Welcome! You’ve decided to embark on the wonderful journey of bartending school with National Bartenders School. Awesome! You have a flexible schedule and amazing teachers! Or maybe you’re still looking into our school, seeing if it’s somewhere that you’d like to attend? Great! Either way, you’re now wondering about work. The logical next question on your mind is most likely this one; “Can I get paid while I train as a bartender?”
The short answer is “Yes! You can!” There are several ways that you can earn money while you work towards your goal of obtaining that Bartending Certification! I will go into them in this article.
National Bartenders Work Placement- The Best in Southern California!
Each and every student is eligible for employment through the staffing service. While you are in bartender training, you cannot work as a bartender. However, you can be employed for events as a server, waiter/waitress, cocktail server, or bar back! There is plenty of opportunity for you to make a substantial income while training with NBS!
How to Get Jobs
Employment steps vary slightly by school location, but typically they all follow the same general principle. At the beginning of the week, you should always let your manager at the school know your upcoming availability. Your manager will receive several job listings each week that he/she will make available to you via the internet. When you find a listing that works for your schedule, you will contact the assigned staff to put your name in for the job. They will contact you when you are assigned for that particular event. Easy!
Job Protocol Class
You must attend the class scheduled for Job Protocol and Policies before you are eligible to start work. Find it in your student handbook- we offer it at least once a week, hence it is very convenient for you to attend. You don’t have to worry- you will be able to start work right away! This class covers all of the basics including National Bartenders dress code and work rules. It gives you insight as to the workings of serving jobs and bar backing.
Uniform and Personal Presentation
Our staff uniform consists of “black bistro” attire. This is a black button up shirt, black slacks, black non-slip shoes, and a black tie. Also required is a black apron, two hand towels, and a wine key. There are a few other items that are suggested, such as a notepad, pen, bottle opener, etc- these are all covered in the employment basics class. Hair, body, and fingernails must be groomed. Always present yourself with a smile!
Event staff is required to show up to their gigs twenty minutes early to assure that they find parking and are available on time. You must also arrive early in anticipation of prep work. Always behave in a helpful and professional way.
Event Servers
Event serving is a majority of the event staffing jobs available. For this particular role, you will be assisting the catering staff or the bar staff with the serving of food or beverages. Many times, this involves serving multiple drinks on a tray- don’t worry, this is not as hard as it looks! Servers wear a smile, greet the patrons, and keep the food and beverages coming, and people will be happy to have them!
Event servers also provide cleanup throughout the event. You will be picking up discarded plates, cups, napkins, and other items to keep the event space clean is required. You will also be responsible for cleaning up spills, helping people locate drink stations, exits, parking lots, and bathrooms.
Bar Back
A bar back is a great way to learn about bartending while helping out the bartender for the event. Bar backs are in charge of preparing the bar workspace, cutting and preparing garnishes, stocking drinks, and keeping glassware stocked for the bartender. They also keep kegs refilled throughout the night. In addition, bar backs help clean up spills and debris from around the bar, and keep the space clean for the bartender.
Bartender
Once you have completed Bartender School and testing, you are eligible for work as a bartender. Students still in training are not eligible for this job.
Payment
Pay is determined by event, but is always at least the state hourly minimum wage. Often it includes a gratuity. Gratuities are paid at the event or paid to the company and included on your paycheck. Payment is delivered directly to you weekly, usually on Friday, through PayPal.
Be Ready to Make Some Money- On Your Own Time!
Most events are held on weekends, but some are throughout the week. You have ample opportunity to work when your schedule allows for it! Welcome to the wonderful world of event staffing!
