Work force (446 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 0 on 18 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by FallenZer0 (View user info) at 2006-01-12 19:28:12 EST
Alright Uber, I seem to be having a little dilemma, and I could use some help.
I'm comparably young to the rest of you, and I just so happen to be looking for a job as well. I just got rejected for the quadbillionth time, and it's kind of dishearting. I have skills, I went to culinary school for a year, and I'm still going, but it seems like restaurants are already fully staffed. Is it just a matter of knowing people?
So, any advice? Other than child prostitute, assasin, and drug dealer, that is. Also, how did you get your first job?
User Reviews
Submitted by User10030 (user info) at 2006-01-13 15:33:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Yea, being a chef is a bitch. Basically, without restaurant managment experience you're not going to get a job. So, you're going to have to be a cook somewhere until you prove yourself worthy of becoming managment, then you can go looking for a good job. Now, for your first restaurant, you're probably not going to be hired in a real nice place, but at the same time you don't want to work in a mom and pop place where it'll mean diddly shit to the next place you apply to. Whoever said ruby tuesdays or fridays is right on. Also, try to apply to any darton restaurant (olive garden, red lobster, smoky bones, etc). Because they're such a big company everyone knows who they are.
I'll also tell you right now that kitchen work sucks. i'm telling you this as someone who's worked front of house and back of house. I haven't been to culinary school, but i don't think that they can prepare you for a real restaurant. The first thing you're going to have to contend with is the heat. Standing in front of a hot ass grill for hours (sometimes as long as fourteen hours depending on what restaurant you work for). Then, you're going to have to learn how to cook 10 steaks, 13 burgers, 8 chicken breasts and a couple filets of fish making sure you pull everything off at the right temp, and keeping track of how much you've got so you can 1. call for someone to back up whatever you need, and 2. let the managers know when you're out of something so they stop selling it. Oh yea, then you're going to hear the servers talking about how they made 150 bucks, and you're going to do the math and realize that working 8 hours at ten dollars an hour, then having taxes taken out fucking sucks.
If you get really desperate tell your interviewer that you'll start off as a prep cook until you prove yourself worthy of working the line. and don't be surprised if, after a couple months in a restaurant, you decide this isn't what you want to do with your life. A lot of people think they want to be chefs because they like to cook, and like to eat out at restaurants. Then, they actually get into a restaurant and realize why the kitchen is full of mexicans/hatians etc. It's hard work, and not really rewarding.
Submitted by Herpes (user info) at 2006-01-13 13:59:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I giggled at the "suicide tester"...
You know you're getting old when you laugh at Shlongy :(
(The frowning smiley makes me feel young and hip)
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2006-01-13 13:54:58 EST (#)
Ranking: -1
Try "suicide tester".
Submitted by inion_de_trua (user info) at 2006-01-13 13:54:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
yes it is just a matter of knowing people. at least if you want to work somewhere worth it in any field that requires creativity instead of just managing numbers.
Submitted by MistressFist (user info) at 2006-01-13 13:49:52 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Yes it is who you know. My bro is a chef, and his boss loves him and basically takes him to every restaurant he moves to. Chefs move around a lot to different places. The thing is, if you suck, you won't go anywhere. If you are good, find a good master chef, and learn. He/she will take you everywhere they go if you are worth your salt.
Doesn't your school have a placement program? You had to intern someplace, so try there first.
You may have to move to a city. Philly for instance, is a great restaurant city.
Submitted by Maddog (user info) at 2006-01-13 10:01:35 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Learn to juggle and smash various fruits and vegetables with a large mallet. Fame and fortune will follow.
Submitted by Placid (user info) at 2006-01-13 09:56:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
When you go for an interview, go with arrogance and the following phrase:
"The fuckers need me more than I need them".
I haven't seen it not work...
Submitted by Foolproof (user info) at 2006-01-13 09:36:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Culinary is not a skill worthy of payment. I fucking cook.
Submitted by skrapmetal (user info) at 2006-01-12 21:57:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
You got skills? OK...
