An essential step to getting your first bartending job is writing a good bartending resume. To write an effective bartending resume you want to take the skills you have learned on other jobs and translate them into bartending skills. This isn't as difficult as it may sound and it could be the difference that gets you that interview, where you will earn the job. Let's take a look.
Every job experience teaches up a new set of skills. Even if the job you are currently in doesn't seem to have any lessons if you look hard enough you will find them. One skill you see often on resumes is the ability to talk to people, or the characteristic of being a people person. Translated into a bartending school this could presented as using advanced upselling techniques to increase the profit per customer visit. Bar managers love when their bartenders understand the value of upselling, it is a skill you need to make sure they know you have.
Conflict resolution is another job skill that you probably have gained and is essential to bartending. Bartenders deal will conflict on a nightly basis. Bartenders are often expected to oversee the service staff and conflict certainly arises there. There are usually customers who get a little too drunk and also cause conflicts. The ability to resolve these conflicts in an effective manner is an essential skill in bartending.
Have you ever been to a restaurant where your water glass never reached the bottom and the server was bringing you another coke before you even asked? Did you end up telling a friend about the place? Bars and restaurants are very cognizant of the fact that they need positive word of mouth in order to survive. If you can show the owner that you will exceed customer expectations and get them talking about the place with their friends you will have become an invaluable asset to the owner. Show this in your resume and you will absolutely get an interview.
Inventory management is a big part of being a bartender. If you have done any inventory maintenance in your previous jobs, this skill can always be translated over to bartending. Bartenders are often expected to inventory their bar on a daily basis. Busy bars need to restock their shelves every day and almost every bar has a liquor closet and beer fridge. The bartender is expected to rotate the inventory and maintain it, often even placing the liquor and beer orders.
Money management is one of the most important skills of any bartender. Bar owners and managers need to trust their bartenders because thousands of dollars are handled by them every day. The sad truth is many bartenders find a way to steal and skim off the top. If you can show that you have been trusted with money in the past, it goes a long way to developing trust with a bar owner or manager.
When hiring a new bartender, managers and owners are often concerned about the bartender's personality and skill set being the right match for the bars customers and employees. If you can establish the above skills in your resume you will have done a lot to assuage their fears and grant you a bartending job interview. The interview is where you will get the job but without a great bartending resume you can't get the interview. Follow the above tips and you are already on your way to getting a fantastic bartenders job.
More Information:
Through his countless articles and Seven Secrets Program, Brian has helped hundreds of people to get
bartending jobs. Check out his free newsletter if you need a plan to learn
how to become a bartender.
Categories
