Wine Industry Career Series: New Year...New You - Resolutions to Get the Job You Want

A woman in a white shirt, wearing glasses and red lipstick, with a yellow pot holding a plant in the background.

By Karen Wetzel

 

With the start of the new year, we are all looking for ways to improve the quality of our lives, so why not start 2022 off right with resolutions that will help you follow your passion and find a job in the wine industry. Here are some simple but impactful ideas.

Resolution #1: Research job descriptions

  • Narrow down the type of job that may best suit your skillset.
  • Zero in on wine jobs through easy to use, wine and spirits job boards like Winejobs.com or Force Brands.com.

Resolution #2: Dust off that tired old resume

  • Make it fresh and modern with resume-writing sites like Resume-Now.com or ResumeGig.com.
  • Ensure your resume and cover letters sound professional with word-smithing help from Grammarly.
  • Check this quick video and article from Indeed.com to help you choose your words carefully.
  • Short on wine knowledge? Register for WSET now through the Napa Valley Wine Academy and list it on your resume as “in-progress” so prospective employers know you are on top of it.
  • Lack work experience? Take a part-time job at a wine shop, restaurant, wine bar, or winery. And don’t let your shortcoming stand in your way of applying for the job you want.

linkedin mobile Resolution #3: Get social on LinkedIn

  • Update your LinkedIn profile.
  • Connect with individuals, companies, and groups that are connected to the wine industry.
  • Post original, wine-centric content to build a following of fellow wine enthusiasts and employers.
  • Comment on or repost articles that align with your passion for wine.
  • Why spend your time following random strangers when you can network with like-minded pros.

Resolution #4: Start applying

  • Taking the first step is hard, but go ahead, dip your toes in the water.
  • Start a job search tracker to keep yourself organized. You can find a free template in Excel or online.

These are simple resolutions that can make a big difference. There is no time like the present to follow your dreams. This new year might just lead to a new you.

 

Check out our Job Board & discover opportunities in the Wine Industry waiting for you

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For personal, one-on-one career coaching with Karen Wetzel directly click here. Karen Wetzel is an employee of the Napa Valley Wine Academy. The views expressed in this article are hers alone and may not reflect the views of the Napa Valley Wine Academy.

In Case you Missed it — Other helpful articles from Karen Wetzel:

Wine Industry Career Series: The Digital Sales Rep

Wine Industry Career Series: The Value of Travel

Wine Industry Career Series: The Anatomy of a Wine Sales Rep

Wine Industry Career Series: Understanding the Three-Tiered System

Wine Industry Career Series: Home-Based Wine Consulting

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WSET Certified Educator, Instructor

Karen Wetzel

Karen Wetzel is a highly regarded, experienced Wine & Spirits Industry professional and a well-credentialed Wine & Spirits Educator. With over 30 years in the industry, she has experience in most every aspect of the distribution and supply chain and her expertise can help you jump start or advance your career. Starting as a sales rep, Karen has held key positions within the distribution and supplier network including Category Manager, National Accounts Manager, Director of Sales and Director of Wine Education. She has helped countless others advance their careers through mentorships and best-in-class sales training courses. She has also developed wine & spirits education programs for employees, distributors and restaurant/retail trade partners with the goal of helping them thrive in our industry. Karen is a WSET Certified Educator, has her WSET Level 3 in Wine & Spirits and WSET Level 2 in Spirits and holds expert certifications for Napa Valley, Rioja and American wines from the Napa Valley Wine Academy. Today, Karen teaches at the Napa Valley Wine Academy. She also develops career development content and coaches Wine & Spirits Industry Professionals.