Tag: short courses Auckland

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A Day in the Life of a Bartender

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Prepping for Your Shift

The first thing a bartender does when they start their shift is prep. They make sure the bar is ready, and that any chores from the previous shift have all been completed. Preparation often includes tasks like restocking the bar, checking the equipment, and even refilling the ice bins. Finishing everything before customers start arriving is essential for things to run smoothly—a night could start off with a trickle, or a steady flow of customers coming in by the dozen, and no bartender wants to find they are short on stock right as a rush hits!

A Bartender’s Role During Peak Hours

Once customers start coming, a bartender needs to be ready and alert for a fast-paced, frenetic environment. A key skill that bartenders need to have is excellent attention to detail. This is because they need to keep track of everything that’s going on around them, to be able to determine which customers need their attention.

 

Bartenders need to be friendly, efficient and knowledgeable, and they need to look confident and comfortable behind the bar. Customers will stop trusting a bartender if they look like they don’t know what to do!

 

A bartender also needs to know how to handle varying situations while keeping a cool head on their shoulders. They might need to deal with persistent customers who are rude or intoxicated—or both! Only time and experience improves the ability to handle these tricky situations with confidence, and that’s why many people choose to attend barista courses for bartending to improve their skills. By investing in one of the excellent short courses Auckland has to offer for bartending and mixology, people can ensure they start with skill and confidence.

At the End of a Shift

The end of the night is just like the start—it’s time to clean up and re-stock. Cleaning includes jobs like mopping floors, wiping surfaces, and organising the fridge and liquor.

 

Shifts can go as late as 3-4am in the morning—it’s possible for a bartender to work only day hours, but it’s uncommon, as most rosters involve both day and night shifts.

Unwinding for the Night

After a long shift of being on your feet, it’s nice to unwind! Many bartenders unwind by spending time with their co-workers after work, or just relaxing at home however they prefer. Getting enough sleep is vital for bartenders as well—especially if they have a hectic night shift coming up the next day!

Perks of Bartending

A bartender’s life is always interesting, because no two nights of work are the same. Working as a bartender is a highly valuable and versatile line of work, and if you’re interested, visit the Crown Institute of Studies to learn more about how this kind of work experience can take you around the world!

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Three Things to Do in School to Prep for the Workforce

Work-experience

Preparing to step into the big wide world can be daunting for some, but with a little work experience and a lot of enthusiasm, you can take the tourism industry by storm from the moment you leave school.

If you’re currently studying tourism or hospitality and you’re looking for ways to optimise the experience, then you’re in the right place! The key to success is in going the extra mile, doing that one extra thing that makes you stand out above the rest of the crowd come recruitment time. Beyond that, knowing your way around the industry before you even begin your first job is a sure-fire way to rise through the ranks of your chosen sector quickly.

Please observe the seatbelt sign is on, be sure you know where the nearest exits are, and let’s take off into three things you can do to prepare for the tourism workforce!

Get comfortable in a team

In school, there are many things you can do to get comfortable with working in a team. Namely: get into some extracurriculars or branch out and take one of our short courses in Auckland. This will help you acclimate to working with others who share similar interests but might approach it in a way that is different to yours. Basically, extracurriculars build your communication skills, prepare you for a diversified team, and even help with time management.

In the tourism industry, you are seldom working alone. More often than not, you have a team of people by your side, all working to achieve the best experience for the customer, so it’s crucial to know how to work in a team dynamic!

Talk to your tutors

Our New Zealand school of tourism and hospitality is a resource in more ways than one. Our teachers and tutors are industry professionals who know what it means to thrive in tourism, so take the time to tap into their wisdom and experience. It’s every educator’s goal to help their students excel, so if they find a student who is very engaged, they will do what they can to provide them with additional opportunities to succeed.

Chat to your teachers about any questions you have, any concerns you’re carrying about the field, and express your interest in learning more about tourism overall. Learn what you can from their experience and try to implement any pieces of advice they give you. They’re invaluable sources of insight into what the world will be like once you leave school, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Get some work experience

Heading into your chosen field for a stint of work experience does wonders for your start in tourism or hospitality. It gives you a glimpse of the real day-to-day patterns of work and helps you to identify any of your weak points so that you can work on bolstering them.

Even better: it’s a lot of fun to try your hand at what you’re studying towards. We offer programmes that help students experience the workforce before they join it. We’ve found that students benefit hugely from the opportunity and tend to hit the ground running once they graduate.

