| Bartending is a fun and challenging career, that | | | | The most common path to this goal is to get |
| allows you to work in an exciting atmosphere, | | | | promoted. That means that you have to get a |
| making friends and acquaintances, and joining | | | | job working in a restaurant, or a bar. Preferably |
| people during their most celebrated and joyous | | | | this job should be somehow related to the bar, or |
| occasions. However the path to becoming a | | | | serving beverages. This can include being a bar |
| bartender can be daunting, with hidden challenges | | | | back, or a bartenders assistant. |
| lurking in the shadows, and difficulties arising at | | | | Once you have a position that is somehow |
| every turn. However all you need is diligence, skill, | | | | related to the bar, you should work hard to prove |
| and perseverance, and you can attain a profitable | | | | yourself to your employers. Be diligent, work |
| and enlightening career serving drinks to | | | | hard, and fill in any gaps that other employees |
| appreciative patrons. | | | | may leave open. Whenever possible make |
| It is a common misconception that you have to | | | | yourself useful to the bartenders on staff, and |
| go to Bartending School and get certified to | | | | try to learn as much from them as possible. |
| become a bartender. Nothing could be further | | | | If you are looking for a new position as a |
| from the truth. Most bartenders have no formal | | | | bartender, one way to find a job is to do "the |
| training at all, and many were simply promoted | | | | walk". This is a common experience for wait staff |
| from lower level jobs such as waiter or bus boy. | | | | and restaurant employees. It involves walking up |
| However Bartending School and certification can | | | | and down the street, in the neighborhood where |
| help you on this career path in a variety of ways. | | | | you live, and popping into every establishment, |
| First, it will give you some training in mixed drinks, | | | | and simply asking if they need help. You should |
| and will help to familiarize yourself with the | | | | bring a resume that has any pertinent experience |
| working of a bar. Second, the certification that | | | | that you may have typed up neatly. Even if the |
| you receive, while not worth that much on the | | | | place doesn't need help right away, they can file |
| job market, will at least show a potential | | | | your resume, and if a position opens up, they |
| employer that you are knowledgeable and have | | | | may call you. |
| some basic knowledge of how the profession | | | | Another version of "the walk" has you opening up |
| works, and the various recipes that are | | | | the yellow pages, and cold calling every restaurant |
| requested. | | | | or bar listed asking for help. Always be polite, and |
| The most important thing that Bartending School | | | | respectful. When you call, try to speak to the |
| can afford you is if they offer some sort of job | | | | owner or manager, as they are the ones who will |
| placement. Many bartending schools will work with | | | | make the ultimate decision about your |
| restaurants and bars, to help place successful | | | | employment possibilities. |
| students in entry level positions upon successful | | | | Bartending can be a rewarding and lucrative |
| completion of the course. This can be a major | | | | position, allowing you to earn a good living doing |
| boost, helping you to break the ice and get that | | | | something in a fun and active environment. |
| all important first job. | | | | However you have to be diligent, and willing to |
| However as stated earlier, it is not at all | | | | work your way up, in order to get a good |
| necessary to get training to become a bartender. | | | | position that will ultimately fulfill your goals. |