Responding to bartender job listings on craigslist

April 28, 3:48 AMBartender ExaminerKathleen Neves

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Bartender Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Craigslist can be a useful tool during your search for a bartending job because the site is always updated with new listings multiple times a day, it’s free and it’s easy to search. The downside of craigslist is that everyone else is also looking and responding to the same listings that you are. This is why it is so vital to make yourself stand out among all the other candidates, in a positive way.

When it comes to responding to a craigslist ad, you MUST read it carefully. When you come across an ad for a bartending position, it's hard not to get excited and want to respond right away, but you must be careful in how you respond. If you fail to follow the directions for responding to the ad, it could cost you an opportunity to land the job.

The reason why it is so important to read the listing carefully and in it’s entirety before responding is because the listing is going to state exactly how they want their applicants to respond to the ad. Some ads will request that all applicants cut and paste their resume in the body of the email and specifically request that no attachments are sent. Some ads will request in addition to a resume, a list of your references, your work availability and a cover letter. When it comes to cover letters, the more personalized it is for the specific job you are applying for, the better. Generic cover letters tend to get glossed over and ignored by hiring managers. Whenever the ad asks for something, be sure to include it in your response. Denying information that is requested in the ad from your response will only deny your chance of getting an interview.

Other ads will request no phone calls regarding the position. No one is going to hire a bartender over the phone, so why waste your time calling? Some ads on Craigslist will give specific dates and times for the applicant to come by the bar to drop off their resume to a hiring manager in person. These types of ads are called “cattle calls.” If you are responding to a cattle call, be sure to the bar earlier than the stated time in the ad, otherwise you will be waiting in a long line outside of the bar with all of the other applicants. With cattle call ads, the applicant has the advantage of knowing where the hiring bar is located. Use this to your advantage by visiting the bar ahead of time to scope the place out. Is this a bar you can see yourself working at? If it isn’t, why waste your time waiting in line at the cattle call? Be sure to take a look at what the bartenders are wearing. If you do decided to attend the cattle call, the closer you dress to how the working bartenders are dressed, the easier it will be for the hiring manager to picture you working behind their bar.

In general, whenever you are responding to a bartending job listing on craigslist, pay close attention to the directions given in the ad and follow them. If a candidate applying for the bartender position can’t follow simple instructions with responding to a craigslist ad, imagine how well that person will be able to follow directions behind the bar while being in control of the hiring manager’s liquor and cash.

For more info: Check out the bartending job listings on craigslist.org.

Other “Job Search” Related Articles:
Find a Bartender Job: Resume
Find a Bartender Job: Attitude vs. Experience
Find a Bartender Job: Interview
Find a Bartender Job: Pounding the Pavement
Benefits to Going to a Bartending School

Can’t Decide Which Type of Bar to Work At?
Benefits to Bartending in a Local Neighborhood Bar
Benefits to Bartending in a Nightclub
Benefits to Bartending in a Restaurant