[messeh]

I was getting desperate so started handing out CVs claiming I'd done it before, gave my mate's phone number as a reference and got a job!


I claimed I worked at a pub for a while two years ago. What are some essential things I should know that'll help me not look like a total novice?

[HeyyImRyan]

Did you seriously not think they'd expect you to know how to do stuff before lying on your CV?

[Nuffles]

All I'm going to say is have fun looking like a n00b. You should have worked your way up like the rest of us.

[messeh]

(Original post by HeyyImRyan)
Did you seriously not think they'd expect you to know how to do stuff before lying on your CV?

Well yeah. Pulling pints looks pretty easy though. How hard can it be? Even if I get found out, at least I gave it a shot.

(Original post by Nuffles)
All I'm going to say is have fun looking like a n00b. You should have worked your way up like the rest of us.

When everywhere wants you to have done it before? Like I said, I'm pretty desperate.

[Zenzic]

They can actually sack you for lying on your cv. However it's unlikely they will find out and working in a Pub isn't that difficult. Im sure you've drank in many. If you do appear to look like a novice just say it's down to being nervous.

[Lmeechan]

Have fun looking daft.

[py0alb]

Its not exactly difficult. If you have been in a pub before, you will have probably observed the actions of the barman. It mainly involves taking orders, pouring pints and using the till, and ocasionally putting a food order through to the kitchen.

[monk_keys]

Whatever sort of till they have, say the one in your old job was different.

[concubine]

(Original post by Nuffles)
All I'm going to say is have fun looking like a n00b. You should have worked your way up like the rest of us.

.... It's not like bar staff are the most technically skilled of individuals. It's a job that really is doable by anyone. An awful lot of places don't require experience because most people are more than capable of quickly learning what to do. I don't see how someone that happens to have been previously employed in a bar is any more deserving of this job than the OP.


The whole 'you must have experience in X so that you can get a job to gain experience in X' thing is pretty lame, especially when it's asked for in such menial jobs.

[megan.c]

I think people are (quite rightly) pissed off at you because you've potentially taken that job from someone who is more qualified than you, or people who were honest about themselves on their CV

BUT as you're asking, coming from someone who has worked in a pub before, the actual tasks aren't that difficult and you can pick them up quickly, you just might look a bit odd if it ever gets busy and you start to struggle. Suppose you can put that down to the previous place not being that busy (unless you've already said it was)

Things like not knowing how to use the till you can explain by saying that it's very different to the one you used before, though the one I worked at was literally a case of pushing x button for x drink.

When you pour pints, ales you want to make sure the nozzle is right at the bottom of the glass and SLOWLY pull the lever to avoid getting a big head. If you do get a big one, then put it to the side for a bit to let it reduce before topping it up. Lagers like Carling or Stella, put the glass at a 45 degree angle against the nozzle. If the taps are dodgy these can be tricky, you know the glasses with the white spots at the bottom? These help it fiz up, but be careful in case it fizzes too much, if you pour a flat pint, pour it into another glass and it should fizz up. Cider is literally just put the glass under the tap and turn it on.
Wines have marks on the glasses normally to where you should fill them, or there might be a measure that they use. Either way just claim that the other place you worked at did it the other way to before.
Spirits are generally a case of push the glass under the valve and it will let out the pre measured amount. If you have trouble with which glasses, claim it was different in the other place - but don't do it too much as they're bound to get suspicious if you keep making excuses.

Just be confident about what you do I guess, and don't seem nervous and out of place like a newbie :/

[Nuffles]

(Original post by concubine)
.... It's not like bar staff are the most technically skilled of individuals. It's a job that really is doable by anyone. An awful lot of places don't require experience because most people are more than capable of quickly learning what to do. I don't see how someone that happens to have been previously employed in a bar is any more deserving of this job than the OP.


The whole 'you must have experience in X so that you can get a job to gain experience in X' thing is pretty lame, especially when it's asked for in such menial jobs.

That depends on the kind of place you're in. If it's a quite country pub then you could quite easily learn it pretty quickly with no experience. However, if they specifically ask for bar experience and you say you have it then you're a little screwed. If they say you need bar experience and you tell them you haven't any, but that you have other qualities that make you good at the job, then they may well hire you anyway. On the other hand, if the job is in a night club and you say you have experience and the first shift is four deep at the bar for 5 hours, then you're going to be in the crapper because you'll be expected to know what you're doing.

[Elissabeth]

Couldn't you say you did it abroad, say in Spain, where they don't have pints?

Just bottles, and they don't measure other drinks, they just pour?

[Claudette]

I've worked in many bars and pubs and each time have needed to be "bar trained" according to the company's rules and regulations and each place has a different till, different layout and different drinks. In a football ground its easy as they mostly only sell bottles. In a club its generally bottles and spirits in pubs hotels and restaurants you can expect to have draught beers, ale pumps and having to change barrels. You could blag the fact it was a few years ago and that you are a bit rusty but its a bit daft to lie because you may be expected to stock.check, do celler work and change barrels.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-S5830

[cid]

The guys showed some initiative and got himself a job, people seem to feel their nose is being put out of joint by someone who they perceive as getting things a little easier in life. Never done bar work make, all i can suggest is watch what everyone else does and try to copy that, that's how i learnt bricklaying

Also i believe it is an unofficial rule of bar tending to serve the hotties first ... but that should all be covered in orientation.

[laura1234]

Just come across really confident and chatty with the customers which shows you've had experience with customers etc and then ask for them to 'refresh your memory' on how all the bar stuff works as it's been 2 years since you've done it. They will probably show you it all anyway but honestly the customer thing is the main giveaway, if you show you are confident, chatty etc then they will think you've done it before and the rest will sort itself out.

[QwertyG]

Just say you lost your touch

[megan.c]

(Original post by cid)
The guys showed some initiative and got himself a job, people seem to feel their nose is being put out of joint by someone who they perceive as getting things a little easier in life. Never done bar work make, all i can suggest is watch what everyone else does and try to copy that, that's how i learnt bricklaying

Also i believe it is an unofficial rule of bar tending to serve the hotties first ... but that should all be covered in orientation.

Any reliable, friendly and welcoming pub will serve people in the order they came up to the counter.

[cid]

(Original post by megan.c)
Any reliable, friendly and welcoming pub will serve people in the order they came up to the counter.

So no pub north of Watford... except the odd Wetherspoons?

[megan.c]

(Original post by cid)
So no pub north of Watford... except the odd Wetherspoons?

Ah forgive me, I was not aware I was talking to someone who's visited every pub in the UK

[Stevo F]

(Original post by messeh)
I was getting desperate so started handing out CVs claiming I'd done it before, gave my mate's phone number as a reference and got a job!


I claimed I worked at a pub for a while two years ago. What are some essential things I should know that'll help me not look like a total novice?

you deserve to get sacked