Shake Up Your Resume: How to Write Bartending Skills That Impress

As a bartender, you have a unique set of skills that can be applied to a variety of roles, from hospitality and customer service to sales and marketing. However, when it comes to writing bartending skills on a resume, it can be challenging to know where to start. In this article, we’ll explore the key skills that bartenders possess, how to tailor your resume to different types of jobs, and provide tips on how to write bartending skills that will impress potential employers.

Key Skills of a Bartender

Before we dive into how to write bartending skills on a resume, let’s take a look at the key skills that bartenders possess. These skills can be broadly categorized into three areas: technical skills, soft skills, and business skills.

Technical Skills

Technical skills are the foundation of bartending. These skills include:

• Mixology**: The art of mixing drinks, including knowledge of spirits, beers, wines, and cocktails.
• Drink preparation**: The ability to prepare drinks quickly and efficiently, including pouring, shaking, and garnishing.
• Bar operations**: Knowledge of bar equipment, including blenders, juicers, and point-of-sale systems.
• Inventory management**: The ability to manage inventory, including ordering supplies and tracking stock levels.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are essential for providing excellent customer service and working effectively with colleagues. These skills include:

• Communication**: The ability to communicate effectively with customers, colleagues, and management.
• Customer service**: The ability to provide excellent customer service, including handling complaints and resolving issues.
• Teamwork**: The ability to work effectively with colleagues, including collaborating on tasks and supporting each other during busy periods.
• Time management**: The ability to manage time effectively, including prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.

Business Skills

Business skills are essential for driving sales and revenue growth. These skills include:

• Sales and marketing**: The ability to promote drinks and increase sales, including knowledge of sales techniques and marketing strategies.
• Financial management**: The ability to manage finances, including handling cash, operating a point-of-sale system, and tracking sales data.
• Leadership**: The ability to lead a team, including motivating staff, providing feedback, and making decisions.

Tailoring Your Resume to Different Types of Jobs

When writing bartending skills on a resume, it’s essential to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for. Here are some tips for tailoring your resume to different types of jobs:

Hospitality and Customer Service Jobs

If you’re applying for a hospitality or customer service job, focus on highlighting your soft skills, such as communication, customer service, and teamwork. Emphasize your ability to provide excellent customer service, handle complaints, and work effectively with colleagues.

Sales and Marketing Jobs

If you’re applying for a sales and marketing job, focus on highlighting your business skills, such as sales and marketing, financial management, and leadership. Emphasize your ability to promote drinks, increase sales, and drive revenue growth.

Management Jobs

If you’re applying for a management job, focus on highlighting your leadership skills, including motivating staff, providing feedback, and making decisions. Emphasize your ability to manage finances, including handling cash, operating a point-of-sale system, and tracking sales data.

Writing Bartending Skills on a Resume

Now that we’ve explored the key skills of a bartender and how to tailor your resume to different types of jobs, let’s take a look at how to write bartending skills on a resume.

Use Action Verbs

When writing bartending skills on a resume, use action verbs to describe your skills and experience. Action verbs such as “managed,” “created,” “developed,” and “increased” help to create a sense of action and achievement.

Be Specific

When describing your bartending skills, be specific. Instead of simply stating that you have “excellent communication skills,” describe a specific situation where you used your communication skills to resolve a customer complaint.

Use Numbers

Using numbers to quantify your achievements can help to make your resume more impressive. For example, instead of stating that you “increased sales,” state that you “increased sales by 25%.”

Highlight Achievements

When writing bartending skills on a resume, highlight your achievements rather than just listing your job responsibilities. Instead of stating that you “worked as a bartender,” state that you “increased sales by 25%,” “improved customer satisfaction ratings by 30%,” or “developed and implemented a new cocktail menu that increased revenue by 15%.”

Example of a Bartending Resume

Here’s an example of a bartending resume that highlights the key skills and achievements of a bartender:

Conclusion

Writing bartending skills on a resume can be challenging, but by highlighting your key skills, tailoring your resume to different types of jobs, and using action verbs, being specific, using numbers, and highlighting achievements, you can create a resume that will impress potential employers. Remember to focus on the skills and achievements that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, and don’t be afraid to showcase your personality and creativity. With a well-written resume, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job.

