The second you turn 14, life changes forever because you can finally get a job. Growing up in a small beach town, the job opportunities are endless. You can work on the beach as a badge checker, lifeguard, or in maintenance. You can work at one of the dozens of food places in your town and the surrounding beach towns, or even the local surf shop. Personally, working in a pizzeria right next to the train station and just blocks from the beach, my job is crazy busy in the summer, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Besides of course the rewarding experience getting a paycheck is, working in a local business teaches you many things about life.
1. A simple “thank you” goes a long way.
Whether your more experienced co-worker is showing you how to work the computer, or you’re helping one of the waitresses run their food on a busy night, each and every thank you is really appreciated.
2. It’s OK to ask for help.
Sometimes, you just can’t carry all of those plates by yourself, and sometimes you just can’t hear the person ordering food over the phone. But your co-workers are there to help you, and no one is judging you for asking for a little assistance.
3. Free food is the best food.
One of the biggest perks of working at a restaurant is the free food, especially the left over pizza at the end of the night.
4. Keep calm and carry on.
The line is out the door, both of the phone lines are ringing, and you’re feeling like you just can’t move fast enough. Just take a breath and do your best because people will be more upset if you mess up their order than they will be if you move a little bit slower.
5. Those “Caution: Wet Floor” signs are no joke.
That floor is super slippery after it gets mopped! But seriously, that sign is a friendly reminder to go through life slowly, because if you move too fast you might miss something — and/or fall down.
6. Having respect for your coworkers and bosses will make work much easier.
This is true of any situation in life, you have to know your place on the totem pole. If you’re high up, you can’t let that power get to your head, and if you’re on the lower end, make sure to do what you can to move up.
7. The customer is always right. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
Sometimes you do make a mistake as the employee, it's okay! That's human error. Other times maybe the customer has created a new menu item that you aren't familiar with, but just ask for help, and remember; the customer is always right!
8. Be nice!
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Of course, you should always try your best to be nice all the time, but especially in therestaurant business, and especially if you’re a starving college kid, be nice to all of your customers. After all, who doesn’t love a tip?
9.Presentation is everything.
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Always make sure you’re workplace is clean, the food looks fresh, and you have a smileon that face! Customers love all of those things, and will remember them for the next time.
10. Know your facts.
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Customers will ask you all about the food they’re looking to order, and so the menu will quicklybecome your best friend. Learn it, live it, love it!
11. Teamwork makes the dream work.
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As I said before, it’s okay to ask for help, and it’s important to lend your coworkers a hand when they need it, and it is equally important to let themknow you always have their back.Though at times work can get crazy busy and frustrating, I have amazing co-workers that help me through it, and at the end of the day, I really do love my job.
