When I was in high school, my very first job was at a pizza place. On the movie/television screen, pizza places are depicted as the go-to job for those who wish they had something better to do, but it is really more sophisticated than that. We work hard to deliver you the best pizza you've ever had. Here are some things that I learned while working at a pizza place.
1. The busiest time is the weekend
As a worker, expect more hours and more employees on the weekends. As a customer, please understand that you and about 50 other people want pizza delivered in the next hour and there are only three delivery drivers. We guarantee the pizza will be fresh, but we need a little bit of understanding on your part. This also applies to certain holidays, days with bad weather, and one-day deals!
2. You will either get addicted or sick of the pizza that you serve
Every pizza place has a different recipe: it can be the sauce, crust, seasonings, etc. No pizza is the same. But after months of smelling, tasting, and serving the same pizza over and over and over again, you will either crave it on your days off or feel nauseous when you walk through the door.
3. Delivery drivers go through a lot
Delivery drivers usually have to pay for their own gas (the farthest single trips can be up to 10 miles away or more), maneuver through whatever weather is outside, be aware of road closings, highways, and the general geography of the area: they are like super-waiters/waitresses! And believe it or not, people often forget to tip them as well. They really deserve a lot of praise, because they're the real troopers here. Tip your drivers, ladies and gentlemen.
4. Teamwork is everything
Like many restaurants, employees at a pizza joint are trained in a variety of situations: teamwork is essential. You quickly learn that you must master every task so that everything can run smoothly. You may have just stocked the fridge, but now you need to answer the phone. The delivery driver just got back from a run, but he/she is now checking a customer out at the register. Everyone learns to pitch in together to run the site as efficiently as possible.
5. Customers order strange things, so deal with it
Now is the time to set aside your opinions when it comes to pineapple and anchovies going on pizza. The customer is always right, so you better start reaching for your gloves and get to pizza making!
6. You will become a "pizza professional"
When you work in pizza, you know pizza. You know how it should be cooked, cut, and seasoned. You can smell a "bad" pizza from a mile away. You become critical of every pizza you eat and how people order their pizza. Once you learn the way of the pizza, you can never go back.
7. You have the best job in the world!
Working at a pizza place will help you develop numerous skills that will resonate through your personal and professional life! From learning dozens of tasks and building powerful relationships with your co-workers, it is not only a nice addition to your resume but also a wonderful life experience.
Now that I've made you hungry, go order a pizza and enjoy!
