Should I let them know I stripped?
Hi everyone (Happy Holidays!). I recently quit dancing and took a bartender/mixology course.
I was wondering if any of you ladies had experience or an opinion on it? And would you put on your application/resume that you were a dancer?
I've been in local magazines and modeling groups, a lot of it was nude, and in the past it has served me well for experience....but do you think it would help in the bartending arena?
Any info would be SO helpful, thanks!!!
Re: Should I let them know I stripped?
mmmm...if you really think having the bar experience on your resume will put you in a better position to get hired, you could always say you were a "shot girl" or the ever popular "go-go dancer". Either of those would indicate that you are familiar with the inner workings of a nightclub/bar, without having to say to your future boss "I get naked for $$" (or used to). You never know who's a secret religious zealot with an axe to grind against girls in the sex industry, or (on the flip side) some creep who will always think he can get a piece just because you used to strip.
Sucks that you can't put down that you've been the CEO of a VERY successful small business for the last few years. :P
Re: Should I let them know I stripped?
You owned your own business being a dancer. think of how that busness applies to bartending.
- You work well under stress, and busy enviroments. You can handle large, busy crowds efficiently.
- You have knowledge of drinks and garnishes( Im sure youve said, want graygoose, or Belvedre? Lemon or lime?)
- You are very good at upselling products.( if you can upsell dances to VIP, you can upsell house vodka to Graygoose.)
Think of how dancing applies to bartending. Now, you dont need to say you got this experience being a stripper, you owned your own busines, and can call it whatever you want. you can just say you worked in a nightclub. You can just say you were a "dancer" (dont gotta be specific, mabye exotic,dancer, mabye ballet dancer, mabye go go dancer)
Mabye you owned a "VIP company" Because you know excellence in customer service and you wanted to make sure your customers had the best night club experience possible.
I dunno....these are just stupid things I've put on applications as a cocktail waitress before.
Re: Should I let them know I stripped?
Thanks for your replies. I don't know what to do yet.... I think it depends on the kind of bar whether I will tell them or not.....
I will let ya know how it goes....
Re: Should I let them know I stripped?
Honestly, I quit dancing and bartended for a while. I lied and said that I bartended at the place I danced at, which was in a different state so they didn't check it out. I probably wouldn't tell them during the interview proccess, but I'm sure it's fine to tell them AFTER they hire you if you want. Then again, what the hell do I know do what you think is best ;)
Re: Should I let them know I stripped?
Thanks VegasPrincess. I probably can't lie and get away with it. A couple of my best references are from people at the club, and I'm applying in the same city, where I have done local papers and magazines as a dancer... so I am trying to use that to my advantage. I've only had one place ask me about it in an interview, and I told them I was looking for the opportunity to get out of dancing, and that's why I was applying. They seemed to think it was okay.
Wish me luck, and thanks for your responses, I really do appreciate it!
Re: Should I let them know I stripped?
AJM1987, I am in the same spot as you right now! :) I'm trying to get outta dancing, but still make somewhat decent money and I like the club/bar scene. I think Vegas_dancer gave some excellent advice, about saying that you were a "go-go dancer"(as opposed to stripper) and playing up all the skills acquired from dancing that could be applied to bartender. I was reading up on bartending, and they mentioned that there are a lot of skills necessary to be a good bartender, that cannot be taught in bartending school. Things such as time management, patience with customers, flirting and sympathizing and lending an ear to customers, dealing with belligerent drunks, etc. Those are all things that we have to deal with as dancers!!! If I apply to a night club or strip club bar(I think it's a bit of a reach for me, since I don't have any bartending experience), I might add "go-go dancer" to my resume. But if I apply to a family restaurant bar or a dive bar, I will probably not mention it, because I heard that a lot of employers have a wrong(negative) view of dancing.