We’ve all been on job interviews that make us nervous, you know, that dry mouth feeling, palms that won’t stop sweating, your heart beating so fast it feels like it is going to pop out of your throat!

For most people in the service industries, interviews are stressful. Just thinking about them can make you anxious and nervous, and you get even more nervous knowing this is not the impression you want the bar manager to get, especially when you know in fact that you’re a very cool person!

For many, getting a bartending job is a last resort when other things don’t pan out. Rents are due, credit cards are maxed out and with the fierce competition in this industry, the last thing you can afford is to “bomb out” during the interview.

And with so many things beyond your control, you need to find a way to stop working against yourself. So BarmanGude.com will show you how to be in top form and total control during the interview process, so landing a job and leaving the competition in the dust will come easily and effortlessly!

1) Dress The Part

James Bond always looks good, even after walking out of an exploding building. Why is that? He dresses the part. Take a tip from the Brit Martini swiller and dress as though you already have the job.

Present yourself to the interviewer just like you’d look like behind the bar... making it more probable they’ll see you in the job as a natural fit.

2) Eye Contact

Bartending is a people business, so if you have a hard time making eye contact with the interviewer, you might want to consider another occupation. Studies have even shown that service staff that make eye contact with customers get better tips, so don’t be shy!

If you constantly look at the floor or off to the side when answering questions, they’ll be left with the impression that you’re not truthful at worst, or lacking confidence at best, a trait not found amongst any bartender worthy of the title.

3) Strut your stuff

Confidence is more than bragging, it’s something that comes from talent and skill. There’s no better way to sell yourself to a prospective employer that to “act as if....” Act is if you are the best bartender this person has ever seen, but do it naturally, or you’ll come off as cocky.

When the adrenaline kicks in you’ll be surprised at what a boost it gives you! No matter how much you practice in advance, you’ll discover a depth to yourself that you might not have known was there. And that’s exactly the type of energy that good bar managers and owners are looking for.

4) Get to the point

5) Interview the interviewee

It also lets you get a feel if this job and person are suitable for you to work on, after all, the interview is just one day on the job.

This shows professionalism, experience, and awareness, the three most important considerations of any barkeeper. Good luck!

Substitutes, slangs, abbreviations, mixes, decorations and other things bartenders should know

COMMON SUBSTITUTES

1. Creme De Almond or Creme De Noya.

2. Galliano, Roiano, Florentino and Neapolitan.

3. Kahlua, Creme De Cafe, Tia Maria, or any Coffee Flavored Liqueur. (Note Never Use Dark Creme De Cacao In Place Of any Coffee Liqueur.)

4. Drambuie 80 Proof, Loghan Ora 70 Proof and Grandtully 53 Proof.

5. Pernod, Herbsaint.

6. Green Chartreuse 110 Proof, Dryer In Taste Than Yellow Chartreuse.

SLANG TERMS

MAN - Means Manhattan.

PLAIN - Means Water.

ROCKED - Means Lowball with Ice.

LIGHT Means Less on Sweet part of Drink.

SWEET - Means 7up or go more on Sweet part of Drink.

DRY - Means Charged Water.

DRY OR EXTRA DRY - On a Martini or Man etc. Means less Vermouth.

BEER WITH - Means Beer with a Glass.

GINGER - Means Ginger Ale.

FORGET THE GARBAGE - Means No Fruit.

MARTIN - Short for Martini.

MONEY - Means Plain Pop.

COLLINS - Is a Tom Collins.

SLING - Is a Singapore Sling.

VIRGIN - No Alcohol.

NAKED - No Vermouth.

SPLASH - Means splash of water.

BAR MIXES

1. Water or Plain

2. Soda, Charged Water, Seltzer, Dry, Sparkling Water and Carbonated Water, All Mean The Same.

3. Quinine Water or Tonic, (Many Customers Ask For Scheppes Which Is A Brand Name Tonic.)

4. 7-Up, Sweet or White Soda

5. Sour (Lemon Sour)

6. Ginger Ale

7. Coca Cola

8. Orange Juice

9. Lime Juice

10. Tomato Juice

11. Snap-E-Tom and Mr. & Mrs. T's Mix (Both Are Tomato Juice With Hot Ingredients Added.)

12. Grapefruit Juice

13. Milk, Half & Half, Sweet Cream or Ice Cream

DIET OR LOW CALORIE MIXES

1. Water

2. Charged Water

3. Diet Cola

4. Fresca

5. Tab

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS USED

J & B Scotch (Not Jim Beam Whiskey)

V.V.0 Martins Scotch

C.B. Christian Brothers Brandy

V.S.Q. Coronet Brandy (Means Very Special Quality)

7 Crown-Seagrams American Whiskey

A & A Ancient Age American Whiskey

C.G. Chapin & Gore American Whiskey

V.0. Seagrams Canadian Whiskey

C.L.C. Canadian Lord Calvert

C.C. Canadian Club

G.T. Gin & Tonic

O.J. Orange Juice

P.B.R. Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer

DECORATIONS

1. Lemon Twist

2. Lime Piece

3. Orange Slice

4. Cherry

5. Filbert or Hazelnut

6. Olive

7. Anchove Olive

8. Pickled Mushroom

9. Pearl Of Onion

10. Cinnamon or Nutmeg

11. Cinnamon Stick

SUBSTITUTES FOR SUGAR OR LEMON JUICE

Sugar

1. Powdered

2. Granulated

3. Cube

4. Simple Syrup (One Can Be Substituted For The Other.)

Lemon Juice

1. Lemon-Juice

2. Fresh Lime

3. Sweet Sour Mix (Can be substituted in place of lemon juice or fresh lime.)

4. Sweet Sour Mix is 1/2 Simple Syrup & 1/2 Lemon Juice mixed together.

The TIPS® Program provides graduates with intervention strategies for handling difficult situations. Also beneficial in third-party liquor liability lawsuits, providing a 'reasonable efforts' defense. Most American clubs and hotels require their bartenders to complete an alcohol awareness program.