Category: Alcohol Sales

Job Searching in Las Vegas? Ace Your Next Hospitality Industry Job Interview

Published on by TAM of Nevada2 Comments

job searchFinding a great job in the hospitality industry can be challenging. The job market can be very competitive. Are you positioned to show hiring managers you’re the best candidate for the job? Beginning your search is only the first step. Here are some tips for putting your best foot forward and acing your next job interview.

A great way to prepare for your interview is to think about common questions that are likely to be asked, and how you’ll respond. Ask a friend to give you a mock interview. You can practice answering questions and gain helpful feedback about your answers. You want to make sure that you can impress with your confident and friendly attitude and industry knowledge. A mock interview is a great way to build up that confidence.

When you get to your interview remember to:

  1. Arrive on time or a little early to show you’re prepared. Allow yourself extra time to get to the interview, just in case. You don’t want to miss your chance because you were stuck in a traffic jam or got lost! By arriving a few minutes early, you’ll be ready to meet with a hiring manager at the scheduled time, and won’t keep them waiting while you finish paperwork.
  2. Be confident. Smile and sit up straight. Be sure to project a positive attitude and show the hiring manager you are enthusiastic about the opportunity. You can also show your interest by asking good questions about the position.
  3. Show your prepared to get to work. If you’ve already obtained your TAM® Card and/or your Food Handler Card and Sheriffs Card, you’re ahead of the curve! Let the interviewer know if you already have these mandatory requirements completed. It can work in your favor if you have your cards already and can begin work sooner.
  4. Thank the interviewer for their time. Be sure you leave on the same positive note you came in on!

Now it’s your turn. Tell us – what other tips would you give to job seekers in the hospitality industry?

Safe Beverage Service – Higher ABV Wines Require Special Consideration

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Wine ABVIf you’ve taken your TAM® Card training, you know that all alcoholic beverages are not created equal. A standard serving size means 12 ounces of beer with 5% alcohol, 5 ounces of wine with 12% alcohol, and 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits, which are 40% alcohol by volume. This calculation helps when you are observing your guests for increasing signs of intoxication. You can easily estimate how much alcohol they have consumed and act accordingly to keep things safe.

However, it is becoming increasingly common for wines to have a higher than standard amount of alcohol by volume (ABV). Maybe you’ve noticed it yourself when opening a bottle of wine for patrons, but the standard 12% ABV isn’t always the norm. As reported by Health 24, it’s not uncommon for many wines to now register at 14-15% ABV, which throws off calculation on a standard five ounce serving.

Additionally, as reported by FWx, a new study suggests the ABV listed on a wine label might not be correct. The study indicated that nearly 60% of the 100,000 bottles tested came back containing a higher percentage of alcohol than was listed on the label. The average overstatement was roughly 0.42%, which might not seem like a lot. But, it could still lead hospitality professionals and guests to underestimate the amount that has been consumed, and put them at risk.

With variations like this, it’s easy to see how patrons can easily consume more alcohol than they intended to, and much more quickly reach unintended levels of intoxication.

So what does this mean for you as a service professional?

  • Read the labels and be knowledgeable about alcohol levels in the products you offer. If you have a bottle of wine or a microbrew on the menu with high ABV, consider including the alcohol percentage on your menu. A server can also mention the higher than average alcohol content to any guests ordering that beverage. A simple, “Here’s your beer. Just so you are aware, this particular bottle has a 10% alcohol level, so this is about double the standard alcohol serving,” would be appropriate.
  • When serving and observing guests, don’t just consider a drink’s potency, consider the serving size. If you’re offering bottle service, it is very important to keep an eye on guests and keep a tally of how much they are consuming. And even if you are serving a standard 12% wine to a guest, if they are ordering a tasting sampler with three 3oz glasses, or a larger 7oz pour, then this is still delivering more alcohol than one standard single serving.

To learn more about safe beverage service and any warning signs to watch out for in guests, complete an alcohol awareness course with TAM® of Nevada.

