Great tips on the resume, especially the part concerning previous work experience! Andrew is right, however, about a picture on your resume in Los Angeles. Typically you won’t be hired without one. Here it’s not considered tacky, just marketing yourself proficiently. Only in LA:)

So true that the discos will have handsome young guys & pretty sassy girls working. Whereas, an joint with a much more mature client, like fine dining, would tend to have older more professional bartenders, not sexy young guys & girls in their 20’s.

Conversely, I do know of quite a few places that only hire men ! And I also know of places that only hire chicks!

Every employee brings something unique & valuable to the table.
Skills, appearance, youth, maturity, fresh attitude, seasoned player, old school, new school. There is a spot for everybody.

If you are hideous looking then just don’t do it. The hospitality/food & beverage business is an appearance based business. The hottest bars have the hottest bartenders.

I look good and my photo resume gets me noticed. Listen, I would never apply at TGI Fridays, that’s not my style of place. I think you should edit & rewrite that suttle/hidden insult.

IF YOU ARE A PRETTY GIRL and you put your small photo onto a resume, then you will get noticed PERIOD. You will get the interview over the 25 others who just filled out an application only.

The owners who I speak with say ‘I like your approach, we just toss the paperwork from the other clowns away’

EG:
There were over 30 applicants for an ad in the paper here in Annapolis. Only 8 of us got interviews. I was one of them. They offered me a management position, I turned them down.

But, it has to be tastefully done, just a simple plain b&w 1 inch by 2 inch headshot. Mine was in a bartending vest & bowtie.

If you do it properly with a smiling face & nice clothes, a candid ‘on the job’ shot, then by all means go for it. It is working fabulously well for me.

In my opinion it just screams confidence.

Confidence aside, I just think it looks tacky. But if you’re applying for a job at TGI Friday’s, then by all means, drop a photo on there.

I don’t know what you mean by getting ahead of yourself by submitting a resume for a barbacking or cocktailing gig, I think a resume is always an appropriate and professional gesture.

Jeff

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful information you’ve provided so far!

If you already have a job, you are lucky, because you can slowly single out a better one.

Submit resumes in person to hiring manager. APPEARANCE is everything in our business.

Put a photo on your resume.

Be genuinely interested during the interview & ask alot of questions & write down the answers in front of the interviewer.

Ask them ‘trap’ questions like: “What are you looking for in your next bartender”??

After they respond say: ‘Well look no further because I am that person”.

SHOW A LOT OF CONFIDENCE.

I’ve also noticed a controversy between whether bartending school is necessary or not, and I wonder about that.

In any case, thanks for sharing your opinions on the subject.

-A-

Thanks a bunch, Jeff.

.Annie.

.Annie.

I love Cheryl dearly, but I’m still going to recommend you stick with plain white paper.

As for landing a bartending job, take a look at this!

Jeff

Above, you said martini background on resume (to LisaMarie) is absolutely not professional, but yet you suggest Cheryl Charming’s site, which she use it religiously. Still no? Just a little confused.

And there’s certain bars I want to apply, but bartending school being my only experience, they prefer one w/ years of experience. Would you suggest it’s a good idea if I offer to work w/ no pay for a week to prove I’m good?

.Annie.

I think that sending a thank-you letter would be a great idea. As far as what to include, how about a hundred dollar bill?

Absolutely not.

Jeff