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I was wondering if you had any tips on getting a server job in NYC. I have experience but not in the city.
My friend said that most people lie about their experience to get their first job because all restaurants in Manhattan want at least 2 years experience in the city and because I don't have experience in the city, and because I am black I will have a hard time finding a job. I have been looking online for a few weeks and I think I will just go door to door starting in my neighborhood.
I wanted to know if you had any tips? What would I need to know that is different from being a server in Manhattan and anywhere else? What things do I need to say and do so people think I have worked in the city?
Also when people ask if you have wine knowledge what is the basics that I would need to know? I don't drink and have not worked in a wine bar before.
I am just wondering how I should dress, what I should know and do to hopefully get a job in the next week.
I was wondering if you had any tips on getting a server job in NYC. I have experience but not in the city.
My friend said that most people lie about their experience to get their first job because all restaurants in Manhattan want at least 2 years experience in the city and because I don't have experience in the city, and because I am black I will have a hard time finding a job. I have been looking online for a few weeks and I think I will just go door to door starting in my neighborhood.
I wanted to know if you had any tips? What would I need to know that is different from being a server in Manhattan and anywhere else? What things do I need to say and do so people think I have worked in the city?
Also when people ask if you have wine knowledge what is the basics that I would need to know? I don't drink and have not worked in a wine bar before.
I am just wondering how I should dress, what I should know and do to hopefully get a job in the next week.
Thank you so much for your help
I would say that all of your questions are very location specific--- you need different skills in a diner than you do in a 5 star restaurant. Being black could help or hinder again depending on the place. One does not have to work in a wine bar to know the basics of wine... the main thing is that in the city you will indeed have lots of competition. I would start at the level you feel comfortable at be it a diner (probably) or deli with sit down service and not a 5 star place. I would also look uptown where there are more people of color than in midtown. You should dress conservatively even more so than you think the job will require if you get it. Good luck it is tough out there
If you've waitressed before, one thing you'll have to get used to, especially at a decent place and not like an olive garden chain here, is that the people sitting at your table are not going to be in an out in 30 minutes. They stick around for a while and have a conversation and this is normal.
It's something that I've grown to love, and hate about when I go back to Michigan and go out to eat. I hate being bothered to order my drinks, and my meal every 30 seconds and then rushed to pay the bill so they can bring the next people to the table.
Do you think walking around going door to door with my resume will be more productive than sending in my resume to people that advertise on Craigslist?
I guess I should start at Diners? Is there a specific time I should go and give my resume to managers? Anything I should add to stand out from the 100 of people applying for the same job?
Would it be easier to get a job at one of the places in Times Square?
I just went to an open call at the Hard Rock Cafe, there were about 50 people there and the manager looked at all the resumes then called out about 45 names and said go home basically because you do not have the experience or availability. So I really need to stand out.
Going around to smaller places would be the best bet. They're not going to place ads that would attract that many people to an interview. They'll be the ones that have a "help wanted" sign on their door. That would be a good way to get some "New York" experience.
I don't know. I was honest when I got my first waitressing job in Manhattan. I didn't pad my resume with NYC experience because I just didn't believe lying to business owners was the right thing to do, nor did I even believe for a second they would buy it. I was just friendly and genuine and was able to get several job offers within the week, GOOD job offers at 2 star establishments at a time when the economy was terrible. I think they appreciated the honesty and the fact I didn't come in under false pretenses, like many. I also dressed in my very best clothes and made sure to smile and shake their hands. Don't be afraid to be perfectly upfront and honest, even a little vulnerable. It sometimes works in your favor more than you think. I made decent money at that first job, about $150 a shift. I eventually left for better things. I now have a regular job but occasionally bartend and work as a cocktail server at a job I secured off of that first one. During the holidays I had days where I walked with over $400 straight cash. The money is definitely there if you know how to hustle for it and have the right attitude.
Last edited by EastBoundandDownChick; 01-14-2014 at 05:44 PM..
for someone who was not from here who is from the Midwest this is my suggestion to you!know your gredients and if you do not know your ingredients google it! It's the 21st century.vigorously study your menu Manhattans restaurants are very elitist their clientele is from a very high end clientele,and they expect nothing but excellence!get to know the chef! If he or she is a good Chaf they will be willing to teach you!learn to pronunciate and speak English properly!and truly be eager to learn as if it was your career.do this and the rest will follow.
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