It would have been easy for me to lounge around during my months off from college. Granted, a much needed break was warranted after balancing extra curricular activities, homework, and my other obligations as a student. For me, making extra money between semesters was often necessary. And so I became a hostess at a restaurant in my town.
I worked as a hostess my first three years of college and days were never the same. I worked shifts during busy and lax periods, street fairs, parties, events, and everything in between. In this changing environment I had to adapt quickly, taking in each lesson to improve my performance. Sadly, as a senior, I don’t work at the restaurant anymore, but I still reflect on my experiences there every so often. Overall, my time at the restaurant was both crazy and fun, yet demanding and tiresome. Most importantly, I gained transferable skills that are applicable in the workforce that no one can take away. 1. Soft Skills: The personal attributes that helped me socialize and get along with people are crucial---not only as a hostess, but in any professional setting. How I interacted with customers and my overall attitude shaped how I was perceived by everyone around me at all times. I had to always dress appropriately, greet patrons with a smile, and engage in conversations, even if I was in no mood to do so. I practiced these skills at the restaurant because I knew I was a reflection of the establishment and had to uphold a gregarious demeanor. Perception and reputation, as we learn in class and through internships, are paramount to achieving any career goals. I was exposed to this reality firsthand on the front lines of the restaurant. 2. Adaptability: Duties change, situations arise, and you must be ready to deal with anything in the restaurant environment. One particular Friday was pure mayhem. The place grew unexpectedly packed out of nowhere while we were also hosting a party in the back room. I found myself running around multi-tasking in situations I couldn’t have prepared for. I was expected to think on my feet and adapt to the changes and deadlines the same way I would over the course of any career. The sooner I understood the importance of flexibility as a hostess, the easier and less overwhelming my job became. 3. Following Directions And Being Independent: As a hostess my superiors would often give me directions I was expected to follow and execute successfully. I always asked questions if something was unclear, but as I completed tasks regularly there were certain aspects of my duties I had to figure out on my own. For example, our manager enforced a new method of keeping track of patrons with an iPad app. He briefly went over the app’s features with me, but ultimately left me to teach myself as he was constantly occupied with overarching leadership duties. At the restaurant no one held my hand, and the same will apply in the real world. 4. Taking On More Responsibilities With Ease: At times I wasn’t just a hostess. I would clean tables and dishes, bring out food and drinks, and perform other tasks as assigned. Every summer there was a street fair in the same town the restaurant was located in, causing locals all throughout the county to trickle in. The restaurant was always crowded the week of the street fair and I had to take on extra work by showing up earlier than my assigned time and communicating with staff more frequently among other additional adjustments. I had to extend myself and my typical responsibilities in order to ensure operations would run smoothly no matter what occurred. This will be a major expectation at many moments in my career as well. 5. Maintaining A Positive Attitude: Disgruntled customers and fast-paced shifts were recipes for anger, sadness, and insecurity, all of which affected my performance and mood during the hours I logged at the restaurant. One customer screamed at me for being inadequate at my job. Her diatribe against me was so severe that after work I cried in the car and for a solid hour at home. I had to quickly learn to stay positive at all times, not only to maintain a professional appearance but also for the sake of my own sanity. Staying positive kept me motivated to progress on the job, and that will translate well from hostessing into my first career.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorInformation on the latest professional development trends and advice, plugs for Marist College Center for Career Services events and initiatives, and stories from your Marist peers. Content is produced by Marist students for Marist students. Categories |