Is there work in Chicago
What in the hell is going on in this city where you can’t even find a job serving or bussing with more than eleven years of experience in the business. I realize that the number of people looking for work now a days is at an all time hire but come the fuck on. First off it shouldn’t take more than five moinths and over thirty interviews to find a jobs in the restaurant business in the first place. Especially when you’re willing to take whatever they have available. I stopped pretending that it was possible to get a bar tending gig after the tenth interview and I was asked to start off as the bar back and work my up. Would have actually been okay with it if the friend that i went with to the interview hadn’t been offered a spot with only six months experience. Granted she is easy on the eyes but a pretty girl doesn’t really make you drink more when she’s behind the bar. The most disappointing thing about all this is the fact that they even have an interview process when they already know who they want to hire. And if I see another ad stating "no pic, don’t apply" I think that’ll send me over the edge. The fact is that just like everyone esle out there I need to make a living. So when I sit down to an interview and am asked how rough it must be not working right now it seems a bit stupid. First off your asking me a very personal question so of course it going to stir a lot of emotion. If you have no intention of offering me this job then i think that is a good question to avoid.
Comments
The BIGGEST problem in the business right now is CRAIGSLIST !!! A position is posted on craigslist at 3 pm on a Tuesday and by Wednesday morning there are 300 e-mail replies. Do the math - figure 3 minutes per e-mail (if the resume is in the right format) multiplied by 300 = 900 minutes devided by 60 minutes……got it….
The next problem is??? Come on you know it. Go ahead and take a guess ??? Yes, your right…the manager mentality that, when they ask you what T & T is you giggle and respond TITS & TUSH, you are qualified for the bartending position that was posted on craigslist that stated you need a minimum of 3 years experience behind a bar.
And then there is the TOTALLY DISCRIMINATORY (but unfortunately not illegal)send photo…”oh, that’s my hairy ass and balls” I just thought you’d get a kick outta that.
If your fortunate enough to get the name of the place and walk in to drop your resume off you can’t get beyond the hostess or bartender (who, by the way you would be replacing)who toss your resume into the trash after you ask them to give it to the manager.
Then there is the whole “send your resume” thing…
” Part-time bycicle Delivery driver wanted for busy lunch time.11am-2pm but must be flexible.Must have own bike, be hard working and dependable.Pay-min + tips. Send resume and photo.
Oh yeah, you guessed it. They didn’t get the hairy ass pic…no sir… they got the old plumbers crack on the banana seat of the 1970’s Schwine single speed…
And then EVEN IF they call you for an interview you have to sit there and fill out the application before they see you anyway….
Damn recession, i got let go for lack of business,i can’t put food on the table, gotta work three p/t catering jobs to try ‘an keep the house a float and these !@#$in managers wanna play with peoples minds…Next thing you know you’ll need a bachelors degree to be a busser…
Get out of the business if you can….
I feel you, the exact same thing happened to me today. The funny thing is that Chicago never was like this before. Now with the influx of new money, the city went to hell in a designer handbag. I do agree, get out of the business, or at least in this city. It is a shame, I grew up on the west-side of the city, I am just applaud of much in the last 8 years alone, my hometown is becoming something that never was.
peace
I understand your sentiment, the Chicago industry is really awful. I lived in Chicago most of my life and now live in the east coast, and let me tell you, it’s nothing like Chicago and made me realize how ridiculous the city is.
Your best bet is to go to one of the larger chains. Lettuce Entertain You is a great company to work for, and they hire good staff as opposed to pretty little things with extensive hair twirling experience. Any other established restaurant (Gibsons, Mccormick and Shmicks, Mortons, etc) will usually only hire professionals for server positions.
If all else fails, and you have transportation, try going to the suburbs (where the labor pool is much, much smaller) and you’ll definitely have better luck…it’s also much easier work and less hectic.
I wish you the best.