ID Required – 5 Tips for Serving Alcohol-Infused Ice Cream and Other Sweet Treats

Published on by TAM of Nevada1 Comment

dreamstime_m_44129576Las Vegas has a reputation as a city that knows how to showcase creative products and ideas. It comes as no surprise that many local businesses were quick to adopt the popular trend of alcohol-infused gourmet dessert products. Wine ice cream, margarita popsicles, vodka-infused whipped cream garnishes and more are all popping up on menus across the city. But you may be asking – am I required to confirm a guest is 21 or older in order to sell or serve these products? The answer is YES. Ice cream may be a favorite treat of the younger crowds, but TAM® Card holders must be extra vigilant in ensuring that alcohol-infused products are only sold to those ages 21 and over.

Creative establishments across Las Vegas including BLVD Creamery, the Neapolitan, Regal Cinemas, and Galaxy Theatres, and retail products available from makers such as SnoBar, Mercer’s Dairy are all offering unique products aimed at the 21 and up crowd.

Nevada law regulates alcoholic beverages and products containing one-half of 1 percent or more alcohol by volume, may not be consumed by anyone younger than 21 years of age (Nevada Revised Statutes).

What does this means for servers and sellers? Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re planning to serve up an alcohol-infused sweet treat:

  • Just like with any alcoholic beverage, it’s best to consume these alcoholic products in moderation. Each SnoBar ice pop, for example, holds the equivalent amount alcohol as one standard-size cocktail.
  • In the case of infused whipped creams and garnishes, make sure to include the alcohol content in your overall calculation of alcohol for any drinks you whip up! Topping off an alcoholic coffee beverage with infused whipped cream could pack an extra punch, which should not be overlooked.
  • Double check that your guests are being served exactly what they ordered. If you deliver an alcohol-infused product to a guest, aside from visually inspecting to make sure that they are receiving their correct order, you can repeat the beverage or dessert name to the patron upon delivery to confirm with them that they are receiving exactly what they ordered. If another staff member delivers to order to your patrons for you, swing by to make sure the order is correct and they are happy with their selection.
  • Make sure that alcopops and alcohol-infused desserts sold off-premises are displayed in areas dedicated to alcoholic products and are clearly labeled. It is also important to make sure that employees working at the checkout counters are properly trained to be aware of the contents and to check identification.
  • Servers and sellers should observe their guests just as they would if the guest was consuming a traditional alcoholic beverage and watch for signs of increased intoxication. Your mandatory alcohol awareness course will teach you what to watch for, and how to handle these situations.

alcohol infused dessertFor more tips on safe beverage service, complete your alcohol awareness training and obtain your TAM® Card today. Our courses are offered online, and in locations across the state of Nevada.

Meet TAM of Nevada Staff at the Putting Mesquite to Work Job Fair

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

job search mesquiteAre you a job seeker in Nevada? The labor market is very competitive, but TAM® of Nevada has been helping hospitality workers in southern Nevada to connect with great employers for years. Completing your mandatory alcohol awareness training with TAM® of Nevada shows prospective employers you are committed to an important part of your job duties and responsibilities.

In an effort to reach more job seekers to help them prepare for their new careers, we’ll be exhibiting at the Putting Mesquite to Work Job Fair to be held on September 21, 2015, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Mesquite Gaming Grand Ballroom, 950 West Mesquite Boulevard, Mesquite, NV 89027. If you are looking for work in the Mesquite area, please consider attending the job fair. Stop by our booth and say hello!

Searching for a great position that you’ll enjoy and excel in can be a daunting process, but having the right tools to help you get started can greatly boost your chances of success. For more tips on exceling at the job hunt, check out our blog post, “Job Hunting: 4 Tips for Finding Hospitality Jobs in Las Vegas.”

Remember, there is a reason more employers recommend TAM® of Nevada for their employees’ alcohol education than any other provider. TAM® of Nevada students handle over 17 million sales transactions each year, and they’ve been trained to do it safely and effectively.

We look forward to seeing you on September 21 in Mesquite!