I am on trial tonight for a waitressing job in the city and i have never really done this type of work before. I am very keen to be accepted for this role and desperatly need any tips anyone can offer me for tonight. o:

You sound stressed about it. Try not to be, it will only make you more likely to drop things or stuff up, which would be on my list of things not to do .

I haven't worked in this area so don't know what the business owners/managers might be looking for. I guess you've probably been a customer so you'll have your own perspective on what makes a good waitress from the customer's point of view.

Good luck I hope it goes well and you enjoy it!

Steph

I've waitressed a bit in the past. The owners were in the front
of house AND in the kitchen.

I think the most important thing is to smile, be nice to the
customers, and pay LOTS of attention to what is going on
around you.

Bosses dont like to see you standing around doing nothing...I
know fairly obvious, but you'd be surprised how many
waiters/waitresses stand around chatting because they think
they've done everything. So if you think you havent got
anything to do, take a tour of the tables and clean up any
mess you see (finished courses, dirty glasses etc etc).

Make sure you scan the customers and check to see if
anyone is trying to catch your eye (for bills, more orders etc
etc).

If the kitchen rings with food ready......get it ASAP. Chefs (and
ultimately the customers) get very annoyed/angry if you dont
pick up hot food immediately.

One place where I was working, a docket for a table got lost
in the kitchen, and I didnt notice that they hadnt received their
food....the boss got REALLY angry at me, and rightly so,
because I should have noticed that the table had been
waiting for their food for too long. But, if you do say
something in the kitchen, you run the risk of the chef telling
you not to run HIS kitchen. It is a fine, fine line.

You probably wont be having to worry about any of that sort
of stuff on your first night. They wont be expecting you to
remember everything, just be alert and
friendly.

I hope you have a great first night!

This message was edited by Tinka on Tuesday, 3 May 2005 @ 2:44 PM

Im not really stressed, actually im looking forward to it. I have been on trial for many jobs in the past 6 months and i felt like they just used me.

I was on trial about 2 weeks ago in a club for the same sort of job, The boss was happy with me and told me that she would give me the job which would be 15 - 20 hours a week and may lead to more. I was to start may 1st and i rang the day before just to let her know that i would start earlier if they needed me. She was then to tell me that she really had no work for me and i would only be required for one night a week. ( which is not worth the worry for me)

I dont understand how she was happy with me but later had no work. They advertised for 5 people.
So this is why i seem a little concerened about going on "trial" again.

I thought that there may be something i may be doing wrong , even if it was the way i have my hair etc.
I will let you all know how i go .........

Bec 28
Blade 7/10/04

I did hospitality for about 6 years, worked both as a waitress and in the kitchen. I have worked in clubs, pubs, hotels, restaurants and David Jone's restaurant (for a year and a half)

Tinka was spot on don't stand around doing nothing, try and look busy.

Try to wear your hair up, pulled back, if its long.

The chef is in charge of the kitchen, no matter what the manager says. Chef's can be VERY aggro so best not to upset them.

Make sure you know how it goes, ie I was ALWAYS taught that you don't take the plates until EVERYONE on the table has finished eating that course, it was the "golden rule". But I notice some places don't do it this way and it really drives me NUTS.

I wouldn't take it personally in regards to the manager at the club telling you there aren't many shifts. I would say that someones "family member" or "friend" has been slotted in there instead.

Lots of people think being a waitress is easy but it can be VERY hard work when its busy.

Good luck

Looks as if i did not get the job
There was another girl there aswell on trial with me and she was asked to stay back and i was told i could go home. It was very quiet ( 3 tables all night).

Oh well i have another interview this afternoon for the same sort of job but for functions this time.

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Sorry to hear that Bec, good luck with your next interview. I have never waitressed but functions sounds like more fun, I have my fingers crossed for you.



Regards,

Nic

DD Gabrielle 21/2/02
DD Grace 17/10/04