I think my rationale for getting a job may be hurting my chances, what should I do?

Question

I have a B.A., worked on a presidential campaign, managed political projects, worked as a business development manager, etc. - and now I am applying for bartenders positions so that I can go back to school to do what I really want to do: photography.
While going to school and interning I want a job that is both flexible and relatively high paying and bartending is just that. The problem is that employers ideally want people with no time conflicts - what should I tell them? Bartending jobs are very competitive in Los Angeles and I of course want to work at a place where the tips will be great. The interviewer always remark that this is an "interesting" career change for me which forces me to explain my rationale. I always emphasis that I NEED to make money and that my schedule will work around my job but still feel that it is hurting me. I realize that many artists in L.A. bartend and wait tables, so I my situation is not unique.
Thanks in advance.

They know my career history from my resume. My resume needs to be complete so that I don't have time gaps since college.

Answer 1

I think that being honest with the interviewer is a commendable assest to have in an employee. Surely you are not the only one that must adjust their work schedule for one reason or another.

Your past employment record should also be a plus for you. It shows that you are a well-rounded individual with many skills. Especially the managing skills. Is bar-tending the only job to be considered for you? Maybe there is a different type of employment that would allow for a more flexible work schedule.

Don't put yourself down . . . follow your heart and your dreams. I'm sure you'll find the right place of employment where they will be happy to have you as an employee. Hang in there and stay positive!!

Loads of luck!!

Answer 2

Seeing that the job and the qualifications you had before are totally different, some would call the experiences, the two extremes of doing a political campaign and then wanting to Bartend.

From a bartenders point of view, maybe they want someone who is stable and can work their hours. But from looking at your qualifications and what you did before, some would see that as a overkill for the type of job you want. They probably think that you aren't serious and will probably leave in a few weeks time. Being over qualified normally means that the person will leave in the near future to go to somewhere better.

Hell my sister had the same situation but people didn't want to hire her because she was over qualified.
Sometimes it might be possible to leave off certain backgrounds on your resume so maybe they may hire you more easily??

Good Luck.

Answer 3

Even if those things are true, you don't always have to be so specific about them; you might come off as desperate only for the money (which you are - but clearly you would be applying for another job if you didn't like the thought of bartending at all.)

Find a few reasons that you'd feel good about having this job and run with them. Even if they're just so-so in your mind, you have to beef 'em up a bit! For example you can say, "well as you can tell from my presidential sampaign work, I LOVE working with other people, talking to them. I realized that I'd rather be doing it in a setting where everyone is in a good mood, and I'd like to be a part of their great night. "

Or you can say, you've worked at many jobs but they were always so strict and uptight. You're ready to let your fun side hang out.

People who hire bartenders are usually looking for easygoing, talkative, charming, but speedy workers!

Last but not least, you don't have to hide the fact that the money would be nice. Yu can be honest to an extent - tell them that you're working during the day and at school currently but that you're looking for something fun and relatively well-paying to keep you busy night times. Tell them that you can handle it (if you can of course - if not, you might want to rethink this) and that those things wouldn't keep you away from bartending, because you think it's just that great!

good luck

Answer 4

Well, i dont think bartending is the only job u can make alot of money doing while going to school....however, sometimes u have to just keep applying and keep applying if u put in a hundred applications, u are bound to land one of them. Sometimes it just takes time to get the job u want, dont give up.
Good luck! and i agree with Tony up above about the resumes.

Answer 5

bar manager wants someone committed to the job, have 2 cvs

artists resume and 'actual' work cv - keep the two separate, any job that has an arty side send the two or once you have some good solid work under your belt u can include the art 'resume' bcos then it tells the employer something about you

u could try an 'arty' bar, or u could try making the cv into a piece of art?? i know someone that got a £100k a year job doing that ;o)

Answer 6

Maybe you should try online business. I don't know how much you earn as a bartender, but online business can be a good alternative and it's flexible too. Why don't you check this one. It's a job related with photography (it's for business purposes, so maybe it has nothing to do with art or anything you expect, but it's a good alternative) :
http://yonkbie00.sunco.hop.clickbank.net
or you can visit
http://liberte4.com/eJobs.htm
Find a job fits your personality. Good luck!

Answer 7

Hate to say this but I guess you'll have to lie. Once you've got the job you can work your school schedule around it, but you won't be able to do that until you have to job. I'd rather be honest, too, but that usually doesn't get you the job and you're probably the only one who isn't lying. Unless the school can do something for you, which probably won't be nearly as much money, I think that's what you're going to have to do. Good luck!

Answer 8

Maybe you don't need to explain your entire story when interviewing for bartender jobs. Just tell them you're in school and you make great drinks.

Answer 9

Don't tell them all that first stuff, just that you are going to school to become a photographer, and so you need a job that you can do during that time.

Answer 10

you answer - "yes it is (an interesting career change), however I am confident that my talents and motivation for working with you will be a stong asset for your company."
you could add "in the meantime' but that may push them to ask more questions.
I think the operative idea here is to focus on THEM and what you can do for THEM and not you.