Take the time to really invest in your educational experience. Take charge of your learning, sink your teeth into the field and don’t let go! We’ll see you out there.

Crown Institute invests in the learning of our students.

At the Crown Institute of Studies, we’re dedicated to providing a well-rounded educational experience for all our students. Whether you’re studying tourism or hospitality, you will find the opportunities to launch you into a successful career here. Come and study with us today!  

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7 Goal Setting Tips for Students this Year | Crown Institute of Studies

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Creating goals and having the motivation and commitment to see them through is vital for anyone seeking to get ahead in their career. However, it can be difficult to know how to take that first step forward, or what you should even consider when choosing your goals. To help you out, here are seven goal setting tips to think about for this coming year!

1.Choose goals that align with your values

When thinking about the future, choosing goals that align with your interest and life values are always a good place to start. Look anywhere online or in books, and you will find the saying “follow your passions.” Interest is the main driving force that keeps you doing anything in your life. Goals can seem meaningless and be hard to commit to if you don’t feel invested in where you’re working and what you’re doing.

Goals that work with your values are a lot easier to follow through with, and will be more valuable to you when you accomplish them.

2. Be specific

Vague goals inspire very little action. The best goals are specifically defined, measurable, and clear.

A tip for removing vagueness from your goals list is to give yourself a deadline to work towards. If you have a timeframe in mind, you’ll be better equipped to prioritise your time to your advantage. Plus, a little pressure can be a good motivational push to keep moving forward.

 

3. Have a realistic timeframe and be patient

The surest way to give up on a dream is to push yourself too hard all at once and then run out of steam.

When you’re trying to smash out your goals, don’t forget to be patience and have belief in yourself to see your dreams through. Slowly. Goals don’t happen overnight. When people plan rushed goals with unrealistic timeframes, that adds a lot of unnecessary stress and makes the whole process unenjoyable. This is what makes people drop new year’s resolutions early on, so don’t fall into this trap!

                                               

4. Enjoy the ride

The road to success is often undervalued by people who only fixate on the end destination. To put it plainly, enjoy the experiences and the memories you make along the way. Your dreams will be even more valuable and worth the effort.

 

5. Think BIG and be OPEN

Our potential is only as high as we allow ourselves to climb. Make dreams for yourself that challenge you to grow in the biggest way possible, because you are always more capable than you give yourself credit for.

Dream big and be open-minded to trying new things along the way. Gaining new experiences will give you the confidence and expertise to make great choices in the future.

 

6. But break it down into little steps

Dreaming big is great, but no one cares to admit that big dreams, goals, or tasks can be daunting. When we get scared, we get paralysed, and that hinders our progress.

To combat this, break down your big goal into smaller ones by listing down the incremental steps you’ll need to take to get to where you need to go. For example, if you dream of founding a new business, your list will likely include things like finding a business opportunity that you’re passionate about, taking a business course, finding capital, and so on!

This way, you break down your big task into smaller, more actionable tasks that won’t scare you off!

 

7. Just start!

If you’re waiting for that perfect time to start, you’ve found it! There is no time more perfect to start than right now.

If you’re stuck trying to figure out which career option is right for you, don’t worry, there are many ways you can move forward. These ways include:

 

  • Talking to a student advisor to discuss your options and find out what is available.
  • Listening to lectures on varying types of study and then follow up on the subjects you found interesting.
  • You can even apply for short courses in Auckland in a field of your interest. There are plenty of short hospitality courses in NZ and other courses out there, readily available for you to use to your benefit by broadening your skillset and gain excellent work experience.

Go for Goal!

You already have all the tools you need to take that next step forward. Use these tips and find a future career that you really want to pursue.

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How Will You Land Your Dream Job?

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So, you’ve finished your studies and you’re ready to go off into the world and land the job of your dreams? Whether you’ve done a 3-year degree or completed one of the many short courses Auckland has to offer, you’ve now got the certificate to prove you’re qualified. This leads a lot of people to think they can get anywhere with just a piece of paper. We hate to break it to you, but landing a job takes a little more than just studying hard.

While the knowledge, work ethic and skills you have learned while studying are highly valuable, there are a few more aspects that really help to mould you into the best person employers are looking for. In this article, we share some helpful tips to get you one step closer to landing your dream job!

