Do you want to work in the restaurant industry? It can be a lot of fun, but it can also be challenging. If you’re looking for a job in a restaurant, here are some tips to help you stand out from the crowd and get the job you want.
1. Know How to Apply
When you apply, don’t just send a resume. Try to be creative and think of a way to show your personality. Even dedicated hiring managers have to go through several resumes in a day, sometimes even a hundred. As such, you should write and format your resume and cover letter that ensures it is easy to read. If nothing else, use nice stationery paper for your letter versus plain white printer paper. Be professional, but approachable as well. When writing your cover letter or completing an application, try to remember employers are looking for someone who can work well with the other employees!
A great idea is to bring in a copy of one of your favorite food magazines. Why? The best restaurant jobs often go not only to those who will excel at making sure customers have a good experience—they also want people who love food and that passion should shine through on their resumes and applications!
2. Make a Good First Impression
It’s true for any job – you have one chance to make a good first impression! That means being on time, dressed the part, and ready to work. Ask questions if you are unsure of anything since restaurants can be hectic places where things are constantly changing. Show them that you are serious about your future with the company by asking thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in how they do business.
And remember- communication skills are key! Be polite when speaking with co-workers and customers alike. Restaurant jobs can often be stressful because people sometimes behave rudely or expect unrealistic service times, so it is important to try not to get flustered or angry when dealing with these situations.
If your first restaurant job is hosting or waiting tables, greet customers with a big smile and let them know you are happy to have them in the restaurant. Talk about what daily specials the restaurant has and thank people for coming into the establishment! If you show early on that you can be polite and friendly, it will go a long way towards getting a good review from those who work there as well as those who eat at the restaurants!
3. Preparing for an Interview
When preparing for an interview, it helps to do some research beforehand so you can ask intelligent questions as well as demonstrate understanding of how a typical day works. In addition to asking questions, try to think outside the box when preparing your own question. Some good examples could be: “What would an average day look like?” or “How often do you change the menu?” You can learn a lot about how the restaurant works and what they expect from their employees just by asking questions!
Asking questions is not only a good way to get answers, but it also makes you look interested in getting the position. Plus, employers tend to appreciate people who ask intelligent questions rather than those who simply say “no” when asked if they have any questions. Have a few things in mind in case they prompt you with more specific questions such as, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” or “Why do you want this job?” Also make sure your answer matches up with what you wrote on your resume.
And a bonus tip: do not bring up salary or benefits during an initial interview! That should be the last thing you talk about when talking with someone because it’s important that they get to know you first and determine if they want to hire you before any sort of negotiations happen. If you feel like your skills are unique enough, try saying something like “I’m flexible on compensation, but I’d really love this job.”
It is also a good idea to ask questions about how long the interviewer has been working for the company. Find out why he or she enjoys working there and what their day-to-day job is like. This will make a positive impression on them since people appreciate being listened to even if it doesn’t directly relate to the position being offered.
4. Preparing for Working in a Restaurant
First off, be prepared to work hard! Unless you are applying to a fine dining establishment where you have multiple courses and are waiting on many customers at once, most restaurant jobs require long hours of standing, working with food prep tools, tough customers, or tough managers/chefs. You’ll need to be able to take criticism well because chefs can sometimes get upset when things go wrong so it is important that they feel like their staff is doing their best work.
Restaurants also tend to run more smoothly if everyone works together efficiently rather than acting alone all the time. If you apply for a job as a dishwasher (this usually requires a separate job application), you will be expected to be clean and efficient. Many people see dishwashers as the lowest form of restaurant labor, but if you do your job well it will go a long way towards getting you noticed by management!
Working in a restaurant is not always easy, so try to find something that keeps you motivated. Some people may be interested in pursuing management after proving themselves as valuable workers or servers, others may enjoy cooking and learn more skills for their own personal use at home, and some might simply want to make good money while working with food.
It also helps if you like talking to people and sharing information with others. Restaurant jobs involve many interactions with customers who need help understanding menu options or would like recommendations about the best dishes. If you are not outgoing or do not enjoy talking to others, look for a job in another industry because servers need to make customers feel relaxed when they are dining at a restaurant.
5. Tips on How to Make it in a Restaurant
When people work in restaurants their ability to interact with other people is tested every shift. Being able to communicate effectively with coworkers and managers is important, but equally important is being able to communicate well with customers! The average customer needs help deciding what dish might be best based on what kind of food they are craving, so it’s helpful if you have some knowledge about popular menu items or common questions that come up frequently.
A great way to prepare yourself for interaction with restaurant customers is to practice with your friends and family. If you don’t think you will do well under pressure, this is a perfect way to calm your nerves and learn more about what customers expect from servers.
The biggest thing people need to know when working in restaurants is that they should be ready to work hard! It takes a lot of stamina and energy to get everything done during the work day so make sure you are prepared for lots of standing or intense physical activity (like lifting heavy trays).
If you want help getting into the restaurant world check out our restaurant jobs page! We have postings for different kinds of jobs in all sorts of different places. Just fill out an application and start working toward your dream job today!
