Thank you so much to everybody who has replied to this thread and/or sent me PMs; I appreciate the support ladies and gents

really it depends on the city..

here in mtl if you're available and don't look like an ogre you can find a job in a restaurant within 12 hours and a couple dozen resumes

I just got a job at a resto down here in FLA... i start at 9am.. and I cant sleep.. AHHHH

nothing is worse than a double on no sleep.. and my first day.. haha shit

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quote:

Originally posted by Spam if you've never worked kitchen before, you've never experienced ANYTHING like a Friday dinner rush

that's the fucking truth right there

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Well firstly, I want to try and direct you in your field. As you have been working so hard for as long as I've known you for this degree. A friend of mine went through the same thing. He went to school for aerospace engineering, and was so frustrated that he couldn't find work, he almost went back to Botswana. Until we had a chat.... he found a job that is not necessarily what he expected but it's going to look great on his resume and put him in the direction of where he wants to go career wise. I would continue trying. Are you willing to relocate?


And if you absolutely can't/don't want to etc...

I was a server for like 5 years. Here is a website to help you look for a job.

http://www.barserve.com/


Good luck! I hope your fast on your feet! I would also suggest learning your drinks and become a bar tender, better money most of the time depending on where and you don't have to run around and serve and carry hot plates etc.

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Everything happens for a reason

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

for the love of God, don't demote your education to doing monkey work! If you can't find a job now, and you do this, you'll get stuck and unmotivated, and gradually become more socially inept to sell yourself in your chosen field. And not to offend anyone in the restaurant industry, but if you're working the day time shift, you're typically not surrounded by the smartest people, ie. highschool dropouts etc. (sorry to stereotype, but i've seen it to be true on many occassions). Being in this crowd too long can seriously do damage to the social integrity you've gained throughout university.

what you can do -

go to career services at university and consider EVERY suitible possiblity and get contacts - even set up informational interviews to create a chain of networks. Find even lower jobs in such companies as a last resort so you can at least move up and not hit a brick cieling. Continue volunteering to stay active in your field, to maintain the skills you have and to impress employeers that you are motivated.

Also don't forget that your income will be largely tip driven, and if by some miracle you get a serving job it's still an uphill battle.

Guys tend to get stuck doing the majority of the side/prep work, working on the beer room, etc while often getting no where near the tips that the girls do.

It takes a long time, and becoming proficient @ upselling etc to have your game to the point it compensates enough to draw somewhat equal tips to a moderately attractive girl with poor service.

I think what people are trying to get at...

is if you plan on showing some leg..the don't bother!

quote:

Originally posted by crazedcanuck Also don't forget that your income will be largely tip driven, and if by some miracle you get a serving job it's still an uphill battle. Guys tend to get stuck doing the majority of the side/prep work, working on the beer room, etc while often getting no where near the tips that the girls do. It takes a long time, and becoming proficient @ upselling etc to have your game to the point it compensates enough to draw somewhat equal tips to a moderately attractive girl with poor service.

Or you just kick ass in being attentive & making the customers laugh. Way back when I waited tables, I frequently had people line up & wait to sit in my section even though there were other seats available. Some looked at it as dinner & a side show, others crowded my section to talk sports, others still came in for some fun verbal sparring.

I know it sounds weird, but I usually out tipped even our hottest servers by roughly $20-$30/night simply b/c I made it more than just "going out for dinner".

Another little known piece of info: if you're damn fast & can deal with high stress, but don't want to spend much time conversing with the customers, the work the breakfast rush at a mid-size greasy spoon.

I also did that on the side a few years ago to save $ for some new furniture & whatnot, & usually finished the 8am-1pm run on Saturdays & Sundays clocking close $200/shift in tips... & that was in a small town where people are fucking tightwads.

Just a few tips for those out there working in the industry.

quote:

Originally posted by Nick Cenik 1) I have zero related experience--do I still have a shot at securing a job? I am thinking about hosting, waiting, or working in the kitchen in some capacity--is this unreasonable? I'm basically willing to do anything besides wash dishes (I think). 2) Which things should I make sure to mention and, conversely, avoid in my cover letter/resume? 3) What kind of money should I expect to make as someone with no experience? 4) Any recommendations re: which specific restaurants to target? I am planning on visiting the 'nicer' establishments, e.g. the Keg, Moxy's, etc. 5) I live in Mississauga--anybody here work at a restaurant that is currently hiring?

It all depends what kind of restaurant you wanna work at. Cheaper restaurants such as Kelsey's are easier to get. If it's a steakhouse like the Keg it will be a little harder.
I work at a steakhouse and worked at Kelsey's for 2 months prior to that.
During my interview at Golf's Steakhouse (my current job) one of the first things he asked me is if I had experience...and I did but 2 months at Kelsey's is not really "experience"...I got lucky here.
As for money. It is the best job I have had. Fits my school schedule really well. Not including my hourly pay, I make anywhere between 400-600/week..and I only work an average of 4 hours. So money will be good, but you have to be a really friendly person too
Again, definitely try and get into a steakhouse...you never know, you might get lucky. A couple of girls at my work had no experience and got hired. Also, the restaurant you might be applying at might be dry for workers...you never know.
p.s. SmartServe is a good thing to have, but most places won't ask to see your certificate...if you have no way of getting it and don't want to spend money on it, just tell them that you do...hah i told my boss i had one and he never asked to see it.
I have a lot of fun working here as well. Very social
Good luck with your search!

this thread is pretty helpful considering I am looking for a entry job into the restaurant industry.. I am still in school and tired of the retail business.. but im having a hard time trying to get into the restaurant industry any suggestions for places in the downtown core willing to hire newcomers?

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