Turn an Entry-Level Job into a Long-Term Restaurant Career

Turn an Entry-Level Job into a Long-Term Restaurant Career

by | May 23, 2016 | Career

For a wide variety of reasons, many don’t consider restaurant work as a long-term option and hold the belief that it cannot translate into a career able to support oneself and family. But that is completely untrue. In fact, an entry-level restaurant job can be the beginnings of a viable and specialized career path in the restaurant industry.

The ‘hidden’ benefits

A recent Rutgers University study discovered that 40% of today’s college graduates are working jobs that don’t require the use of their degrees… and being a member of the restaurant floor staff is part of that ‘degree-less’ contingent that is often incorrectly categorized as unskilled.

But those working entry-level jobs in the restaurant industry, including graduates, can gain valuable knowledge and access great opportunities from these supposedly ‘low-level’ jobs.

  • The restaurant industry is the perfect place to hone universally applicable skills such as teamwork, time prioritization, and budgeting.
  • If you work in a restaurant that allows you to learn about other aspects of the job while you’re working on staff, you can grow laterally with the position, and get to know the restaurant business on a higher level, while earning money. Think of it as a paid internship of sorts!
  • An entry-level job in the industry can open the door to a variety of long-term career options. From management to operations to entrepreneurship, the options are endless and bountiful.

The key to moving up

According to those who utilized their restaurant experience to become professionally successful, the key is to do the following:

  • Always strive to be better. This will not only keep you engaged at work but also prevent boredom or burnout.
  • Transferable skills are the most important skills to have in the restaurant business. For example, you might not consider taking orders to be a transferable skill, but chances are you’ll someday be giving orders, so learn to do it right!
  • Finally, but certainly no less importantly, the best advice one can give in this circumstance is not to give up. Always try to be energetic and maintain a positive attitude.

How to get started

Finding and applying for jobs in the restaurant industry can be frustrating and big time-suck. So, skip the headache and save time by using Sirvo to connect with top employers.

Instead of walking from restaurant to restaurant or clicking on every single craigslist post, find exactly what you’re looking for with Sirvo’s search feature. Whether it be a specific position, company or location, simply type in a keyword and get results immediately.

And the benefits don’t end there. You can save jobs you’re interested in and then apply for them on Sirvo in literally seconds with your Sirvo profile (a.k.a digital resume), which is easy to update and never has to be printed!

Are you wondering if a certain job can lead to advancement opportunities or have a question about the specifics? Just ask by messaging employers directly on Sirvo.

It’s a no-brainer, so get started to find your next job today!

Experience Sirvo for yourself

 

Sign up now to find hospitality jobs and hire top industry talent.

Sign up
Sirvo Partners with Indeed.com

Sirvo Partners with Indeed.com

by | May 20, 2016 | Sirvo Stories

Launch of the Indeed integration provides diversified hiring channels for employers and job seekers in the restaurant, retail and hospitality industry.

DENVER, COLORADO – May 20, 2016 – Sirvo, a modern web app for hospitality recruitment, and Indeed, the leading job search engine, today announced the launch of an integration partnership that automatically publishes Sirvo job listings to the Indeed engine, providing employers with an expanded talent pool and job seekers with new employment opportunities.

The technology is integrated into Sirvo’s job creator tool, which seamlessly publishes job listings to the Indeed platform, requiring no additional action from Sirvo users. This partnership allows employers to simultaneously take advantage of Sirvo’s optimized hiring tools while engaging Indeed’s large user base that spans the country.

“Compared to many other industries, hiring managers in restaurants and hospitality have to hire twice as many people in half the time. They need digital tools and a way to engage job seekers on a broad scale. That’s why this partnership with Indeed makes so much sense.” – Stephanie Maxwell, Sirvo CEO

When a listing is clicked, job seekers are directed to Sirvo, where they can immediately apply for jobs online and communicate with employers at their convenience. Not only does this streamline the application process for industry professionals but also increases accessibility to industry influencers, decision-makers and opportunities.