What are the most important bartending skills to include on a resume?

When writing a resume for a bartending position, it’s essential to highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job. These include mixology skills, such as knowledge of classic cocktails, wine, and beer, as well as soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management. You should also emphasize any experience you have with point-of-sale systems, inventory management, and customer service.

By including these skills on your resume, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the knowledge and expertise to excel in a bartending role. Be specific when describing your skills, and use language from the job posting to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems. For example, instead of saying “experienced bartender,” say “highly skilled mixologist with expertise in craft cocktails and wine pairings.”

How do I describe my bartending experience on a resume?

When describing your bartending experience on a resume, it’s essential to be specific and use action verbs to convey your skills and accomplishments. Instead of simply listing your job responsibilities, focus on the achievements and successes you’ve had in your previous roles. For example, you might say “increased sales by 25% through effective upselling and suggestive selling techniques” or “improved customer satisfaction ratings by 30% through excellent customer service and conflict resolution.”

Use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements, and be specific about the skills and knowledge you used to achieve them. For example, instead of saying “made drinks,” say “crafted classic cocktails using house-made mixers and fresh ingredients.” This will help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your expertise and value as a bartender.

What are some keywords I should include on my bartending resume?

When writing a bartending resume, it’s essential to include keywords that are relevant to the job and industry. These might include terms like “mixology,” “craft cocktails,” “wine and beer knowledge,” “customer service,” and “point-of-sale systems.” You should also include keywords related to the specific job you’re applying for, such as “event bartending” or “fine dining.”

By including these keywords on your resume, you can help it pass through applicant tracking systems and catch the eye of hiring managers. Use them strategically throughout your resume, especially in your summary, skills section, and work experience. However, be sure to use them in context and not just list them – this will help you avoid coming across as insincere or trying to game the system.

How do I highlight my certifications and training on a bartending resume?

If you have certifications or training in bartending, such as a mixology certification or a wine and spirits education, be sure to highlight them on your resume. These can be a major asset in a competitive job market, and can help you stand out from other applicants. Include the name of the certification or training program, the date you completed it, and any relevant details about what you learned.

You can include your certifications and training in a separate section on your resume, such as a “certifications” or “education” section. Alternatively, you can include them in your summary or skills section, especially if they’re highly relevant to the job you’re applying for. Be sure to use language from the certification or training program to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems.

Can I include non-bartending experience on a bartending resume?

While it’s essential to highlight your bartending experience and skills on a bartending resume, it’s also okay to include non-bartending experience that’s relevant to the job. For example, if you have experience in customer service, sales, or hospitality, these skills can be highly transferable to a bartending role. Be sure to emphasize the skills and knowledge you gained in these roles, and explain how they can be applied to a bartending position.

When including non-bartending experience on a bartending resume, be strategic about how you present it. Use language from the job posting to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems, and focus on the skills and achievements that are most relevant to the job. You can also use a functional or hybrid resume format to emphasize your skills and qualifications rather than your work history.

How do I tailor my bartending resume to a specific job?

When applying for a bartending job, it’s essential to tailor your resume to the specific position and employer. This means reading the job posting carefully and incorporating language and keywords from the posting into your resume. You should also research the employer and the establishment to get a sense of their values and culture, and tailor your resume accordingly.

Use specific examples and anecdotes to demonstrate your skills and qualifications, and be sure to emphasize the achievements and successes that are most relevant to the job. By tailoring your resume to the specific job, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by the hiring manager and landing an interview.

What are some common mistakes to avoid on a bartending resume?

When writing a bartending resume, there are several common mistakes to avoid. These include typos and grammatical errors, which can make you appear careless or unprofessional. You should also avoid using generic language or cliches, such as “team player” or “hard worker,” which don’t add much value to your resume.

Another common mistake is failing to tailor your resume to the specific job, which can make you appear uninterested or unqualified. Finally, be sure to avoid exaggerating or misrepresenting your experience or qualifications, which can lead to your application being rejected or even terminated if discovered after hiring.