Clerical officer in civil service and bar work

Gracie1234

Hi, so I have an interview for a CO i civil service tomorrow and I’m having trouble relating competencies from my current job as senior bar tender to CO job? Any advice?

Conqueror

Pages 2 and 3 of this will help.

Some areas that might help you:

Team work: Understanding your role in the team (including adaptability/flexibility: in a pub, you would serve drinks, work the till, clean the bar/floor/toilets), developing relationships (maybe training new staff?), offer own ideas/perspectives (as a senior bartender, did you offer opinions on what sold well/poorly?)

Information management/ processing: Knowing what drinks sold well, what promotions or events worked or brought in new customers; seeing if there were better ways to run the pub

Delivery of results: Learning from mistakes (overordered from a supplier? gave the wrong change to a customer?); being self-reliant (as a senior bartender, you would need to know when to restock the bar, or cut off someone's beer supply)

Customer service and communication: Working in a service industry, dealing with the public, this will be a big area for you. How do you communicate with customers (friendly/ firmly/ authoritatively?)? You can highlight a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer: how did the situation arise, what did you do to deal with it, was the problem resolved, what did you learn from the experience that you can bring into the civil service).

Specialist knowledge, expertise and self-development: Skill development (training, courses); working to provide a positive experience for customers through a welcoming and comfortable environment and offering your knowledge of the drinks menu (for those unsure of they want) or local activities (for tourists).

Drive and commitment to public service values: Show how you look to perform at a high level (did you take courses? have you annual reviews you can cite?). Show how you can still be enthusiastic about dealing with the public, even where there are challenges or setbacks. Remember, in many areas, the pub is a central part of the community (for better or worse), so a senior bartender is going to be someone people open up to: you can use this to show how you always act with integrity, but listening and offering advice, but not being a gossip.

For all of the above, remember to use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This will help focus your answers. Good luck!

Mrs OBumble

Spark_tank is spot on.

But you need to think up specific examples, not just generalities.

For each one you need a STAR story:

Situation - outline the example "For St Patrick's Day we had to hire 3 extra floor staff, and couldn't get anyone experienced."

Task - what was needed "I had to train them, one each on the three days beforehand".

Action - what YOU specifically did. "I made a list of the minimum knowledge and skills they would need, and planned their training shift so they could learn everything in a way that made sense: I had them help me unload the glasswasher first and showed them where things go, then showed them the table cleaning routine and how to clean up spills and breakages. We loaded the next dishwasher tray, and once it was done I coached from the side while they did the the unloading themselves" - or whatever YOU did to achieve the task.

Result - eg all three stayed for the whole day, we didn't run out of glasses - and two of them later got permanent jobs with us.

spark_tank

As a senior bartender, you possess several transferable skills and competencies that can be valuable in a civil service job application. Here's how your experience relates to the competencies for a civil service role:

Teamwork:

Collaboration: As a senior bartender, you likely worked closely with colleagues such as servers and other bartenders, to ensure smooth operations. This demonstrates your ability to collaborate effectively within a team.

Communication: Bartending requires clear communication with both colleagues and customers. You can emphasize your experience in coordinating with different team members and maintaining open lines of communication.

Information Management/Processing:

Multitasking: Bartenders often handle multiple tasks simultaneously, such as taking orders, preparing drinks, and handling cash transactions. This demonstrates your ability to manage and process information efficiently.

Attention to Detail: Accuracy is crucial in bartending, from measuring ingredients correctly to handling financial transactions. Highlight your attention to detail in managing information effectively.

Delivery of Results:

Efficiency: Bartending requires working efficiently to serve customers promptly while maintaining quality. Emphasize your ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Time Management: Managing a busy bar requires effective time management skills. Discuss your experience in prioritising tasks and meeting deadlines to achieve optimal results.

Customer Service and Communication:

Interpersonal Skills: Bartenders interact directly with customers, providing a high level of customer service. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively, handle inquiries, and resolve customer issues.

Conflict Resolution: Occasionally, bartenders must handle difficult or dissatisfied customers. Mention your experience in managing conflicts and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Specialist Knowledge Expertise and Self-Development:

Beverage Knowledge: Bartenders possess specialized knowledge of different drinks, including ingredients, mixing techniques, and presentation. Showcase your expertise in this area, which demonstrates your commitment to self-development and continuous improvement.

Training and Certification: If you have undergone any training or obtained certifications related to bartending, mention these qualifications to showcase your dedication to expanding your knowledge and skills.

Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values:

Adaptability: Bartenders often work in diverse environments, adapting to various customer preferences and needs. Demonstrate your flexibility and willingness to adapt to new situations.

Commitment to Excellence: Bartending requires delivering exceptional service consistently. Highlight your commitment to providing a high standard of service, which aligns with the public service.

Remember to tailor your application and provide specific examples from your bartending experience that demonstrate these competencies.

Gracie1234

Life saver, honestly think the pressure is getting to me a bit

Gracie1234

Thanks soooo much, I’m drawing blanks here

Gracie1234

It’s the examples I’m having a hard time with, I think I’m overthinking the whole thing, im here at my kitchen table stressed to bits

Mrs OBumble

Yeah examples can be hard.

