Is it possibly for a man to get a bartending job in Chicago? (flat-chested/homely/or larger girls may feel the same way)
Establishment: Any and all
Location: interweb advertising
There seems to be a pervasive inclination in the food and beverage posts on craigslist to allude to preferring big-tittied. toe-headed, flirty girls. I can understand that this attitude exists within the club scene where orange-skin, bad hair and that unmistakable stink of overcompensation seem to be as important as a cover charge and the desire to appear on VH1. No respectable person would frequent such places, so any prospective employee must elicit those strong feelings of disrespect. So with the understanding that my experience and my preferred type of bar lead me to avoid establishments that serve drinks in plastic cups, I find that places of seemingly strong moral fiber seek to hire only ladies best served as extras on \"Flavor of Syphilis\".
Alright, that might have been a little sarcastic and verbose, but there does seem to be something seriously wrong with the hiring process in this fair city of ours. I don\’t want to cry \"reverse sexism\" (which on top of being an oxymoron, isn\’t such a great deal that I am rushing to turn in my \’white-male card\’) or anything like that, mostly because I am unsure as to who it is more sexist to… men or the \"you\’re not quite what we\’re looking for\" women or even the attractive woman who is judged on her looks alone. This all seems to be the reality of things and honestly I am most curious as to how successful this business model is to establishments (owners and managers, I implore you to rebuttal). These ladies are treated as a commodity amongst potential employers… and they seem to know that and rarely make decent bartenders. I know myself as a bar patron, as opposed to an employee, am much more likely to become a repeat customer through good service and an outgoing and affable bartender… regardless of gender. Granted, I may leave a slightly bigger tip to a girl in a constant state of nipple slippage. However, I will not buy more drinks because of that and I almost certainly will not become a regular so the overall benefit towards an owner is lost on me (except the possibility that exists in those \"little engine that couldn\’t quite\" brains under their laughably ineffective attempts to hide those growing bald-spots that these women who are entirely out of theor league may be so seduced by their GM status, used BMW with 200k miles, and ever expanding waistband). There is a serious cognitive dissonance between your hiring policies and what would seem like the good business sense to build a solid and loyal customer base.
Any of you out please feel free to respond. I am curious, what are the general thoughts of the industry towards this matter. Is this simply good business sense? Am I some whiny, loser who doesn\’t understand the subtleties of DJ Tiesto and Armani shirts? Let\’s get a nice healthy dialogue going. I may have been a few pops deep when I wrote this so any gaps in logic I will simply attribute to King of Beers. And no, I don\’t see the irony in me writing a rant and/or rave in regards to how I am vexed towards why I cannot get a job while I am intoxicated.
Comments
I am a female bartender and I agree with you. I have never used my looks to get ahead in the world, and I pride myself on my work ethic and experience. I find it ridiculous that in order to apply for any job these days in the bar/rest industry you have to send a photo or myspace page link along with your resume. It has to be illeagal on some level, except all the ads online ask for it. I’m losing potential jobs to my dim-witted large chested competition, even though i’ve got tons of experience and great references. I refude to wear a corset and highheels to work to perform an physically tasking job such as serving or bartending. I think its ubsurd that any bar, club, lounge would hire a playboy looking 21 year old over a seasoned veteran such as yourself.
I hear you loud and clear my fellow frustrated counterpart!
Craigslist will flag a post if all uppercase letters are used but will not flag job postings that are BLATANTLY discriminatory…attractive or not I refuse to send my picture to establishments on sheer principal alone! My suggestion to individuals looking for industry jobs is this: Hang in there and unless you have kids or need money desperately, DO NOT COMPROMISE!! If establishments are hiring based on looks and not skill, they will eventually fail! Look for reputable establishments, preferably with insurance benefits. These jobs are out there; just keep looking! Good luck to all!
I hate to say it but, misery loves company kids, and I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one who can’t find a job because I’m older than 23(much) and weigh more than 110(much).I really was starting to think it was just me, but I guess it’s true, years of experience, brains, a great work ethic, a fantastic sense of humor(if I do say so myself),oh and… SKILL don’t account for anything anymore, huh? What’s the problem? Afraid we might attract intelligent clientele that actually know about food and wine and are willing to spend money on it? Jesus!
I love working in this biz and I don’t want to do anything else. I was managing for years, but quit because I just want to tend bar or wait tables while I go to culinary school. I actually thought it would be easy to get a job. Yeah, yeah…hind sight’s 20/20 damn it.
When I finish school I’ll open my own place and only hire old, experienced restaurant people and make them send me their pictures with their resumes…of their families that they have to support.
I am amazed by how many Human resources laws are ignored or broken by Craig’s List ads. It is sad that Chicago’s hiring needs for bartenders centers around 30 yearold blue eyed blondes with big yabos. I repled to and ad asking for for female only bartenders including photo - my note simply asked did they know how many laws city state and federal were ignored with their ad? They immediately replied to come in fill out an application, but realize they would not hire me.
Chicago is incredible… I moved here in mid June from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I was the lead bartender at a restaurant and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. I have also worked with a celebraty Chef in Boston at one of his meticulous restaurants. Same here. I thought I would land a job in a week easy. I never thought that two months later I would be searching. I am blond and blue eyed but, mid 30’s so, I guess that’s right. It’s an age thing. I am engaged and moved to Chicago with my fiance because of his job promo. I told him that if something doesn’t come into play soon that I am going to have to leave Chicago. I was so excited to come here and now, I am beginning to regret it. Good luck to all!
In this biz over 30 = over the hill. they want beauty not brains. and if the vacuous mannequin of female specimen happens to be efficient at her what an added bonus. VJ is right being intelligent and over 30 and well qualified, basically means your fucked. I am 36 I well experienced, filled out 106 applications w/ resumes; posted on craigslist god knows how many times. I know the economy is in the toilet, however I should have had a job by now.
You are only too correct sir. I have maintained this sentiment for the greater part of three years while looking for employment in the city. But a job in the suburbs is still a job. (shrug) You seem a decent fellow. I do not mean to discourage you. And I realize the vital importance of an intellectual barman. But times are changing. Persons such as ourselves may have gone the way of the dodo. Perhaps a career as a writer would better suit your temperament… Or you could go and get the orange tan, and the $100 tee shirt, and try to be the one guy, like the large girl at hooters, who does all the work while the Barbies work the poor schmoes with the 200k+miles on their used beamers and ever expanding waistlines…