“My job involves everything to do with the Club and the hospitality industry. I get to learn every aspect of the Club. I’ve cleaned rooms, I’ve done the night shift cleaning, cooked, ran the motel reception, now I’m running the floor.” Scott says, summarising his work at Club Mulwala, which has 60 rooms and is situated on Lake Mulwala.

Scott is training to be a manager. He’s on a four year traineeship which started in December 2006, and hopes to obtain a diploma in the future. He studies for this traineeship were done locally at Wodonga TAFE. Scott would also love to get into the Finance side of the club – and hopes to study to be an accountant for this reason.

He got into the industry after previously having a whole other career – he was selling cars, and decided to apply for a job in hospitality. “I’d done it before and I enjoy interacting with people.”

And Scott’s much happier with his new career. “I ran our Motor Inn for a while, as the Second in charge - occasionally I get dragged back there!” he shares. “Running the motor inn was great, great hours. I’ve only run the floor for three to four weeks.”

Scott’s work as Floor Manager involves making sure everything is running smoothly in Club Mulwala. “Basically, I’d go to work, go round the club, say hello to everyone let them know I’m running the floor, see what functions are on and run the floor. I’d jump into any area and see if I can help them in any way, organise their breaks and send them home.”

However, the hours can be a bit of a challenge, especially doing an afternoon shift from 4pm until 2am. “The hours are a bit hard on you. I can work till two in the morning, and you get really tired the next morning.”
People skills, says Scott, is an essential quality of anyone wanting to enter the hospitality industry.

“Knowing how to treat people, being interpersonal, try to get along with everyone. You need leadership skills from my position. You need to know how to get along with them, and know how to lead them.”
“The biggest thing is it’s not a dying industry. If the club and the industry adapts with the laws, they’re always going to be a job there. It’s the job security is definitely there.”

The best part of the job?
Working with great people and meeting great customers. Just customer interactions.

The hardest part of the job?
The biggest challenge, I’ve found, is getting the best out of your staff. Adapting the leadership skills to get the best out of your staff. Find the best techniques which suit them – be straight down the line or give them a lot of tether. Each person is different.

Advice for people entering the industry?
Give it a go. It’s an enjoyable job and it’s definitely got the rewards, the money’s great. You do get to work and meet a lot of great people.