Bartender Resume Examples (+Bartender Skills for Resume)

A bartender does more than hand drinks over. You mix drinks, keep the bar well-stocked, and offer a friendly smile, among other things. Likewise, a bartender resume is more than a list of your past jobs. Like a perfectly shaken cocktail, it blends all resume ingredients together before serving them up to the bar manager.

Continue reading, and you’ll find a professional bartender resume example you can adjust and make your own. On top of that, you’ll learn an easy formula for writing a resume for bartending jobs that will land you 10x more bar interviews than any you’ve written in the past.

In this guide:

• A top-notch bartender resume sample to copy and use.
• How to write bartender skills on a resume that beat competition.
• Expert tips and examples to perfect your bartending resume.
• How to write a bartender resume with no experience.

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We’re about to get to the guide, but first, here are several other resume examples similar to bartending jobs:

• Restaurant Resume
• Restaurant General Manager Resume
• Serving Resume
• Waitress Resume
• Waiter Resume
• Bar Management Resume
• Restaurant Server Resume
• Fine Dining Resume
• Barista Resume
• Starbucks Resume
• Barback Resume
• Chef Resume
• Cook Resume
• Fast Food Worker Resume
• Food Service Worker Resume
• Line Cooking Resume
• Best Resume Examples

Let's see a bartender resume example first:

Bartender Resume Example to Get You Inspired

Now, here’s our recipe for a perfectly-mixed bartender resume:

1. Lay Out a Bartender Resume Template Properly

You wouldn’t just guess a drink recipe you’ve never made before, right? Exactly. Don’t guess how to put together a bartending resume, either. 

Here’s how to format a resume for bartender jobs:

• Layout: stick with the tried-and-true reverse chronological format.
• Subheadings: make them bold so bar managers find what they’re looking for quickly.
• Fonts: pick resume fonts which are easy to make out.
• Font sizes: regular text sections should use 11pt or 12pt sized-font.
• Margins: leave a 1” margin on each side of your mixologist resume.
• Line spaces: adhere to single line spacing to give you enough room for everything.
• Sections: white space aplenty keeps it easy on their eyes. 
• Filetypes: save in the PDF format, unless the bartending job description says otherwise.
• Best resume template: Use a modern one if you're applying to less conservative places. If you're planning to use Google Docs resume templates or other free resume templates, make sure they are ATS-compliant.

Here is what to put on a bartending resume:

• Header: appropriate contact details (e.g., address, job title, email).
• Summary of qualifications and skills: short paragraph with why you’re the top-shelf choice for the bartending job.
• Work experience: detailed history of past job duties in bullet-point format neatly lined up like a row of shot glasses.
• Education: quick recap of academic history (e.g., high school, college, bartending school).
• Skills: list of bartending-relevant skills and drink-slinging abilities.
• Extra sections: certificates, licenses, languages, etc.

Read more on resume formatting: How to Select the Perfect Resume Format

Also, want a cool bar trick? We recommend you write your heading statement last. 

This way you’ll remove any writer’s block when it comes time to think up the important ingredients of your bartender resume introduction. Which means you’ll… 

2. Start With the Bartender Resume Work Experience Section

Between 2018 and 2028, there’s going to be an increase of 8% in bartending jobs. Though this might not sound like much, it equals an additional 52,200 new bartenders being hired in the United States alone. 

The bar is set high—you’ll have to win the bar owner over with a work experience section as powerful as a shot of moonshine.

Here’s the ideal strategy:

• List your current or most recent job first, and then go back in reverse-chronological order from there.
• Add your past job title, the name of the bar or company, its location, and the dates you were employed there.
• Give 5 or 6 bullet points detailing your past job requirements in a way that’s tailored to the bartending job you’re applying for.
• Throw in a numbered achievement like adding garnish to a drink to quantify your bar job accomplishments.
• Open each bullet point with an action verb for maximum kick. 

Okay—let’s see how these guidelines look in practice. First up, here are two bartender resumes examples of work history sections:

Bartender Resume Examples (Experienced)

Those are as different as Courvoisier and rubbing alcohol. A great bartending work history section is detailed, tailored to the specific bartender job description you’re applying to, and includes a numbered win.

Don’t have bartending experience? No worries! Here’s how to show off unrelated work on a bartender resume with no experience:

Bartender Resume Examples (No Experience)

One feels right like a night of drinking, the other feels as wrong as the morning after.

Remember—just because you’ve never been a bartender doesn’t mean you don’t have experience relevant to bartending jobs!

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Read further on describing work history: How to Document Employment Experience on Resumes

3. Enter Your Education (It’s Not That Straightforward!)

You don’t need a degree to practice mixology. However, you do need to document your educational history correctly if you don’t want to be 86’d from the candidate pool.

When you have bartending experience, keep it as simple as a gin and tonic:

Bartender Resume With Experience Education Sample

But when you have little or no bartender experience, dazzle them with extras, such as relevant coursework, academic achievements, etc.

First-Time Bartender Resume Education Sample (Entry-Level Candidate)

Also, if you have a completed degree from a college or culinary school, no need to include high school on your resume. Otherwise, add your high school diploma or GED as a chaser.

Read More: How to Add Education on a Resume

4. List Bartending Skills Relevant to the Bar Position You’re After

You can twirl a flaming bottle of vodka in the air and catch it behind your back while wiping a spill from the counter with your other hand. You’ve got great bartender skills. But which strengths ought to be placed on a resume?

