If you’re looking for a job as a barback, there are some things you can do to make things easier on yourself. If you’re not familiar with the term, it refers to a person who works behind-the-scenes in a bar or restaurant setting.
Their main responsibility is to make sure that everything runs smoothly and that customers are getting the best experience possible.
The first thing you need to know when thinking about working in this field is that it can be extremely stressful at times and there will always be someone unhappy with their service or food order no matter what!
However, if you are patient enough and willing to learn new skills while doing your job as a bartender then this position might just be right for you!
| Takeaways |
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| 1. Understand the Role: Gain a clear understanding of the responsibilities and tasks involved in the role of a barback. |
| 2. Develop Relevant Skills: Hone skills such as organization, multitasking, and teamwork, as they are crucial for excelling in the role. |
| 3. Network and Research: Connect with industry professionals, visit local bars, and research establishments to learn about potential job openings. |
| 4. Craft an Impressive Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experience, skills, and passion for the bar industry. |
| 5. Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your skills, experiences, and enthusiasm for the role during interviews. Showcase your willingness to learn and contribute to the team. |
| 6. Demonstrate Customer Service: Emphasize your ability to provide excellent customer service and create a positive experience for bar patrons. |
| 7. Be Eager to Learn: Express your willingness to learn from experienced bartenders and adapt to the fast-paced environment of a bar. |
| 8. Display Enthusiasm: Show genuine excitement for the role and the industry. Enthusiasm can set you apart and make a lasting impression. |
| 9. Dress Professionally: Dress appropriately for interviews and demonstrate that you take the role seriously. |
| 10. Follow Up: After interviews, send thank-you notes to express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. |
1. Be Yourself
The most important thing to remember when applying for a bartending job is that you are not applying for the position of a “normal” person you are applying for the position of the bartender, so act like one!
This means being confident, polite, and friendly as well as professional and honest. It also means being curious about people, listening carefully to what they say, and communicating clearly with them (and your other coworkers).
Finally, it means being a good team player who can lead others if necessary. Most importantly: be nice! Being nice is not just a good quality in itself; it’s an essential skill when interacting with customers.
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2. Dress The Part
You want to make a good impression on your boss. This means dressing the part, even if you’re just a barback at a local watering hole.
For example, when I was in college, I worked at an ice cream shop and wore an obnoxious uniform consisting of baggy jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt that was so tight it left imprints on my skin after taking it off at night.
It wasn’t until later that I realized how much better off my fellow employees who wore black pants and button-downs were instantly perceived as being more professional than me because they looked like what we all thought “a real adult” would look like.
The lesson here is that appearance is important no matter where you are or what job you’re doing and for many people in service jobs like bartending or waiting tables (which often require similar uniforms), dressing well can be essential for getting ahead!
3. Be Patient
When you’re first starting, it’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough or moving fast enough. The reality is that in most cases, there are no overnight success stories. After all, even someone like Beyoncé has had to work at her craft for years before finally hitting stardom.
So if your dream job of bartending or barbacking doesn’t happen immediately after applying for it and getting an interview, don’t fret! Patience will pay off in the long run, it just might take some time for that opportunity to come along again.
There are many other ways to land your dream bartending job besides simply applying online or even just showing up at a bar or restaurant looking for an interview: searching through Craigslist ads (or whatever other sites apply locally).
Posting flyers around town (if applicable), sending emails about available positions the list goes on and on! However, no matter how much effort we put into trying something new to land our goals as professionals later down the road…
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4. Be Prepared To Do A Little Of Everything
As a barback, you’ll be asked to do many different things. You should be prepared for this and ready to keep an open mind while learning new skills.
If you’ve worked as a barback before, then you know that you’ll be responsible for cleaning glasses, taking orders from guests, keeping track of the cost of drinks, refilling ice bins, and more.
Asking yourself “What will they ask me to do?” is one way of preparing yourself for what may come your way when working as a barback at a restaurant or nightclub.
You’ll also want to consider how willing you are in helping out around the kitchen if it’s needed (as there are often extra duties involved with being a bartender).
Your employer must know how far they can push their employees without getting upset about it so let them know where those boundaries lie before accepting any position!
5. Keep Your Eyes And Ears Open
A barback’s job is to do everything they can to help the bartender, and one of the best ways you can do that is by listening. Listen to what the bartender says (and how they say it).
Learn how drinks are made, and pick up their tips on making cocktails with ease. Listen to the customers talking not only will it make them more comfortable having a conversation with you, but you might learn something about them, too!
Listen for people asking for certain songs; sometimes these requests can assist in boosting sales or getting people dancing on the floor, which is always good for business!
In general, keep an ear tuned towards anything that may need attention from management or staff members to be sure to pass along information as soon as possible so things run smoothly all night long…
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6. Always Be Ready To Take Notes (Both Mental And Physical)
You’re in a position to learn and grow, so pay attention! Don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer suggestions when they come up. You may not be the one behind the bar all night long, but you can still make an impact on how it’s run.
Always take notes (both mental and physical) on what you learn from each shift.
Take notes on what you like and don’t like about this job so that you know what kind of work environment would be best for your career goals.
Take notes on what worked well during this shift/shift type/day of work so that next time around things go more smoothly for everyone involved (yes including yourself).
If some certain skills or qualities seem lacking in your repertoire as a barback, make note of them as well so that later down the line after gaining some experience performing these duties under supervision at least once before moving on to something else.
