“When are you going to get a proper job?”
This was a question I was asked at least weekly by well meaning customers when I worked behind a bar many years ago. Unfortunately, the opinion that bartending isn’t a ‘proper job’ still prevails. It’s seen as a low skilled, temporary, stop gap job.
I went to work in a local pub thirty years ago thinking much the same thing. I was young, short of money, and not quite sure what I wanted to do in life. I only intended to stay for a few weeks whilst I decided where life would take me.
I stayed in that profession – running pubs – for fifteen years. For those people who still think it’s not a proper job, let me explain where it took me, because on reflection I realise how many skills I learned in that job which I went on to use in the future, not only in my career, but also in my personal life.
Dealing with customers taught me diplomacy. It armed me with communication skills and gave me the confidence to handle conflict. The ebb and flow of customers gave me a sound understanding of the ups and downs of everyday life for most people. Sometimes, just uttering a cheery ‘hello’ and acknowledging their custom made a difference to how they were feeling that day. Never underestimate the impact you have on customers who might be dealing with issues unknown to you.
Balancing the books honed my numeracy skills, dealing with suppliers and ordering the right amount of stock for the week ahead taught me how to forecast and negotiate. This came in useful when I went into a sales role with a company.
Booking bands and arranging festivals gave me experience of event management, including how to market and promote successfully. I learned how to create a marketing plan, and design eye-catching copy for adverts. Useful when I’m organising beer tasting nights.
Jumping in to lend a hand in the kitchen not only taught me how to make a perfect Yorkshire pudding and cook a steak to a customer’s preference, I also learned about food safety and presentation skills. This came in handy when I was catering for large events for a restaurant business.
Hiring staff taught me interviewing skills, and mentoring a team equipped me with the skills to land a job with a global drinks supplier, training people all over the world how to prepare and serve drinks correctly.
I learned how to look after beer properly to make sure every pint served was perfect. This led to me becoming the first female beer inspector for Cask Marque and educating thousands of people across the UK how to care for beer.
My love of beer also sparked a passion for learning more about it and after studying to become a beer Sommelier I set up a business educating people about all the wonderful styles of beer and how diverse a drink it is.
On a more practical note, I figured out how to replace the fuses when the lights blew, fit a washer when the taps spurted water all over the gents loos, and Brasso a handpull until it gleamed.
Don’t ever underestimate your role in the hospitality sector. In the pub industry, I learned how to be a leader, with diverse skills which led to a multitude of opportunities.
The one word which I’ve repeated consistently in the long list above is ‘learn’. I wouldn’t have acquired all these skills without learning a little bit every day. Sometimes it was daunting, sometimes I didn’t want to do it, but ultimately, I couldn’t have done my job without learning these skills.
The hospitality sector offers the fastest career path from ‘bottle wash to boardroom’. So don’t ever believe those who tell you it’s not a proper job.
