Here at Metropolitan, we offer our graduates one on one resume coaching, and as of late we are noticing students asking one particular question: “How do I write my resume so it deflects from the gaps and multiple job history”.

Whether you’re starting out in the hospitality industry or re-entrying, a resume format you might consider is the skills based style.  This is especially attractive if you have had gaps in your employment history or varied positions.

There are advantages and disadvantages to this style therefore, take a look at the pros and cons below to see if this works for you.

Happy tending!!

advantages:

1. If you want to emphasize abilities and achievements that have not been used in your most recent job(s).
2. If you are changing career direction.
3. If you have had a large number of jobs and you would prefer to describe the experience you have gained in total.
4. If you want to include voluntary/unpaid experience.
5. If your work history has been patchy in recent years, either through unemployment, redundancy, self-employment, ill health, etc.
6. If you have several completely different job targets and you need a resume for each.

disadvantages:

1. If you want to highlight promotions/career growth – you could include this sort of information on the second page of your resume, but it would not be as prominent as on a performance resume.
2. If your most recent employer is highly prestigious, because their name will not be prominently displayed on the first page. You can get round this by putting their name in both the profile and cover letter.
3. Unusual resume format – may not be liked by everyone.

Template

Jenny C Citizen
6/710 Main Road
Mytown NSW 2909

Telephone: 02 555 5575
Facsimile: 02 555 5555 for messages only
E-mail: careers@careersonline.com.au
Personal home page: http://www.careersonline.com.au

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Include a short statement about what position you are applying for

Summary Of Qualifications

List the four or five of your top skills

• Create a bulleted list

• Choose skills that connect most closely to the job you are applying for

Skills Related to the Job Goal

• List up to three skills that you want to emphasize that relate to the job you are applying for.

For each one find examples of the following:

Any accomplishments you achieved while using this skill through a training program, work experience, or through volunteering

Any responsibility you had in a previous job or volunteer activity that required you to use this skill

Any special features you want to emphasize about your ability to use this skill

Any awards or certificates you received that relate to this skill

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

(Organize by highlighted skill: Guest services, Organizational etc..)

List up to three jobs and include the following for each one:

Dates employed with most recent first

Job title

Name of organization and location

Skill descriptions (What you did at the job & how you added to the company’s success)

EDUCATION

List any post secondary training program, the date it was completed and name and location of the organization providing the training.

REFERENCES

For any references you list, include correct name, name of the organization that the person works for, and his/her contact information such as full telephone number, any extension, and an e-mail address.

Here at Metropolitan, we can never talk enough about the importance of guest service/customer service.  Our instructors (Luch, Chad, & Geoff) all agree that  it is a paramount skill that is too often looked over by industry staff.  So, read on how just a couple of tips can help with your success as a bartender.

1. Get to know your guests –

Getting to know your guests is vital, as you want them to have the best possible experience while sitting at your bar as possible.  Ask questions, find out who they are, what they do, what are their interests, and of course what they like to drink!  Knowing just a few of these things shows interest (cause its all about me!) in your guest and makes them feel good that they chose your bar to be in.  Also, if you have repeat guests, its an important factor to REMEMBER what they drink and who they are!  There is nothing worse then a guest coming into the bar for the second time, bringing new friends and them saying “This place is great they really get to know you here.” and you the bartender saying “Who are you again?” Ah, no tip for you and that will probably the last time you see that guest!  Just saying….

2. Make suggestions (offer samples when you can) –

We cannot stress this enough…. making suggestions can turn into upselling and is a win win situation for everyone!  Your guest asks for a vodka martini, you say “Would you like to try it with (add what your premium vodka name)”, or you since you know the guest really like mangos offer a cocktail that has mangos, and provide them a sample to try.  The next thing you know… you have sold a few mango delights and made your guest beam with delight as you remembered their favorite fruit!  Really easy!!!

And to really make the point, here are some great quotes to remember!

Do what you do so well that they will
want to see it again and bring their friends.
WALT DISNEY

If we don’t take care of our customers, someone else will.
UNKNOWN

If you make customers unhappy on the Internet, they can each tell 6,000 friends.
JEFF BEZOS

Customers don’t expect you to be perfect.
They do expect you to fix things when they go wrong.
DONALD PORTER

Give trust, and you’ll get it double in return
KEES KAMIES

The quality of our work depends on the quality of our people.
UNKNOWN

Happy Tending!!!

Every good bartender knows that keeping tools of the trade clean, close by and in working order, is what gives them the fluidity to do their job.

Keeping tools clean is important as there is no “5 second” rule if it lands on the floor.  Your guests want to see that they are in a clean establishment while enjoying cocktails, not worrying if they will be drinking from a dirty glass.

Then, keeping your tools close by and in working order is essential, as you  can lose momentum and fall behind fast on a busy night, if your tools are not working properly.

And finally, It is equally important to always use your own tools like a wine crank or bottle opener, as you will get used to the “feel” of your tools and this can make your job fast and easy.

Happy tending!

Metropolitan’s own instructor extraordinaire Luch Balao, offers tips to excel your bartending skills and stand out as a professional!

Keeping your bar clean and organized is essential to running efficiently and if your bar is wet and unorganized, not only will drinks take you longer to make, you’re going to look messy while you are making them. Put bottles back where you got them from as soon as you are done using them. Wipe your bar down frequently: You’ve got a cloth for a reason, use it and keep that place looking as sexy as you are!

” I don’t care what your room looks like a home, but keep your bar clean!”

Clean bar = fast bar