How to Write a Bartender CV: Step-by-step writing guide!

Are you interested in customer service and love serving people, socialising, or working in a fast-paced environment? Whether you're an experienced professional or looking for a part time job as a student, we cover everything you need to know about writing a modern CV fit for any bartender role, even if you have little to no experience.

Setting yourself apart from other applicants in the competitive hospitality industry is easier than you might think. We show you how to write a good CV optimised for application tracking systems (ATS) showcasing your skills and experiences. Start by choosing a professional CV template that aligns with industry standards so your application is easier to review and more likely to get noticed by potential employers.

In this article, we share:

• A simple bar staff CV example.

• Tips on how to describe bar work on a CV.

• Examples for a CV for bar staff with no experience.

• Essential bartender CV skills.

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Applying for your first role? We can help! Check out our tips and tricks for writing a professional CV for a first job!

Bartender CV example

Download this CV example - a bartender CV

In this bartender CV sample, Olivia Harrison is a Birmingham-based college graduate with relevant experience in retail and customer service. She has included her catering and hospitality course and a cocktail master class. Olivia has skills and interests related to bar work and is searching for a new position as a bartender at a professional establishment.

Explore related roles with similar skill sets to bar staff:

• Kitchen Porter CV

• Catering assistant CV

• Chef CV

• Restaurant Manager CV.

What to include in a bartender CV?

Use the following steps and tips in our writing guide to craft a bartending CV that prioritises key sections and impresses potential employers:

• Begin with the essential information: Up-to date personal contact details, including name, phone, email, and location or address.

• Create a concise yet impactful profile summary: Highlight achievements and career goals.

• List matching skills: Use the keywords from the bartender CV job description.

• Add a work history section: Showcase experience and skills by detailing duties and accomplishments in customer service or hospitality.

• Include an education section: Highlight relevant certifications or qualifications, with an additional section for languages, hobbies, or references. 

Read our article on how to write a master CV to find a comprehensive overview of the CV writing process to get started.

How to write a bar work CV in 5 steps

1. How to write a personal profile on a bartender CV 

Your personal profile is the first thing employers see on your CV, making it a powerful opportunity to leave a strong impression. To craft an engaging and effective personal profile, keep these tips in mind:

• Place your personal profile at the top of your CV to grab the employer's attention immediately.

• Write a brief summary that reflects your enthusiastic attitude and interest in hospitality.

• Highlight communication skills and your passion for customer service.

• Include attributes and experiences that showcase your dedication to customer service.

• Make your personal profile accurate, informative, and relevant to the role.

• Tailor this section for every job application, even if your work experience is limited.

• Focus on transferable skills, career interests, and goals that align with the bartender role.

Examples of personal profiles for a bartender CV

To learn more, refer to our personal profile on a CV blog. 

2. Mix it up with a bartender skills CV section

The skills section on your CV should be tailored to the bartender job description.

• Emphasise mixology proficiency and drink preparation or bar management skills if you’re writing a head bartender CV.

• Use a mixture of hard and soft skills (interpersonal) for maximum impact.

• Consider writing a skills-based CV if you have little to no work experience or are a recent school leaver to demonstrate an ability to handle tasks efficiently and serve customers in a timely manner.

For a pub role, transferable skills obtained from other experiences, both social and professional, are particularly beneficial to add to your CV if you have little work experience. Any relevant part-time work can help you show necessary customer service and sales experience. Refer to our barista CV example for more insight into skills that might be applicable to your ideal bartender role.

Examples of transferable skills:

• Interpersonal skills

• Critical thinking

• Leadership

• Creativity.

3. Get straight up with work experience on a bartender CV

In this section, incorporate essential details like job title, company name, dates, and key responsibilities. Within the work experience descriptions, highlight transferable skills acquired from diverse experiences, particularly in customer service roles. Utilise bullet points to showcase achievements, especially beneficial if you're building a CV with limited work experience. For those with little to no experience, you can include experience gained from you studies, working as a waiter or waitress, or potentially from a supermarket role.

Bartender CV work experience examples

Barman | Sip & Savour Pub | 2019 - Present | Birmingham

Engage in daily bar operations and maintaining cleanliness standards. Collaborate with team members to ensure efficient customer service, fostering a welcoming environment. Execute cash handling procedures and maintain accuracy in transactions.

• Upsold menu items, contributing to a 15% increase in sales revenue within six months.

• Recognised for exceptional customer service, receiving multiple positive reviews and recognition from management.

Bartender | Refresh Bar & Lounge | 2017 - 2019 | Manchester

Prepare a diverse range of beverages while ensuring consistent beverage quality. Maintain a clean and organised bar area, ensuring compliance with hygiene and safety standards.  Ensure the customer's experience and safety standards are always maintained to the highest standard. Foster and promote a welcoming bar environment for all guests.

• Initiated a new menu, resulting in a 10% increase in cocktail sales.

• Established a loyal customer base through social media marketing.

Cocktail Bar Staff | Mixology Haven | 2018 - 2023 | London

Crafted high-quality cocktails, following recipes and adding creativity to enhance the customer experience. Maintained a well-organised bar area, managed inventory, and ensured cleanliness and compliance with safety standards. Delivered exceptional customer service, recommending and customising cocktails based on preferences.

• Developed a themed cocktail menu, resulting in a 25% increase in sales.

• Received "Team member of the Month" twice for outstanding service and customer satisfaction.

Bartender CV work experience example with no experience

Customer Service Assistant | Community Charity Shop | 2020 - 2021 | Birmingham

Interacted with customers in a friendly and approachable manner, providing product information and assistance. Organised merchandise displays and maintaining a visually appealing shop floor, enhancing the customer shopping experience. Handled cash transactions, managed the till, and balanced daily receipts with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Initiated a customer feedback system, resulting in a 15% increase in positive feedback and improved service ratings.

