The bar industry is a competitive one. So you need to write a bar manager resume that stands out if
you
want to get hired. A good resume can effectively describe your skills, experience, and background to
help you stand out to potential employers.
If you're applying for a position as a bar manager, your resume can benefit from including
quantitative
data, such as annual sales and money saved.
Furthermore, emphasizing your exceptional experience in the industry can help you land a job as a bar
manager. So this guide will show you how to organize and write a bar manager resume that can get you
the
job.
We'll also give you a bar manager resume example to help you get started.
Let’s begin.
What is a Bar Manager?
A bar manager is a trained hospitality
professional responsible for the smooth operation of a bar and its staff. They perform these duties
under all applicable rules and regulations in the state.
Your duties as an employee won't change whether you're working in a five-star restaurant, a buffet on
a
cruise ship, or a corner store. Ultimately, your job as a bar manager is to keep customers satisfied
while cutting costs and increasing revenue.
How Much Do Bar Managers Earn?
A bar manager can earn an
average hourly salary of $19, with a salary usually falling between $17 and $21, as of December
2022. Many factors, such as certifications, level of education, years of experience, etc., in the
field, can significantly impact a bar manager’s hourly rate.
How to Write the Perfect Resume
We recommend using
our resume builder
if you want an excellent bar manager resume. It’s free and only takes a few minutes to create your
resume! However, before you begin, you need to know how to write a resume to make the process even
easier.
You can use this bar manager resume example as a guide when writing. However, it’s best to tailor
your
application to highlight the experience and skills most relevant to the position you're looking
for.
If you need further help, check out this guide:
Important: According to
HRdive, hiring managers only take seven seconds to review your resume. So the quicker you get to
the point, the better your chances. That’s why it’s usually ideal to stick to a one-page resume.
Bar Manager Resume Example
Here’s how to write your resume for a bar manager position:
Your header, which includes your contact details, is the first thing a potential employer will see on
your resume. You can make it stand out by using a slightly larger or boldface font, but remember to
keep it legible.
Make sure your email address, phone number, and other means of getting in touch with you are correct
and
up-to-date on your resume. Go for a format that is easy on the eyes and does an excellent job of
showcasing your best qualities and experiences.
Plus, avoid outlandish layouts, bright colors, and weird fonts.
Summary
You may not need a summary in some fields or for specific
professions. But it can be good to have one if you want to get the attention of hiring managers.
Remember to highlight your most vital points, such as your most relevant skills and abilities.
You can also include other positive traits or characteristics that make you stand out as a potential
employee. You can tailor the summary section to each position you apply for by inserting keywords
for particular roles highlighted in job descriptions.
A sales- and profit-driven Bar Manager with a 7-year track record of success in challenging
environments. Recognized for exceptional interpersonal skills with guests and employees. Adept at
finding fair solutions to issues on time. A leader with the ability to inspire employees and transform
low-performing teams into high-performing powerhouses.
If you have managed a bar for over two years, choose to add a resume summary. The resume
summary adds up your years of experience in the bar industry and your management skills.
It also includes the achievements that can help you stand out. If you don’t have that much
experience, go for a
resume objective.
Professional Experience
The experience section is the most crucial aspect of a bar manager resume. Most hiring managers and
recruiters prefer to see your work history in
reverse
chronological order. That means you should list your most recent experience first.
Don't just list your job roles under each section. Instead, highlight your accomplishments from
previous employment in most of your bullet points. Use numbers to put your achievements in
perspective wherever possible.
Also, only include relevant experience that will help you get the job you're applying for.
- Increased Bar business by 60% with a new marketing and promotion strategy.
- Increased sales by 13% in the first four months when a creative new cocktail menu was
introduced.
- Updated the drink menu to include new options
- Rearranged the bar’s liquor bottles and other equipment
Quantify your achievements as much as possible. It’s one thing to say you’ve
achieved something. Providing details on how and when it was done, together with data or
numbers, is entirely different. For example, instead of "improved bar revenue," say,
"increased bar revenue by 35% in 2019 by updating the menu and educating employees on
how to provide upsells."
Certification
This will be an easy section for you if you have any
certifications or courses related to the bartending industry. As in the previous section, list all
official certificates and courses completed.
If you had any awards, such as Best Bartender of the Year, list those after your other qualifications
below. Remember: employers love consistency.
If the hiring manager sees several inconsistencies in your resume, they might move on without giving
you much thought.
