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| Image Source: Maya Picture http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=3299 |
Well it's Valentine's Day and couples everywhere will be celebrating their relationships and the deep, endless love that exists within them.
Okay, maybe that won't be the case for every couple today, but nonetheless there will be money spent on the occasion. The commercialized holiday influences lovers to buy gifts for each other, and one of the more classic ones, besides little stuffed teddy bears and heart shaped candies, is dinner out on the town.
Over the past week I have been seeing an increased number of Facebook posts from the small restaurant I worked at this past summer, Questa Lasagna. Check it out. It is a wonderful place to dine. The restaurant has been trying to attract all of the lovebirds to enjoy a fresh Italian cuisine on the most romantic day of the year.
Seeing the increased number of advertising messages had me thinking about my summer working as a waiter from May until August. Considering the small size of the staff, yet large customer base, I was required to perform a multitude of tasks. I thought about the wonderful experience I had, and the challenges that I overcame. I believe that the demanding job helped me develop all of the skills necessary to be successful in nearly any position I will hold in the future.
As I head into the "real-world," after securing my Bachelor's Degree, I find myself thinking about the experiences that have best suited me for making my pursuits in business that much easier. My time spent in the restaurant tops the list of those experiences.
I highly recommend anyone looking to go into business, and not already too far into their career path, to consider a position waiting tables.
These are some of the skills I know I developed, and think anyone would in this position:
Communication
Working as a waiter forces you to constantly interact with customers. You have to maintain a friendly atmosphere, listen to and understand customer needs, verbally explain the menu and specials, answer questions, and provide solutions. On the other side of this is communication with the restaurant staff. You need to be able to clearly tell the chef and cooking staff what the customer needs; you also need to listen to them regarding their needs from you. A restaurant is an environment with endless communication, and the waitstaff holds much of the responsibility for understanding and acting on any given message. It is like a game of telephone; you are communicating with two different parties, and are also the link between them.
Multitasking
As a waiter or waitress you need to be able to do two things at once, maybe even three or four. When you have four or five tables that you are responsible for, a lot comes with it. With a full restaurant you are constantly greeting, seating, reciting specials, slightly socializing with customers, taking orders, bringing meals, answering phones, clearing dishes, asking questions, answering questions, watching, preparing checks, cashing out, and bussing and setting tables. WOAH! Your mind must always be working to think of the next thing to be done, with an ever changing list of priorities. Very often the waitstaff needs to coordinate their efforts as well to make sure that the restaurant as a whole is served well. You not only worry about your own responsibilities, but those of your co-workers too.
Stress Management
While you multitask like crazy it's not uncommon for some stress to set in. Scratch that, a lot of stress sets in. Since there is so much to do and so many people counting on you there is a lot of pressure. You learn to take deep breaths and focus on the tasks one at a time while still being cognizant of everything else that needs to be done. On one extremely busy, stress filled night I remember asking myself, "What's the worst that could happen if I just left right now?" Don't worry, I didn't! It was stressful, but I stuck with it and worked through with focus.
Preparation
My particular position required me to prepare some of the dishes, especially salads. I had to "prepare for the apocalypse" if I wanted to make it through the night. A good waiter or waitress will quickly learn that when they have time to prepare, they should prepare because it makes life a lot easier in the future, or in less than an hour when people start flooding through the door. Also if you know that a large table of customers is coming in, you have to strategically plan their dining experience ahead of time to make it run smoothly.
Teamwork
In a restaurant, you work as part of a team with the other waitstaff and the kitchen. Everyone counts on everyone else to complete their respective tasks, and pick up the slack when someone needs it. Everyone has to be on the same page and know what is going on. You have to be able to understand the others' needs, and communicate yours. There are a lot of moving parts and you are one of them.
Sales
The best part about being part of the waitstaff is that you are working for tips. The higher the bill, and the better the service, the higher the tip. You have to treat each and every customer uniquely, and cater to their needs in a specific way. You also try to add items on, by suggesting appetizers before their meals, or desserts after. It is all about treating the customer well, and gaining their desire for certain dishes. After a while, you begin to understand what works and how to approach different situations. You foster a sales mindset.
Every restaurant is different, and this one required a lot from its waitstaff.
Work in a demanding atmosphere and you will see yourself adapting and growing to accomplish everything. The skills you gain in this setting are so useful.
On a side note, having experience in the service industry at this level is great for those who want to explore related career options, or want to always have something to fall back on if need be.
Wait some tables!
