Not many people know but I run a pub on the coast of Kent.
It’s been an itch of mine to get something in the hospitality sector having a mum who was a chef and growing up in a very food centric household. That being said you might think that being in recruitment I would have bugger all knowledge or abilities in running a pub but here is where you would be wrong gentle reader.
Both require people management, negotiation, multitasking, and exceptional communication skills. Let’s explore how the versatile skills gained in recruitment can be invaluable in the pub industry.
- Customer-Centric Mindset
In recruitment, the candidate and client are your key stakeholders. You spend time understanding their needs, building relationships, and delivering tailored solutions. Running a pub is no different—you’re engaging with customers daily, identifying their preferences, and ensuring they have a positive experience. Creating a welcoming atmosphere in a pub is about reading your audience, just like understanding a candidate’s motivations.
- Relationship Building
Recruiters excel in building long-term relationships with clients and candidates. Similarly, a pub manager thrives on creating rapport with regular customers, suppliers, and the local community. The trust built in recruitment translates directly into cultivating loyalty in a pub setting, encouraging repeat business and fostering a sense of community.
- Sales and Negotiation
Every recruiter knows how important negotiation is, whether it’s negotiating salaries, contracts, or agency fees. In the pub industry, those skills are critical for working with suppliers, managing costs, and promoting special offers to increase sales. Whether negotiating with beverage suppliers for a better deal or promoting events to drive foot traffic, these sales techniques ensure profitability.
- Multitasking and Time Management
Recruitment is a fast-paced environment where you juggle multiple clients, job vacancies, and candidates at once. Running a pub also demands this ability to multitask—whether it’s managing staff, handling busy service times, or overseeing stock. Recruitment teaches you how to prioritise tasks effectively, which is essential when you’re trying to run a smooth pub operation.
- Problem-Solving Under Pressure
Every recruiter knows that things don’t always go to plan. From last-minute cancellations to mismatched candidates, problem-solving becomes second nature. The same goes for the pub industry, where issues can arise quickly—staff shortages, supply problems, or customer complaints. The ability to think on your feet and remain calm under pressure is a vital skill learned in recruitment that serves pub managers well.
- Training and Development
Recruiters are often involved in onboarding and developing new hires for their clients. These training skills transfer perfectly to managing pub staff. Whether it’s ensuring bartenders are knowledgeable about the menu or teaching customer service techniques, the ability to train and develop employees contributes to better service and a stronger team.
- Data-Driven Decision Making
In recruitment, you regularly use data to inform your decisions—whether it’s tracking hiring trends or candidate performance. Running a pub benefits from the same approach. Keeping an eye on stock levels, sales trends, customer feedback, and financial performance allows for more informed decisions that can improve profitability and customer satisfaction.
Conclusion: Versatile Skills, Different Industries
Running a pub might seem like a different world from recruitment, but the skills you develop in recruitment are surprisingly versatile and invaluable in the pub industry. From people management and multitasking to problem-solving and negotiation, the transition can be much smoother than expected.
This is just an opportunity for me to show you all a little bit more about me and maybe offer you a small respite of entertaining reading for your day. Cheers to you 🍻
