I have worked in a restaurant for the past two and a half years and let me tell you that it’s an experience. Is it the most fascinating and interesting job in the world? No, it's not. Most people who have worked in a restaurant can probably agree with me on that. But you definitely learn some life lessons in that job setting. You learn not only lessons about customer service and helping others, but you also pick up useful skills that can apply to you in everyday life
1. You learn how to take orders from people other than your parents
This will happen in any job that you work at, but it still applies to working at a restaurant. The only exception is that you have to multitask and be quick. I work as a host part time at a brewery and pub and if I’m not doing anything a manager may tell me to go and sweep the stairs. With this, I have to be fast and get the job done so I can help anyone who walks in the door and needs to be seated. But, if someone walks in while I’m doing another task I have to stop what I’m doing and help the customer. While sweeping stairs is not the main point, you have to be fast and ready to multitask when doing another task that’s different from your main focus.
2. You learn how to adapt to different situations at different times
This has happened to me plenty of times.You have to adapt when working at a restaurant. For example, it may be a lazy, Sunday afternoon and business is slow and suddenly a party of 50 people comes and disrupts the peace and quiet that you were so used to having. Or, it’s a busy Saturday night and you have a waiting list that’s a mile long and you accidentally skip over someone on the waitlist, and they get mad and yell in your face. Both of these situations can take you by surprise. The goal is to react as calmly as you can to situations like these and grab a co-worker or a manager to help you out if you get stressed.
3. You learn how to do different jobs that aren’t your own
Currently, I work as a busser, a host and once a dishwasher. When I first started working, I was trained as a host, and then I wanted to start getting tips so I trained to be a busser and started covering for some bussers who didn’t want to work their shifts. I never thought I would work in the back of the house as a dishwasher, but I eventually learned how to do it. My tip is to put on several different hats and train at different jobs so that you have more chances of working and making money. Not only are you able to pick up more shifts from other coworkers, but you pick up skills from training at those jobs that could possibly help you out later on in the future.
4. You learn how to communicate with others better
Let’s say you work as a server and you have a customer with a nut allergy. Obviously, you’re going to want to make sure they aren’t near/don’t eat anything with nuts. This is communication at it’s finest. Knowing what the customer wants/needs and making sure they get it. While this may be common sense, it’s important to communicate with customers so they can feel relaxed and enjoy their food. Working in a restaurant helps you work on communication skills so that you can use it to your advantage later. Who knows, maybe going out of your way to help a customer out could earn you a few tips in the process!
5. You make some pretty cool memories while you work
I once had a group come in in Medieval costumes. One time there was a proposal right in front of the restaurant because the couple loved to eat there. No matter what, I love the interesting experiences that happen while I’m at work. It could be a regular Tuesday night and then someone pulls up in a horse-drawn carriage. Some days can be pretty much the same but then something awesome happens. I just love when something awesome happens and I get the chance to be there. This can happen anywhere you work, what’s important is enjoying the moment.
Most of these are personal experiences that I've had while at work. I know this isn’t my future career to be a host forever. I’m learning lessons and skills that will help me to go far into the future. For now, I’m just going to focus on where I am in life right now and that’s learning lessons while working at a restaurant.