Spend Some Time on Your CV

A career-specific resume will go far in getting you the job you want to have. Base your resume on the job you want to apply for and cut out all the irrelevant stuff like your part-time retail job from high school (unless it’s relevant work experience).

Resumes are your first point-of-contact with an employer, so a tailored one will show them that you have a whole CV that applies to the job they are hiring for. If you want to learn more about how to make the perfect CV, check out our recent article

Show Your Passion

If the job you’re applying for is really your dream job, then show it! Conveying enthusiasm in your correspondence right from the expression of interest is a sure-fire way to let companies know that you are passionate about the position, and are likely to work really hard in it.

This means that your resume, cover letter and any first emails you send to the company should be written with the appropriate amount of enthusiasm that shows your passion, and that attitude should be carried right through to your in-person correspondence at your interview. Don’t forget to follow-up afterwards with an equally enthusiastic email.

Showing passion shows employers that you are driven, you care about what you are doing, and you will work above and beyond if offered the position.

Focus Your Job Search

If you have a dream position or a company in mind that you can see yourself working at, don’t settle for less! Apply for the jobs you really want, and focus your job search on the positions you think you are likely to do well in. Applying for sub-par jobs or positions that you don’t see yourself excelling in will only set your overall career goals back.

When applying for jobs online, you can use search filters to narrow down your job search. If you are going through a recruitment agency, express some specifics to your contact there, and they will help to put you forward for the right positions.

Networking: Get in the Know

Networking can be completely terrifying, especially if you’re new to a scene and don’t know anyone. However, it’s also a necessary part of getting a job in a number of fields. A lot of major companies will hire new people based on referrals – the saying ‘it’s about who you know’ is a lot more relevant than you would have thought.

The biggest tip to give for networking is to have confidence. Go to industry events and get involved in the community of your future potential co-workers, and from there, all you need is the confidence to go and talk to people and make valuable connections.

Gain Relevant Work Experience

If you still aren’t able to land your dream job with these tips, it’s probably because they’re after someone who has experience working in that specific role. Employers are often not willing to take risks on students who are fresh out of studying and don’t have experience in the workforce. Often a part of your higher education will involve a work experience component, and this can be the foot in you need to the industry of your dreams.

If your course doesn’t offer this, companies will often offer internships or work experience that are at a lower pay rate or voluntary, and these are a good opportunity for you to develop your skills for a short while. If you work hard and prove yourself in a work experience position, they may even offer you a permanent role.

Get Qualified for Your Dream Job at Crown Institute

If you’re trying to land your dream job, but you haven’t quite got the first step down pact and need to acquire a little more relevant studies, then Crown Institute is the place to be. We offer a range of short courses and New Zealand Certificates to get you qualified.

Talk to us today to discuss the course that is right for you!

 

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How to Tell If You Need A New CV

CV

Having a CV is a vital part of applying for any job or work experience in New Zealand. Not only is it vital to have one – it’s also very important that you keep it up-to-date and recognise when it may need a bit of a refresh. If your CV hasn’t been working magic for you lately and you’re a little confused why, we’ve compiled this handy list of reasons why that might be, and expert tips that will help you spruce it up!

Your CV is too long-winded.

Employers will most likely spend 6 seconds skimming over your CV, and you want to be able to make a good enough impression in that short amount of time. It can be so easy to get into a flow of writing, especially when the topic is yourself. This is definitely a habit you want to kick when writing a CV, as long-winded paragraphs and pages on pages of writing can cause more harmful effects than good.

For students without much professional history, a CV is usually about one A4 page long. Keep it simple and uncluttered, with plenty of white space. Using an easy-to-read font like a sans-serif in around a 10-point font size can help you save space. Other tips for keeping the length down include cutting out paragraphs about your interests and hobbies, and keeping the necessary information to short and sweet statements.

It worked last time you got a job, so you haven’t changed it.

Your CV is not a one-time project. Only adding new work experience onto the list is not enough to keep your CV fresh and up-to-date. Each time you look at your CV to update it, it pays to take the time to update the whole thing: Refresh the writing style, read over each section and make sure you haven’t missed anything out, and take away things that aren’t as relevant now as you once thought.

Even though your old CV once scored you a great job, it’s important to continue to improve it. You as a person are improving, after all! This way, your CV in its entirety is constantly an accurate representation of you as a person. If your tone of voice or your design taste changes over time, update that in your CV the same as you would update your email address. It can make a world of difference to employers.

