Advice I feel strongly about…Wait tables!!!
I have been in Corporate America for over 10 years now, and I’ve been very successful throughout my career. I’ve been fortunate to have positions created for me at a few of the companies I’ve worked for (3 of 4, to be exact!). During my co-op sessions while at Clemson, I drove 70 miles each way for an entire summer. When the employer wanted me to come back for additional sessions, I requested an apartment close to the facility, and was granted that, along with a 12% raise. That pretty much set the tone for how Corporate America would treat me – Nicely!!
While my parents raised me well, and God provided me with a sharp mind and an inherently good work ethic, it was another set of experiences that I think really prepared me for my foray into Corporate America – specifically customer-facing roles. It was my time as a waitress, bartender and catering assistant at Seasons by the Lake (Clemson, SC) that really taught me the life skills that would enhance my ability to hit the ground running as an employee who was good at my role.
Seasons by the Lake, Clemson, SC
I say this for a handful of reasons.
1) as a customer-facing food service employee, one learns very quickly how to read people. There’s always the person(s) who simply wants to order food, receive it quickly and with no mistakes, pay the bill and leave. There’s also the person(s) who like to engage with the wait staff, asking how they’re doing, what do they recommend, etc, etc. And, there are a myriad of customers in between.
2) You’ll never be able to get everything right every single time. Therefore, you’ll have the customer who has had a less than pleasant experience and is not afraid to confront someone about it. You learn to deal with conflict, stay patient, when to elevate matters, and when to say less rather than more.
3) There is no better way to learn how to deal with a fast-paced, ever-changing, multi-tasking environment. Rarely in food service is anyone standing around just waiting for something to do (at least during peak hours). Often times, a waiter has multiple tables, a bar tender is serving up cocktails for the entire joint, and a caterer is working to time everything perfectly such that the event goes off as a perfectly orchestrated plan.
Finally, 4) teamwork. You learn to work with others as one part of a greater whole. If someone is “in the weeds”, you step up and help him/her out, as he/she would do for you. If the chef is backed up, you set expectations with your customers to help “soften the blow” of having to wait an unusually long time, and you help to prep anything you can. While there is room for friendly competition amongst the staffers (everybody wants to make good money), there is no room for arguments, infighting, or heaven-forbid, sabotage. The team works as a team, and Corporate America will appreciate those folks who can work well in a team setting.
Oh, and – it’s always nice to have cash on hand – especially as a young college student!
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Tags: bartending, cash, catering, college, corporate America, job, life skills, waiting tables
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July 19, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Waiting tables can break you or make you emotionally. When it comes to dealing with people and when it comes to dealing with gratuities (or lack thereof)
-RAP, II
@antpruitt
July 19, 2010 at 7:53 PM
As mentioned in a previous tweet, I spent a lil more than 3 months living outta my car and jobless, it was a big blessing to be able to “wait” tables. I worked at a Western Sizzlin and had no clue on waiting tables. But I learned what people liked to hear and liked to experience. Some are those that just wanna sit down and eat (like me), others are all about being papmered and waited on every 5 minutes.
Then you learn how to be thankful for that 1 dollar tip even tho da table before gave you 5 dollars. I had to learn how to deal with people not expecting some bald headed black dude handling their food and eloquently speaking to them. Yeah there were times where people looked at me like I was odd and didnt belong there and should have been in da back frying chicken or something. Such is life. Live, learn, adapt, and move on.
-RAP, II
@antpruitt
September 15, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Wow, I’ve been remiss in replying to these comments. Ugh to me…I’d have been fired if I were in food service!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Once again, you provide such a positive outlook. Your best trait, IMHO.
July 23, 2010 at 8:58 PM
I’m glad somebody said it. Too many people out there think we little people who wait on them hand and foot are just idiots. So, thanks for letting people know we’re not!
September 15, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Indeed, we are not, Jer. You are going to be absolutely successful if/when you decide to leave the fun world of food & beverage service for the not-always fun world that is corporate America. Of that, I am positive.
July 25, 2010 at 4:05 AM
Excellent post Kerri!
I agree with you 100% and have been saying the same for years. A few years back, I had to hire 50 tech support analysts for an IT outsourcing company and was fed up with the candidates that our recruiters were sending to me. I finally told them to send me people who had worked in food service or retail and had experience dealing with customers for at least a year.
I always thought that someone who lasted a year in these industries had potential for dealing with customers; however, less than a year could mean they only did it for the money (and failed) or quickly found that they didn’t like it.
The recruiters responded with questions about technical skills. I answered that it was easy to train on the technical aspects of the role but it’s much harder to modify behaviours.
I ended up with an excellent team that was able to deal with whatever customers threw at them, with much lower turnover than other teams and excellent results.
I personally worked as a bus boy, waiter and barman when I was younger. I loved it but appreciated more stable employment later on. I’m happy to use those skills every day.
Cheers!
Eric
@ericjacques
September 15, 2010 at 5:55 PM
That is a GREAT story, Eric. I love that you used food service experience as a criteria for a job in corporate America. I wouldn’t have written this post if I did not firmly believe in my “theory” that experience in food/beverage service truly prepares one for the future. I’m happy to see that I’m not alone in that theory!
(PS. I’m ridiculously late in posting this response – sorry!)
August 4, 2010 at 2:24 PM
I’m really proud of how honest and true to the industry you were it is an on-going thing trying to please people especially in today’s economy. People feel you owe them something for coming to your establishment and that you should do cart-wheels for those 2 dollars they are going to leave you. There’s not too many true diners left and you have to adjust on the fly as you said and read them to your best of knowledge. Well said my friend
September 15, 2010 at 5:59 PM
I’m embarrassed at how long I waited to respond. I hope you’ll forgive me!
I DO SO appreciate your comment; and I completely see your perspective on customers who just don’t “get it” in terms of what it truly takes to be successful in food/beverage service.
Thank you for reading my post, and for your compliment. Again, much appreciated!
September 9, 2010 at 1:59 AM
The Secret: Not-so Secret, ‘secret’…
I found your entry interesting thus I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog
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September 15, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Thanks for your compliment, Wayne. Much appreciated.
July 1, 2011 at 5:50 AM
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