On 2007-08-11 17:07, davidpaul$ wrote:
A new restaurant was opening in my area and I had a game plan. I did my research history of the restaurant so I could be prepared just in case. The restaurant hadn't opened but they had a trailer outside where people could apply for work. I went in with a neatly prepared promotional portfolio, dressed professionally and spoke with the future managers of the restaurant. They liked what I had to say and told me to contact them again as the grand opening approached...... I sent off a follow up letter thanking them for meeting with me and additional literature.

As the opening approached I called again as they suggested and the GM said he was very interested but he hadn't thought more about it with all the other preparations and duties for the opening. He said to call back in a few weeks...I did...he wasn't in, and I mailed off a brief cordial reminder note. I called again a week or so later and again said he was interested but wanted things to quiet down. They had been opened for a couple of weeks now.

My wife and I went in for dinner and the place was perfect for walk around magic.
A nice bar area, some semi-private booths, a main dining area, and some private party rooms for special occasions. PERFECT!....I sent off another letter congratulating the manager on the opening of the restaurant, mentioned that I had had dinner there and complimented the food, atmosphere and our server. I also reminded him of his interest in table-side magic and would like to meet with him briefly....I waited a couple more weeks then made another call. He said he was still interested but thought we could get together closer to the Fall season. At that point I said " I'll tell you what, why don't you let me come in and I'll entertain the guests for about an hour and a half, that way you can see what it is I do, how I interact with the guests, how they interact with me, and what the waitstaff thinks. He said "I like that idea. Come in tonight. I did !

Things went very very well. I talked to the manager at the end of my time and he said he definitely is interested and for me to call him in the next couple of days so he could have a chance to talk with the waitstaff and get more feedback from the hostesses. That sounded Great !! I was excited, this is perfect. Close to home, and this would be a second steady restaurant gig for me.

I called back and asked to speak with Mr. X the GM only to hear " Oh, he's not here anymore, he was let go about 3 days ago.

Anyway, I was told who the new GM was going to be, so I sent off a letter, briefly introducing myself with a brief explanation. We will see how it goes. I'm enjoying the ride though. Sure it was frustrating, but it's worth it.

Just thought I'd share this with those of you pursuing restaurant work.
David Paul

On 2007-08-11 23:31, Bill Palmer wrote:
If you are working for a corporate chain, you need to find out who the district supervisor is. Find out if and when he will be visiting, then see if you can audition for him. When I worked for Shakey's, Inc., I was on a first name basis with the vice-president of the corporation.

The higher up the food chain you can go, the better your chance of keeping the gig.

That's a fact, Jack! or Chris.