Based on my length of experience in customer service, specifically in the restaurant industry, I can provide skills that are necessary when working at The Winery, fostering a diplomatic and friendly environment among all kinds of people. Having been in the service industry for so long, I learned, both with fellow employees and customers, indelible skills, including amiability, flexibility, open-mindedness, and compassionate listening. I'm motivated. I know how to engage my personality and be flexible while serving and managing a busy night. I'm upbeat, friendly and I know how to anticipate customer needs in order to facilitate enjoyable experiences. Given my work experience in a wine store, although brief, I've learned necessary sales skills, as well as the non-wine related aspects of running a wine store: cleaning, mopping, breaking down boxes, checking inventory, polishing bottles, using a cash register, managing a busy store while helping out multiple people at once. Moreover, I'm extremely eager to learn about wine. I'm only 21 and I know how much of a beginner I am. The world of wine is so vast, so interesting, and I'm beyond curious and motivated to soak it all in. Lastly, my uncle and aunt are vintners in Napa Valley, and I had the privilege this summer of touring vineyards with a viticulturist, speaking with their winemaker, exploring wineries, and again, following my desire to be a sponge and absorb all I can about the process of wine production and the ability to expand and refine my palate.
As a salesperson at Vino Fino, I've learned so much about wine in such a short amount of time. When days are slow, I go around the store reading labels, searching up grape varietals I've never heard of, doing research on DOCs and AOCs along with other important wine regions. I've learned what it takes to run a store by myself, as well. I have my own keys to the store, and I've opened and closed the store many times. In fact, this summer, there were two one-week stretches where my owners were on vacation and I was responsible for opening and closing the store for seven consecutive days. I've communicated with delivery workers, done inventory, restocked, and fostered a friendly relationship with regulars that have been coming to Vino Fino since the store's inception in 2008.