Hi everyone, thank you for reading this. I am sharing my recent experience looking for a job as a cafe manager here to record what I have been through and what I should do to complete my goal. It is just how I see what happened and it may be too objective. I will appreciate if you could let me know what you think. Furthermore, hopefully, my story could enlight someone in the same situation or help someone find a job.
Ok, first thing first, here's my background:
Education: Postgraduate's diploma in International Hospitality Management (AUT)
Qualification: LCQ. GM Certificate.
Work experience: 1-year shop assistant in a Sushi shop. 14 months as a restaurant manager (European style). 18 months as a cafe manager.
Visa status: Resident.
I know someone may ask why I still wanna work in this industry after I got my residency. The answer is simple. I love working in a cafe because I genuinely like interacting with people and, of course, coffee. But I would like to learn more knowledge about the business so I am looking for a job with potential to grow, to get more involved.
Employer 1
A coffee shop of a chain cafe was looking for a cafe manager. Had an interview with HR and area operator. The interview went well but I got the feeling that I will not get the job. It is a 2-staff shop. I mean, there is only 2 staff working in the shop during the day, including the manager. Firstly, during the interview, I suggested more than once that they should be getting more staff, especially they have a strict time frame that coffee should be delivered. It is apparently not a welcome suggestion. Secondly, I am managing a team of 7. Obviously, I am over-qualified.
I asked the HR for a cup of coffee for free after the interview. I said you should get me a coffee because if I don't get the job, I still get a coffee, and it will make me feel at ease. I did get a free coffee, and I did not get the job. The HR emailed me a few days later that I will not go to the next step. I replied, don't worry, I still get a coffee.
Anyway, "Cheeky bastard." It is what the current manager said when I told her there should be more staff doing the job.
To conclude: Don't be picky.
Employer 2
A coffee roaster is looking for a cafe manager. Had an interview with owners, and then had a trial. During the trial, I wasn't acting like I am a very picky person, even though I saw some opportunities that they can do their job better. I just kept my mouth shut, being humble, do what I was told to do, follow the rule, play it safe. After the trial the manager asked me how I feel, I was totally being honest with her. I said the way I work as a manager is being the best staff in the FOH, working with my crew and leading as an example. And at this moment I am apparently not because I am new and I need more time to get used to the new system, but I am confident I can handle it in the future.
Wanna guess if I can get the job?
It was about a couple weeks later I received the email from the owner that the position had been filled. Quote:" The feedback I received from our current manager was that overall you were very positive and full of initiative, comfortable to take the till or jump on the coffee machine, a good all-rounder but maybe not quite enough experience as a manager yet. "
Not enough experience? What the FXXX!
I replied:"Respectfully, I cannot figure out why your manager thinks I don't have enough experience as a manager apart from the reason (admit that I need more time to get used to the system) I stated above because there wasn't any manager-level was done during the trail. From my perspective, the trial was designed to see if a person is suitable for an all-rounder staff with coffee making experience. Thank you again for your email. It was nice to have the interview with you and it was nice to have the trail. I enjoyed your coffee and everything."
To conclude: Don't expose weakness.
Ok, that was the experience I had recently. Again, please feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you think. I am open-minded to all voices. Cheers!