“Unlike other job-finding sites that funnel listings IN, Sirvo only funnels them OUT. Thus, creating a curated job library for applicants with no risk of applying to the same job multiple times.” – Stephanie Maxwell, Sirvo CEO

With few technology-based hiring platforms, the restaurant, retail and hospitality industry maintains antiquated hiring practices that lead to wasted resources and high-turnover. From start to finish, the process is burdensome, requiring job seekers to physically search and apply for job openings and forcing employers to make hurried decisions that do not last.

Sirvo’s platform, including the Indeed integration, is introducing an all-digital hiring solution tailored for the service industry that is comprehensive, convenient and efficient.

For more information about Sirvo and its partner program, please contact [email protected].

About Sirvo

Sirvo, named Best New Startup 2015 is a modern web app for hospitality recruitment. Sirvo helps better connect employers and job seekers by providing easy access to business and talent profiles, powerful search, as well as collaborative hiring tools for a smooth, streamlined hiring process. For more information, visit Sirvo.com.

About Indeed

Indeed is the #1 job search engine in the world and allows job seekers to search millions of jobs on the web or mobile in over 50 countries and 28 languages. More than 180 million people each month search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies on Indeed. For more information, visit Indeed.com.

 

 

 

Customers You Meet as a Server

Customers You Meet as a Server

by | May 18, 2016 | Career

If there’s one universal truth amongst waitstaff no matter when or where you work: there are certain types of customers that you’ll always encounter when serving.

Some of these customers are amazing, the kind of customers that you’ll want to get all the time. Some of these customers are horrific and hope to never see again. And still other customers who are absolutely hilarious, the kind that you simply have to tell anyone and everyone about, and the kind that you’ll share stories about on various waitstaff websites.

Here’s a breakdown of the customers you’ll meet while serving: the best, and the worst!

The Customer Who’s In a Rush

These kinds of customers can go one of two ways: they can request their food, leave in a hurry, and give you a big tip for being so efficient or they can request their food, leave in a hurry, and give you a small tip because you didn’t bring out their food fast enough.

Do these customers not realize that you don’t control the kitchen? Probably not…

When it comes to customers like this, one of the easiest ways to tip the scales in your favor is to gently remind them that you are there to serve them and that you’ll do your best to make sure their food gets out in time, but you don’t have absolute control over the kitchen.

Pro-tip: If the customer is amenable to suggestions, perhaps you can suggest a dish that doesn’t take as long to prepare.

The Laidback Customer

One of the easiest types of customers you’ll serve, the laidback customer is a simple orderer, easy to please, and an eat-pay-leave kind of person.

They understand the purpose of servers: to take your order, get your drinks and food, and make sure the experience is pleasant.

This is why they’ll need no special accommodations and likely won’t be rude or difficult. It’s likely that they have worked in the food industry and relate to the job.

The Splitter

These kinds of customers usually pop up when as a large party. They’re the kind of customers that want to split the check into many different parts…down to the penny. (How dare you charge them for an extra basket of bread?)

One of the easiest ways to appease these kinds of customers early on is to ask if the check is separate before you take the order.

Pro-tip: Another option is to make sure that you make careful notes about what each customer ordered, so that when they ask to split the check, you can do so with ease.

The Customers with Bratty Children

It’s inevitable that you will get customers with unmannered (or spoiled) children who have no idea how to behave in even the simplest of civilized ways.

Whether it’s the parents of a child who simply must run everywhere throughout the restaurant or who simply will not stop screaming, you’re going to have a huge challenge on your hands.

That said, the easiest way to deal with this kind of customer (and to get the huge tip you certainly deserve) is to appease the child.

Try to engage the child, talk to him/her in such a way that s/he feels included in the restaurant process, and encourage good behavior with a special treat.

The Regular

This is perhaps the best kind of customer you’ll ever serve. They’re the customer that not only knows the menu but also knows what to expect when frequenting your restaurant. From service to timing, there will be no surprises.

The regulars will also treat you with respect, and tip you well.

Pro-tip: If you’re lucky enough to get this kind of customer, hold on to him/her for dear life!

 

There you have it; the customers you’re most likely to encounter while serving and how to approach each!

Learn more about customer service here →

Experience Sirvo for yourself

Sign up now to find hospitality jobs and hire top industry talent.

