Mountain Scene - The essential May survival guide

May, believe it or not, is a dull month in our fine mountain retreat – the only highlights being Mountain Scene chief news hound ‘Scoop’ Chandler’s birthday and opening weekend for we southern duckshooters. 

Despite the resort pausing to catch its breath, Queenstown’s PR machine has aggressively penetrated the globe with images of a vibrant nightlife, plentiful jobs for all and a laid-back lifestyle where people pay you to simply turn up to work hung over and post status updates on Facebook. 


So it must be a shock to the system for new arrivals to find reality’s a little different. 

Coming here in May is like going to a sporting event in bye week – winter’s on its way but right now there’s more going on down Hendo’s Hole in Frankton than downtown in the CBD. 

What becomes of the hordes of eager young snow homies who arrive early expecting the streets to be paved with cheap Jager Bombs, easy jobs and Scandinavian backpackers? 

Many fall victim to Queenstown’s infamous Catch 22 – they need a job to secure accommodation yet employers won’t give them a go without being assured they’ve already got accommodation and aren’t going to quit town quicker than party-boy rugby player Mike Tindall. 

So – how do you find a job here in May when no one’s hiring until mid-June? Some tips: 

• Ladies, if you attract unwanted attention from the male populace of the bar scene then you probably want a photo 
  on your CV to start with. The maxim ‘sex sells’ is as true here as anywhere. 
• If you have resort-relevant skills such as a bar manager’s certificate, don’t casually slip it into the qualifications section of your CV – put it in bold right at the top of page one in case no one makes it to page two. 
• Be a peacock. If you want to work in some bar, drink there first – get to know the staff, make ’em love you with your risky bar antics. People hire legends, not strangers.
• Be different. There are thousands of people going for the same jobs. Try a humorous T-shirt or some publicity stunt – anything that gets you remembered.
• And don’t give your CV to staff. They’ll want to protect their shifts in the quiet months and their position as hottest bartender. Find out who owns or runs the joint and make sure you front them.
• Finally, you may think dressing like a street rat with oversized snow gear and a beanie half over your eyes is cool. 
  Maybe it is on the slopes but your potential boss probably thinks you’re a knob

Mark writes a regular column for the Mountain Scene - View original HERE