To temp or bartend?

[Cole]

Alright, job hunt still not fruitful, and I gots to hook something up soon. So I'm trying to figure out what would be a good "bridge" job - something that would get me some fast cash but I won't feel guilty leaving when I find a professional gig.

So I'm thinking either temping or bartending.

I don't have a car, so I'm a little nervous about both. But at least if I was working at a bar I could figure out the buses or something. (Though I hate the idea of taking public transit at 3 am.

I'm a morning person and don't really want to work nights, but bartending sounds like a lot more fun than working random, anonymous office jobs. Not to mention it at least seems like I should be able to make more money and faster on tips than at $10-$12 an hour.

The "bartending academy" in town has a two-week prgram for $500, and then guaranteed placement. A lot of places are hiring, with all the college students coming back in two weeks.

Has anyone tried either? any input? or ideas for something that might work out even better?

Thanks!

[wordsmith]

I personally would tend bar before I would temp. I would tend bar part time right now if my full time job didn't have such an erratic schedule outside of office hours, and basically disallow a part time gig of any kind. My bartender buddy makes a LOT more than I make at my "professional" job. Plus, you're recently enough out of school that it won't drive you crazy to be dealing with bars packed with college students (although I bet your tips won't be as high in student bars, eh?). Although, without a car, I'd be sinking some of those tips into cab rides home late at night. I used to help a friend close up when I was living in Chicago, and he'd always call me a cab rather than have me go home on the bus or train at 3 a.m.

[wtbforever21]

I second bartending. More money and more excitement. You'll probably meet a lot of people to befriend and/or date, because you'll have younger co-workers.

[winneythepooh7]

I actually think temping would be a good option. You never know what could turn into temp to perm. Which with the state of our economy today, I think is a good option. There is a lot of downsides to bartending too, like sketchy clientele/danger, cutting of hours, etc.

[tdko]

I bartend with a catering company, and most bartenders I've met there (and in other companies I've worked for) will have more than one job. Unless you're experienced, you're not going to get the Saturday night 9-closing shift that rakes in the big bucks. So if you're going to start bartending to pay the rent, figure you'll need at least two jobs and I'd suggest finding a caterer for extra weekend work.

[winneythepooh7]

I bartend with a catering company, and most bartenders I've met there (and in other companies I've worked for) will have more than one job. Unless you're experienced, you're not going to get the Saturday night 9-closing shift that rakes in the big bucks. So if you're going to start bartending to pay the rent, figure you'll need at least two jobs and I'd suggest finding a caterer for extra weekend work.


That's a really good point. Plus depending on where you live, makes it even more difficult. For example, here, most bartending jobs I have seen advertise specifically for someone with "NYC bartending experience". Anything without experience required the hours will probably be less. I have also worked at chain restaurants and those are the absolute worst most cattiest environments as well.

[dazed]

i don't know the answer to your question Cole but i can sympathize.

[wordsmith]

In a large college town, she may well be able to get all the hours she needs and more. Madison is not NYC.

[winneythepooh7]

In a large college town, she may well be able to get all the hours she needs and more. Madison is not NYC.

No kidding. I was just making a point.

[dazed]

lol J-girl. don't they look spiffy!!

[lilyflower]

If you can get a temp job that's even remotely related to your field, definitely take that first. If you don't know what you want to do, can't find anything even close to your field, bartending's probably the better option.