Sign up
Sirvo CEO Named Top 25 Women Founders

Sirvo CEO Named Top 25 Women Founders

by | May 16, 2016 | Company News

Sirvo Founder and CEO, Stephanie Maxwell, was named as one of the 25 Colorado women startup founders to get to know by Built In Colorado, the local hub for startups and tech.

 

The number of funded companies with women founders is on the rise nationwide; in 2014, 15.5 percent of funded startups on Crunchbase had at least one woman founder.

In Colorado, companies and organizations like Women Who Startup, the National Center for Women in IT, MergeLane and Techstars are all working to support and encourage women who start their own tech companies.

From industry veterans like Sue Heilbronner to relative newcomers like Jacqueline Ros, here are 25 Colorado women startup founders you should know:

Stephanie Maxwell, Sirvo

Maxwell’s background in VIP hospitality marketing led her to start Sirvo, a talent matching platform for bars, clubs and restaurants.

 

Check out the full list on Built In Colorado→

Experience Sirvo for yourself

 

Sign up now to find hospitality jobs and hire top industry talent.

Sign up
Job Opportunities for Food Service Managers

Job Opportunities for Food Service Managers

by | May 16, 2016 | Career

While Cooks and Chefs prepare the food and Servers serve it up, it’s up to Managers to ensure that the show runs smoothly. And it’s not just in the restaurant industry that they’re needed. Everyone needs to eat, and because of that, food service managers are a part of most industries, further increasing the number of management opportunities available to those looking. They are the conductors that keep all the moving parts working together and this integral role equates to some great perks, including a high paycheck and job security! Don’t worry, we’ve got the specifics.

Opportunities by Industry

The responsibilities and background of food service managers typically make them the highest paid professionals on the restaurant floor and food service industry in general according to figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The average salary for food service managers is $53,640 per year ($25.79 per hour). The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $28,780 per year ($13.84 per hour) while those at the top can make more than $83,010 per year ($39.91 per hour).

When it comes to available positions, the best opportunities for food service managers are, of course, in restaurants and other eating places, where nearly 142,100 of these professionals are employed. Next comes special food services with 12,300 positions, followed by traveler accommodations with 9,020 jobs.

As for salary, it’s outside restaurant industry that you’ll get paid top dollar.

The industry paying the most for these professionals is insurance, where food service managers make an average of $94,330 per year to take care of in-house cafeterias and food service facilities.

Coming in second is the real estate industry, averaging $83,100 annually. Ranking third is healthcare, specifically specialty hospitals where the average annual salary runs at $82,120.

Opportunities by Location

California, the most populous state, comes in first in terms of necessity with 35,510 food service manager jobs. Texas, the second most populous state, has the second highest employment level at 12,010 jobs, followed by Tennessee, where 10,540 food service managers work.

When in comes to cities, the most opportunities are available in the Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Glendale, California area with 9,970 positions. Offering 5,130 jobs is the Chicago, Naperville, and Arlington Heights, Illinois, division, followed by Atlanta, Sandy Sprint, and Roswell, Georgia, with 4,630 managers.

The state with the highest pay for food service managers is New Jersey, averaging $71,440 per year. Delaware ranks a close second at an average of $71,130 annually. In third is Rhode Island at $69,000 yearly.

Among cities, Tallahassee, Florida tops the pay chart, averaging $84,050 per year, followed by the Atlantic City and Hammonton area in New Jersey where the average salary for food service managers is $80,930 yearly. In third is Wilmington, Delaware, and the surrounding metropolitan area in Maryland and New Jersey, at a mean $79,260 a year.

Projections

According to the BLS, food service manager positions is forecast to increase by 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, the reasons being a growing population and an improving economy: more people with more money to spend on eating out, food delivery, and takeout.

And, to meet this expected demand, more restaurants, catering services, and other food service establishments will open, requiring the expertise of managers to run efficiently.

Managers with many years of experience in the food service industry will have the best opportunities. As experienced managers leave the profession, the majority of job openings will be to replace these individuals, especially in upscale locations that pay higher salaries.

If these figures tempt you into finding better restaurant employment for yourself, search for opportunities sirvo.com/search →

Experience Sirvo for yourself

 

Sign up now to find hospitality jobs and hire top industry talent.

Sign up