Bartenders' Job Market (April 2003)

Since the lost of the 1:1 equivalence in dollar/peso exchange, the argentine economy slowed down, accelerating the recessive spiral that already came supporting. The universe of bars and services of cocktails that group all type of gastronomical companies, discotheques, megas, pubs, classic and modern confectioneries, thematic bars, organization of events, etc etc., could not evade the shock that meant the devaluation. We will speak of how it affected (and still it continues affecting) the job market, we'll talk strictly about the demand of professionals for the attention of the public in the bars.

This phenomenon was simple and it was expressed thus: people simply began to spend less money. Although, this did not mean minor concurrence to the premises (with the single exception of those of greater cost, that underwent the desertions in the first place) the tendency became selective, turning upside down to favor the premises of more reasonable prices, with a simultaneous exigency of greater and better services at the same cost, and spending still less money than the one than it was accustomed to spend in the gastronomical world.

This behavior of the customers had an enormous incidence on the thought of the companies. The other element was the distortion of costs and the suddenly unattainable thing of concerned drinks, which make urgent to be replaced in drinks charts by national products, improvised in some cases, not at all of course, since many national distilleries have a vast experience in the elaboration of brandies and licores. But, obvious, nobody was ready for the economic earthquake that came.

The strategies were enough similar: attention in two things was put: one noticed that the presence of likeable barwoman in the bars facilitated that, by example, girls took more confidence with the case of occupy a seat and to request a drink (some old myths made them more reluctant). Barwoman generated them that confidence. It was possible to be spoken openly of woman to woman, slid the rumors of the atmosphere, etc etc. And as it is known, where the girls go, the men go. The bars began to fill up themselves again, the drinks left more money in spite of the crisis. It satisfied the exigencies of customers, being improved to a high quality of service. Better attention, updates, renewed glassworks, many drinks charts were modernized, required more bartenders with handling of flairs, etc. etc.
Also, companies began to require to candidates to positions of barman/barwoman a very demanding qualification. Customer Service, in any program of qualification, is now a as essential topic as the many technical knowledge that the formation of a Professional successful Bartender requires.

Qualification is king. Between a very good amateur barman and one with school, the difference is remarkable. The advantages in the job market are in favor of the better qualified. And I don't think this tendency would change. On the contrary, this profession, that also has the addition of being a true passion and constitute an universe plenty of possibilities of personal grow, will follow in that way like always, requesting more preparation, evolving towards excellence, and that is an ideal after which the professional must go without doubting.