Tips and Questions for a Bartender - Bar Person Interview

Bartenders work in any places that serve drinks such as pubs, clubs, wine bars, restaurants, hotels etc.

In this industry you will have to deal with a number of different people and situations. You will need to be outgoing and ready for anything in this role with excellent communication skills and a good memory to remember the drinks orders.

Dealing with customers can be a tricky business but dealing with customers around an alcohol environment can be much worse and you need to be patient and calm when dealing with demanding customers.

There are no specific qualifications for this role but a good personality and the right background or experience is what will interest potential employers.

As a bartender you will perform tasks such as:

• Taking drinks orders and serving customers
• Taking payment and operating a till
• Providing snacks such as crisps and nuts.

It depends on the establishment that you work in but you could work in a Cocktail bar and need to learn cocktails and drinks and also in some cases serve hot and cold food.

It is all about keeping the customer happy and this can be a challenging environment to work in that you need to be aware of at all times. You would also need to make sure that the tables are cleared when people have finished using them, wash glasses etc.

Working in bar will largely be an evening shift or shift system if they open all day and you will need to be 18 years of age to work in a place like this so your employer will be looking for proof of ID. If you are working a nights you need to think about the practicalities of getting to and from work at night and staying safe.

You should expect basic interview questions as well as work related questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• What motivates you?
• Why do you want this job?
• Where would you like to be in your career five years from now?
• What’s your ideal company?
• What attracted you to this company?
• Why should we hire you? What makes you a better candidate than others?
• What did you like least about your last job?
• When were you most satisfied in your job?
• What can you do for us that other candidates can’t?
• What were the responsibilities of your last position?
• Why are you leaving your present job?
• What do you know about this industry?
• What do you know about our company?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Good luck with your interview and we hope that you will get the job.