This is a quick reference guide to how to get hired as a bartender and/or server in the restaurant industry.
In this quick reference guide you will learn:
- How to easily find the Restaurant job you want!
- How to ace your interview!
- How to get bigger tips once you score your dream restaurant job!
- And much, much more!
Applying
For those that have not worked in the restaurant industry before. NEVER and I mean NEVER apply for a restaurant job during peak restaurant hours. Do not submit your resume in during lunch and dinner hours. Managers are way too busy during these times and this shows your inexperience right away. Your resume will go straight to the trash can if you do this.
The best time to apply for a restaurant job is between the hours of 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
Who to give your resume to.
Number 1 mistake that many restaurant job seekers make is giving their resume to the wrong person.
ONLY EVER GIVE YOUR RESUME TO THE MANAGER.
Employees have different motivations than the manager. You never know, maybe the employee knows they are on thin ice and they see your resume as a threat. Or may it’s someone who has the Barback position and this person has been waiting all year to get the opportunity to tend bar, and they see you as another person to keep them from that position. If your resume goes to anyone but the Manager then you might as well have just put into the trash can. You get the message.
Resumes
Let’s talk resumes real quick. Your resume should be 1 page and only have related experience to the hospitality industry. Most manager and/or restaurant owners don’t care if you were the number 1 sales person at your local retail location or if you have a degree in business or whatever.
Most want to be able to scan your resume and quickly identify your restaurant experience. Also, have references available. Make it easy for the manager to want to give that job. Having a references is real bonus. This way they can verify your work habits with from another place of business.
If you have no restaurant experience you will want to get some or maybe back down your expectations of job position to start. Maybe apply for a bus person position or a food runner over applying for a server/bartender position.
It is very common to be quickly promoted in a restaurant if you are good worker. Someone who works hard and learns the job can go from bus person to head server in just a couple months. Taking a server and/or bartender course is always a great idea if you have zero experience. (Although there is nothing better then having ‘real life’ experience)
Here is a list of server/bartending schools:
http://budurl.com/BartenderSchools
Now if you want super fast training that is great and you can download right now… then check out:
http://budurl.com/MakeMoneyBartending
SIDENOTE: Sometimes having no experience can be a benefit. I know several managers who preferred to hire newbies than trying to undo bad habits from an experienced bartender/server.
Interviews
How to ACE your interview.
Being involved in the hospitality industry is a job that requires interaction with the pubic and managers are looking for warm, welcoming individuals who have a personality. Regardless of your experience, if you do not give off a welcoming vibe then you will not likely get hired.
SMILE: I know this is the obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people forget to do this. Be sure to smile lots and be genuine about it.
DRESS THE PART: Drop by to the restaurant/bar/pub to see what servers and bartenders wear at that establishment and then where something that looks similar. You basically want to look like you can start the job right now with what you are wearing.
KNOW YOUR STUFF: Some of the most common questions almost all managers will ask is:
“How to do you make a __________?” (White Russian, Apple Martini, Dry Martini, Blood Mary, etc)
If you cannot answer the right way to make the drink then you are not likely going to get that job. This question instantly weeds out those that know their stuff and those that do not. Another common question that a manager may ask is:
“Name 2 types of ___________?” (Scotch, Vodka, GIN, RUM, Red Wine, etc.)
Know your brands too. If you have little experience be sure to go to your local liquor store and study all the different alcohol brands. Any good bartender will know at least 200+ drinks off by heart. This doesn’t happen over night. Just choose 2-3 drinks to learn a night and before you know it you will be a professional mixologist.
We personally found this audio course called ADVANCED AUDIO LEARNING SYSTEM how to learn 200+ drinks to be a quick, easy, and painless way to know your stuff. You can get the system here:
OTHER COMMON TRICKY RESTAURANT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & HOW TO ANSWER THEM:
“Have you ever given away free drinks?”
Obviously the answer should be “No” but you’d be surprised how many people have said, “Yes“. You can kiss any chances of scoring the job after saying yes, unless you say something along the lines…. “Only when management or owners have authorized it“. That may be the only acceptable answer outside of “No.”
“If you saw a co-worker stealing or giving away free drinks what would you do?”
Again the only answer should be to report them to management and let management deal with the situation.
“How long do you plan on working here?”
Always try to lean towards long-term. Don’t tell management that you are planning on quiting in 2 months once the summer hours are over, or whatever. All management is looking for is a commitment.
“Have you ever _________ or are you willing to __________.” (serve tables, barback, bus, clean toilets, etc.)
What management is doing here is trying to determine your commitment to being a team player. The answer should always be “Yes. I’ll do that. I’ll do whatever needs to be done to make the service run smoothly.”
One of the most important things ALL management wants to know is… CAN YOU SELL…? They may ask,
“What was the most sales you have rung in an evening?” or “What were your average nights sales at your last place of employment.?”
Now don’t lie. Management will know if your numbers sound suspicious. Don’t go saying you sold 8,000 dollars on a Tues nights. Be honest. They are just trying to get an idea of how much you can sell. If you have really good sales from your previous job, then bring your server reports to show them. Nothing gets you hired fast when you know how to sell.
FINAL INTERVIEW TIPS:
Be sure to
be certified in alcohol awareness from your local community. I’m from Toronto, Canada and here we have something called
SMARTServe which is required by law to have if you are serving alcohol. Most certificates usually cost around $25-$100 and the certification usually last anywhere from 1-4 years. Check your local community for their requirements.
If you have zero experience and keep being turned down due to this. Offer to work a night for FREE. Offer to prove that you are the individual they are looking for. Often if the management takes you up on this offer you’ll usually still get paid and you’ll score yourself a job, assuming you worked hard.
We also highly recommend this great course called HOW TO LAND A BARTENDER JOB which happens to currently be on sale (20% off) for only $24.97. You can find it here:
TIPS
Now that you have some great tips to help you score that dream restaurant job, be sure to read how to increase your tips.
Let us know what you think of this quick reference guide to getting hired in the restaurant industry in the comment section below.