| Your mouth is dry, your palms are sweaty, your heart | | | | Act as if you are the best bartender in the world. Walk |
| is beating so fast it feels like it's going to pop out of | | | | into the interview with that attitude and you'll be |
| your chest! | | | | surprised at the kind of energy you feel and the |
| Sound familiar? | | | | outlook you have. |
| Just a common case of interview anxiety. For most | | | | You'll tap into raw genius that you never thought you |
| people, interviews are very uncomfortable. The mere | | | | had. You'll answer questions elegantly and give the |
| thought of them causes anxiety and nervousness... and | | | | interviewer exactly what they want to hear. |
| this is the last impression you want to give a bar | | | | Be Direct |
| manager during an interview! | | | | I hardly ever watch TV, but one show I simply cannot |
| The competition is fierce in this industry, so why do | | | | miss is The Apprentice. I make it a point to watch this |
| you always "bomb" during the interview? | | | | show. I mean, how often do you get see a billionaire in |
| You probably walk out of them and think of all the | | | | action? Being able to see the behavior and demeanor |
| things you could have said, how you could have | | | | of Donald Trump is my sole reason for tuning in. |
| answered certain questions, but this doesn't matter, it's | | | | One thing he preaches in his books and practices in his |
| how you perform during the interview that gets you | | | | life is being direct. This is a must during a bartending job |
| your dream job. | | | | interview! |
| There's already enough things out of your control that | | | | The opposite, rambling and excessive talking, is a sign |
| you're competing with, so why work against yourself? | | | | of nervousness so avoid it at all costs. A lot of people |
| Let me show you how to be in your full power during | | | | actually are nervous during the interview so rambling is |
| the interview, so that scoring your dream job and | | | | a common thing. But when you are as direct and |
| leaving the competition in the dust comes easily and | | | | to-the-point as possible, this reflects self-confidence |
| effortlessly to you! | | | | and certainty, when you do this you will stand out |
| Dress The Part | | | | above and beyond every other applicant. |
| Dress as though you already work there, give the | | | | Do not confuse "direct" with "rude". When answering a |
| interviewer a rock solid visual of what you'd look like | | | | question, tell the interviewer exactly what they need to |
| behind the bar... this makes it more probable that they'd | | | | know, without a life story which only you care about. |
| consider you for the job. | | | | The interviewer will appreciate this, so much in fact, |
| Remember also that this is the service industry. Unless | | | | that you'll get your dream job. |
| you are applying to a five star hotel, there's no reason | | | | You Ask |
| to show up in a suit and tie for the interview. This is | | | | This may sound like a shock to you, but it's not the |
| trying too hard. Wear the same type of attire the | | | | interviewer that should be asking all the questions |
| employees wear. | | | | during an interview. The way you want to approach |
| Breathe | | | | an interview is... you are interviewing them! |
| Before the interview, take a few nice, deep breaths to | | | | By doing this, you may find that they're not the best |
| calm and relax yourself. This helps get oxygen to your | | | | place to work for after all. You may find out it's not a |
| brain and also releases tension. It can be a painful | | | | good fit for you. |
| process to be seated and waiting to be interviewed | | | | For example, the requirement may be for you to pool |
| by the employer, this will ease that pain and clear your | | | | your tips after each shift. A definite thing to avoid in a |
| head so you can "knock 'em dead". | | | | potential employer! I explain this, along with everything |
| Be Yourself | | | | else you must avoid when "screening" employers in |
| Now believe me when I say this is easier said then | | | | Bartending Secrets Exposed. |
| done. It's much harder to "be yourself" than you think. I | | | | Have a written list of questions to ask the interviewer. |
| think one of the biggest reason people "bomb" in the | | | | The one who asks the questions is in control, this is not |
| interview is because they're preoccupied with who | | | | to say to not let them ask you any questions, but have |
| they're "supposed" be, they are too concerned with | | | | some of your own to balance things out. |
| what kind of image they are portraying. We know | | | | When you have questions for the interviewer and you |
| we're being mildly "interrogated" and that makes many | | | | get them talking, they'll love you for it! People love to |
| people self-conscious and nervous. | | | | talk about themselves and if you can do that you're |
| Just speak, just answer the questions as you would | | | | scoring huge points and establishing a connection. |
| during a conversation with your closest friend. That's | | | | Believe me, it works. |
| when your "best" self comes forth, that's when who | | | | Some not so obvious examples that will impress the |
| you truly are shines through. | | | | interviewer are: |
| This person will always be better than the person | | | | What sort of staff training is in place here? |
| you're "trying" to be. | | | | How long have you been employed here? |
| Make Eye Contact | | | | What is the nightly sales record in this bar? |
| If you can't bring yourself to make eye contact with | | | | Do you allow low-risk, controlled flair bartending? |
| the interviewer, you can forget about getting your | | | | What is the turnover like in this establishment? |
| dream bartending job. | | | | What's stopping you from hiring me today? |
| When being asked a question, if your eyes look to the | | | | Will you allow me one unpaid shift to prove myself? |
| floor or to the side when answering it gives the | | | | Have Some Class |
| impression you're not telling the truth for starters, and it | | | | Avoid doing what so many people out there do, which |
| also represents a lack of confidence, which isn't | | | | is only think about themselves. |
| something you find among good bartenders. | | | | What do I mean by this? |
| Look the person in the eye when speaking and more | | | | I'm talking about the kind of person who walks into the |
| importantly, when listening. This is easier said then done | | | | interview and starts asking about pay and vacation |
| if you're in the habit of not doing it, becoming aware of | | | | time right from the get go. |
| it is all takes. | | | | These questions are focused solely on what's in it for |
| Firm Handshake | | | | YOU. You don't want to do that. Show some class |
| Be conscious of your handshake. I cannot stress this | | | | and character by asking about those types of things |
| enough! A weak handshake gives a terrible first | | | | towards the end of the interview. |
| impression of you. Again, as with poor eye contact, it | | | | You should start by asking questions about the actual |
| represents a lack of confidence. This is not what you | | | | bartending job and how you can best service THEM |
| want to do to kick start the interview. | | | | as an employee. i.e. What you'll be required to do for |
| A nice, firm, handshake gives an excellent first | | | | them, what sort of training is in place, how many shifts |
| impression and will start the interview off on a strong | | | | will you be able to work etc. |
| note. No matter what you have to do, remember to do | | | | I hope that gives you a couple ideas and gets you |
| this. | | | | thinking about what you can do better to score the |
| Act As If | | | | bartending job of your dreams during the interview. |
| There's no better remedy out there than "acting as if". | | | | |