If you’re looking to enter the food service industry, you may be wondering how challenging your job role will be. To help you with this, we have put together a guide that takes you through the details of working in food service and how you can get yourself the best positions.
First, if you are in the process of applying for jobs, you will need to ensure that your resume is looking its best! By following a template, you can produce a professional resume that reflects your best skills and experience. Resume Help has a resume template curated for those applying to food service jobs, which would be incredibly beneficial to use in your job hunt!
Food service job roles
One of the great things about food service is that there are many job opportunities and roles that you can occupy and progress into. Here are some of those roles;
- Front-of-house staff
- Waiter/waitress
- Chef
- Restaurant manager
- Barista
Which roles are the most challenging?
No matter which position suits and appeals to you, it is essential to remember that all roles will face challenges and obstacles to tackle along the way. No day is the same in food service. Therefore you will always be required to think fast and anticipate customer needs. However, some roles have added responsibilities and could be seen as the most challenging.
One of the most challenging food service roles is being a chef. Now, this isn’t to say that being a chef isn’t enjoyable and doesn’t allow you to apply creativity and passion in your everyday work life, but there are tricky aspects when it comes to being a chef. From working public holidays, long grueling work hours, and pressure that can sometimes be overwhelming, being a chef is not for the faint-hearted!
Although being a waiter/waitress and front-of-house member is an entry-level position, this doesn’t mean challenges aren’t thrown your way daily. Being on your feet for long hours and continuously being approachable is physically and mentally demanding. As a result, many workers in these roles struggle with gauging a suitable work/life balance.
Overcome challenges
Good and bad days are an inevitable part of your personal and work life, and there is no way to avoid that. But, don’t let the thought of work being challenging put you off, as there will be opportunities to achieve great things that are both rewarding and exciting. For example, working as a waiter/waitress may be physically demanding, but you are a fundamental part of the team, and your service is what sets your place of work apart from competitors!
The best roles
While we can’t guarantee that any role will be totally stress-free, market indicators show which food service positions are most enjoyed. According to payscale, these roles are;
- Banquet captain
- Sous chef
- Assistant restaurant manager
- Head chef
- Bartender
There are several reasons why job satisfaction is more apparent in these positions, from creative control to providing customers with outstanding service. You can set your sights on roles that align with your interest. For example, if you love social roles that prioritize customer service, bartending may be the job for you.
How to get into the best roles
If you are looking for a job in food service that will satisfy your needs while providing you with a decent salary, you can refer to the list above. Roles in bartending are usually entry-level, but there are avenues you could pursue, such as becoming a mixologist or sommelier.
Becoming a sous or head chef will require training and years of experience working as a line chef and in other kitchen positions, working your way up the ladder to achieve your goals.