You don’t tailor it to the job you’re applying for.

Employers can tell if you have sent them a generic CV that has been rattled off to 10 different job applications. Prevent being overlooked by customising your CV to tailor it to the specific job you’re applying for. If you are applying for several jobs, this can definitely take some time, so think about at least narrowing it down to the specific field of job you are searching for. For example, the employer for a managerial role isn’t going to care how good your latte art is, but they will care that your barista job taught you valuable leadership and teamwork skills.

Furthermore, customising your CV helps highlight relevant information, making you more likely to be considered for a job. Including everything you have ever learned or gained from previous jobs is not only unnecessary, but it can also be confusing to read and often employers won’t bother. Taking the time to tailor your CV for the job you want shows that you are more interested in the position, and right for the job.

The CV’s composition needs tweaking.

Sometimes it isn’t about your CV’s content, it just needs a bit of a rearrange – composition-wise. We mentioned before that employers take 6 seconds on average to look over CV’s. Even if you’ve cut your info right down to a page, it can still be optimised even more so that it flows throughout the page and all the most important information is sure to be read.

Here are some tips for organising an effective CV:

· Put your contact details first, and make sure they can stand on their own with purpose.

· Make sure you have headers for each section, and that they’re large enough to stand out.

· The line spacing should be wide enough so that your CV remains calm and uncluttered.

· Some people opt for a 2-column composition, which is extremely effective. If you wish to use one column, make sure you have wide page margins so that your lines do not exceed 15 words per line.

· Having a sidebar which includes your details and a brief introduction can be an effective way to divide your page.

· Use page breaks, bars or shaded boxes to separate each section so that they can easily be read on their own.

· Utilise bullet points, icons and tables for a space-saving approach.

Bonus Tip: Give Your Skills a Refresh

 

If you’ve followed all the advice in this article and you’re finding your CV still isn’t pulling in as many offers as you’d like, maybe it’s time to look at upgrading the content. Why not spend some time and take a short course to upgrade your skills?

At Crown Institute of studies, we offer a selection of short courses in Auckland. From barista courses, hospitality and even teaching English courses. You’ll learn valuable skills that will stand out to employers on any CV.

If you want to upgrade your skills with a short course from Crown Institute, talk to us today.

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Soft Skills That Make You Employable in Any Industry

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During the course of your job hunting, you’ll find that the employment process can be tough especially when there’s a lot of competition. It’s best that you know which assets to emphasise during your applications – of which there are two types hard skills and soft skills.

What’s the difference between hard skills and soft skills?

Hard skills or technical skills are teachable and measurable abilities that you learn and regularly practice within your industry, such as writing, reading, or how well you use Microsoft Office applications. Soft skills, on the other hand, are traits that make you a good employee outside of what you can objectively do, such as work ethic, communication, being able to work well in a team, and so on.
While employers will look at how well you can potentially do the job, they will, most of the time, put more weight on your personality trains and soft skills. They are especially judged during the interview or reference check phase. The fact is: your professional expertise and certificates amount to little when you don’t know how to work well with others or if you’re not “the right fit” for the company. Discussing soft skills as well as your hard skills in job applications can give your resume a unique edge.
Let’s dive into some of the most valuable soft skills you can develop that will make you more employable, and how you can develop these soft skills through gaining work experience and in your daily life.

Communication

Being an effective communicator does not only mean being excellent at speeches or having impeccable grammar for e-mails or articles. Communication is also about having the ability to connect with people on a personal level right from the get-go. And because communication is a two-way street, this means being an effective listener. You don’t have to do all the talking! Listening is also an integral part of effective communication. When you listen, you begin to understand. When you understand, you begin to create affinity. When you have affinity, you build rapport amongst your group.

Employers look for effective communicators and those who have better “people skills” because it improves work efficiency and helps create a better work environment built on strong relationships.

Teamwork

Working within a group teaches you the importance of teamwork. This is an important soft skill, because it teaches you to value the skills that other people possess. When employees can combine varied talents and skills, everyone wins!

Being a good team player and having good interpersonal skills also makes you receptive to the needs of others. It’s all about wanting to push each member of the team forward and helping each other thrive. Employers are always looking for staff who can be empathetic towards their team’s needs. A friendly working environment and collaborative office culture helps retain more employees and pull top talent.

