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Bartenders Certification, Training
and Schools
No matter what type of
bartending job you are interested in you will need some training. Before you
decide which training will work best for you understand these facts:
State License / Certification
Many states will require a License
or Certification to serve alcoholic beverages. Others will only recommend
training programs. This is NOT the 'certificate of completion' that you may
receive from a Bartending School or Training Program - to get this type of certification you must attend a
program that will train you on Responsible Alcohol Service. This includes the laws specific to the
state you choose to work in. These training
programs must be approved and/or sponsored by the given state. In most cases
you will not need this training in order to get the job. You will be given a
'grace period' to become
licensed/certified once you get a job (typically 30 days). These state
sponsored/approved Responsible Alcohol Service
training programs are typically a one day seminar (4-8 hours) and
cost $30 - $60. In some cases they are provided free of charge.
Bartending School Certificates
There are no standards accepted by the entire
industry. It is not like getting a college degree. All schools that offer a
Certificate will give you a test. The
certificate only proves that you could remember enough to pass their test.
It does not make you a bartender. The people
that will hire you know this.
Professional Bartenders Training
Options
There are hundreds
of books, bartending schools, and online/home study programs available.
Select the program that will work best for you. Consider the content of the
training, the cost and the convenience.
The
majority of Bartending Books
you will find focus only on making the drinks. This is all good information.
Books are great for reference, but you probably will not get any information
about getting the job, or making the money.
There are a number of different
types of Bartending Schools.
You may find a 'crash course' that will provide you with a book, and 8 hours
of lectures/ instruction on making drinks. This type of course can cost $150
- $300. A complete training course, from a good bartending school, will
include: interviewing techniques, bar equipment and operation, drink making
techniques and tools, cash handling and customer service. Typically this
course will run over a 4 to 6 week period and can cost from $300 - $600.
Online/Home Study
programs are fast becoming the best way to get the training you need. They
provide you a low cost way to learn at your own pace and on your own
schedule.
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How to Get a Bartending Job ...
The first thing that you need
to know is: Every
Bartending Job is Different. Think of the bartending job
that you want. Is it a Neighborhood Bar, a Pub, a Sports Bar, a
Restaurant, a Resort Hotel, a Nightclub... The list goes on and on. Each job
is different and the skills you need to get the job, and to do the job, will
depend on the bartending job that you want.
The next, and the most
important thing to know is: 'Making the Drinks'
is a small part of the job. Most people who are interested in
bartending think that you need to know how to make all sorts of drinks. It's not true
- Making Drinks is easy. It's more
important to have a strong understanding of what the job actually is, and
what a Professional Bartender actually does. No matter what type of
bartending job
you want there are 4 basic things every successful bartender needs to learn.
1 - Learn about the Job
and the Business - Give yourself a big advantage
by completely understanding what you are getting into. You know that every
bartending job is different. The basic skills of 'Making the Drinks'
is the same, but, different types of establishments will require different
skills. You will need to know what
type of business you will be working for because the application and interview
process will also be different from job to job. The key difference is in the
Ownership and Management of the establishment. Large corporate
businesses, like national restaurant chains and resort hotels, will have a
more structured process than a small privately owned business.
2 - Learn about The Bar
- A bartender is not just the one who
makes the drinks. A professional bartender must be able to 'Open', 'Close',
clean, and restock a professional bar. This includes being able to operate and
maintain equipment like draft beer systems, soda dispensing systems
and glass washing machines. A good bartender has a strong understanding of all of the
products, tools and equipment used to make and sell drinks.
3 - Learn to Make the Drinks
- All bartenders
have the same basic skill - 'Making the Drinks', and learning
'how-to', is the easiest thing you will do as a bartender. Making
Drinks is easy, there are
thousands of cocktail recipes, but, there are less than 10 basic types
and all others are simple variations of them. Don't waste time trying to
remember hundreds of cocktail recipes - it's not that important. Focus on
the basics and develop the coordination and skills needed for speed and
accuracy.
4 - Learn to Make the
Money - Once you get your bartending job you will find
that to be successful some jobs will require quality and others will require quantity (some
require both). The most useful skill to master and Make the Most Money you can as a Professional Bartender is
'customer service'. Your ability to deal with
your customers, and identify their needs, will keep them coming back and
increase your 'tips'. 'Customer Service' starts with your personality
and, like everything else, will be defined differently in each job.
