A bartender is a professional who mixes and serves cocktails, wines, spirits, and other similar beverages to customers. If you want to become a bartender, you may choose to work in bars, clubs, restaurants, or hotels.
Still, your tasks may not only need you to mix and serve drinks. You might also greet customers, check IDs, and operate cash registers for the business. Continue reading to know four tips to help you on the path to becoming an excellent bartender.
1. Consider Becoming a Barback
Think about becoming a barback first before you apply as a bartender. You might think that barback tasks aren’t as exciting as a bartender. After all, the food and beverage establishment might make you lift heavy objects most of the time.
Many barbacks are bussers for bars. In other words, these employees are working behind the scenes to help bartenders have everything they need to cater to guests. Your responsibilities may include:
- Transporting alcohol bottles from the vehicle to the establishment
- Replacing kegs
- Cleaning glasses and tables
- Waiting for customers
As a barback, you can get a hands-on opportunity to know the ropes. If you do well, and if a bartender position opens, you might be first on the list for the next hire. The reason behind this opportunity is because you might already know the workarounds of operating in a bar or similar establishment.
You can learn more about how to become a barback or bartender, even if you don’t have the experience, by following this link: https://shiftpixy.com.
2. Meet the Qualifications
As mentioned, before you become a bartender, you should consider becoming a barback. However, you need to have the requirements first. These are:
- First, you need to be old enough to work. Different locations may have various laws for the minimum age to be part of their labor forces. However, it may be in the ages between 18 and 21.
- Next, you may need to get a bartending license. Specific food and beverage establishments may not require you to have this certification. Still, it might become a benefit as employers might fancy you more than other applicants.
- Also, don’t forget about beautifying your resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) as much as possible. If you need any help, we suggest taking a look at this bartender resume guide from Novoresume. Remove any non-relevant information from your application. Make it as clean-looking as possible, but highlight your relevant work experience (if you have). For example, you might make a note that you’ve been mixing cocktail drinks for a bar for five years.
3. Be Physically Fit
Many jobs demand excellent mental and physical well-being. Bartending is not an exception to that rule. Mixing drinks with style promotes injuries, like tendinitis and tennis elbow, if you’re not exercising proper form. Also, many bars may demand 10-hour shifts from you. So, you need to be on your feet for most of that time.
Consider having a medical checkup before applying for a bartender job. Also, make sure you get as much exercise as possible in your daily life. Don’t forget about eating a balanced diet in your daily routine.
Having a fit body and sound mind may help you reduce the risk of you acquiring illnesses while you’re working. Hence, the business establishment won’t have to worry about you asking for extra sick days.
4. Have Good Character
Many bartenders have to continually meet with customers. Sporting a frown might create a bad taste in the mouths of your customers from the drinks you mix.
Practice flashing a smile in the mirror every day. Also, do this simple yet rewarding task as soon as you wake up and see yourself in the mirror. Try to crack jokes no matter how corny they may seem. Talk to yourself to check if an icebreaker works when talking to specific clients.
Remember to turn your frown upside down when you become a bartender. Even if it may seem that life continuously beats you down, it’s essential to try and maintain a pleasant demeanor throughout your shift.
If you’re still applying for the position, your smile might become a weapon to put you ahead of the rest of the applicants. Many bars, hotels, restaurants, and other similar businesses like to employ bartenders who can keep themselves and their customers happy.
Conclusion
It may seem challenging to become a bartender. These tips may help you stay on the path to become a skilled bartender at your preferred food and beverage business establishment.
You may also practice mixing alcoholic drinks with your friends and family. In doing so, you can try and perfect your skills to ensure you get the right combination for your future customers.
