How to Secure a Role in Food Service
The food service industry is estimated to employ around 12 million people in the U.S. across a wide variety of roles and positions. For many people, these roles present an excellent opportunity to interact with people daily. They are often fast-paced, high-pressure environments that suit many types of personalities and dispositions.
It is also a sector that is highly accessible to a lot of people. Many people who now own restaurants or serve as chefs at MICHELIN-starred establishments started at the bottom and moved up the ladder through hard work, patience and determination.
However, these individuals wouldn’t have earned their big breaks without a professional food service resume to showcase their skills and experience. Every role requires a perfect resume, no matter how large or small.
If you are considering a career change and looking to break into the food service industry, or you are fresh out of school and looking for your first position, then this article will show you the steps required to secure a food service position.
Types of Food Service Jobs
There are several different types of food service roles available for you to pursue. For some positions, you will likely need additional training and qualifications before an establishment will consider hiring you. However, other roles act as excellent entry points into the industry for those just starting.
Some of the most popular food service jobs include:
- Food service assistant
- Chef/cook
- Waitress/waiter
- Butcher
- Host/Hostess
- Restaurant manager
What Education Will I Need?
Each position within the food service industry will require differing levels of education, depending on how specialized it is and the level of responsibility that comes with it. Most entry-level positions, such as waiters and cashiers, will not require specific education, though a high school diploma can help demonstrate your competency.
What Training Should I Receive?
For entry-level positions, you will most likely receive training on-the-job. This is often a good way of learning as it will force you to jump in at the deep end and learn quickly, allowing you to determine whether it is the right role for you.
However, if you want a higher-level position, such as a chef, you may need more training. It is possible to become a chef without formal training. Most individuals who end up as chefs do so because they have a long-standing love and passion for cooking and food preparation, so they develop their skills outside the kitchen.
However, most high-end, specialist restaurants will require their chefs to have undergone professional training and learning, usually in the form of a culinary arts degree or formal education at private culinary schools.
They will also expect chefs to earn their stripes through an apprenticeship or internship before hiring them on a full-time basis. This form of training is invaluable as it offers first-hand experience in a real restaurant environment. It will also usually provide education across other areas such as nutrition, purchasing, and waste control.
Will I Need Any Other Certifications?
Some states require anyone looking for a role in the food service industry to obtain a food safety handling qualification. This training will provide education on food safety regulations and the appropriate steps to maintain food safety standards.
If this is the case, you must obtain an Accreditation for Food Safety certificate provided by a recognized American National Standards Institute (ANSI) program or institution.
What if I Want To Become a Restaurant Manager?
Many restaurant managers worked their way up from entry-level positions. What better person to have as a manager than someone with in-depth knowledge of the establishment and how things work?
However, there are additional qualifications that you may wish to acquire. You may want to sign on to a hospitality course, which may take 2 to 4 years to complete. The National Restaurant Association offers a ManageFirst program to train restaurant managers. Many also choose to earn a degree in business management. All are equally valid options!