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The Bartenders Job Interview
Its
all about the interview - you can't get a job without one. Remember, as a
Professional Bartender you are a salesperson. The first thing you
have to sell is yourself. For the best
results you must prepare for your interview with as much information as
possible.
Bottom Line: You will have to talk someone
into hiring you.
All interviewers have the same 3 Questions to answer when making
a hiring decision. You will have to get them to answer
'Yes' to all 3.
1 - Do I like this person?
This is the most critical
element of getting any bartending job. People hire people they like. Your
personality is your biggest asset - use it. The key to a successful
interview is
'good conversation'. Often this 'good conversation' will have
nothing to do with the job or bartending. Be prepared with 'good questions' and
be able to speak intelligently about the job, the establishment and the
business.
2 - Are they available when
I need them?
The job will have specific schedule
requirements. In 99% of cases this will include nights and week-ends. Be
prepared to work a schedule that is a mix of both day and night shifts.
3 - Can they do the job?
As an inexperienced bartender you have no proof that you can do the job
- the interviewer knows this. They are likely to ask you some technical questions ('how do you make a ...?') in an attempt to find out what you know.
Avoid giving short answers and reciting cocktail recipes by take this
opportunity to tell them everything you know about the products and
equipment used to make it.
The Human Resources
Department Interview
As you know, every bartending
job is different. You will find differences in the interview process will
depend on the size and the
Ownership and Management of the establishment. Large corporate
businesses, like national restaurant chains and resort hotels, are likely to
have a Human Resources Department. A representative will conduct the
initial interview and then recommend qualified applicants to the hiring
manager. In most cases this initial interview will have no technical
questions at all. The focus will be on your ability to 'fit-in' and be a
good employee. Be prepared to sell yourself.
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Facts To Remember as You
Look for a Bartending Job
Always
'Apply In Person'. This will put 'a face' with your application and
give you a chance to make a 'first impression'. The application
is critical. Do not limit your opportunities with the information on
your application.
There is a large
'turn-over' of jobs in the bar business. Many
people get into bartending without completely understanding the job - they
don't last long. Others take any job they can, to get experience, and then
move on to better jobs - this is a good idea. Bars adjust their staff
seasonally and hire 'part-time' bartenders as needed. There are many
bartenders working right now who look at their job as temporary. They could
be college students, school teachers, musicians, and others pursuing some
profession - eventually they move on.
Most
bartending jobs are never advertised. When
a job opens up managers are likely to look at recent applications and get
referrals from other staff members. Paying for an advertisement is a last
resort. Always leave an application even if you are told there are no jobs
available.
Most
bartending jobs need to be
filled immediately. The 'two-week-notice' is not common in the business.
Most bartenders leave their jobs suddenly. Even if a 'notice' is given the
manager is likely to replace a bartender ASAP. Bars can not 'make-up' for
lost business and it is critical to be properly staffed behind the bar. Put
yourself in the 'right place' at the 'right time'. Always leave an
application even if you are told there are no jobs available.
A bartender is a
Salesperson. A professional
bartender is NOT just the one who makes the drinks. A professional
bartender IS a Salesperson. This is a simple comparison but if you are interested
in making the most money you can as a bartender it is critical to look at
the job this way. The more you sell, the more money you make. All successful
salespersons, and bartenders, will have a complete understanding of their
customers needs.
Making drinks is a
small part of the job. Most people believe
that to become a bartender you need to know how to make every known drink.
These people are wrong. Making drinks and learning 'how-to' is the easiest
thing you will do as a bartender. Typically 50% of your sales
will be beer, 20% will be wine and 30% will be mixed drinks. Of those mixed
drinks there are less than 10 basic types and all others are simple variations of them.
Do not waste your time trying to remember hundreds of drink recipes.
It is more important to have a strong
understanding of how the bar works.
This includes the efficient use of all of the equipment, methods and
techniques used to set-up, stock, clean and maintain the bar.
Job Referral Programs:
Many schools and training programs will claim to have a job referral
program. Ask about their success rate before you pay for this service.
In most cases the success rate is low. They will refer you, and everyone
else who paid for this service, to jobs advertised in your area. There are
some exceptions - they can be expensive. |
