Hey guys, just moved (back) to Chicago after spending the last 5 years in Des Moines, IA. I'm staying in Oak Park right now to help prep my sister's house for sale (brother-in-law recently had back surgery and can't do much). It's going on the market soon and when it sells I will likely move into the city. I've considered just grabbing a serving or bartending job in Oak Park/Forest Park in the interim, but would like to find something that offers a little more stability and that I can really dig into. I've become very passionate about craft beer over the last couple of years, but admittedly, that passion has been mostly imbibing and I don't have a lot of experience in the field - I have only a rudimentary knowledge of brewing and have been out of the restaurant/retail scene for a while (and when I was in, it wasn't necessarily beer-focused). Most marketable to a potential employer would probably be my history of sales and/or customer service...but I've done it all. Restaurants, retail, music, advertising, banking...you name it. I was most recently (before being laid off) a trainer for customer service new-hires at Wells Fargo, so have good supervisory experience on the resume as well. Stopped out to The Standard Market in Westmont yesterday and had a quick but good conversation with their corporate Beer Director, Max, who happened to be there. Strongly considering applying for the open Manager of the Specialty Dept (beer/wine/cheese) position there. Seems like a good opportunity but the only thing keeping me from jumping at it is the fact that I'm likely moving soon (the commute is only 20 minutes now but would likely be over an hour with the places I'm considering living). So basically...does anyone here know of any places, be them breweries, bottle shops, beer-centric restaurants or the like, that would be willing to give a dude eager to learn and prove himself a chance? I obviously have to make enough to live on...but would be ok working for less than I'm "worth" to do something that I can truly get behind. This is something of a fresh start for me. Cheers and thanks in advance for any responses.
What birchholz said. the brewery was recently 'built' but the tap room is slated to open sometime in may, per the last tweets. i know they had a job fair a few months ago but your best opportunity is to reach out to them. good luck.
Hailstorm brewing in Tinley Park just posted on FB: We are looking to hire some bartenders. Please send resumes to [email protected] and [email protected]. https://www.facebook.com/HailstormBrewingCo?fref=nf
You could look at Rock Bottom Breweries. Also I think 5 Rabbit was just hiring for the new taproom and they were looking for brewers.
Thank you guys very much! Tinley Park is a bit of a jaunt and 5 Rabbit looks...different...but will check them out all the same. Definitely putting a resume in to Lagunitas to help in the taproom. Feel free to keep 'em coming. Cheers!
