Bartending School Graduates: How Do You Get “Experience” Now?”
Question from One of my Students:
Dear James,
I am new to the bartending scene…very new, I just finished bartending school and have not secured a job yet. I really do not want to work in a bar, club or restaurant, I would much rather do private parties, weddings, etc; however I am very nervous about starting out alone. I think that starting with a company that specializes in bartending for private events might be a good avenue for me to pursue. The question is how do I get a company to give me chance to prove myself with a even though there will be a little bit of a learning curve? So what would your best advice be about how to get your foot in the door without having experience?
Sincerely,
Roni
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James’ Answer:
Hey Roni!
Welcome to the Bartending Catch 22: Managers are looking for bartenders with experience…so how do you get some?!
Listen, if you want my advice, just do private parties on your own! But here is ONE way you get over your fear…
BRING someone with you!
If you know anyone who has been in the service industry for sometime, even if they are just a server, having a second person there will help you tremendously! Promise them you will split all the money 50-50 and they will be very willing to help!
Another trick with mobile bartending is that you will tell the host exactly what to provide so YOU will know what drink options are available. If some guest throws a curve-ball drink at you that you have no idea how to make, simple say, “Oh sorry, I dont have the proper ingredients back here to make that.” Simple!
ALSO, when you arrive early and get all set up, the guests will usually start to “trickle” in. SO you quickly get acclimated to the process of mobile bartending. In other words, you get to practice on a few guests before the real party begins!
Once you do your first event, you will actually laugh at the fact that you were ever nervous! All of the bartenders and staff I train have NEVER bartended before…YOU have actually gone to bartending school so you are light-years beyond the rest! You are going to KILL it, just go out there and get that first gig under your belt!
Take care!
i just finish bartending school, the school said they will provide us with jobs, but they also said we have to try ourselfs to get a job and youll get experience… well its kind of hard because i only have the bar experience from the school, and alot of places say( EXPERIENCED BARTENDERS ONLY) what should i do? or say? i dont want to lie.. please help me.. also im 18 yrs old but in Fl its ok to serve alcohol…
Um….do what all of my blog posts say and pick up gigs as a private party bartender!
-James Wedmore
http://www.Bartend4Profit.com
Not a conceited notion-\"Big Fish in a Small Pond\"
At 22 yrs old, I come from a very small town and was out one night and got presented with an opprotunity of a life time to bartend at the hottest bar in a nearby city. Little did I know that a year later(today), that it has become a passion, and somthing that I really love doing. The funny thing…I have two college degrees in other fields, and have found that this is what I love doing, and want to do for possibly the rest of my life. One problem…I want to go bigger, and better. I don’t settle for second best. Being from Wisconsin, I wanna go further, and head to the west coast, or even down in a college town in Florida. Any tips, or help that you could present me with!?
Thanks,
Cody
P.S. After reading and watching your videos etc. I have finally found a “role model”. You remind me of myself 5-10yrs down the road.