Months before its grand opening, Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino begins filling its 180,000 sq. ft. facility with fresh faces.
Ahead of an August opening, the casino recently revealed its HR manager: Aleksandra Micevic. The former supervisor’s risen in ranks since starting in 2019 as a brand ambassador.
Still, the journey to management wasn’t paved with simplicity. Micevic hails from Bosnia and Serbia – immigrating to the United States in 2001.
“[I] did not speak any English. We did not know how life here would go,” says the HR manager. However, Micevic credits Hard Rock for sharing her value for community as a factor in her U.S. acclimation.
Besides the casino, Micevic’s parents shepherded her passion for people: “Just like my parents did, they worked really hard… And [I] saw other individuals like myself in positions of power, so you know my first thing was like, ‘Hey if they can do it, I can do it, and I’m a part of an organization that will help me get there.”
The HR manager will hire 400 employees in these next four months. Now, Micevic searches for candidates with positive attitudes – skills can be taught, but optimism isn’t as available.
However, the Hard Rock official understands the nerves in an interview. But to ease anxieties, Micevic carries personal background into the professional scene.
The mom of 3 connects with candidates is through “Sharing my story because I think everybody has a story.” Micevic continues, “And usually if you share a little bit of your experience people tend to open up and then can they can see themselves doing the same thing.”
In addition to managing recruitment, commercials also call on Micevic. Her recent trip to Florida featured a promotion shoot with Dale Moss – a Bachelorette star and former NFL player. In the advertisement, Hard Rock highlighted a “Player Empowerment” effort – encouraging patrons to receive a free casino t-shirt when registering for a “Unity Card.”
A number of events are on deck for the Hard Rock team; recruitment drives will be hosted across the Stateline.