Problem Solving

It’s not as simple as being analytical in solving a problem. Of course, that’s important too, but you also need to work on approaching problems with a level-headed mindset. If you are more calm and sensible in tackling problems, you’ll be more equipped in delivering efficient solutions. Companies rely on problem solvers to navigate unforeseen trials especially in urgent situations.

Adaptability

Most employers are not looking for those who love to stay in their comfort zones. They are keener to hiring applicants that are flexible and know how to adapt.

In all areas of life including work situations, things won’t always go as planned. However, if you know how to adapt, you’ll be able to pivot and find alternate solutions. It’s an important soft skill as it demonstrates your openness to new challenges and conquer them with a positive attitude.

Leadership

Leadership is a combination of several soft skills. You can show leadership through having a positive attitude, being motivating for yourself and others, and being able to communicate effectively. Displaying leadership skills can make you more noticeable and help you gain more opportunities for career growth. Employers will always seek out staff who possess great leadership skills, as they have the potential to grow and thrive within the company.

Stand out in your application!

Now that you have an idea of what soft skills employees are looking for, what are you waiting for? Start making a conscious effort to develop these skills and you’ll notice a significant difference in your employability. You can develop soft skills in your daily life – in social situations or when you are around family. Any time you have to coexist with other people are times in your life you can be developing soft skills.

Another way to develop soft skills is through work experience. If you’re looking to develop your soft skills in a real work environment, Crown Institute can help. We provide some of the best short courses Auckland can offer and have excellent relationships with a huge range of partners in industries where our students can gain work experience. You’ll get the adequate training you need to develop multiple skills and become a leading candidate in your job applications.

Contact Crown Institute today to discuss enrolling in a course and gaining hard and soft skills to make you employable.

 

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How to Absolutely Smash Your Holiday Job Interview | Crown Institute

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Applying for a seasonal job is different from a regular job application. In a regular setting, a full-time worker is patiently expected to learn the skills associated to their job in time or develop their skills while working. A seasonal hire is different. Either they are already skilled enough for the job, or are fast learners and able to adapt to the requirements of the job quickly.
How can you convince your possible employers that you’re the right person for the seasonal job? Here are a few tips for you to land that temp job for the holidays.

Realize that it’s temporary

Seasonal jobs are just that—seasonal. While they may possibly last longer than (and employers will typically be upfront with that fact), seasonal jobs are largely based around seasonal demands. Temporary jobs require people who can pick up skills quickly and learn what they can from the get-go, so make sure that you’re a fast learner or already equipped with a handful of the necessary skills. This can also be when those short courses Auckland universities and institutes offer may come in handy – you can quickly learn the skills you need to deliver in a job right away.

Be prepared to answer behavioural questions

A company offering seasonal jobs would want to get the best person available. Make yourself that person! Prepare to answer questions on how you handled a particularly difficult customer or how you are like when working under pressure. Most of the questions you’re going to be asked are situational and adjusted to fit the job’s seasonal nature. The key is to keep yourself calm under pressure, and clearly communicate how your personality and work ethic are suited to the job.

Be prepared to be excellent

Most companies hire seasonal workers because they have an acute need for labour. That means they are looking for workers who are excellent at learning quickly and hold up well under pressure. Even though the position may be temporary, you should take it as an opportunity to shine – and you should communicate this in your interview. The chance to become a regular employee becomes higher when you work like a regular employee even though you know that your employment is limited. Plus, if you work well, you will have a great reference, to help you springboard into your next role!

Demonstrate your interest for the job

When the interviewer asks you if there are any questions you have about the position, try to ask a few that genuinely interest you. This makes you look like you’re keen and interested in the job. It also gives off the impression that you want to do better in the job and gives you a bigger chance to land it. Great questions to ask include “what does success look like in this position?” and “what will the biggest challenge I face in this job be?”

Looking to update your resume, and prepare for work?

Crown Institute is only one of the many excellent institutes that offer courses in New Zealand that prepares you for any job, whether it’s temporary or full-time. Talk to us if you’re interested on making your seasonal employment a permanent one or to get pointers in acing your job interview!

Look for the best job available

You must realise that seasonal jobs may become long-time opportunities. What are you looking for in a company? Look at the offers and choose the best company that suits your needs. The learning experience can be tempting or their nice combination of work and play may be what you’re looking for. This consideration may also come in handy when looking at a ready list of future employers.