If you’re ready to move on from bartending, you might be surprised to learn that the skills you honed behind the bar will serve you well in an IT career.
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Bartending can be an incredibly fun and lucrative job for a period of time. The fast-paced environment social interactions, and potential to earn solid tips makes it appealing to many. However, there often comes a point where bartenders start looking towards new careers that offer more stability better hours, or just a change of pace.
Transitioning out of bartending into something new can be daunting but with the right strategy and mindset, you can make the move successfully. Here’s a comprehensive guide to how to transition smoothly into a new career after bartending
Take Stock of Your Transferable Skills
First, make a list of all the soft and hard skills you’ve developed as a bartender. Things like:
- Customer service and communication abilities
- Multitasking and time management
- Problem solving and conflict resolution
- Sales and upselling capabilities
- Marketing and promoting events/specials
- Inventory and money management
- Attention to safety and security
- Ability to create an enjoyable guest experience
- Knowledge of spirits, beer, wine, and mixology
You’d be surprised how many of these transferable skills apply to all sorts of non-bartending roles. Being able to clearly articulate these skills will serve you well in interviews and applications.
Research Potential Careers
Once you’ve taken stock of your skillset, start brainstorming and researching new careers that seem appealing and align with your abilities. Some options to consider:
- Restaurant/hospitality management
- Event planning
- Real estate
- Sales/account management
- Tourism/hotel management
- Entrepreneurship
- Brand ambassador roles
- Marketing/promotions
- Customer service
Make a list of a few viable careers that spark your interest to explore further. Reach out to any connections you may have in those fields to learn more about the day-to-day realities.
Update Your Resume
With potential new careers in mind, update your resume to highlight your mixology experience in a way that emphasizes relevant transferable skills versus bartending specifics. Use your research to craft a resume targeted for each field you’re pursuing.
For example, accentuate your customer service skills if applying for a front-facing retail role or highlight your inventory management abilities if looking to get into procurement/purchasing careers. Tailor each resume to match the employer’s needs.
Enroll in Relevant Courses
Some career shifts may require you to learn new skillsets or earn specific certifications. Now is the time to proactively enroll in any training programs that will help you meet qualifications for your desired new field.
Online courses, local community classes, industry workshops, and seminars are great ways to build your knowledge base and resume for the next step. These demonstrate your commitment to professional development.
Network and Find Mentors
Networking will be crucial to opening doors into a new industry. Talk to regular bar guests you’ve built relationships with about their careers and companies. You never know who might know of an opportunity that’s a great fit.
Also consider finding a mentor that currently works in your target field. Their guidance and insight into the realities of the job can prove invaluable. They may even be able to facilitate introductions to hiring managers.
Apply Strategically
Balance applying for totally new roles in your chosen field while also keeping an eye out for bartending jobs that overlap with your future aims.
For example, restaurant/hotel bar manager roles still incorporate aspects of bartending while transitioning into more hospitality management. Or look for bartending jobs at venues that align with your interests, like sports stadiums for sports management careers.
This allows you to ease into a new field gradually while limiting financial risks.
Consider Internships or Apprenticeships
Pursuing internships and apprenticeships are another strategic way to transition careers. These short-term gigs allow you to gain real-world experience in your desired field and grow your network.
Many companies use these programs as part of the hiring pipeline for permanent positions, so they can be direct pathways to full-time work. The lower commitment also lets you test-run the new career before fully jumping in.
Save Up a Transition Fund
Ideally, you want to avoid any gap between jobs to keep income flowing. But building up some savings creates a financial cushion in case you need to go a period without steady income during your transition.
Even having expenses covered for a few months can take away the money pressures of changing careers. Make sure your bartending budget allows you to steadily contribute to these savings.
Embrace the Change
The prospect of starting a new career path after years of bartending can stir up feelings of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. This is completely normal!
Rather than resist these emotions, acknowledge them and reframe the transition as an exciting challenge. With the right positive mindset and preparation, you can embrace this next chapter.
Visualize succeeding in your new role and lean on support systems. Your mixology experience has equipped you with so many valuable, adaptable skills that will continue opening doors.
Give Proper Notice
Once you’ve secured a new position, give your bar job proper notice that you’ll be leaving. Resist the urge to abruptly quit in frustration. Leave respectfully and make the transition smooth for the sake of references.
Offer to train the new hire taking your place. This professionalism will be appreciated by managers. Plus, you never know when you may cross paths with bar industry contacts again down the road.
