 when it was converted from an existing driving range.
The new facility will have some upgrades from the setup in Wood Dale, including a ball dispenser in every hitting bay and a new team-oriented game called Top Scramble. It will include 102 hitting bays on three floors and larger areas for corporate events.
When Topgolf recently hosted auditions for a new venue near Kansas City, more than 1,500 people attended, so Haller said anyone interested in working at Topgolf Naperville should sign up fast. Applicants can reserve a slot in one of at least eight audition sessions by visiting topgolf.com/careers.
Auditions will take place at Noah's of Naperville event venue, 119 Shuman Blvd., while the new Topgolf facility at 3211 Odyssey Court is being completed.
Haller said Topgolf is looking for workers who are caring and fun with an edgy spirit; people who have a team mentality and strive for excellence.
"We really want people to come and be their authentic selves because that's who we'll be asking them to bring to work each day," Haller said. "Be ready to have some fun."