Then maybe consider taking classes specific enough in nature to help improve them while also giving insight into other aspects of being a bartender such as a customer service skills which should always come first before anything else regardless if it’s busy or not!
7. Listen For Barback Horror Stories
You can learn a lot by listening to other people’s experiences. Keep your ears open around the bars you work at, and try to pay attention when someone is talking about their job as a barback.
What were some of their problems? What did they do to solve those problems? How did they deal with difficult customers or situations?
When you hear these stories, it will help you get an idea of how other people have dealt with similar issues in the past and it might give you an idea of what could happen when you’re working as a barback too!
8. Do You Research Before Taking Any Job As A Barback
When you’re considering a job at barback, it helps to check out the company’s reputation online. You can do this by looking at their reviews on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed.
And though you might think that social media is only for checking out your friends’ lives, it can also give you insight into what people think of the company you’re thinking about working for.
By doing this research before taking any job as a barback, you’ll be able to make sure that everything is on the up and up and that there aren’t any red flags in terms of how they treat employees or whether or not they have good benefits (like paid time off).
9. Have An Emergency Fund Prepared Before You Start Looking For Work As A Barback
You’ll need money to pay for things like food, rent, and transportation. You may also have to deal with unexpected expenses on the job such as buying new uniforms or finding a place to live in a different city.
To make sure you’re prepared for these situations, consider getting an emergency fund ready before you start looking for work as a barback.
The amount of money you need will vary depending on your living situation and other financial commitments (such as student loans).
But generally speaking, it’s recommended that you have at least three months’ worth of living expenses saved up in an accessible account so that if something happens like losing your job you won’t struggle with necessities like keeping food in the fridge or paying the rent on time.
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10. Have Some Extra Barbacking Supplies On Hand At All Times
Having extra barbacking supplies on hand is an important part of being a good bareback. You never know when the next bottle opener will break, or how long the next guest will be sitting at the bar and want to chat with you.
When you’re ready to take over for your coworker, it’s good to have options.
So here are some things that every bartender needs:
- A spare apron – It might get stained by grease or liquor spills, but if you don’t have one then you can’t work!
- A towel – This may seem like an obvious one too, but sometimes towels get lost in all the hustle and bustle of being behind the bar (or maybe just forgotten about entirely). Having extras means that if someone spills something on themselves then they won’t be left without something clean with which they can dry off and continue drinking comfortably
Plus you never know when someone else might need some help cleaning themselves up too! So always bring at least two towels with you whenever possible so everyone stays nice and tidy throughout their night out at The Bar.
11. Don’t Take Things Personally Or Get Offended By What People Say Or Do To You While You’re Working As A Barback
However, some people may be less receptive to your help or advice. Remember that it’s not personal: you can do your job without having to please everyone at the bar.
If someone asks for a drink and you direct them to the bartender, don’t take it personally if they get angry with you (it happens).
Don’t let it affect your performance either! If a customer makes a big scene while waiting for their drink order or starts yelling at other customers don’t let them bother you. Be friendly but firm as well;
Tell them there’s nothing more that can be done until they calm down, then step away from their table until they do so. Being assertive is okay here! Your job isn’t just about taking orders and delivering drinks; it’s also making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes too!
12. Ask Questions When You’re Not 100% Sure What You’re Supposed To Be Doing But Don’t Go Overboard With This Either It Can Be Annoying!
It’s important to clarify things from time to time with your manager or supervisor if you’re in doubt about how something is done or what the company expects from you. However, asking too many questions can irritate both parties.
You don’t want to ask so many questions that the person loses patience and possibly puts their job on the line because of an overly curious employee; ask just enough so that they remember who they hired and why they did so well on the interview process
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Conclusion
There are so many tips and advice that can help you land your dream job as a barback. The most important thing is to make sure that you follow these tips and put in the effort. You will never know when your dream job will come knocking at your door!
Further Reading
Explore more resources to enhance your career journey in the hospitality industry:
How to Land a Job as a Bartender: Uncover tips and strategies for successfully securing a bartending position, including insights into building a standout resume and acing the interview.
How to Get a Job in a Top Bar: Discover the steps to break into the world of top-notch bars and establish yourself as a skilled bartender. Gain insights into the qualities top bars look for in their staff.
How to Become a Bartender: Dive into a comprehensive guide on becoming a bartender, including details on training, skills development, and the path to success in the bar industry.
FAQs
How do I prepare for a bartending interview?
Preparing for a bartending interview involves researching the establishment, practicing your knowledge of cocktails and mixology, and showcasing your interpersonal skills and customer service abilities.
What qualifications are typically required to become a bartender?
While formal qualifications can vary, most bartending positions require a good understanding of mixology, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations.
How can I stand out as a bartender candidate with no prior experience?
Even without prior experience, you can stand out by emphasizing your passion for mixology, your willingness to learn, and any relevant transferable skills, such as excellent communication or multitasking abilities.
What are some essential skills for a successful bartender?
Successful bartenders possess a mix of skills, including mixology expertise, strong communication, adaptability, and the ability to handle fast-paced and busy environments.
What opportunities for career advancement exist within bartending?
Bartending can lead to various career paths, including becoming a head bartender, bar manager, or even transitioning into roles within beverage management, event planning, or hospitality consulting.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.