But especially for CO they can be very small.

Eg teamwork / commitment to delivering results: in May lots of part time staff asked for leave so they could study. The bar manager was struggling to cover the rota. I offered to work an extra shift each week and encouraged a colleague to do the same. This meant the manager could cover every day, and I'll get some extra leave in June once exams are over.

Problem solving / delivering results:

one night the mop bucket broke before we cleaned the floor. So I phoned a friend who was working across the street, and organised to borrow theirs. We got our cleaning done in the rostered hours.

Etc. Small everyday things that show what you did. They don't have to be 100% true, but you need to be able to talk about them without using pub jargon.

spark_tank

Teamwork:

Situation: As a senior bartender, I was responsible for leading a team of five other bartenders during busy shifts at a high-end cocktail bar.

Task: Our goal was to ensure smooth operations, provide exceptional service, and maintain a positive atmosphere for customers.

Action: I organized regular team meetings to discuss upcoming events, assign responsibilities, and address any challenges. I actively encouraged collaboration and supported my team members by sharing my knowledge and expertise in mixology techniques and customer service.

Result: Through effective teamwork, we consistently delivered outstanding service, achieved high customer satisfaction ratings, and received positive feedback from both customers and management.

Information management/processing:

Situation: As a senior bartender, I handled a diverse range of drink recipes and customer preferences, often with limited time.

Task: It was essential to manage and process information quickly and accurately to ensure efficient service.

Action: I developed a system for organizing drink recipes based on categories (e.g., classic cocktails, signature drinks, non-alcoholic options) and created a digital database accessible to all bartenders. I regularly updated the database to include new recipes and incorporated customer feedback to refine existing ones.

Result: The information management system streamlined our operations, enabling us to prepare drinks faster and ensure consistency in taste and presentation. It also facilitated knowledge-sharing among the team, leading to increased efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Delivery of results:

Situation: As a senior bartender, I was responsible for achieving sales targets and improving revenue generation at the bar.

Task: My objective was to enhance profitability and contribute to the overall success of the establishment.

Action: I analyzed sales data, identified trends, and collaborated with the management team to develop strategies to upsell premium products and introduce seasonal promotions. I also trained the staff on effective sales techniques and encouraged them to actively engage with customers.

Result: Through these efforts, we consistently exceeded our monthly sales targets, achieving a revenue increase of 15% within six months. The bar's profitability improved, and my contribution was recognized through performance bonuses and positive feedback from the management.

Customer service and communication:

Situation: As a senior bartender, I interacted with a diverse range of customers, providing them with personalized service and ensuring a positive experience.

Task: It was crucial to communicate effectively and build rapport to understand customers' preferences and deliver exceptional service.

Action: I actively listened to customers, engaging them in conversations to understand their tastes and preferences. I recommended suitable drinks based on their preferences and offered tailored suggestions for food pairings. I also resolved any customer complaints or issues promptly and courteously.

Result: By providing exceptional customer service, I consistently received positive feedback and achieved high customer satisfaction ratings. Many customers became regulars, and our bar developed a reputation for outstanding service, leading to increased customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

Specialist knowledge expertise and self-development:

Situation: As a senior bartender, I understood the importance of continuously enhancing my knowledge and skills in mixology and beverage trends.

Task: It was essential to stay up-to-date with industry developments and expand my expertise.

Action: I attended mixology workshops, trade shows, and industry conferences to learn about new techniques, ingredients, and emerging trends. I also encouraged my team members to pursue similar opportunities and organized in-house training sessions to share my knowledge and skills.

Result: By staying abreast of industry developments, I was able to create innovative and unique drink recipes that attracted customers and set our bar apart. My commitment to self-development was evident in my ability to adapt to changing customer preferences and offer an exceptional beverage experience.

Drive and commitment to public service values:

Situation: Transitioning from the hospitality industry to civil service, I recognize the importance of upholding public service values and demonstrating drive and commitment in my work.

Task: My goal is to contribute positively to the public sector, ensuring the delivery of efficient and effective services to the community.

Action: I researched the civil service values, mission, and objectives, aligning them with my own professional values. I engaged in volunteer work, such as organizing charity events, to contribute to the community and demonstrate my commitment to public service.

Result: My drive and commitment to public service values were evident through my proactive involvement in community initiatives. I am ready to bring these values to the civil service position, ensuring the delivery of quality services and making a positive impact on the community.

spark_tank

I should point out that I used ChatGPT for those examples.

Be comfortable with your answers and you will be fine. Best of luck with it.

Mrs OBumble

One more point: you're interviewing for a CO job, they want you to be a worker, not a manager.

So focus on how you prepared for work, stayed committed to it and achieved results yourself.

blondie1985

I don’t know if it was mentioned but costumer service, you have a lot of experience there and they always ask about the costumer

Hotblack Desiato

Bar tender liquid distribution engineer 😉

Seriously though, don't sweat it, passing the CO interview is not difficult. You've already passed the exam and have held responsible job(s). Good luck!