Crafting a CV that accurately showcases your unique blend of management skills and hospitality experience can be a daunting challenge for any bar manager. By exploring our guide, you'll gain insights and practical tips on how to effectively articulate your credentials, making your application stand out to potential employers.
- Create an attention-grabbing header that integrates keywords and includes all vital information;
- Add strong action verbs and skills in your experience section, and get inspired by real-world professionals;
- List your education and relevant certification to fill in the gaps in your career history;
- Integrate both hard and soft skills all through your CV.
Discover more industry-specific guides to help you apply for any role in the links below:
How to ensure your profile stands out with your bar manager CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your bar manager CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your bar manager CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your bar manager CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
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Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a bar manager CV
- Work experience showcases your history in bar management.
- Bar management skills emphasise your relevant attributes.
- Educational background displays your formal training.
- Professional certifications highlight specialised industry knowledge.
- Achievements in bar management provide concrete success examples.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Outline your leadership experience by detailing your history of managing teams, organising staff rotas, and maintaining a positive work environment conducive to high productivity and low staff turnover.
- Emphasise your knowledge of licensing laws, health and safety regulations, and the ability to enforce compliance to ensure that the establishment operates legally and safely.
- Highlight your financial acumen, showcasing experience with budgeting, cost control, stock management, and increasing profitability through strategic promotions and events.
- Detail your customer service skills, demonstrating how you've previously enhanced the customer experience, dealt with customer complaints, and trained staff to excel in customer interaction.
- Include any relevant certifications or training, such as personal licence holder status, cocktail mixology courses, or hospitality management qualifications, to substantiate your expertise in the field.
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Making a good first impression with your bar manager CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for bar manager:
- Senior Bar Manager | Mixology Expert | Staff Training | P&L Management | 10+ Years Experience
- Assistant Bar Manager | Customer Service Excellence | Inventory Control | WSET Level 2 | 5 Years Experience
- Lead Bar Supervisor | Cocktail Menu Design | Venue Promotion | Cask Marque Accredited | 8 Years Expertise
- Bar Operations Manager | High-Volume Events | Team Leadership | BIIAB Level 3 | 12 Years in Hospitality
- Deputy Bar Manager | Craft Beer Specialist | Quality Assurance | Staff Rostering | 6+ Years Professionalism
- Head Bartender & Bar Manager | Upscale Dining | Staff Mentoring | Licence Holder | 7 Years Progressive Experience
Catching recruiters' attention with your bar manager CV summary or objective
Located closer to the top of your CV, both the summary and objective are no more than five sentences long and serve as an introduction to your experience. What is more, you could use either to entice recruiters to read on. Select the:
- Summary, if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience. Feature your most impressive accomplishments and up to three skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for;
- Objective, if you're just starting your career off. Provide your career goals and answer how you see the role you are applying for will match your professional growth.
Judging which one you need to add to your bar manager CV may at times seem difficult. That’s why you need to check out how professionals, with similar to your experience, have written their summary or objective, in the examples below:
CV summaries for a bar manager job:
- Seasoned bar manager with over seven years of experience in bustling city-centre establishments, demonstrating expert knowledge in mixology, inventory management, and staff training. Oversaw a 20% increase in profitability through strategic promotions and exceptional customer service at The Thirsty Scholar, Manchester.
- With a robust 10-year tenure in upscale hotel management, I possess a comprehensive skill set that includes budgeting, event coordination, and fostering a customer-centric atmosphere. Transitioning to bar management to leverage these skills in a dynamic nightlife environment, and build upon a proven track record of team leadership and revenue growth.
- Accomplished restaurant manager aiming to pivot into bar management, armed with a strong background in food and beverage operations, staff development, and supplier negotiations. Acknowledged for driving a 25% sales increase at La Table Chic through innovative menu design and seamless service execution.
- Dynamic bar manager with five years of experience specialising in cocktail creation and venue marketing, adept at leveraging social media to enhance customer base and engagement. Successfully orchestrated themed events, resulting in The Midnight Mix’s ranking as the #1 cocktail spot in Liverpool by local publications.
- Seeking an entry-level position in bar management to channel my passion for hospitality and customer service excellence, with an eagerness to develop skills in strategic planning and team management. Highly motivated to contribute to a thriving and reputable night-time entertainment spot.
- Aiming to apply academic knowledge of business management and a fervent interest in the hospitality sector to a practical setting as a bar manager. Enthusiastic about fostering a welcoming ambience and ready to commit to comprehensive training in operational leadership and service excellence.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your bar manager CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Expertly managed a team of bartenders and support staff, fostering a positive work environment and ensuring high levels of customer service at all times.
- Implemented innovative cocktail menus and wine lists, staying ahead of industry trends and driving a 20% increase in beverage sales over a 12-month period.
