Laying the Foundation for Success – Tips for a Successful Restaurant Career

service-excellenceDo you love your job? Not everyone can say that they do! A career change could result in a number of benefits including increased job satisfaction, increased earnings, and a chance to try something new and expand your skill set. If you enjoy interacting with people, working in a fast-paced environment, and you love variety, you may want to consider looking for your dream job in the hospitality or restaurant industry. Hospitality professionals work in a variety of positions including bartenders, servers, managers, hosts, security professionals, clerks, business owners and more.

National Restaurant Association chairman Jack Crawford recently spoke to new graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, offering them advice as they begin their careers in the restaurant industry. Mr. Crawford’s speech was summarized in an article titled, “7 Tips for a Successful Restaurant Career,” and we here at TAM® of Nevada wholeheartedly agree with his suggestions! You can read the full article here, and check out a few more suggestions for TAM® Card holders that we’d add to the list:

  1. Passion for what you do can make you more successful and fulfilled in your career choices. “A passion for excellence is what makes a person tick. It helps you to work through the noisiness and find your success,” says Account Manager and Certified TAM® Instructor Sherry Cummings.
  2. Continually honing, improving, and expanding your skill set is important in any career. If you’re new to the industry, why not get a leg up on the competition with additional skills and techniques to set you apart from others? Likewise, if you are a restaurant veteran, consider adding to your skill set to stay competitive. Additionally, adding to your skill set isn’t just about remaining competitive. Learning and improving can be a generally enjoyable experience, and it can reignite your passion for your career.
  3. Obtain your TAM® Card. All hospitality professionals in Southern Nevada are required to obtain their alcohol education card prior to working at a location where they’ll be selling and serving alcoholic beverages. The Techniques of Alcohol Management® will give you the skills and knowledge you need to serve responsibly and begin your hospitality career in a position to succeed!

Our most important advice of all of all? Remember to have fun and enjoy your new career! What is the best advice you would give to someone looking to start a career in the hospitality industry?

Note: If you need to obtain your TAM® Card, now is the time! Due to the upcoming fight weekend, we will be open until 7:00 PM Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 29, 30 & May 1st (this week only) to accommodate any last minute TAM® Card proctored exams. See you soon!

Resources

7 Tips for a Successful Restaurant Career – National Restaurant Association

You’re Hired! Landing a Job in the Hospitality Industry

We all know the economy is tough right now, and the job market is competitive. However, this year things are slowly starting to turn around, and we can all breathe a little easier. According to the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation and Clark County Comprehensive Planning, five of the eight largest employers in Clark County are in the hospitality industry, great news for those looking to get hired. (Clark County, NV).

For dedicated job searchers, it helps to stay ahead of the pack and use all of the resources available to you if you want to land a great job in a tight market. In this day and age, it’s not enough to look through the ‘Help Wanted’ section in the newspaper. Employers are using job search websites, word of mouth, and social media tools to reach potential candidates, and connecting has never been easier. Here are a few sites that will help you to jump start the search for your next hospitality career!

Job Listing Websites – There are jobs out there, you just have to know where to look. A great first step is doing a job search on any number of reputable employment websites. Sites like Nevada Job Connect and Recruiting Nevada are great for finding Nevada-area careers. Also check national sites like Monster and Indeed for additional listings, and industry specific sites like Hospitality Job Site. Also, if there is a particular company you want to work for, but sure to check their company website. Casinos, restaurants and clubs often have sections on their websites dedicated to employment listings, and this is one of the first places you’ll find out about available positions.

Social Media Networks – Many employers are now using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and even YouTube to reach out to candidates. If you use Twitter or Facebook, make sure to ‘follow’ or ‘like’ companies you would be interested in working for, and watch for updates. Also, consider connecting with TAM ® of Nevada as we often rebroadcast any job postings or casting calls that we feel may be of interest to those in the hospitality or beverage industry on Twitter and Facebook. There are many individuals and organizations on popular social media platforms that focus on broadcasting job alerts, so you want to make sure to get out there and network socially. Let your social circle know you are looking for work, and don’t be afraid to reach out to others to help with the search; word of mouth can be invaluable.

Industry Websites and Blogs – It’s a great idea to stay up-to-date on what’s going on in your industry while you’re searching. Visiting hospitality industry blogs and websites will keep you in the loop with updates on what’s new in your industry and local area. Sites like Vegas Chatter are great for learning about new restaurant and bar openings in Las Vegas; you can easily get a heads up on who might be hiring new workers. Also check blogs like Hospitality Job Site’s blog or sites like Nightclub & Bar for tips and industry news.

Searching for a great position that you’ll enjoy and excel in can be a daunting process, but having the right tools to help you get started can greatly boost your chances of success. What are your favorite sites when searching for a job?

Resources

© 2011 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada