How to Get a Bartending Job in Boston
A bartending position in Boston can be a competitive position to acquire. Working your way up from busboy or waitress is the surest way to land these jobs, but also the most time consuming. If you have prior experience or are a quick learner, there are a number of steps you can take to help find a bartending gig in Boston.
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Instructions
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Meet other Boston area bartenders. Getting to know the area bartenders gives you firsthand knowledge of when establishments are looking to hire new staff.
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Observe a bartender at your favorite bar. Keep an eye out for how they treat the customers, how they interact with other staff and the general operating skills they have behind the bar. Write down any tips or tricks you think will help you.
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Dress like you have the job. Wear appropriate clothing any time you come in contact with bar managers or go on interviews. If uniforms are the attire, dress business casual in a pair of dress pants and button up shirt.
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Volunteer to bartend at a charity event. This is an excellent resume builder and will give you something to talk about in any job interview. Check with local Boston area charities to see if any of them need a bartender for upcoming events. Most charity organizations will jump at the opportunity to have a free bartender for their event.
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Write a resume. Do not show up to a local bar and just fill out an application. Instead, ask for the application and take it home. Make sure your resume suits the needs of the position they are seeking. Take your time editing your resume for spelling and grammar errors. Include a cover letter with your recent volunteer work, any bartending schools you have attended, and other relevant customer service-related work experience.
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Practice interviewing. Have a friend practice interviewing you. Let them ask you some hard questions without rehearsing to see how you answer them. Then make a list of 10 to 20 typical interview questions such as:
What are your best qualities?
Tell me about a time when you were in charge of others?
How do you handle stress?
Spend a few hours answering these questions. Let your friend give you feedback on your answers, then try to answer the questions again.
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Tips & Warnings
It is not necessary to go to bartending school to get a job in Boston as a bartender, but if you have taken any classes or completed any bartending programs, be sure to share that information with potential employers.
References
- Photo Credit Bottle with alcohol and wine-glasses image by Oleg Guryanov from Fotolia.com
