Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 7:00PMQuestion Concerning Getting into Restaurant Management
Below is a recent email question from someone about their career plans from a soon-to-be grad with little restaurant career experience. Does anyone have any sage advice or recommendations for him? Leave your comments.
Hello. In the next month I will be graduating from Penn State with a degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a minor in Business. In the future I would like to open my own restaurant (Italian themed) and am looking to start my career upon graduation. I would like to stay in the Northeast if possible. Are there any opportunities available for an entry level management position in the restaurant industry? I have a bit of restaurant experience and am looking for anything available. Thank you for your time in reading this e mail.
Paul Kantor
Student-Penn State University
Paul,
I appreciate you reaching out to me. Without a restaurant management degree, I would recommend that you identify a few quality small to mid-size restaurant franchise groups that you could focus on. Get your foot in the door with any position you can, with the understanding that your intent is to grow with the group as they grow. If you'll go ahead and enroll in some restaurant management courses, with the degree you do have, somebody should take you seriously.
I hope this helps.
-Brian
It was helpful. Thank you for taking the time to get back to me. I'm looking into further education in Hotel and Restaurant Management as well as a significant amount of networking. A few friends have connections in the restaurant industry and my past working experience may help me land a job to hold me over until I can start my career. Thank you for your help and best of luck on your end.
-Paul Kantor
Paul,
Happy to assist. Keep me posted on your progress. Would you be agreeable to me posting our email conversation on my blog so that it might benefit others in your same situation?
-Brian
Not opposed to it at all. It's good to know that there are other people in the same predicament that I'm in. And I'll be sure to keep you posted on how things go for me. Thanks again.
-Paul
Reader Comments (4)
Paul,
Congratualtions on your impending graduation.
As a restaurant GM, let me tell you that all restaurant companies are looking for entry level managers. My suggestion is to find a large, corporate restaurant company in your area, and apply on line. Companies like Cheesecake, Legal Seafoods and McCormick and Schmick offer many benefits; the opportunity to transfer, great training and growth opportunity.
If you have a difficult time finding a manager position, take a job as an hourly team member and work your way up to a shift supervisor/hourly manager. Most companies have these positions to augment their FT management staff.
If you decide you want to be in the DC area, let me know. I can introduce you to some people.
Mark
Paul,
Congrats ... and get ready.
Tough market.
Think though in terms not of your entry level but instead of the leadership and support systems in place. A boss who believes in empowerment / education / development is more appealing in any role.
Think in terms of your ideal restaurant (ie if an Italian Restaurant... having the big company or franchise system to improve on will pave the way) You will gain experience from many but if time is of the essence, focus on your target is important.
Thought to Ponder:
The GM you work for and learn from may be outstanding at operating a high volume restaurant but that same GM may flounder a bit with a low sales and profit "dog" which needs to be turned. This can also be true vice versa... the turn-around restaurant GM may not achieve success in a stable, successful environment. Two different skill sets.
This may be important as your vision may include purchasing a dog and turning it.. or it may include opening a restaurant from the ground up. If you leave your future too open ... you may find it takes longer to get there... as you cover too many bases.
Know your skills, your passions and what type of people you need to surround yourself with to balance.
If you look at the restaurant business as a business owner (or manager) as a place to:
- Invite guests to experience
- Invite people to join the team
- Train and develop
These skills impact sales and team building and become the barrier to success for many restaurant owners.
Practice influence not management
Practice listening not directing.
Don't need to tell you to take notes.. :)
There are a multitude of restaurant businesses out there on the selling block at discount prices during these hard times. Don't get tempted to jump in before you are ready!
I hope to hear more about your adventure!
Keep at it!
Mike
Paul,
Good luck on your journey, be prepared. The best way to prepare yourself is to experience it all. Dish, Bus, Wait, Cook, as well as Manage. The more you know about the business, the better you will do. Become a pro with guest relations, realize the guest is what will make or break you. Above all, do not become greedy, treat your staff right. Be willing to clean with them, the more respect you have from them, the happier they are. The best things I have learned is, if at all possible, do not touch anything twice. It ends up costing you important time, and if you can teach your staff this, you achieved a great goal. If it is clean, keep it clean....It is easier to wipe something in a few minutes than to need to scrub buildup of months time. A good manager always knows their inventory. These are the best things I can offer you, good luck to your goal, I hope you make it far.
HI Paul --
You can also try the non-traditional side of the restaurant business. Companies like ARAMARK are great places to launch a career, have a professional environment to start off in, and lots of leadership and development training. Business Dining offers some of the best work/life balance in the food world! All the companies have websites to apply online with. I was recruited straight out of Hotel and Restaurant school at OSU but some of the best managers that I have worked with have Psych degrees like you do. Because at the end of the day... it is all about people, how you deal with them and inspire them to meet the goals.
-Kristin