Having trouble finding a Bartender Job and thinking of searching online?
Finding a job online is far more efficient than the old-fashioned method of digging through the classified sections of newspapers and other dead-tree sources. Job postings in any location, field or salary range are not that hard to find, and the restaurant industry is no exception. There are, however, some particular factors to take into account when job hunting in this industry.
The first stop for an online job hunter should be career search websites. There are many well-established sites of this nature and they're not hard to find. Through these sites, it is easy to look for jobs by industry, type and location. Well-travelled sites such as Craigslist and more informal job posting sites are useful too.
One plus of hunting for jobs on career search websites is that once you?ve found a prospective job that appeals to you, you can pretty much apply on the spot. Like so many other mundane tasks in life, the internet makes the hassle of job searching far quicker and more efficient than the old-fashioned methods.
Also, dedicated job hunters will want to search for websites for the specific kind of job they're looking for. These days, the savvy restaurants and bars have their own website, some better developed than others. If you search restaurant sites in your particular area, and perhaps for your particular style (for instance, pub) you'll be able to get a good idea of what the establishment is like, its prices, atmosphere and so on. Such sites, if they're for smaller independent restaurants, are less likely than big corporate sites to have a a page for career opportunities however; they are generally geared more toward potential customers.
Searching restaurant websites is a good guide for getting a sense of the places you are interested in applying to, but in the industry it is popular and often more effective to visit the restaurant itself and bring your resume in person.
Nothing beats "face time" for your first contact with a potential employer. The restaurant industry is an excellent one for providing such opportunities. Unlike a corporate office building, it is easily accessible to the general public--including you! Walk in and you're likely to find the manager or another high-ranking staff member to talk to directly.
Applying for jobs in restaurants and other small businesses can be a lot more informal than applying for office jobs. Managers or owners in restaurants and bars often prefer to meet applicants face-to-face, rather than try to select candidates from a stack of resumes. This is especially useful for front-of-house jobs like waiters and bartenders, where the prospective employee would need to interact with customers. If you take the time and effort to come to the restaurant in person you are showing them you are outgoing, pro-active, and actually want the job.
Having said that, if you do choose to submit an application online, whether it be through a job search website posting or through the business' site itself, you'd be advised to take the time and effort to prepare your application carefully. The typical form for job applications will generally have a basic form for you to fill out, as well as a special box for your actual resume. You can cut and paste the resume easily, but make sure to take care to retain the proper format if you can. And make sure to provide all the information the form requires.
A word of caution about applying for jobs online: as with every other aspect of the internet, there are frauds and scams in the field of job hunting. Sensitive information, such as your e-mail address or, more importantly, your Social Insurance Number, should not be given out online unless you are sure you know you're dealing with an above-board website or employer. If you are uncertain that the business offering a job online is a legitimate one, you can use the Net to further research its authenticity.
However you choose to "search" for your next Bartender Job, best of luck!