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Hi
I will be going down to St. John in May to scout out things and start getting to know people in preparation for our move in October. I recently finished a certification program through the Professional Bartenders School and am considering working as a bartender when I move. I have a few questions:
1) I understand that bartending jobs etc. are "easy" to find if you seek them just before the high season starts (early October). When I go down in May and meet with the managers of the bars etc., do you think they will be receptive to the fact that I have a certification? How qualified are bartenders on St. John? Will they tell be interested in talking to me or will they say "Talk to me in October...MAYBE I'll be interested then". ???
2) Recognizing that people interested in living on the islands short-term (for one year or less) either a) leave the islands right after the tourist season or B) sign a 1 year lease that starts at the start of tourist season (in October) and therefore ends the following October, what is the likelihood that (when I am visiting in May) I will be able to find someone to has a 1-2 bedroom apartment that will become available in October? I want to avoid, if at all possible, having to live in a hotel for a period of time when I arrive in October. Am I crazy??
Thanks so much for any help you can provide!!
Pete
Posted : April 7, 2003 7:07 pm
Hello Pete,
Yes the managers will be receptive to your certification. Some bartenders have certification and experience others have lots of experience no certification. I think they will be interested since you will be there in person. If you were on the phone calling and saying I am coming October then you might get the talk to me when you get here attitude. St. John is a different ball game when it comes to finding rentals. Many people stay there not just for season. The island is small and apartments are in demand so get filled easily. Even if someone was to break a lease the place would get filled anyway. Finding an apartment will not necessarily depend on the lease issues but just in general it is hard to find apartments on St. John; you might find something when you come down that might open up for the time you plan to move, and you might not, really hard to predict because of the market there being so competitive and in demand.
--Islander
Posted : April 8, 2003 7:17 pm
OK, here is the best advice I can give you.
Arrive here before October if you wanna find a place to live.
I got here in September and I had a place for two months from the company that moved me here and I was still without a place. I ended up finding a place the first week in January as a total stroke of luck. From November and until January, I lived ona guy's screened porch. The best way to get a job or a place is get here. The best time to find a bartending job would be october/november. The best time to find a place to live is right after high season, like JUNE. By september, it is too late and you will pay 800$ for a small crappy shack.....IF YOU ARE LUCKY!!!! The renters know that people get desperate as season approaches. See, you get here, find a job and a temporary place to live and ask every person you come in contact with about living arrangements. Also, about your jobs, yeah you will have no problem finding a job bartending but the best jobs at the best places fill quickly. So find a temp job quick and then move to greener fields as they present themselves. St John is so small that word of mouth passes quickly...which can work for you and against you finding jobs and places to live. If you are a good bartender, you will have no problem getting a job...and vise versa. Just heed my advice and get here before october to look for a place....or you might be in trouble. Most of the employers in the restaurant field are most interested in experience.
Mainly because there are many people who graduate from those schools and end up not cutting it when the pressure is on.
GOOD LUCK,
Chris
Posted : April 9, 2003 3:59 am
You mention "The company that moved you there" i was wondering what you meant by that? Me and my wife are trying to move to St. Croix but we have been discouraged in the past with employment or lack there of.
Posted : April 19, 2003 1:08 am
To whomever can help me,
I am 26 years old and without any attachments here in the states. I am an experienced bartender and would like to live and work on the island of St John next winter, starting around October. I would like to know what kind of opportunities are available and how to get myself through the proverbial front door. Please email me with any opportunities or advice. Thank You.
Mo Hodges, Denver, Co
Posted : February 7, 2007 5:40 am
