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Step 1 – BARTENDER RESUME
- Put it on the best quality paper you can get, colored if possible.
- Put it in a great looking folder. Present an entire package that looks good.
- Drop it off to the bar manager in person. If you leave it with anyone else, like the bartender who may be threatened by a new person, other than who makes the decision, you’ve wasted your time and might as well have thrown it in the garbage.
Step 2 – PICK YOUR BAR TARGET CAREFULLY
- What kind of bar does my personality and appearance suit?
- What kind of bar would I enjoy working in?
- What area, range am I willing to work in?
- Make a list of at least 10 bars, nightclubs, restaurants, etc.
Step 3 – INFORMATION ABOUT THE BARS YOU’VE TARGETED
Gather as much information as you possibly can about each bar you’ve chosen:
- Full name & position of the people who make the hiring decision. ie. the bar manager
- How long has the company been in business?
- What was in the location before?
- Is there anything special about it?
- What is the phone #, fax #, address, etc.
- Drop by for dinner or a few drinks one night , if possible, to get a feel for the place. You should at least be able to say you’ve been in a few times if asked and be able to tell the bar manager a little bit about the business & it’s clientele.
Step 4 – COVER LETTER
Take the time. It’s worth it. Address it to the decision maker specifically, never to “Bar Manager”.
Step 5 – GO THE EXTRA MILE
Some ideas to consider:
- Make a video/DVD resume as well
- Put your resume on paper that has the bar’s colors
- Better yet, put your resume on their letterhead ( see if they have a website and take their logo )
- Never underestimate the power of saying please – be inventive – when you go in for dinner, make friends with the waitress and bartender and leave a big tip.
- Find an unusual paper and folder for your resume
- Include a few pictures of yourself on your resume. Maybe you working behind the bar.
- Enclose list of the “top ten” reasons you should hire me. Be creative.
If you’re not sure that you can put together a really first rate package that you can proud of, spend a few bucks and go to a professional. Look in the yellow pages. The idea here is to increase your odds of getting the bartending job you want.
Step 6 – INTERVIEW WITH THE BAR MANAGER
The main thing to remember is that you’re not applying for an accountant position. Bars are looking for personality, so give it to them. Go in with the same mind set you would if you were behind the bar. Great bartenders know that they’re on stage and here to entertain.
Always be professional, but let them know you have presence so that when they ask open-ended questions, don’t give one-word answers. Run with it a bit & add some humor. Have a few classic bartender short jokes ” A guy walks into a bar and says….” .
Have a few bar games or bar bets to challenge them and show that you’re entertaining on many levels.Keep in mind that you are also interviewing them.
There usually comes a time when the bar manager will ask if you have any questions. Bring out a list. For example,, “Are you looking for full-time / part-time, day or night shifts?”, “How long are the shifts?”, “What pay are you offering?”, “What are your policies re: promotions , raises, time-off, medical-dental plans?”, “Could you describe your training program?”, “Do you have a company drink list or should I make them the way I normally do?”, “Are all drinks 1 oz. ?” “Do you have a softball team?”, “Do you supply uniforms?”, “Do you have a staff sales incentive program?” etc.etc…….
What I’m trying to say here is, BE PREPARED!! If you want the really good bartending jobs, you’ve got to show that you should be hired because because you’ve got it together, will do a great job and NOT have an attitude. ( There are enough arrogant bartenders in the world. Confidence is NOT arrogance.) So, go get’em and don’t be afraid to apply to the places you really like , but might not have enough experience for. TAKE THE SHOT, see what happens and keep at it.
I hope this helps get you started in the bartending world. Good luck & let us know how you do.
Scott Young
President & Founder of www.extremebartending.com
