Learn Craft

• To get hired as a pastry chef, first learn the craft. It's not necessary to complete a college degree to get hired as a pastry chef, but more respected establishments may want to see evidence of formal studies and training before hiring you. You may earn an associate degree, bachelor's degree or master's degree in pastry arts as part of your preparation for becoming a pastry chef. Classes will include lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practice with recipes, baking techniques and artistry involved in pastry decorating.
  
  

Practical Experience

• Practical experience becomes key for getting hired as a pastry chef if you don't have a college degree in pastry arts, because you'll be competing against other candidates with degrees. Some culinary programs require internships. Gain practical experience by creating pastries at home, for friends or for charity. For example, donate a beautifully iced cake to your church's fundraiser potluck dinner with a small card indicating that you've created the sugary masterpiece. This can help you gain a reputation in the community as a professional pastry chef.
  
  

Apprenticeship

• Another step you can take to get hired as a pastry chef is to work as an apprentice for a local bakery, restaurant or patisserie. Apprenticeships may be paid or unpaid, but you'll gain valuable experience working under the tutelage of master pastry chefs. In additional to learning new skills and techniques, you'll build relationships with other pastry chefs to broaden your professional network.
  
  

Assistant

• Pastry chefs often begin as paid assistants to master chefs. You may be assigned less glamorous aspects of the job, such as breaking eggs, measuring portions for baking or washing pastry accoutrements, but you'll have the opportunity to learn new recipes and may be assigned tasks involving greater responsibility over time. Adding bullets to your resume for skills, work experience and restaurant locations will eventually help you get hired.
  
  

Catering

• Catering helps spread your name and reputation in the community. Catering companies may occasionally need to hire a pastry chef for special events involving baked goods; for example, raisin scones may be needed for an afternoon tea party or red velvet cupcakes for a trendy wedding. By delivering quality products on time, you'll eventually gain more business that can boost your resume before getting permanently hired.
  
  

Job Hunting

• If you're actively job hunting, visit restaurants and hotels around town for a cup of coffee and the house pastry specialty. Tell your server that you'd like to share your compliments with the restaurant manager, and then mention that you're a pastry chef who specializes in the same kinds of pastries produced at their establishment. Send a pink pastry box filled with your most delicate pastry to an establishment where you'd like to work, along with your business card. The hospitality industry often circulates jobs by word-of-mouth; let people know that you're hoping to get hired as a pastry chef.