The food service industry has become one of the fastest growing industries in America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities in restaurants grew by nearly 7% between 2014 and 2024. This growth is expected to continue through 2024, with projected increases of 6.4%.

Restaurants offer great career options for those who enjoy working with people. There are many types of jobs within the industry, from waiters to chefs to managers. In addition, some restaurants even offer flexible scheduling and part time positions.

If you’re interested in getting a job at a restaurant, there are a few things you need to know. In this post, we’ll give you tips on how to score a job at your favorite restaurant. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Proactive job hunting

If you don’t know where to begin looking for a job, here are some tips to consider:

1. Start with friends and family. Ask them what kinds of jobs they think you’d enjoy doing.

2. Consider applying online. Many employers post openings on their websites.

3. Search local newspapers, magazines, and classified ads. Look for positions in industries that interest you.

4. Check out professional associations. They often list upcoming events and networking opportunities.

5. Consider posting your resume on sites such as LinkedIn.com.

2. Having a good character is important

A good waiter has skills that range from positively engaging patrons and setting the right tone for their meal to checking the food presented by cooks to make sure that the order is completed and cooked to specifications.

Servers must inspect the food presented by chefs before delivering it to tables to ensure that the order is complete, that the ingredients are correct, and that the cooking instructions given by the chef are followed.

They may also be required to accept and process payments for meals, which could mean working on evenings and weekends. Some waiters work for tips rather than pay; others do both. In addition, some waiters may be required to handle special requests such as serving alcoholic beverages.

3. Good communication is crucial

The role of a waiter is one of hospitality. A good server must understand that every person he serves is unique and has different needs.

While some people want to eat alone, others want to socialize and chat about life. Some people want to eat healthy foods, while others don’t care what they eat as long as it tastes good. Every interaction requires a level of patience and understanding.

A lot of servers feel like they’re walking around in a fog. They think everyone wants the same thing. But there are plenty of ways to improve your communication skills.

Start by learning about yourself and your personality traits. Then practice talking to strangers. If you’re shy, try practicing in front of mirrors. When you’re ready, start working behind the counter.

4. Be prepared for “instant” interviews

If you want to apply in person, go at off-peak times, which are often lunch or evening.

A manager may interview you on the spot, depending on how busy the restaurant is. Be well-groomed, dressed appropriately, and ready to answer questions about yourself and your previous experience.

In many restaurants, applicants must still submit an application. Ensure that you can provide current contact information, such as phone numbers and addresses.

5. Sell your strengths

The best way to stand out among job applicants is to emphasize relevant experiences and skills even if it isn’t related to your career field.

This type of resume writing is called “selling yourself.” You’re selling your strengths, abilities, and personality traits. In addition to highlighting what you do well, you want to convey why you’re a good fit for the position.

You’ll use specific words like “relevant,” “experience,” “skills,” and “abilities.” For example, if you worked as a customer service representative at a bank, you might write about how you handled difficult customers, how you solved problems, and how you learned to deal with stress.

If you worked as an administrative assistant, you could talk about how you organized files, kept track of deadlines, and communicated effectively with colleagues.

6. Know before you go

If you’re applying for a job at a restaurant, don’t just show up and hope for the best. Take some time to research the place ahead of time.

“The biggest mistake people make is showing up without knowing anything about the restaurant,” says David Kornfeld, cofounder of Jobscanner, a career site for jobs at restaurants. “You want to know what the kitchen looks like, how busy the restaurant is, what types of food it serves.”

This isn’t always easy to do, especially if you haven’t been to a restaurant before. But there are ways to find out what you’ll encounter once you walk through the door. First, check reviews online. Yelp and TripAdvisor are great places to start. They offer information on everything from ambiance to service quality. If you see something negative, take note. Don’t dismiss it, though; sometimes reviewers aren’t aware of certain aspects of a restaurant.

7. Waiter’s appearance needs

Your appearance is very important. While your dress doesn’t necessarily make you look good, it gives people an idea of how much money you are willing to spend on yourself. You want to stand out from the crowd but don’t want to come across as cheap.

In most instances, you will likely be expected to exhibit a nice, well-groomed appearance. This involves wearing the proper apparel for the position and maintaining your clothing free of stains, tears, and holes. If you wear unsuitable attire, it may reflect negatively on your company and potentially cost them clients.

8. Busy multi-tasking work

The restaurant industry is notorious for being one of the most stressful jobs. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, some restaurants are finding ways to make work easier and less stressful while still making sure employees receive quality training and support. One such example is the busy multi-tasking work schedule.

In today’s fast paced world, where people are constantly checking email, texting friends and family members, and responding to social media messages, it seems like multitasking is becoming the norm rather than the exception.

And while this might seem like a great way to save time and energy, research suggests otherwise. A recent study found that those who try to do too much at once end up accomplishing less overall.

9. Getting your foot in the door with the hiring staff

If you are lucky enough to land an interview, make sure to send a handwritten note thanking the employer for his or her time.

Handwritten notes go a long way in establishing yourself as a person who values attention to detail. They also show that you care about how others perceive you. In addition, they demonstrate that you are willing to put forth extra effort to ensure a positive outcome.

The key here is to keep things short and sweet. Try to avoid writing too much because there’s no room to explain what you want out of the position. Instead, focus on making a strong impression. Use phrases like “I am excited about working with you” or “I look forward to hearing more about the role.”

If you do end up sending a follow-up email, try to include some additional information about yourself. This could include a link to your LinkedIn profile or resume.

10. Say thank you

A few days ago, I had my first interview with a potential employer. As you might imagine, I wasn’t sure what to say, but I knew one thing for certain – I wanted to make a great impression. So I did some research and found out that most people send a handwritten thank-you note within 24 hours. Not only does a handwritten thank-you show sincerity and thoughtfulness, but it also gives you a chance to practice your writing skills.

So here are some tips for sending a thoughtful note after an interview:

1. Be brief. Don’t write a novel. Keep it short and sweet.

2. Include a personalized stamp. This helps it stand out from the rest of the mail pile.

3. Use a professional envelope. A simple white envelope works just fine.

4. Write on the front. “Thank you for interviewing me.”

5. Address it to the person directly. If you’re unsure about who to address it to, ask the interviewer.

Key takeaway

So, you want to work in the food service industry? It’s a great choice – it can be fun, and you get to meet new people all the time.

Start by looking online. There are many websites that list restaurant jobs, and sometimes they have applications that you can fill out right online.

Make sure to tailor your resume specifically for the foodservice industry – emphasize any customer service experience you may have had, as well as any training or certification you may have received.

And finally, don’t forget to contact our team of resume experts! We can help make your resume shine and put your best foot forward when applying for those dream jobs in the restaurant world.