Request Strong References
As you wrap up, ask managers or veteran bartenders you’ve worked with for references. Get their permission to list their names and contact information on applications for your shiny new career.
Glowing references from those you’ve worked closely with carry tremendous weight and will give you an advantage over other candidates. Most will be more than happy to vouch for you.
Stay Connected
Even as you move forward, don’t fully close the door on the bar world. Nurture the bonds and network you’ve built. Pop back in to say hello to your former regulars when possible. The relationships formed will continue opening doors no matter your career path.
And who knows – you may find yourself missing the fast-paced energy and camaraderie of the service industry. Bartending can always be a part-time gig for extra cash or just for fun.
While challenging, transitioning out of bartending into a new career can be done smoothly with proper planning. Identify transferable skills, research options, network, enroll in courses, and embrace the change.
Rather than a closing door, view the transition as an opening window into new possibilities. Bartending develops so many invaluable and versatile skills that thrive in all kinds of work environments.
Trust your abilities, take proactive steps, and get excited about what lies ahead. The possibilities are truly endless, and your experience behind the bar has prepared you to create cocktails anywhere. Cheers to new adventures!
The Skills Bartenders Need to Get Into IT
In the hospitality industry, every customer has different needs and you must quickly adapt to learn how to best serve them. The same is true for IT. Every customer has a different want or need, and you’re tasked with providing the right solution in a timely manner.
Most people don’t think of information technology as a people-oriented career, but customer service is an essential skill for IT pros. Think about it. You may be working behind a computer, but in order to meet your customer’s needs you need to speak with them, listen to what they are trying to accomplish and be able to communicate your suggestions to get them there. Sound familiar? Your skills are valuable to our industry.
According to Chron.com, not everyone can handle the high-pressure, customer service position that comes with working as a bartender. Therefore, bartenders possess a number of traits that transfer well outside of the hospitality industry.
If you’re considering a change, think about the skills you have and how you can apply them to another career, like IT. You can probably claim all of the following skills and traits:
- Personality
- Accuracy
- Ability to multitask
- Flexibility
These are characteristics that most employers would look for in an employee – IT included! We need people with a solid work ethic, great people skills and the desire to succeed. Does that sound like you?
Start Serving Yourself: How to Change Careers From Bartending to IT
If you’re a bartender and need a career change, have you considered IT? As a bartender, you have developed a variety of skills that transfer nicely to working in IT. The bonus? You won’t ever have to mix a mojito during last call again.
Here’s a list of resume-worthy skills you already use daily in your job:
- You’re a pro at teamwork. You help out your coworkers when they’re slammed and divide opening and closing tasks to get the job done more quickly.
- You have to be punctual. Show up late or miss a shift, and you make less money.
- You’re used to working under pressure. When a large crowd comes in at once, you have to focus to make sure all customers are receiving the same level of service.
- You can multitask in your sleep. Take orders, mix drinks, wipe up spills, pour refills and repeat.
- You’re great at communicating with different audiences. In order to keep things running smoothly, you have to communicate effectively with your customers, your manager, your coworkers and other staff.
- You have learned to be patient and problem solve. Things don’t always go as expected. If a guest doesn’t like their drink, you’re put in a position to find a solution and help them have a great time.
Whether you work in a pub, a lounge, a hotel or for a catering service, your bartending will transfer well into an information technology career.
How to Cut Someone Off While Bartending – Bartender 101
FAQ
What is the 50 rule in bartending?
Can I make a career out of bartending?
How do I transition out of bartending?
Transitioning out of bartending requires a combination of self-assessment, skill development, and strategic networking. Here are the steps you should take to help you make the move: 1. Self-Reflection and Skill Identification Begin by diving deep into your motivations for wanting a change.
Why do people transition out of bartending?
Being a bartender long-term is not for everyone, and each bartender may have their own personal reasons for exploring other jobs. Some common reasons people transition out of bartending include: Variety: Some bartenders simply want to work in a new environment outside of the bar where they can learn new skills.
Should you leave your bartending career?
Being a bartender is an exciting job with many benefits, but some people decide to leave their bartending career for other opportunities. Bartenders have a diverse skill set that makes them ideal candidates for positions in multiple fields.
How do I transition from bartending to a new challenge?
I truly hope these five tips help you in transitioning out of bartending and onto your new challenge. Embrace the change, lean on your strengths, and always be open to new opportunities. Your next chapter might just be your best one yet.
