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How to Get Promoted in a Restaurant
Like any other business or office, getting a promotion in the restaurant industry requires you to be hardworking, passionate, dedicated and competent. Making positive changes to your work schedule and routine is a great way to gain your employer's attention — such as turning up to work early, taking on extra shifts and finding out more about the restaurant business.
Go to work early and be productive. Getting up an hour early is one of the most straightforward things you can change about your working routine, but it is also something that should really get you noticed. Ensure that you spend those extra hours doing something proactive and relevant like finishing extra jobs and cleaning — do not turn up early just to spend time chatting and gossiping with other people.
Exploit any opportunities offered by your employers. Take on any extra shifts or jobs that your boss is handing out because it will show you are dedicated and reliable. Turning down opportunities is likely to paint you as someone who does not care about the company.
Sell yourself as a team player. There is no doubt that any successful restaurant relies on its team to work together — pick up the slack for other people and help lead and manage the team, if the opportunity arises. Your efforts should not go unnoticed by your boss, and helping out your fellow employees will get them on your side if they have a say in our promotion.
Learn more about the restaurant industry and the company you work for. In particular, find out about the company's competition and think of ways in which the restaurant can rise above the others. Also, learn the financial operation of the restaurant — if you can spot any areas where you can suggest improvements, you will come across as someone who cares about the restaurant. The most likely places for improvement in a restaurant include the kitchen/service relationship and the size and cost of dishes on the menu.
Improve your chances of promotion by taking on more responsibility. Promotions usually mean more power but you must also be dependable — demonstrate responsibility by taking on extra jobs around the restaurant like laying tables, cleaning cutlery or rotating stock. Stand out more by doing these jobs even when you are not asked to.
Turn up to work everyday in a cheerful manner and try to be as friendly as possible. Restaurants often promote based on what the staff think collectively — if your colleagues and manager like you as a person, you will be more likely to be recommended. Customers will also have a say in your promotion, so be friendly and polite to them because they might comment to the manager on how friendly and helpful you were.
Wait for your chance and do not push it. Promotion will not be offered to you within a week, so be prepared to wait for a few months at least. Your manager might be assessing your long-term commitment and dedication before he decides to make a move.
Tip
Learning about the business and restaurant industry will be useful when it comes to an interview. Going out of your way to learn and understand these things will put you a head above the opposition.
Warning
Avoid boasting and bragging in front of the manager and staff — confidence is a great quality but cockiness and smarminess are not.
Writer
Matthew Caines began writing and editing in 2008 and has since gained valuable experience in the publishing industry working for national publications such as "The Guardian," "Sartorial Male," "AREA Magazine," "Food & Drink Magazine," "Redbrick Newspaper" and "REACH Magazine." He has a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Birmingham, U.K.