- Conducted comprehensive inventory management, reducing waste by 15% while maintaining optimal stock levels to meet customer demand.
- Negotiated with suppliers to secure competitive pricing, improving bar profitability without compromising on quality.
- Designed and delivered bar staff training programmes, focusing on product knowledge, service techniques, and responsible alcohol service.
- Orchestrated successful promotional events and themed nights that attracted a diverse clientele and strengthened the establishment's reputation.
- Monitored compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations, ensuring a safe environment for both customers and employees.
- Deployed strategic shifts scheduling to align with peak service hours, enhancing customer experience and maximising operational efficiency.
- Analysed sales data to identify trends and make informed decisions on stock control, pricing, and marketing initiatives, aligning with business objectives.
- Implemented a dynamic pricing strategy for seasonal cocktails, resulting in a 25% increase in sales during peak seasons.
- Designed and launched a successful bartender training programme to elevate service standards, which reduced customer complaints by 40%.
- Negotiated with suppliers to reduce costs by 15%, allowing for an increase in profit margins without raising prices for customers.
- Oversaw the operations of a high-volume establishment, consistently exceeding monthly sales targets by an average of 20%.
- Developed and implemented a bespoke inventory management system that reduced wastage by 30%.
- Spearheaded a series of craft beer tasting events which attracted an average of 150 participants per session and increased craft beer sales by 35%.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to develop food-pairing menus that led to a 50% surge in food orders from the bar.
- Drove a 60% increase in social media engagement through targeted campaigns that promoted special events and offers at the bar.
- Managed a team of 20 staff members, implementing staff rotation that improved team morale and service quality.
- Revitalised underperforming bar venue by redesigning the interior and menu offerings, drawing in a new customer base and tripling revenue within a year.
- Liaised with local musicians to curate a weekly live music calendar, which became a signature feature of the bar and directly increased patron footfall by 45%.
- Introduced a loyalty scheme tailored to evening clientele, which successfully grew the customer retention rate to 70%.
- Orchestrated a full bar menu overhaul that focused on sustainable and local products, which resonated with the community and improved sales by 25%.
- Established live-streaming of sports events that capitalized on the sports bar market, resulting in average event night earnings rising by 40%.
- Implemented rigorous stock control procedures that minimized loss and maintained cost efficiency, maintaining a below 5% variance in stock levels.
- Directed a bar refurbishment project on time and under budget, while keeping the bar operational, which maximized revenue opportunities and refreshed the brand image.
- Launched a successful mixology masterclass series, generating an additional 15% in revenue and attracting local media coverage.
- Developed a supplier diversity initiative, incorporating more local and minority-owned suppliers, enhancing the bar's community engagement and reputation.
- Pioneered a cocktail subscription service that expanded revenue streams and built a consistent customer base, contributing to a steady 10% year-over-year growth.
- Achieved the highest quarterly sales in the bar's history through a creative, thematic event schedule around holidays and local festivities.
- Conducted a comprehensive waste reduction initiative, which included diligent portion control training for staff, resulting in a reduction of ingredient waste by 20%.
- Implemented a craft beer rotation system which significantly diversified the bar's offerings and increased beer sales revenue by 30%.
- Launched an employee incentive program that improved staff performance and guest satisfaction scores across the board by 25%.
- Enhanced the bar's social media presence, creating targeted ads that grew the follower count to over 10,000 and drove higher engagement rates.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your bar manager CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your bar manager CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your bar manager CV:
Inventory Management
Beverage Knowledge
Point of Sale (POS) Systems
Financial Reporting
Licensing Compliance
Staff Training and Development
Cocktail Preparation and Creativity
Merchandising and Promotion
Health and Safety Regulations
Supply Chain Management
Leadership
Communication
Problem-Solving
Customer Service Orientation
Teamwork
Attention to Detail
Adaptability
Time Management
Conflict Resolution
Stress Management
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
CV education and certificates: your academic background as proof of your skill set
A common misconception about your bar manager CV education is that you only need it, if you have less professional experience. That is completely false. The CV education section serves to back up your technical (and sometimes personal) capabilities, fill in gaps in your work history, and show you have the initial industry background and know-how. When creating your education section:
- List your degrees in the reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent (and relevant) ones first;
- Include your degree and university names, start and graduation dates. It's optional to also denote you received a "First-Class Honours" for diplomas that are more relevant to the role;
- Curate your relevant university coursework, projects, or thesis work if you happen to have less professional expertise and need to integrate more job keywords and skills.
Your professional qualifications don't need to stop at your academic background. It's advisable to also select up to three of your most noteworthy (and relevant) industry certificates and feature them in a dedicated section. Once more, include the certificate name, the institution that issued it out, and the date you obtained it on. You could feature both hard skills and soft skills certificates, as in the examples below:
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Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your bar manager CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
