I'm frustrated with life
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Originally Posted by nez 
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but
Having conducted countless interviews during my 40 years in the restaurant business, what he was probably was looking for was how familiar you are with what PF Chang's is about. How much research into their operation had you done. Are you looking to work at PF Chang's or are you merely looking for a job. How much initiative and ownership did you take in the hiring process. Not judging you at all, just trying to offer some insight from the other side of the table so that you can be better prepared next time.
Before interviewing at a restaurant, study and learn about the menu, which can be done without eating there. You don't have to know it backwards and forward, but what cuisine, roughly how apps, entrees, desserts, basic ingredients and method of preparation (saute, grill, etc) etc. Learn what days of the week and hours are they open. Familiarize yourself with their prices. Try to get an idea of their clientele. The more you know before you walk into the interview, the better.
FWIW, I hire according to attitude, not according to experience. I have encountered tons of people for whom experience was a detriment. They already knew everything!!! Trying to unteach people, is not worth the effort. :~)
Having conducted countless interviews during my 40 years in the restaurant business, what he was probably was looking for was how familiar you are with what PF Chang's is about. How much research into their operation had you done. Are you looking to work at PF Chang's or are you merely looking for a job. How much initiative and ownership did you take in the hiring process. Not judging you at all, just trying to offer some insight from the other side of the table so that you can be better prepared next time.
Before interviewing at a restaurant, study and learn about the menu, which can be done without eating there. You don't have to know it backwards and forward, but what cuisine, roughly how apps, entrees, desserts, basic ingredients and method of preparation (saute, grill, etc) etc. Learn what days of the week and hours are they open. Familiarize yourself with their prices. Try to get an idea of their clientele. The more you know before you walk into the interview, the better.
FWIW, I hire according to attitude, not according to experience. I have encountered tons of people for whom experience was a detriment. They already knew everything!!! Trying to unteach people, is not worth the effort. :~)
Also, IMO and very much experience, some parts/places in the restaurant world are tougher than others. Corporate chains being my LEAST favorite places to work. A server job can indeed be a life saver when we need money and are figuring things out - and the right place is really critical. My advice here is to try again, at a smaller/independently owned place. Another reason being that interview fatigue is real and you will likely not be the dozen-th plus candidate everywhere.
Probably more importantly:
I lived with my parents several times in my 30s. I didn't quit drinking til I was 39 1/2 and it was a close call if I could afford to stay on my own then (sidenote: I went back to work at a fast food job before going back to serving- THAT was humbling for sure). You're not a failure and getting sober AND learning who we can be in this life is a great project, if you will. You CAN do this - and lots of us (even older than you) get the feelings of what have I done to show for anything etc.
Glad you are here.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 8,628
Originally Posted by YoungHyde25
I'm a very honest and direct person, this is probably why people aren't my strong suit. I like to be direct and straight to the point.
You have a big passion for food, sometimes you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. While you are hosting or serving food maybe you could be studying as well (I mean formal studying).
When you work at a job that is less than - gratifying, two things really help. The first is to be the best at it. You can't help the servers where you work, that's a fact, you have to do your job. So focus back on the customers, that's your job. Be the best host you can be. Perhaps you can work to become a server where you currently work.
Second, time away from work, if you are a socialite, how about starting something like a youtube channel to share your knowledge of food? How about doing local reviews on your channel to start, sharing some cooking methods (as in actually making a video showing a cooking skill you have picked up).
10 followers or 10k, doesn't matter, you will be doing something you like and honing your communication skills, those will be used often.
Anyway, just some thoughts.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 8,628
Originally Posted by ThatWasTheOldMe
//Is more education an option for you? Might give you some skills for the job market.//
How does one go to school when one has little money in a country where education is a commodity?
How does one go to school when one has little money in a country where education is a commodity?
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 8,628
Originally Posted by ThatWasTheOldMe
So you get lucky with a scholarship or put yourself into crippling debt?
Maybe not a good system, but it is what it is. Most jurisdictions should have skill training/upgrading for people who earn less than X dollars. It's worth looking in to.
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