Here’s how to go about it:

• Identify skills-related resume keywords by carefully studying the bartender job description. 
• Create a list of the general food service and bartender skills you have.
• Make a bartenders resume skills section by including abilities which appeared in both of the previous two steps.
• Keep it short and strong like a shot of 151—no more than 5-10 bartender skills on a resume for bar jobs. 
• Include hard skills and soft skills alike to round out a resume for bartenders. 

Let’s look at a few everyday bartending resume skills:

25+ Bartender Skills for Resumes

• Popular Beverage Recipes
• Food & Wine Pairing 
• Providing Beverage Suggestions
• Training for Intervention Procedures (TIPS)
• Responsible Service of Alcohol Standards
• Health & Hygiene Protocols
• Maintaining Tidy & Sanitary Bar Area
• Ability to Defuse Tense Situations
• Great Recall & Memory
• Excellent Organizational Skills
• Physical Endurance
• Stamina and Strength
• Barware, Glassware, Bar Utensils & Equipment
• Point-of-Sale (POS) & Credit Card Terminals
• Initiative-Taking
• Active-Listening Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Marketing Skills
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Time-Management Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Technical Proficiency
• Decision-Making Skills
• Critical-Thinking Skills
• Multitasking Skills

Here’s how to put bartender skills on a resume:

Bartender Skills Resume Example (Experienced Candidate)

Entry-Level Bartending Skills Resume Example (No Experience Candidate)

Piece of cake.

5. Show Don’t Tell: Add “Extra” Sections to Your Bartending Resume

For some drinks, adding that tiny, paper umbrella on top is the perfect way to finish it off before serving it up. On resumes for bartender jobs, extra sections help it to stand out from all the other candidates and make for a fine presentation.

Here are a few examples of bartending resume additional sections to think about:

Extra Section Bartending Resumes Samples

1. Certificates on a Resume

Certifications may come in handy on a bartenders resume, especially in areas where a particular license is needed to serve alcohol. Examples include a Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit, state-granted alcohol serving license, or the “Responsible Serving of Alcohol” certification.

2. Volunteer History on a Resume

While any volunteer work may score you points with whichever deity you pray to, a few also help you score bartending jobs. Relevancy is always key, so helping out at a soup kitchen (food service) will trump volunteering at an animal shelter.

3. Language Knowledge

Are you fluent in a second language? This looks great on any bartender resume, especially if the bar is located in an area with a lot of native speakers in that language. And knowing how to say “Cheers!” in 10 languages is always a handy bartending skill.

4. Hobbies on a Resume

Do you brew beer at home as a hobby? That could be a helpful tidbit to list on a bartending resume. However, leave off items such as your passion for web programming, interest in beekeeping, or any other non-relevant pastime. 

Read more:  "About Me" on a Resume: How to Describe Yourself?

6. Blend the Freshest Ingredients Together Into a Bartender Resume Objective or Summary

Like the head on a well-poured stout, a resume summary or objective floats on top and lets them know what’s underneath is quality stuff. But, which one to use?

Use the career summary when you have kegfuls of bartender job experience.

A bartender resume summary shows off your drink-making skills, behind-the-bar experience, and cocktail-mixing background as a professional bartender. It includes a choice achievement or two with numbers to give them proof that you're the best around. 

Here are two bartender resume sample summaries for your consideration:

Sample Bartender Resume Summary Statements

Above, the wrong example is as bland and generic as Bud Light. 

However, the right example is perfectly tailored to be just the applicant this bar owner was looking for. And numbers to show off how well they do behind the bar.

But—use the career objective when you have as much experience in alcohol as an teetotalling minor.

The career objective statement expresses your bartending career goals. However, it also serves up a past accomplishment with numbers to quantify your success.

Here are two bartender resume objective examples to consider:

Bartender Resume Samples—Objective Statement

The first one is a 2015 René-Jean Dard & Francois Ribo Crozes-Hermitage syrah while the second is plain ol’ box cooking wine.

A reminder—just like with the resume summary, a bartender resume objective should be tailored and provide numbered accomplishments.

Read more: How to Write a Compelling Resume Introduction & Resume Profile Examples 

7. Write and Attach a Bartender Cover Letter

Cover letters are important because they help explain missing details from your resume and allow your personality to shine through. Like a college student heading to a bar without ID, forget your cover letter at your own peril.

Here’s how to write a cover letter for bar jobs:

• Format a cover letter first, just as you did when starting the resume.
• Write a cover letter intro which tingles their taste buds and makes them want to get to know you.
• Go into detail on your bartending skills, previous experience, and career history.
• Give quantifiable accomplishments on a cover letter for bartenders, as well.
• Close the cover letter with a general sign-off and request for them to read your resume.

Want to learn how to write the perfect cover letter to match your bartender resume? See our guide: Bartender Cover Letter [Samples, Format, & Writing Tips]

For some helpful general advice: Top Cover Letter Tips & Advice for Success

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Recap—Bartender Resume In a Nutshell

Let’s wrap up. Here’s how to write a resume for bartending jobs:

• Format bartender resumes prior to writing them to ensure it’s all laid out right.
• Start with a bartender resume description of your past work history in detail and making sure it’s customized to the bartender job ad.
• Document your academic history correctly—go heavier when you have less bartending experience.
• Make a list of your bartender resume skills which are most appropriate for the bar or club you’re applying to.
• Include additional sections, such as certifications or second languages, to increase your chances of scoring the bar interview.
• Go back to the top and add a powerful bartender resume objective or summary.
• Remember to attach a bartending cover letter before you shoot off that email!

We’d be happy to hear from you: 

• Do you have any questions on writing resumes for bartenders? 
• Got any stories to share of bartending jobs or bar interviews?
• Have any tips and advice for prospective mixologists?

Leave us a comment below, and thanks for reading!

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/bartenders.htm