So you want to work in a restaurant? Awesome! Restaurants can be very fun places to work. Most of my friends came from my restaurant jobs. A restaurant job can be great for a high school kid looking for a first job or for someone who wants a flexible schedule. Or perhaps someone looking for a second job to help pay off some student loans. There are all types of people working in a restaurant. You can have people who have been there for 25+ years and are super happy.
Unfortunately, some people take restaurant jobs for granted. Either they think the job will be super easy to get (or super easy to do), or they look down on the job and think of themselves as above it.
I have interviewed tons of people during my time in the restaurant business. Here are some tips for how to apply and hopefully get a job.
The Application
Every restaurant is different. They all have a different application process. Many are using online tools to simplify their lives, but some still have a paper application process. You need to find out. If you live in a small area with only a few restaurants, then it never hurts to stop by and ask for an application. If you came to my restaurant, we would give you a business card that has a website where you apply.
A few quick rules. Restaurants have busy times. Do not go during those busy times. If the parking lot is full, then you should try a different time. In general between lunch (11-2) and dinner (5-8) are probably bad times, but each restaurant is unique. Also, whoever you deal with inside the restaurant, be polite. If there are customers, allow them to go first. Trust me, we notice little things like that.
Back to the application. Fill it out! The entire thing. Check it over, make sure you spelled everything right. If you misspell the city you live in, then my first thought is that you did not take the time to do it or that you do not pay attention to details. So will you actually look at the check when it says no onions on that customer’s burger? Probably not.
This is ever more of an issue with people applying through job sites. I know that it is so much easier to just apply on InDeed or some other site and then allow them to fill out the apps to the different jobs, but if you messed up on there, that means you are putting something dumb out to every job.
Speaking of those sites, if you do opt for them, realize that they do not fully answer all the questions on the application. For example, where I work, there is a section that says “Please tell us about yourself.” When we get apps through those sites, it leaves that part blank. So when I have a bunch of applicants, and one person leaves that blank and another writes a very eloquent paragraph about how they will be an asset to my company….guess which one moves to the top of the pile. That is why I think it is important to apply through the restaurant’s preferred means.
The Follow Up
You finished your application and you have not heard back from the restaurant. It does not hurt to call, but there are a few things to remember. First, call during a slower period of the day. Ask for the manager and then say something like “hi, my name is Carl von Gooberstack, I recently applied for the host position and had not heard back from anyone. Is the job still available?” At this point, I will usually tell the person that unfortunately the job has been filled (if it has). Carl has an option here, he can say “are there any other jobs available?” or “Thank you sir for your time, please keep me on file and let me know if anything does open up.” I get that some people are looking for a specific job (maybe Carl is a dishwasher somewhere and really wants to be a host). But if Carl just needs a job to pay his car insurance, maybe try and find out if the restaurant needs help elsewhere.
Do not call and get an attitude. “Hey man, this is Carl von Gooberstack, I applied like a week ago and I never heard from anyone. Can I get an interview or what?” You probably think I am joking, but I have received phone calls like that before. I will be honest, when someone calls and is polite or engaging over the phone, I will set up an interview, even if I am not hiring. Restaurants are always looking for good people.
The Interview
You get a call from the restaurant and they want you to come in for an interview. The manager says “would you be able to come in at 3:00 tomorrow.” We get that you may have some prior commitment. We will work with you. We want to get you in, so be honest. “Oh, I have another interview at that time.” I may say, “oh, well how about 2:00?”
Prior commitments are one thing. However, I do not find it acceptable to negotiate interview times because of how you will get there. I hate when someone says “hey, the bus does not get there until 3:19, can we do it for like 3:25?” Most of us know bus schedules because we have employees who use the bus system. I know that a bus drops people every hour. If you want a job, take the early bus and find something to do until 3:00. Also, do not be late. But at the same time, do not be ridiculously early and act like I should interview you then. I will make you sit in the lobby for 45 minutes. I said 3:00, not 2:15. I know that sounds like me being a jerk, but I may have things I am trying to get done before I do my interviews. You coming way early, does not help. You may be coming before someone else. And if you act like I should interview you because you are there, it rubs me the wrong way. Like a strike one.
Dress appropriately! You do not need a business suit or even a shirt/tie, but you should not look like a slob. Also, and I honestly cannot believe I have to say this, but do not swear during the interview. If I ask you a question about your last job, do not say “the manager was an asshole.”
Be Honest
This is another thing I cannot believe I have to say…but during your interview, BE HONEST!
For some reason, people seem to think if they say something like “I can work any time, day or night” that it will get them the job. Then once they have the job, they come to me and say “oh hey, I cannot work Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.”
I am finding this way more with high school kids. Are parents advising their kids to say these things? I ask kids if they are in any extracurricular activities. I even tell them that I work around stuff, but I just like to know up front (if I hire a person in the summer because they can work anything, I like to know if I will be replacing them in the fall). I have had a bunch of people say “nope, nothing.” Then school starts and it is “oh, I am in soccer, basketball, spring marching band, model UN, history club, and I volunteer at the homeless ant shelter. We work hard to find every ant a new farm.” Just be honest! Tell me that during the interview. It will not disqualify you from the job, it just means I may need to hire another person along with you.
Training
Training is important! Nothing bothers me more than when someone I just hired, calls off during a training day. Training in a restaurant is difficult. We usually have to schedule differently, maybe having the trainer work a shift that they typically do not work. If you call off, then not only are you missing something important, but you could also be screwing over another person.
Also, do things the way the trainer showed you. No one cares how you did it at your last job. We want you to do it our way. Prove you are awesome, then you can come to management with a suggestion.
Conclusion
Working in restaurants can be very fun, rewarding, and at times very hard. Most restaurants are pretty flexible with scheduling (to a point) and are usually willing to give people a chance who have zero experience. Just remember to follow some of these tips and you should have no problem landing a job in the industry.
