Interesting experiences back in the jobs market
The last month or so has been a little bit strange, to say the least. After the sale of the pub I spent some time back there, helping out in the kitchen.
This seemed to work well for both myself and Tim. I needed to work and Tim, having been let down by a chef, needed a little time to get used to the business and the kitchen before taking on full-time cooking duties himself.
However, it could only ever be a short-term solution. I was always conscious of being the ex-landlord, and of staff still coming to me with problems, and after a month it was clear that it was time to move on.
During this time I began to apply for jobs, talk to various companies and generally try to ascertain, after seven years in my own business, how employable I was to the larger companies, most notably those with a branded product which might find it difficult to accept the time I had spent making my own decisions.
My primary goal was a return to hotel management, but I was aware that this would probably involve a move out of the area and a possible period in a deputy management position to find my feet again. However, I was also happy to consider any role that would allow us to remain in the area.
What I did find was a wide range of responses. Some companies and agencies replied almost immediately, some I still haven't heard from.
My lack of recent interview practice was not necessarily a problem for some companies. At one interview I barely had the chance to speak for myself as my interviewer would much rather talk about himself (strangely, I didn't get the job).
By contrast, I had an extremely interesting, if not fruitful, afternoon with a lady from Shire Inns, simply because she took the time to get to know me and discuss my prospective career, despite the fact that she had nothing to offer me at that time.
I found the whole experience uplifting, not simply because she spent time with me but also because talking to her helped me to get back into the corporate hotel way of thinking.
My next interview after this experience was successful. In future this diary will be written by the general manager of the Quality Hotel Scotch Corner, a local hotel offering me the challenge that I need in the area I was looking for.
IAN VIPOND is former chef-patron of the New Inn in Hunton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales Next diary from Ian Vipond: 18 October
CAPTION: "At one interview I barely had the chance to speak for myself as my interviewer would much rather talk about himself"
