Author: TAM of Nevada

Job Hunting: 4 Tips for Finding Hospitality Jobs in Las Vegas

Published on by TAM of Nevada2 Comments

hospitality-jobs-marketWe all know the job market for hospitality workers is competitive. However, companies across southern Nevada are always advertising new positions, and there are some great opportunities are out there for motivated job seekers. For example, new Las Vegas property SLS Las Vegas announced this week that they are hiring 300 hotel, restaurant and finance positions this month, with 2,500 more positions to open up in the spring (Vegas News). This is exciting news for Las Vegas locals and just the tip of the iceberg in terms of opportunities for TAM® Card holders. Are you looking for a new career? Here are some tips to help you on your job search:

  1. Identify companies you would like to work for. It’s not enough to check job listing websites and hope to find an opportunity. Make a list of companies or local properties you would be interested in working for, and connect with them directly. Las Vegas hotels, clubs and casinos are great about posting information on job openings and hiring fairs on their websites and social media channels. Staying connected with local properties will give you a heads up as soon as open positions are announced.
  2. In an effort to help hardworking TAM® Card holders connect with local employers, we keep an up-to-date job posting board at our official training center on Paradise Road. When you come in for an alcohol awareness class or proctored exam, make sure you check out our job board near the reception desk. We keep in touch with properties all over town and try to keep our students informed about any available positions for hospitality and service professionals. You may find a listing that would be a great fit for you.
  3. Visit job fairs to meet with potential employers face-to-face and make a great impression. TAM® students receive the best alcohol awareness training possible, and employers know it. By attending job fairs, you can sell yourself, and your skills, to employers, and network with representatives from several companies in one setting. You never know who you’ll run into; TAM® of Nevada Manger Sherry Cummings attended a Diversity Career Fair at the Palms Casino and Resort in mid-February to meet with local companies and TAM® Card holders. If you see us at a local event, remember to say hello!
  4. Be prepared for an interview and any next steps. So you’ve obtained your TAM® Card, performed a job search, and now have an interview lined up… your work still isn’t done. You’ll need to impress hiring managers with your personality, attitude and work ethic. For tips on how to ace an interview, check out our blog post, “Come Prepared and Ace Your Next Hospitality Industry Job Interview.”

Searching for a great position can be a challenging process, but having the right tools to help you get started can greatly boost your chances of success. What tips would you give to job seekers for finding a hospitality or service position in Las Vegas?

Resources

SLS Las Vegas Now Hiring 300 Hotel, Restaurant and Finance Leadership Positions – VegasNews.com

© 2014 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

It’s Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos. What Are Your Plans for Super Bowl Sunday?

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fanswatchinggameIt’s that time of year again; Super Bowl XLVIII is scheduled for this Sunday! If you aren’t working and are looking for a place to watch the game, there are plenty of options and places to join the party all over Las Vegas. It doesn’t matter which team you’re rooting for, if you prefer snacks and a pint at the pub, or cheering loud with the casino crowd, there’s something out there for everyone. Check out this extensive list of parties all over town, provided by Vegas Chatter.

If you’re working during the big game, remember to be extra careful in checking identification, and in observing customers. Special events like the Super Bowl can lead to high energy levels, increased excitement and celebration, and sometimes overindulgence. For a list of ways to focus on responsible service, refer to our blog post, “Are You Doing All You Can to Help Prevent Drunk Driving?”

As a reminder, if you need to renew your TAM® Card before Sunday, our office offers TAM® classes and exam proctoring six days a week. Register on our website or visit our new office fifteen minutes before the start of class to register at the door, walk-ins are always welcome!

Remember, kick-off time this Sunday will be at approximately 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Where are you going to watch the game? If you’re working, is your establishment doing anything special for the day?

© 2014 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Happy Holidays from TAM of Nevada – Holiday Hours at the TAM® Office

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Happy holidays decorationLas Vegas is a city that knows how to throw a party. Bars and restaurants are preparing for weeks of festive holidays promotions, company holiday parties, and an influx of visitors. With everyone getting revved up for the big holiday parties, what does that mean to you as a TAM® Card holder? You need to be prepared. Be extra vigilant in checking identification and observing guests. Also, make sure your TAM® Card isn’t about to expire.

If you need to renew your card prior to the start of the New Year, check out our holiday schedule below to find a class that works for your schedule. Don’t delay; make sure you are able to obtain your card in time. Remember, we also offer exam proctoring for online students six days a week.

  • Wednesday 12/18 – Last Mesquite class of 2013 will be held at the Virgin River Hotel Casino at 8:00am.
  • Thursday 12/19 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Last Spanish class of 2013 will be held at 9:00am.
  • Tuesday 12/24 and Wednesday 12/25 – CLOSED.
  • Thursday 12/26 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Class at 9:00am only.
  • Friday 12/27– Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Classes at 9:00am and 2:00pm.
  • Saturday 12/28 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Class at 9:00am only.
  • Monday 12/30 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Classes at 9:00am and 2:00pm.
  • Tuesday 12/31 – Open 8:30am-5:00pm. Open lab day.
  • Wednesday 1/1 and Thursday 1/2 –CLOSED. We will reopen for normal business hours beginning Friday, January 3rd at 8:30am.

TAM® of Nevada wants to wish all of our students a safe and happy holiday season and New Year!

Restaurant Technology – Digital Restaurant Menus Appeal to Busy Customers

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tablet ordering in restaurantIt’s considered rude to browse the web on your smart phone while seated at the dinner table, but in an increasingly tech-savvy world and competitive dining industry, restaurants are breaking their own rules. Some restaurants are looking for new ways to appeal to busy consumers, and to move as many happy customers in and out of their establishments in the most efficient way. As Mitch Lipka points out in his article, “Will digital restaurant menus get you to spend more?” one method is asking patrons to get more involved in the dining out experience by ordering or viewing menus on tablet devices such as the iPad®. We here at TAM® of Nevada really enjoyed this article and are interested to see if, and how, this technology will continue to grow, especially in the Las Vegas area.

The draw of digital menus includes the benefit of being able to offer more information about menu items without worrying about taking up too much real estate on a menu page. Diners are likely to spend more money and order additional items if they can see photos to go along with dish and cocktail descriptions. Additionally, there’s an opportunity to include allergen information, or even suggested wine pairings to go along with each dish.

Increasingly tech-savvy customers are seemingly open to the new trend. According to the National Restaurant Association, 41% of consumers surveyed said they have used a computer to view menus, order food or make reservations online in the last month. Additionally, 46% said that if offered they would use a smartphone to make a restaurant reservation or place an order at a touch-screen kiosk (National Restaurant Association).

Of course as with any new technology, digital menus and ordering also run the risk of becoming a passing fad. For another opinion on this new movement, check our Michael Austin’s article for the Chicago Sun-Times, “Pour Man: iPad wine lists let your fingers do the ordering.” Do you think moving away from paper menus and into digital menus will catch on and become mainstream? Only time will tell.

Have you seen these types of programs in use anywhere yet? What do you think about allowing customers to order off of digital menus: great idea or doomed to fail once the first drink is spilled on a device?

Resources