| Between college graduation season, summer job | | | | is through certification. You can get this either |
| seekers and the slowing economy, competition | | | | through a school, or even an online bartender |
| for high-paying bartending positions has increased | | | | school, and then pass a certification test. The |
| dramatically. | | | | added benefits of bartender certification is that it |
| To help those seeking bartending jobs prepare for | | | | will actually teach you what you need to know to |
| interviews and positions in this growing field, the | | | | get started in your new career. While anyone can |
| American Bartending Association has put together | | | | learn a series of drinks from a book, certification |
| a collection of tips for a successful bartending job | | | | shows that you have put time and effort into |
| search: | | | | learning this new craft, and not just someone |
| 1. Know your drinks -- and your implements. The | | | | walking in from the street who needs a job. |
| first step to becoming a professional bartender is | | | | 5. Stay at the top of your game. Once you've |
| knowing your way around the bar, from basic, | | | | earned certification, you will need to keep current. |
| common recipes to advanced information like | | | | Just learning the ropes isn't enough to stay ahead |
| proper glassware for specialty drinks and how to | | | | in this competitive field. Instead, you need to |
| count a pour. | | | | constantly hone your skills and stay up to date on |
| 2. Take regulations seriously. Bartending may be | | | | trends and regulation changes. One way to do this |
| fun and exciting, but there is more to the job | | | | is through membership in a professional bartending |
| than hanging out all night in a bar. To be taken | | | | organizations. Here, members can receive |
| seriously in an interview or with your employer, | | | | regulatory updates, popular new drink recipes, |
| you need to know the laws about serving alcohol | | | | industry news and more. |
| in your state and what your liability is as a | | | | Bartending really is one of the most rewarding |
| bartender. | | | | jobs you can get, particularly if you don't want |
| 3. Be prepared for anything. As a professional | | | | your job to be the focus of your life. If your |
| bartender, you have to be ready for teh | | | | days are busy because you are a student finishing |
| unexpected all of the time: Counting the till, | | | | your degree, or an actor auditioning for parts, or |
| tracking cash flow, handling rowdy guests and | | | | a mother taking care of her kids, bartending jobs |
| even cleaning up after closing all require extra | | | | let you earn a part-time living while carrying on |
| attention that goes far beyond simply pouring and | | | | with the rest of your life. As long as you are |
| serving. | | | | willing to put in the time building your career with |
| 4. Show your commitment to the profession. In a | | | | it early on, you can rest on this job as often as |
| competitive job market, it's important to stand | | | | you need to throughout your life. |
| out from the crowd. One way to show potential | | | | Because someone in your town is always hiring a |
| employers that you're serious about your career | | | | bartender. |