Barback Jobs Overview
If you’re eager to start working in the food and beverage industry but you don’t have much experience, consider barback jobs as a great option. These workers are essential for the smooth-running of bar activities. They are mostly bartender assistants. However, they also take care of many other small but crucial tasks.
In this role, you could work in bars, hotels, nightclubs, at events or any other establishment serving drinks. Are you wondering about the future job prospects of this career? Bartenders and related professionals are on the rise, with growth estimated at 32%, far above the 8% average in the US economy.
Barbacks carry out duties such as:
- supporting bartenders in all their operations
- opening/closing tabs for customers
- replenishing supplies for the bar counter, shelves, and fridges
- changing kegs
- clearing empty glasses and any waste on the bar counters
- clean restrooms
- assist customers
Are other food service jobs on your mind? Why not also check out:
Education and Skills for Barback Jobs
To start working in the food and beverage industry as a barback you might be required to possess at least a high school diploma. Some employers will also ask for some related experience, but many will be willing to train you on the job as well. If you have no experience, hotels or small cafeterias are great environments to choose. If after some time as a barback, you feel ready for the next step, read about how to become a bartender.
Curious about which skills employers seek in candidates for bar staff? Here are some of the most important ones:
- multi-tasking
- organization
- attention to detail
- communication
- ability to perform well under pressure
- high energy level
- flexibility
Update Your Resume for a Barback Job
If you’re preparing a resume for a barback position you should be aware of a few simple tricks that can take you further. First, build a resume that is clear, easy to read and one to two pages only. Stick to the basic five resume sections but add hobbies and interests when relevant. To help you with your resume format, start with our bartender resume sample.
Then, carefully read the job offers to find the exact keywords to include in your resume. This practice will help you overcome the automatic screening software that more and more companies are utilizing. Finally, write a barback cover letter. Shoot for the stars and explain why you are interested in the position and how it would help you grow professionally, perhaps to soon become a bartender. Remember, companies like candidates that know what they want and have a plan.
Interviewing for a Barback Job
The best advice we can give you if you have a barback job interview coming up is to practice before the big day. Even if you feel confident about answering questions such as “tell me about yourself” or “why do you want to work here?”, behavioral questions might be tricky to handle. Their scope is test your responses to unexpected situations to understand if you could face those successfully in real life. Have a look at our cheat sheet for the barista interview, a similar job to the barback, to get a better grasp of what you might be asked.
How Much Do Barback Jobs Pay?
Barbacks are paid $11.16 per hour on average, while in bigger cities like Los Angeles paychecks can reach up to $13.06 per hour. If you’re wondering how much you could be making in your own city, visit Monster’s Salary Tools. This section has been designed to help you understand and navigate today’s job market. It will suggest to you the best locations for your profession and which skills to target to move forward in your career.
Want to Learn More About a Company You’re Interested In?
We strongly suggest you always look up the companies you’re interested in before sending them your resume. This will help you understand if you fit their culture and therefore, can have a long career with them. Open Monster’s company profiles and start your investigation. You’ll find:
- company mission statements
- employee benefits
- latest job offers
Don’t Wait for the Last Call, Find Barback Jobs on Monster Today
Finding a new job should be easy and stress-free. Monster is your best ally for that. It takes only a couple of minutes to set up a free account and start your journey. Upload your resume and you’ll be visible to all the recruiters and companies that search for candidates on Monster. Moreover, with our customized alerts you’ll be able to apply to jobs of interest as soon as they get published.