To get a great job, you need a great resume. Get a great position fast with these 5 top tips for the best bartender resume.
Whether you’re just getting started or are an experienced bartender interested in making a move, the first step to landing that new job is a polished resume. Proper resumes inform potential employers about your work experience, any certifications you have obtained, and other skills that will help you be successful on the job. But what if you don't have any experience? Or are unsure what skills to highlight? What about other considerations that employers might have their eyes on? The following tips help answer these questions and more for your bartender resume.
1. Do your research
Before you begin applying for bartending jobs, it’s useful to do some research on the establishments you’re interested in. This will give you an idea of the atmosphere, mission and values of the business. Next, it's recommended to look at multiple job postings. By doing so, you’ll get a good sense of the type of openings, salary range, any health benefits or bonuses offered, and the type of experience or skills employers are looking for. Different employers will have different sets of requirements, so be thorough when examining options so you can find the role that best fits your desires for employment as well as your skill-set.
2. Obtain and list any applicable certifications or licenses – especially those required by law
A definite plus for any prospective employer will be to discover that you already have the required license or certificate to serve alcohol in your state. Training and certification requirements vary by state. Some are a legal need established by the local liquor authority, like, for example, RBS Certification: California requires all servers and managers of servers to become RBS certified. In other states, certificate training is considered best practice for employment. Even if server training isn't required in your state, demonstrating to an employer that you have taken an alcohol certificate course will give you an edge versus other candidates.
3. Write a solid profile or objective statement
Hiring managers are quite busy, so very often you only have a couple of seconds to grab their attention with your resume. In order to ensure you stand out, you’ll need to craft a solid profile or objective statement. This is a one- to four-sentence statement that sets the stage for what you bring to the table, letting potential employers know about your background, skills and experience.
Strong profile or objective statements use assertive language and get quickly to the point. Adding the name of the organization you're applying to is also an effective way to grab an employer's attention and demonstrate your specific interest in the company.
For example: High-energy bartender with 3+ years of experience in busy bars and restaurants. Certificates in Responsible Alcohol Service and Mixology. Looking to apply customer service skills and thorough recipe knowledge to become the newest bartender at Bar ABC.
4. Showcase transferable skills
Particularly if you're new to bartending and don't have any direct experience, listing the transferable skills that apply to the role can help show employers that you still bring a lot to the table. As we mentioned in our bartender overview, there are certain soft and hard skills that should be listed on any bartender resume. Here are some of the top skills employers look for:
- Communication
- Customer service
- Transaction/payment management
- Inventory management
- Collaboration
- Point-of-Sale (POS) software skills
5. Include relevant experience
In this section of your bartender resume, you’ll want to list anything that is applicable to the position. This can include experience behind the bar, as a barback or busser, or as a server in a food service setting. The section can also include any specialized experience, like sommelier practice, flair bartending or mixology.
When drafting up your resume, be sure to list your job title, the organization, and the dates of employment for each of your prior roles. Then a few bullet points on your accomplishments and responsibilities. Remember, if the experience you’re citing isn’t behind a bar, don’t fret – focus on the transferable skills and experience you earned.
Be sure to check online for different bartender resume examples to get a feel for formatting and structure. For more information on how to become a bartender, check out our resource and if you're interested in alcohol server training in your state, click the link below to find your course.
