Were you a whiz at the game of memory as a kid? Are you able to memorize your grocery shopping list, and actually remember everything you need despite the multiple distractions in the store? Can you always place a face with a name? If so, then you might just have what it takes to be a take-home-all-the-bacon kind of server. If not, there's still hope, but you will need to work it. A career in the food service industry is not a path for the faint of heart. The hours can be grueling, the pay sometimes meager and the clientele is often impatient and demanding. Why would anyone want to do this? Let's take a look at the benefits and challenges of being a server.
What's in a Name?
If you're a server, the answer is "a lot!" High-earning servers remember their customers, pronounce the items on the menu correctly and always remember to introduce themselves when approaching tables. This can be a lot of personal as well as food and beverage names in a four-hour period!
Challenge: Creating a system or memory trick to lock away faces and names into automatic recall.
Benefit: Servers who meet this challenge often find big tips left on the table as a reward.
If There's Time to Lean, There's Time to Clean
With walking to and from the kitchen, loading and balancing heavy trays, and the occasional bussing duties, waiting tables often resembles a job with a built-in gym membership.
Challenge: The job requires standing, walking, bending, lifting, reaching, twisting and at times running. Servers need to be prepared to move while on the job. This can be physically demanding day-in and day-out.
Benefit: No need to worry about squeezing exercise into a busy schedule, since this job is a full body workout.
Take Control of Your Financial Destiny
People looking for extra money, students in debt, and people between jobs or looking for a second source of income can find financial freedom through waiting tables.
Challenge: Customer tips pay the majority of a server's paycheck. This can be challenging if customers don't tip appropriately, or if a server consistently waits on smaller parties or empty sections.
Benefit: Tip pools can ease the pain for servers with slow sections. Servers working for individual tips usually have the ability to control their daily salary.
Move Over Dolly Parton, This Gig Ain't 9-5.
People with day jobs, artists and students looking to earn extra money or a steady side-income can take advantage of the early morning or evening hours many restaurant schedules provide.
Challenge: A server's schedule can change from week to week and will often involve working nights and weekends.
Benefit: For students and people with Monday through Friday office jobs, working evenings and weekends provides a steady source of additional income to an already busy schedule. Most restaurants create set schedules for their seasoned staff members with seniority.
You Want Fries with That?
Remembering who ordered what can be the biggest challenge during the busier hours. Some menus are extensive, and picky customers may have a grocery list of special requests.
Challenge: Staying sharp and focused when it feels like 100 hungry eyes are on you.
Benefit: Your ability to remember menu items will come with practice and the acquired skill of staying focused and organized will carry throughout other areas of your life.
Waiting tables is a profession that is often seen as unforgiving and exhausting, so why does anyone do it? Some do it because it provides an instant source of income, with take-home pay each night from cash tips. Others like the daily interaction with new faces and genuinely feel a sense of accomplishment after a busy rush has passed. If you are considering joining the food service work-force, scout out the foot traffic in your local establishment of choice and take a look at the menu. Larger menus will require longer training times and shorter menus may be indicative of a fast-paced environment.
Also look at the hours of operation and consider that your schedule will most likely begin an hour before opening or an hour after close.
Maggie Moulatsiotis is a content specialist for FoodServiceWarehouse.com. To read more food service education articles or to shop for your next food service or restaurant supply purchase, visit www.foodservicewarehouse.com.
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