So you want to work in a Tasting Room…

www.flazingo.com/creativecommons

As someone who helps wineries recruit and train their teams, I spend many a glamorous hour combing through resumes.

If you are looking to secure an interview for a tasting room position, or any other winery opening, here are a few tips.

When you reply to an advertisement, read it first.

If the job description mentions wine knowledge as a requirement, this means that you should be able to speak effectively and informatively on the subject. The mere fact that you ‘only like reds cause whites are gross’ or think ‘all roses are sweet’ does not equate to ‘wine knowledge’ and will not get you through to the next interview.

If the listing is for a ‘full time position’ then please do not apply if you’re only available a few days each week or select hours.  You are wasting my time and yours.

Inversely, if the job is for ‘part-time’ it means exactly that.  

If the job is for, say, Tasting Room Host, please don’t tell me in your cover letter how much you want to work in Events.  I will not call you.

Do yourself a big favor and don’t use a generic cover letter that contains phrases such as ‘your company’ or ‘your industry’. It’s a dead give away that you probably reply to every new job posting, regardless of the ‘industry’.

When you attach your resume, it helps immensely if the file is saved with a name - something other than ‘my resume’. This information tells me you are disorganized, and don’t have the qualifications for the job.  May I suggest your First and last name – that would be helpful.

And your resume?  There really is no excuse not to have a well-formatted, organized resume.  Can we say ‘template’?

Here are a few other tips on this topic:

Do not send documents in ‘Word’ so I can see all your strange composition issues! 

How hard is it to save the document as a PDF?  Much more professional.

Do not send a photograph of your resume.  Really, a jpg?

Spell-check.  It’s there so use it please. That’s all I have to say on this matter.

Unless the posting specifically requests a photograph, you really don’t need to add one – especially if it shows you in skimpy attire or with a drink in your hand.

Make sure your voicemail box is not full.  Nothing further needs to be said.

Don’t bother telling me in your cover letter that you ‘are looking for a career in the wine industry’ if you think you won’t have to stand for long hours, answer the same questions repeatedly, be on time, follow instructions and smile when you don’t really feel like it. 

Yes, the wine business is wonderful – I wouldn’t choose anything else – but it is a business.  My clients want people who will be dedicated, eager to learn, courteous, respectful and most of all, fun.