Waitressing job? (Richmond, Roanoke: health insurance, school, college)

[eebrbee]

Hey! I'm moving up to Roanoke in about 2 weeks. I've worked at an ice cream shop for 3 years (I'm a college student), but I would like a change.. Maybe go in to waitressing. I come from Richmond, where there are a TON of different restaurants, but any suggestions for a possible restaurant to waitress? (Or any advice?)

Thanks!

[sarahrachel]

I worked at an Applebee's (just for some extra $) as a bartender (but I started out waitressing) the previous year and discovered that they were almost ALWAYS hiring waitresses. If you have a good personality and are willing to work hard with references then Applebee's or any of the gazillions of chain restaurants in Roanoke would probably hire you on the spot! There are also lots of local restaurants that would probably be more fun to work at (Corn Beef and Co., Awful Arthur's, Macado's, etc.) and might pay better. You asked for advice and I'd say to go in around 3:00 (the slowest time of the day in the restaurant industry), dress to impress, smile a lot, and ask for the general manager. I doubt you'd have any trouble finding a waitressing job in a place with as many restaurants as Roanoke. Good luck!!

[roanokers]

Originally Posted by eebrbee

Hey! I'm moving up to Roanoke in about 2 weeks. I've worked at an ice cream shop for 3 years (I'm a college student), but I would like a change.. Maybe go in to waitressing. I come from Richmond, where there are a TON of different restaurants, but any suggestions for a possible restaurant to waitress? (Or any advice?)

Thanks!

"Bring 'em in, kick 'em out..." Thats how restaurants work anywhere. You should have no trouble finding a gig, keeping it is the hard part. Once people work somewhere for a while, personality conflicts between staff and management (or staff and staff) usually lead to the end. Work it while in school, just don't be seduced into thinking that is a long term solution. Also when everyone goes "out" after work, you go home. Why spend half of what you made that night on drinks and food? You'll end up making minimum wage when it is all said and done, and have one heckuva hangover in the morning.

[sarahrachel]

Hmm...that wasn't my experience at all. I really enjoyed my job and only worked 2-3 nights a week but made somewhere around 300 a night (bartending). One of the full time bartenders made 52,000 last year. And waitressing (if you're good) you can make lots of money, too. I guess if you did go out every night you wouldn't make much but that's true in any job. Also, I loved my coworkers and got along wonderfully with them. I miss them now. I'm a pretty easy going person and don't seek out conflict and that worked for me just fine. We only had two people fired in the year I worked there and they legitimately deserved it (chronic lateness and walking out mid-shift). The managers are going to try to desperately hold on to you if you're a hard worker and have a positive attitude.

[texaschic]

300 a night... wow... maybe I should think about quitting my job with the school system! lol

[sarahrachel]

I know, how sad is it that bartenders make more than a lot of teachers and police officers and other professionals who really HELP people!? I could definitely make more bartending full time than using my teaching degree. Siiigh.

[eebrbee]

Thank you for your input!

I have a job offer where I would be making $9.00 an hour.... Would I be better of taking that job or finding a waitressing job?

[j1n]

If you are waitressing in a good restaurant, and you have busy shifts, I think you'll be making quite a bit more than that.

[sarahrachel]

Waitressing I averaged probably 15$ an hour. Much more on busy nights, and usual right around 10$ an hour on slow nights. However, it's NOT definite money. My job was just for "fun" or extra money and not to pay the bills. If you're looking to pay the bills, sometimes it can be a little stressful depending on the generosity of others. I saw coworkers bawling when they got stiffed on tips because they didn't know if they were going to be able to make their health insurance payments, etc. I think that'd be really hard.

[roanokers]

Originally Posted by eebrbee

Thank you for your input!

I have a job offer where I would be making $9.00 an hour.... Would I be better of taking that job or finding a waitressing job?

If you are a college student, I would say do the waitressing job. Its kind of like sales. If you can deal with rejection and still smile, you can make bank. Eventhough it can be a tough environment, you can gain people skills that will last a lifetime. I would rather bust my butt, and be irritated for 5 hours and make $90 (cash), then work 5 hours make $45, and still give Uncle Sam %20 of that.