A Look Inside Working In Food Service

A Look Inside Working In Food Service pixabay.com Minus actually eating the food, you are going to smell like it regardless of what you do. It is a known fact that a pizza delivery guys car will reek of none other than pizza itself. Cologne/perfume only worsens the smell, and then soon your entire wardrobe and house will spread the aroma of cheese fries. Happy days. When working in the food industry, there will be long, awkward hours depending on the specific food spot. Fast food may be a full 24 hours, but a diner may only be open for five hours a day. It really depends. Working a double in this vocation is not as nice as the tips make it out to be (not that that says anything). Your feet ache, your heart aches because of the number of rude customers you have to serve, and your stomach aches because you just want to eat but you cannot stomach eating something else off of the menu that you have memorized. Welcome to food service. How long should I work in food service? Most probably assume that people only work in food service when it is their last possible option and every other door has been slammed in their face. You may also assume that it is only temporary, a part-time job at most while you are a full-time student, or parent. However, this is not always the case. Some prefer the food industry because they actually like it. They usually are fairly good with people, enjoy the fast pace, and can rely on shifts that they know they will be available for. A 9-5 is not for everyone anymore. Plus, the longer you stay with the company, like anywhere, the more benefits you will receive. For example, Publix starts a 401K for you immediately, and allows you to retire at an early age in comparison to other careers. For others though, being in the food service is strictly temporary, and they count the days until it is over (okay, not really). Whether you are a server, a cashier, or the chef in the kitchen, we appreciate you greatly because you provide us with joy: food. Do you actually learn? You may think that your intelligence is not tested when working in the food industry, but boy are you wrong. Your limits are pushed, and so are your reaction time and diligence. You have to learn the entire menu, dietary facts, and what happens to be on tap. Vital questions. Then, you have to learn if you can stay on your feet for hours on end with minimal breaks, deal with customers that did not take their happy pill that morning, and how to accept a bill when there is no tip attached to it. What you really learn that can apply to all aspects of life is how you can appreciate your future jobs. That you can go into the job with a positive mindset and truly be grateful that you have one in the first place. This way, you are not only catering food, but catering to your life. Wow, that was deep. Throw in that you are basically a genius when it comes to restaurant slang, including kitchen talk and waiter language, and you definitely have increased some of those IQ points of yours. So if you think this is a waste of a job opportunity, you are wrong. If anything, it only adds to your resume. If contemplating on whether the food service is for you and whether it would be a waste of time, hopefully you are aware of how helpful it can be. And also how terrible it can be. But hey, nothing is perfect. The job entails weird expectations, odd hours, and impromptu learning opportunities. So prepare to smell like food forever and you are fully ready to join the food force.