What am I doing wrong?

Question

I recently finished bartending school.I have a background in the food service industry.However when I apply for these jobs,I get laughed at,or passed up by a 19 year old cute lil girl.I know how to make all the drinks,and I do not have an attitude problem.Did I pick the wrong gig? They all say I need to be a barback,that any monkey can mix drinks.So I come back as a customer;the very person that told me any monkey can mix drinks;doesn't even know how to pour.can not handle more than 3 or four drinks in his head at a time..and does not know his booze at all.I do not get it!
All I am going to do is work hard;and responsibly maximize liquer sales.OH and on top of all that he did not even know the correct glass or garnish..... Plz give me input!

Answer 1

Personality, personality, personality, and I would not be surprised if you were not being gently discriminated against. Ethnic background sells. I would try to add some flair to my routine and smile like I know something. Experience can hurt and help. They want it but don't want to pay for it. They want a certain look and if you don't have it you aren't hired. And they are very good at discriminating with out discriminating. I would suggest getting a technique that says 'wow' if you are serious about this career.

Answer 2

Sounds to me like you're either too qualified, or too mature. The stupid 19 year old girls don't know what kind of pay to expect, so they can get away with giving her the used bar nuts for a check.

Of course, dwelling on this will not help.

If you still LOOK young, you might try omitting some of the earlier material from your resume. Possibly you are overselling your skillz with the booze. A bartender who professes to know their liquor might send the wrong message, either of alcoholism, or extreme egotism.

Since nobody wants to hire someone smarter than themselves, and all bosses are idiots, knowing your liquors too much might be a liability. Just say something like "Well, I know my (rare classy microbrew) from my (really cheap vodka) but I wouldn't call myself an expert.

If you don't look so young, you might try finding a bar that does those trick bartender things, and throw around a few bottles to show your skills. The old show don't tell thing, you know. Maybe there will be some scouts in the area... or maybe you'll make some mad tips, and become a regular act until their current bartender craps out, and you can take the job. Or maybe you'll fail miserably, but drunks tend to be honest, so at least you'll get some idea of what your act is missing if you stick around.

I'm not sure that going back to the places where they didn't hire you is such a good idea... unless you're friendly, temperate, and enthusiastic about another chance, without judging their abysmal barkeeping efforts.

Answer 3

the problem with a lot of bars these days is they don't care if the bartender is a professional. college bars in particular typically look for the best looking girls they can find to try and draw in more customers. and the customers tend to order mostly convenience store beer or whatever mixed drink that's on sale. you need to find a real bar where the customers are older and appreciate a knowledgeable bartender who knows how to mix and pour professionally.

Answer 4

I smiled when I read your question because I can relate. Bartending is a tough job and it takes alot of patience and a sensitivity to do it well, in my opinion. Your training is beneficial but even more is the ability to treat your customers in a way that you maintain balance. Being both understanding and responsible, with a good measure of humor... ( :

Answer 5

As I recall, when Al Bundy got a parttime job at the Nudie bar he created a sensation when he took off his shirt and wore tight, black leather pants that showed off his tush. Women were going crazy putting money in his waist band. That is, until Jefferson came on board and did the same thing but brought in even more women screaming and tearing off his remaining clothes. I think there is a moral in there somewhere.

Answer 6

Find a bar with a woman manager, dress sexy be cool and charming and say all that about maximizing sales that you said here but don't be bitter or with a chip on your shoulder, not like I'm better than anybody but that I'm good, let her figure out herself that your the best, also act like you don't need the job, nothing is worse for a job interview than coming across as needy

Answer 7

Maybe try another place to apply in? If these people can't take you seriously, look for another place or rather, do another round as a customer and when the bartender gets it wrong, complain to the manager and tell the manager you can do a whole lot better job than his current bartender and if he puts you up to it, do your best to show off. Goodluck.

Answer 8

You obviously know your stuff, next time if you,ve got the confidence why dont you suggest working an hour or two for free so they can see what you can do... and show them, or find a place that you know is more into what you can do instead of what the barstaff look like

Answer 9

<>Possibly you should try more "highbrow" locations; ones that are more interested in professionals than Ts & As. Or possibly, if you know something of wines, you should shift gears and become a somolier. These connoisseurs seem to be in demand in the highest end of the food industry these days. You might have to supplement your training with some cooking/chef/restaurant management classes, but it would probably be well worth looking into.

Answer 10

A lot of bars do not hire people who went to the school, they dont like the way you are trained