Go to the nearest Outback Steak House or any affiliated restaurant. Talk with the Proprietor. Get on (temporarily) as a cook and prove your skills. Impress them enough to get them to back you (if thy've been a Proprietor for over a year, they can afford it). Open your own place.
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2006-01-12 21:36:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I used to be nervous during interviews, but now I just don't give a shit. You have to change how you percieve the interview before, not try to repress nervousness during, that doesn't work.
Why be nervous when you have nothing to lose and are not risking anything? Just take it lightly.
People tend to rehearse the night before and lose sleep over an interview. Personally, I really don't give a shit.
Proof that confidence really works... At the job I have right now, I arrived late at the interview because I didn't wake up. When the employer asked me "too much traffic?", I nodded and said firmly: "um, no, I woke up late" and cracked a smile. He laughed and I'm the one who got the job out of the 3 or 4 candidates.
Submitted by FallenZer0 (user info) at 2006-01-12 20:31:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
thanks!! and of course i'll make you a steak!
Submitted by HighVoltage900 (user info) at 2006-01-12 20:28:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Caul is right, and this is my key to the jobs I have gotten. Always be confident. Sometimes during interviews (though I have only noticed this recently as I tried for higher paying jobs) your interviewer might try to intimidate you by having multiple people interview you, or you sit in a small chair, or in the corner of a room (all three happened two jobs ago) but you have to keep your cool. If you believe in yourself, others will too.
You either know people or you don't. If you don't then you are gonna have a tougher time. If you know ANYONE, and I mean anyone try and get them to help you out. Try and work under someone you know so you get some experience. Try working somewhere lower at first. You aren't gonna get a job at The Inn at Little Washington on your first try, but you might get one at TGIFriday's or Ruby Tuesday's or something. It's not glamourous but it gets experience under your belt and proves you can hold down a job and make a commitment.
And don't just try for one restaurant at a time and hold your breath waiting. Shotgun your resume all across town. If someone thinks about hiring a chef, make sure they know your name.
Good luck.
Make me a fucking steak.
Submitted by Azk (user info) at 2006-01-12 20:25:32 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Eh? This isnt entertaining.
Submitted by FallenZer0 (user info) at 2006-01-12 20:08:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
userpete- i know this isn't a job forum, but i was just asking for advice. people talk about their jobs ALL the time ,and go here when they're bored at work. it correlates.
Spook- i'm from NJ, but i'm more likely to be in the place of one of those mexicans because of my experience level
Pokey- hah i'd fail miserably as a prostitute.
and thanks Caul, i try to be confident during interviews, but i get so nervous. :/ i'll try to look through the school though
Submitted by Caulaincourt (user info) at 2006-01-12 19:56:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Is it just a matter of knowing people?"""
For your 1st job it might help to have a "pimp" in the profession you work in. But confidence during interview is key. Of course, if they're fully staffed, I don't think any confidence will get you in so look elsewhere. You mentionned restaurant? If you were in Canada, I'd tell you to move to Montreal since it's renown for its ridiculous amount of restaurants per capita.
Also, how did you get your first job?"""
I chose a line of work in which I knew I had contacts. When I started school I knew I had a job waiting for me at the end.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2006-01-12 19:43:17 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Where do you live?
If you have a culinary degree in Florida you can have as many as 12 mexicans working right under you.
Submitted by PokeyPecker (user info) at 2006-01-12 19:40:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Sucking dick pays pretty well.
It's self employment, too. AND, the more you work the more you earn. It's all up to you! AND, NO TAXES!!
Submitted by userpete86 (user info) at 2006-01-12 19:34:18 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
How to start this out...
"This isn't a job forum."
Now, that said, I'd suggest you pick a reasonable skill, like answering telephones, rather than try to get a job as a chef. Here in California, all the chefs are latino for one good reason:
THEY DON'T MIND GETTING PAID NEXT TO NOTHING TO BE A CHEF!
You see... many people would rather eat at a quiznos or a subway than go to an actual restaurant.
Now, if you want to work at a good restaurant, you actually have to be a good chef with years of experience. You're basically shit out of luck unless you know someone. I would suggest you approach another chef and offer to be his assistant for minimal pay.