Friday, February 25, 2011
Less Cranky Recruiter: Must Have Wine Experience
Back to my usual self, and have gotten through my inbox now. For anyone who is looking to make the change into the wine industry, please continue to make your plans, and send me those resumes. I am happy to help with feedback, and hope my last post simply shines light on your need to make your resume relevant to the reader. I think I'll keep that last post up, FYI.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Cranky Recruiter: Must Have Wine Experience
Ok, back to work after battling the flu. Yes, hopped up on cold medicine, and maybe just a bit cranky because of it. But I've got something to say today, and it is about people who want to get into the wine industry and send me a resume with no applicable experience.
While I'm a big fan of people who want to make the change into the wine industry, I do preach that you need to get some knowledge behind you. How many of these posts tell you how to get experience, education, a network, etc. When you say you are a hard worker who is ready to take a pay cut to get into the winery world, great! But if I then read your resume and there is not one shred of wine information on it, it makes me read the next resume.
Crankiness aside, do look at your resume with an impartial eye. If you were an employer reading this resume, would it look like you were serious about making a move into the wine industry. If your resume came in along with several wine industry job seekers, why would they look at yours and not the others. I say you have two minutes to make your resume noticed--if that. If your resume leaves them wondering, it's going to be put to the bottom of the pile, if kept at all.
So, go get some wine education. Work in tasting rooms, retail shops, cellars, labs and restaurants. Marinate in the wine world, so to speak. Getting involved will get you knowledgeable about how things work, and about who is who in this biz. Which in turn will lead you to a better job.
They say you shouldn't operate heavy machinery when you are taking medications. Does that include a computer? Read this post quickly, it might come down soon when I'm feeling better.
While I'm a big fan of people who want to make the change into the wine industry, I do preach that you need to get some knowledge behind you. How many of these posts tell you how to get experience, education, a network, etc. When you say you are a hard worker who is ready to take a pay cut to get into the winery world, great! But if I then read your resume and there is not one shred of wine information on it, it makes me read the next resume.
Crankiness aside, do look at your resume with an impartial eye. If you were an employer reading this resume, would it look like you were serious about making a move into the wine industry. If your resume came in along with several wine industry job seekers, why would they look at yours and not the others. I say you have two minutes to make your resume noticed--if that. If your resume leaves them wondering, it's going to be put to the bottom of the pile, if kept at all.
So, go get some wine education. Work in tasting rooms, retail shops, cellars, labs and restaurants. Marinate in the wine world, so to speak. Getting involved will get you knowledgeable about how things work, and about who is who in this biz. Which in turn will lead you to a better job.
They say you shouldn't operate heavy machinery when you are taking medications. Does that include a computer? Read this post quickly, it might come down soon when I'm feeling better.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sign up with the Temporary Staffing Firms Pronto
Just back from a quick vacation and company retreat, and getting through my emails. I have been noticing that a lot of people are asking for resume advice and for ideas on their job hunt. Happy to help. I was just looking at a resume of an educated scientist who has made the switch from food science to winemaking. She has very good experience at several well-known and respected wineries. Her recent positions have been harvest jobs. Her resume is very good, but I think finding a long-term position would be helpful to anchor her work in the wine world. I suggested applying to temporary agencies for hospitality roles. And then I thought that while I may know this, not everyone has worked in staffing for the last couple of decades. And now I'm telling you.
Temporary staffing companies have been doing very well during the recent economic recovery. While companies may not be hiring regular, full-time employees, they are hiring people to handle the work while they assess if the economy is really coming back. Staffing companies have seen a lot of new business and many positions are long-term temporary positions and temp-to-hire positions. When you are brought in for a temporary gig, the company can see your work style and get to know your personality--and if it is a good fit with the culture there, oftentimes will hire you on as a regular employee.
When companies start struggling to keep up with demand and need more employees, they often turn first to an agency. This flexibility allows them to stay focused on their business, and add workers quickly and as needed. While this isn't good if you are only seeking a permanent position, if you are willing to come in as a temp, you may stay on as a regular employee before you know it.
While the ideal role for the job-seeker I referenced would be more production oriented, harvest comes but once a year (or twice if you travel to the southern hemisphere), and in the meantime, a hospitality or related position could give some additional insight into how the wine industry works.
So, go, sign up for a temporary position immediately. It can give you a little cash, let you experience some different companies, and maybe lead to a long-term job down the road.
Temporary staffing companies have been doing very well during the recent economic recovery. While companies may not be hiring regular, full-time employees, they are hiring people to handle the work while they assess if the economy is really coming back. Staffing companies have seen a lot of new business and many positions are long-term temporary positions and temp-to-hire positions. When you are brought in for a temporary gig, the company can see your work style and get to know your personality--and if it is a good fit with the culture there, oftentimes will hire you on as a regular employee.
When companies start struggling to keep up with demand and need more employees, they often turn first to an agency. This flexibility allows them to stay focused on their business, and add workers quickly and as needed. While this isn't good if you are only seeking a permanent position, if you are willing to come in as a temp, you may stay on as a regular employee before you know it.
While the ideal role for the job-seeker I referenced would be more production oriented, harvest comes but once a year (or twice if you travel to the southern hemisphere), and in the meantime, a hospitality or related position could give some additional insight into how the wine industry works.
So, go, sign up for a temporary position immediately. It can give you a little cash, let you experience some different companies, and maybe lead to a long-term job down the road.
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