Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Photos with resumes?
I realize this won't pertain to about 90% of this board, as it seems be made up of mostly white-collar office employees. But on the off chance there are customer service type folks, please read on!
I'm a new bartender trying to find work and the market is seriously ugly right now. There's no Monster.com for restaurant/hospitality jobs, so Craigslist is my go-to job site every day, all day. I've had great luck with CL in the past, and you rarely see the sketchy ads like you used to.
A disturbing trend I'm noticing is for some higher end bars and restaurants to ask for current photos with your resume. Granted, this would have bothered me at 23, but I'm 38 now and am not a skinny cute thing. I haven't even bothered to apply to those places requesting a photo because I assume I can't possibly be what they're seeking. I guess it makes me feel older that ever at this point, because I've never once worried about my looks or weight for any job I've ever held, and I've worn a lot of different hats in my life.
To top it off, as I was leaving my Tuesday interview, I saw a stack of resumes on the bar counter, and the top one had a b&w photo on the top. Not attached, but printed on the resume. Is this what I should do? "Just to let you know, I'm not an uggo!"
I've already learned one lesson. After 2 months with zero callbacks, I took all age and date references off my resume. No one needs to know I graduated HS in 1990. 
I don't look my age, but who knows?
How is this allowed? I'm sure it's not illegal, but it makes me feel slimy knowing there are places out there like that. I'm not naive, I completely understand how in certain venues, you want hot servers and bartenders. They bring in groups of men and hang around for a while, I get it. But blatantly asking for a photo, pre-interview?
Maybe this is the norm in places like LA or NYC. But I'm in Seattle, so this surprises me.
Your thoughts?
~ The Nestie formally known as MrsBrittany ~
Re: Photos with resumes?
I am in Portland, so probably a similar scene.
As for the legality, I have no idea.
However, the places that hire 23 year old skinny cute things are probably not the same kind of places that hire 38 year olds. I know it sounds terrible, but it is probably just a fact when it comes to bars. I think that the places that request photos probably aren't the kinds of places that you want to be anyway (read: drunk 25 year old patrons). I may be wrong, but that's my guess.
FET - transferred two embryos (boy and girl) - Nov 2014 - BFP!
My brother works at a bar where they want a head shot because they want to make sure you have all your teeth and don't scream trailer trash.
Good point.
And I don't see how it's illegal. It's my understanding that private companies (or bars) can set certain hiring rules as they wish.
It's funny, because we occasionally get someone on here asking if they should put their picture on their resume, as if they think it's a normal practice. I was prepared for this to be that kind of post.
The best bartenders I've had have been older, so I don't necessarily know if deleting all references to your age is always going to be the right move. Maybe keeping that on will get you noticed by places that are looking for more mature people who have a solid history in the field.
Just a thought.
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.
If you are going to do it, get your hair done & have somebody do your makeup. Get a professional portrait if you can . . . even if you have to go to WalMart or Sears & go to the baby section.
Try snagajob.com & perhaps pounding the pavement. I got every bartending job I ever had by walking around & popping in.
I don't think it is illegal. It might cross that line if they actually come out and say "We didn't hire you because you're ugly" (I'm not saying you are! Just an example.) but of course they won't do that, as its obvious discrimination.
The PP had a good idea about the professional photos. You could have them taken and maybe put a small headshot on your resume, if you wanted.
Good luck in your search :-)
This does seem a bit strange at first, but I kind of feel like being a bartender is a combination of many jobs. First, your knowledge of mixology needs to be strong, but after that, you are part therapist and part actor... In many venues, including high end restaurant bars, the bartender needs to "entertain" the clients, keep the feeling important and cared for. Head shots are typical in acting, because the director needs to know if your going to fit the part... hate to say it, but there is something to be said for that in bartending as well. Do I go to the same restaurant bar every Monday evening because of the cute guy behind the bar... no, but it certainly doesn't hurt.
I would not include my picture on my resume, but having a quality, b/w headshot, would be helpful. I would "dress" for the job you want to get and go from there.
good luck.