Merlin Xing - Dual rate team leader (VIP Black)

Today marks the start of the Auckland Pride Festival! At SKYCITY, we celebrate diversity and we are proud to be a Rainbow Tick certified employer. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing stories from our LGBTTI employees. Meet Merlin, Dual rate team leader (VIP Black) at the SKYCITY Auckland Casino.

How long have you worked at SKYCITY?

I’ve worked at SKYCITY for more than a year. I joined SKYCITY as a casual staff in VIP ‘Eight’. After eight months, I moved to the ‘Horizon’ department. After almost two months there, I moved to VIP ‘Black’ as a Dual rate team leader.

Can you briefly describe your current role?

Being dual rate means that sometimes you’re going to cover a staff shift and sometimes you’re going to cover the team leader shift. When I’m doing the staff shift, I just try to provide a nice environment for the customers. When I’m doing the duty manager shift, I try to manage the team and the premises on top of looking after our customers.

What do you enjoy most about it?

At SKYCITY I have the chance to learn and progress - it’s a place where I can learn and use my skills. I really enjoy learning new things and acquiring new skills and I can do that with my job.

What sorts of challenges do you encounter?

Some challenge that we face is finding the balance in serving complementary food and beverage to customers in the VIP room and ensuring that they are enjoying themselves within their limits.

What did you do before you joined SKYCITY?

I came to New Zealand to study Hospitality Management in September 2016 and two months later I joined SKYCITY.

What do you enjoy about working at SKYCITY?

I think SKYCITY is a landmark of New Zealand. It’s a really nice brand especially for me since I studied Hospitality. SKYCITY can provide me a chance to learn more about different departments and progress within SKYCITY. It’s a place where I can learn and use my skills and advantage in speaking Mandarin. We have lots of Chinese customers and I’m able to speak to them in the same language.

SKYCITY is a very multi-cultural place, I have made a lot of friends from different friends from different countries and I feel like everybody here is given equal opportunities.

SKYCITY is a Rainbow Tick certified employer, how has that had an impact in you in the workplace?

I feel that SKYCITY is a fair workplace and that I’ve been treated equally and fairly in the time that I have worked here.

What would you say to anyone considering joining your team or applying for a job like yours?

It’s very important to have a good personality. The casino is a place to entertain the customers so customer service is pretty important. Willingness to learn new things, respecting team members and attitude above all are important.

Which of SKYCITY’s employee benefit(s) do you enjoy most?

SKYCITY provides a lot of benefits that are really good. I enjoy the 24/7 employee restaurant, 10% discount in the restaurants, parking discount, the southern cross insurance benefit is also good.

Is there anything about SKYCITY that makes it different to other work places?

SKYCITY is a big company and there’s definitely more room for career progression in comparison to other companies.

Where were you born/raised and how long have you lived in Auckland?

I’m originally from Beijing, China. I used to be an international tour guide and I have been to New Zealand many times before. I realised that in New Zealand, tourism and hospitality is a very promising industry. I then came here to study Hospitality management in 2016 and I’ve been in New Zealand since.