Having graduated with a B.Com degree from The University of Nairobi, I thought getting a White collar job (corporate) would be easy. I therefore found myself in a pool of other graduates like myself eyeing the rare opportunities that were available. Since I was not fortunate enough to have a godfather to assist me land a job in the corporate world, I found myself jobless for many months. I was thin and emaciated from all the walking to drop CVs and send some online.
That’s when my grandfather told me, “It’s not where you start that matters but where you are going that matters.” and advised me to take up menial jobs (blue collar) which would lead me to my dream job. At first I was sceptical about it, wondering what people would say, having a degree and doing menial jobs, no it was a bitter pill to swallow. Two or so months went by as I told myself a ‘decent’ job would come my way but alas!
Then my grandfather (I call him wise one) again called me and told me, “Money is money, it is not written where it comes from.” Surely, I needed money and if I could 1,000shs note somewhere, it would not register where it came from. With that in mind, I searched menial jobs I could and luckily I got a bar attending job at bar in down town paying 5,000shs a month. As months passed by, I worked hard and soon promotions and salary increments started coming my way. I was lucky to get a job in Upper hill, a high class bar where I learnt a lot, I was earning a better pay and I was mingling with the high n mighty in the society who came to unwind there.
I networked smartly with them by building a rapport with them, telling them my qualifications and most were amazed. My lucky break came when one CEO of a local corporation (though he was a regular) came in looking stressed and as usual asked him what was troubling him (bar attendants also act as therapists) as I served him his favourite drink. He told me the company was trying to get someone they could train who would succeed him once he left. All those executives under him had failed the rigorous interview and so they were looking to hire from outside. I told him I knew a person who would perfectly match his qualifications and asked for an appointment. When I showed up for the interview dressed sharply, which was running for a month, he was surprised but gave a chance to go through it. I passed the interview and everyone was so perplexed. I did not have the relevant experience in the corporate world, however my skills were transferable and in a more practical way.
This is How: Transferable Skills
The bartender fulfills so many useful roles. He is lord of the bar, keeping everything humming like a top. The bartender welcomes the customer into his world, dispenses drinks which are designed to exactly hit the spot, keeps everything clean and sparkling, makes sure no one gets too drunk, listens to everyone’s woes and triumphs, watches out that the laws are being obeyed, ensures that the cash register keeps ringing healthily and profitably, and all the time dreams up the great new creations which have the customers come back for more.
The bartender sets the tone for everything that happens in the bar. Is the atmosphere good, is the music right for the time of night and the make up of the crowd, not too loud, not too soft? Are the assistant bar staff attentive, are the ashtrays being emptied, the tables being cleaned, is that lady over there in need of rescue from an over persistent would be suitor? The bartender is balancing a host of elements in his mind all the time, elements which go to make up a great night out for his customers.
A mixture of culinary artist, accountant, housekeeper, policeman, psychiatrist, interior designer, sergeant major and mother all rolled into one, the bartender has an almost unique role to play in the service industry world. He or she is vital to the successful operation not only of the bar, but of the wider business which the bar may be a part of. How many people stay at a certain hotel, or eat at a particular restaurant, because the bartender makes the overall experience such a good one for them?
Yes, bar tendering skills made me adapt very well as an Executive Manager as I was able to manage and control a lot of operations in a calm manner, deal with employees effectively, make profits and future projections wisely and so many more with the assistance of the experience I had as a bar attendant. I am now earning a six figure salary in my dream job!