For more guidance, explore how to list work experience on your CV.

4. Serve up the education section on a bartender CV

To be considered for a bartender role, it’s generally not a requirement to have higher education qualifications. This means that high school qualitifications are usually enough for your bartender application to be considered. For some roles, your application will stand out if you’ve attended bartending school or completed relevant certificates and courses. However, this is not a requirement for many bar staff positions in bars and pubs as many roles can be part time or seasonal.

When structuring the education section, always include the degree/diploma type, the level, the institution/ organisation, completion date/ in progress, and relevant subjects. If you are interested in exploring the hospitality industry for a full-time career, you can look into an apprenticeship to help you gain more experience.

UK GCSEs:

[School Name], [School Location], [Years Attended]

[n] GCSEs (including .. and ...)

Scottish Highers template:

[School Name], [School Location], [Years Attended]

Scottish Highers: [Qualifications]

N5s: [Qualifications]

Refer to our article about writing the CV education section for more information and tips.

5. How to include additional sections on a bartender CV

To convince employers that you’re the best candidate for the role, try to include any additional experience that helps to showcase your potential for the role. Consider adding strong achievements or an interest that will grab the attention of recruiters or hiring managers. Include a CV section for ​​hobbies and interests, volunteer experience, extracurricular activities, or student clubs. These sections can help to showcase transferable skills such as communication, social skills, teamwork, cash handling, and time management that support your bartender responsibilities in the job application.

Learn how to improve your CV for more tips.

How to showcase language skills on a bartender CV

Can you speak more than one language? If so, you’re lucky because this is a unique way to get your CV noticed! Feature a language section on your bar work CV to impress potential employers and showcase your multilingual abilities.

Use terms like "fluent," "proficient," "intermediate," or "basic" to indicate your skill level. Prioritise languages relevant to your job targets and potential location. For instance, if the bar caters to tourists or a specific language-speaking community, mention proficiency in those languages.

Language examples:

Spanish

• Proficiency: Fluent (C2 Level)

• Certification: DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) - C2 Level

French

• Proficiency: Intermediate (B1 Level)

• Certification: DELF (Diploma in French Studies) - B1 Level

Mandarin

• Proficiency: Basic (A2 Level)

• Self-Assessed Level: Conversational.

Learn how to add your unique language skills to your CV.

Key takeaways

Crafting a CV for bar work requires a tailored approach that highlights your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the role. Use these tips to create a CV that stands out to employers:

• Highlight relevant experience to demonstrate your suitability for bar work.

• Incorporate role specific keywords to increase your CV’s appeal to employers.

• Ensure your CV covers all essential sections and aligns with the job description.

• Enhance your CV by including volunteering, apprenticeships, or bartending courses if you have no direct experience.

• Emphasise essential skills such as communication, teamwork, and multitasking.

• Showcase a passion for customer service to reflect your enthusiasm for the role.

Next steps?

If you are short on time, we can help speed up the process. Our professional CV templates are well-structured and formatted, so you don’t have to worry about the final touches. We can design your CV in a few easy steps, saving you time and hassle. You can also learn more about our CV Writing Services.

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FAQs

What are the most important sections to include on a bartender CV? 

Start with contact details at the top of your CV, a personal bartender CV summary highlighting your essential skills, experience, and career goals. Detail your work experience, showcasing both hard and soft skills. List any relevant qualifications, courses, or certifications, followed by an additional section for applicable languages, hobbies or volunteer work. For more advice on structuring your CV, refer to our blog on how long a CV should be.

What are some responsibilities of a bartender? 

Check the bartender job description you are applying for to identify which skills and experience to include on your CV. Bar staff duties and responsibilities include mixing and serving drinks, managing inventory and supplies, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards, handling transactions, providing customer service, understanding and following alcohol regulations, and often creating and innovating new cocktails or drink recipes.

Where can I find bartender courses?

Adding courses and certificates on your CV for bartender can enhance the credibility of your application, especially if you have little to no work experience. Institutions like local hospitality schools, vocational training centres, and online platforms offer a variety of courses in bartending and mixology. You might consider completing an NOCN or BTEC Level 1 award in hospitality and catering or a food and beverages award. Some certificates can be completed alongside GCSEs. Alternatively, attending Bartending school would be the best option to boost your bar work CV and stand out from the competition.

Refer to these course websites below:

• Reed's Bartending Courses

• New Skill's Academy Bartending Certificate

• Bartending Courses | Emagister

• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

Refer to our guide on courses and certificates on a CV for more ideas. 

How much money does a bartender make in the UK?

In the UK, salaries vary widely based on experience, location, and the type of establishment. On average, it ranges from £14,000 to £22,000 per year. Factors such as tips, bonuses, and your employers can influence earnings.

Where can I find jobs for bartenders in the UK?

Explore online job portals and hospitality-specific websites and directly visit the websites of bars and hotels. Consider recruitment agencies and utilise social media platforms like LinkedIn for potential opportunities. Additionally, contacting local establishments can sometimes lead to job openings.

• Linkedin

• Indeed

• Recruit

• Leisure Jobs

• Caterer

• Total Jobs

Can I work as a bartender if I have average grades?

Definitely! Grades are not the primary factor in becoming a bartender. Bartending is more about having the right skills, attitude, and personality than education performance. Some roles require certain courses or certifications so you check the requirements in the job posting before you send your application.

Where can I find good templates for a bartender CV?

A good bartender CV template should be easy to review and highlight your skills and experience. Browse our library of templates that cater to different industries, allowing customisation to highlight skills, experience, and qualifications to create a professional bar CV.