Am I too old andf experienced to be a bar-back/bartender?

September 16, 2009 7:35 AM

I'm 37, Male, College Degree in Business, Married with two kids in New Jersey. Spent the last 15 years working in an shrinking industry. I have decided to go back to school during the day to earn a degree in a different field where job prospects over the next decade will be in a higher demand. Looking for ways to bring in some money right now....(more after the jump)..

Without going into details that don't play a role in my question, I think I want to bartend or even bar-back a couple of nights a week to bring in some cash....I batended in college for a year, almost 20 years ago. I know drinks have not changed that much over the years.
There are over 100 wedding, catering, banquet halls within 20 miles of me, if not more....Going in with my resume, as is, my qualifications obviously don't line up exactly with the kind of people they usually get applying for these positions.
Do I have any kind of chance of landing a job? Do they want younger kids? What can I do to my resume to improve my chances? Should I explain my situation in the cover letter, and stress how my age and professional experience will prove to give the wedding hall' a more stable and responsible bartending hand?

I'm sure I am not the only unemployed person looking to get into these positions. I am hoping someone could provide some advice or guidance on how I can get to the top of the list of candidates for these positions?

posted by TwilightKid to work & money (4 comments total)

Bars in my area (D.C. metro area) typically appreciate an older bartender because they are viewed as less likely to invite all their friends out and shower them with free booze, and are less likely to drink on the job. Also, responsibility is huge in bartending, because you have the ability to steal large amounts of cash from the bar on busy nights (customer's paying in cash? that goes in my pocket and they get their beer! no harm no foul right?) so your professional resume may help you out in that area.

Definitely include your past experience, play up the fact that you bartended at a college bar with huge crowds.

The larger/more popular bars may have a waiting list of people wanting to bartend for them. They will likely not look at your resume or application unless you have 5+ years experience. Try for the smaller places that have a good following of regulars. Be willing to bar back for a few months while you re-learn.
posted by Gonestarfishing at 9:40 AM on September 16

I have zero issues with bar-backing...
While bartending, I found myself making a lot more money helping out the bartenders at weddings or class reunions...Anything for some cash..I assumme the competition will be out there. Thanks for your input!
posted by TwilightKid at 10:08 AM on September 16

As long as you stay out of the "club" type bars you will have an advantage over the "kids". Stress any customer service or interaction you had in your professional background. Also stress your availability (if you are available any night and all weekend, that would be great because they could fill you in anywhere). If you get an interview be jovial and relatable - make yourself look like someone who will draw regulars (So the owners can see customers saying "I want to sit at TwilightKid's bar".)

With your limited experience 20 years ago, most bars will require you to "work up" to bartending by first barbacking and doing a little bartending on dead nights (Helllooooo Monday night!). Because you are a mature adult though, you'll likely earn your wings pretty quick and get at least one regular good bartending night a week within a few months.

I worked in Wildwood Nj for 2 years, in a bar.
posted by WeekendJen at 3:21 PM on September 16

I think stressing your availability is key. My husband is looking for another evening/weekend bartending gig at the moment, and despite having around 20 years of continuous part-time experience doing this stuff is not getting many calls back. He's finding it tougher than at any time we can remember. They have plenty of people willing to come in at 3 or work shifts day or night, and don't want to deal with "well, I finish work at 5 and on tuesdays I have a meeting that sometimes runs late", or need to at the moment.

Also, many banqueting type places have bartending applicants coming out of their ears but need more wait staff, expos, etc. You wouldn't believe how many bartenders have delusions of grandeur and refuse to come out from behind the bar to deliver drinks to tables for the toast in emergencies or whatever. That can be a pain in the ass. Stress your flexibility. I know waiting stuff is not as "desirable"/"cool" as bartending but don't dismiss it, the cash is often just as good if not better in comparison to the disparity that sometimes exists between waiting and bartending at clubs/pubs.

Lastly, and again from experience, think about making a couple of cheap business cards after you've settled in and spoken to colleagues. If you end up working in a banqueting place you'd be surprised how often customers approach looking for someone to do a nixer at their dinner parties and things. Especially if you're on the mature side. The money is sometimes great, sometimes terrible doing this but it's usually cash which is nice!

This is mostly based on Toronto and suburban New York though, may be different where you are. Good luck!
posted by jamesonandwater at 5:32 AM on September 17