When it comes to embracing the gig economy, it’s a personal game. Some choose the GIG Lifestyle because it provides a bit of extra money, some love the variety, some love choosing their own work schedules, while others love moving from place to place. However, when it comes to forging a full time career in the industry, you might think that embracing the GIG approach would be counterintuitive. After all, the idea of career progression has typically been rooted to a single job/role over a long period of time.
Well, things are starting to change.
Developing a career in the hospitality industry can be achieved through the gig economy - just ask our latest Seeker of the month, Dominic. Even as one of our most outgoing Seekers, we only learned of Dominic’s hospitality aspirations after he was picked out of the bunch by our Scotland office. After impressing the team, Dominic’s hard work was rewarded when he was asked to be a team leader at TRNSMT Festival and the prestigious Highland Show in Scotland, where he helped organise workers into their roles and liaise with clients. After that, it was a no-brainer to make him our Seeker of the Month. It’s a small step but it’s helped him develop new skills and an aptitude for leadership.
It’s a clear sign that with the right approach, real career progression in the gig economy is possible. As a local Glaswegian (and our first Scottish Seeker of the month), we sat down with Dominic to find out just why he’s so keen on hospitality, why he’s embraced the GIG Lifestyle, and where he sees himself heading in the future.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you found out about the GIG Platform?
A bit about me is that I’m a self-proclaimed people person. I love meeting and engaging with people, which is probably why I’m suited to the hospitality industry and embraced GIG so much – it’s introduced me to heaps of new people and places. On top of this, I enjoy going to festivals, playing guitar, playing pool with mates, and I’m a bit of a movie buff!
I heard about GIG through an old colleague at Celtic football club, where I worked as a bartender. She told me about the flexibility and freedom GIG provides, so I saw it as an easy decision to join.
What drew you to events and hospitality in general?
I had a friend of the family already working in the hospitality industry and I really enjoyed listening about their work day. It sounded fun and interesting so I thought why not join the industry? I’ve also done some hospitality subjects at college and really enjoyed them. From there it’s grown further into becoming my passion and a career worth pursuing.
I’m not sure exactly where I’ll specialise yet but I’m keen to see where it can take me. That’s why I love it so much, it’s got such a wide range of career paths to go down so I want to learn as much as a I can.
What made you go that extra mile and become a team leader?
I think I did it subconsciously, as I always want to make sure I do a really good job – or else what’s the point?
I also wanted to prove not just to the GIG team but to myself that I had what it takes to become a team leader and hopefully someday soon, a supervisor. It’s important for me to expand on my experience and take on more responsibilities. It feels like a step in the right direction.
What has been your favourite shift with GIG so far and why?
My favourite shift so far has been working at the Carnoustie tournament. I loved working up there because I got to meet some amazing people and work in a really fun environment. I would go back up there to work (or play) anytime!
If you could work anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you be doing?
I would love to manage a bar on a Cruise ship. I would get to travel the world and see different cultures and sites while fulfilling my passion.
Are you interested in becoming GIG's next Seeker of the Month? Build your profile and increase your Seeker rating. With loads of shifts available in Hospitality, Retail, Warehousing and Events, simply jump on the App and get Seeking.