If there isn't anything to add, just leave it blank. You don't want too much information clogging up
your resume anyway.
Certifications
CPD/CE Accredited Bar Management Certification, September 2019.
Health and Safety Certification, Workplace Certification, 2020, 2022
Food and Beverage Management Certificate, June 2021
Education
You can list your education and work experience in your bar
manager resume, depending on which order you want. But you have to choose the one that highlights
the bar manager role better.
For example, If the job requires substantial experience as a bar manager, you can put the experience
first on your resume. Alternatively, you can put your education first if that is your strong point
or if you have recently graduated.
Also, include details that can help your resume stand out, such as the amount of money you brought in
at your last job.
If you're just starting in the bar industry, include additional information, such as your interests,
hobbies, and relevant academic or professional experience. You can also mention your high school,
even if you recently graduated.
Education
BS Management in Hospitality; Penn State University. State
College, PA. August 2005.
Tips for Writing a Bar Manager Resume
Here are some tips that can help you
craft a resume that will make you stand out as a strong applicant for the bar manager position:
Be Specific and Concise in Your Resume
When writing your resume, you should
be specific and concise. Your resume is a sales pitch for potential employers. Focusing on selling
yourself as much as possible in this document is essential because it’ll help set you apart from
other
applicants.
Use Keywords Strategically
There are specific keywords that employers look
for when searching through resumes. If you don't include these words in your resume, it could hurt
your
chances of getting an interview. And the sad part is that everything else about your application may
be
perfect.
So tailor your resume to a specific job posting by including relevant keywords in your profile. For
example, emphasize your expertise in stocking and purchasing supplies if you apply for a job at a
busy
concert or sports venue.
Use the Right Template
Keep this bar manager resume example in mind when
writing yours. Use a template and make sure everything looks uniform. Search for examples online or
ask
someone who has written one before you, or use our free resume builder to make it easier.
Make the Most of Powerful Action Verbs
Your bar manager resume must show
your drive, initiative, and leadership qualities with dedication and confidence. Use powerful verbs
like
supervise, manage, oversee, lead, etc., to stand out from the crowd and land more interviews.
Proofread Your Resume Before Sending
Bar managers are meticulous and pay close attention to every single detail. So that should reflect in
your resume. Make sure your resume bar
manager position is free from any errors.
There shouldn't be any inconsistencies with the formatting, and there shouldn't be any typos or
grammatical or punctuation errors.
Final Thoughts
It's important to remember that the purpose of your bar
manager resume is to get prospective employers to read it. If they see something they like, they'll
call
you for an interview and hopefully hire you.
So keep this in mind as you write your resume: don't be wordy. Instead, be concise and clear. Also,
you
can include contact information at the top of each page so employers can reach out quickly if
needed.
Finally, include any certificates or courses you've taken related to this field. These show your
initiative and interest in learning new skill sets, which can only help boost your chances of being
hired.
FAQs
What should a bar manager put on a resume?
This depends hugely on the job for which you are applying. It can also vary if you’re writing to a
specific job advertisement or a bar or restaurant to get a job there. However, generally, you should
include skills relevant to the job, such as your interpersonal, communication, time management,
teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a bar manager?
As a bar manager, you’re responsible for
- Keeping stock of items,
- Making suggestions for dishes and drinks, and
- Making decisions about when and how often workers will be scheduled to work.
- Keeps tabs on sales and customer activity.
- Keeping costs under control and maintaining the budget
What looks good on a bartending resume?
It’s crucial to highlight the
relevance of your skills to the position you are applying for in your resume. First, think about the
transferability of your skills to each open position. Next, you should highlight the right skills,
such
as those listed in the job description. Finally, consider how you can best highlight your relevant
experience for each section of your resume.
What skills do you need to be a bar manager?
One of the essential skills
you need to have as a bar manager is strong leadership skills. You must also have a good head for
figures and customer service skills. Plus, you need to know how to perform your duties under
pressure.
These skills can help you land a job as a bar manager.
Bar Manager cover letter
An ideal resume is a combination of content that would allow you to stand out and format that is
ATS-friendly, neat and comfortable to read. Learn more about writing the perfect resume here, and be sure to
check out expert tips on creating an effective Bar Manager cover letter to go with your resume.
Go to cover letter
HR content specialist
Sam M. Dike
Sam is a HR content specialist. He enjoys sharing career advice and helping professionals land the right jobs. You`ll always find him conquering quests in video games when he`s not writing about human resources.