Chapter 12 Building a Successful Career in the Industry

1. Chapter 12 Building a Successful Career in the Industry

2. Skills Needed fora Successful Career A career is a profession or work in a particular field, such as foodservice, that individuals choose for themselves. • Training and additional education can help motivated individuals move higher up the career ladder. • A career ladder is a series of jobs through which people can grow to further their careers. • Important career skills: • Communication and teamwork • Positive attitude • Willingness to learn • Technology skills • Math skills • Analyzing and problem solving • Knife and other equipment skills • Food safety knowledge • Product knowledge 12.1 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

3. How to DevelopCareer Skills Now • To develop the skills necessary to succeed in the restaurant and foodservice industry, you should: • Make a commitment to put forth your best efforts. • Work part time in the industry while in school. • Don’t be afraid to take on challenges in school and work to learn new skills. • Be active in school clubs and activities. • Volunteer time in the community. • Take some time to read and learn on your own. • Learn basic computer functions and software programs. 12.1 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

4. The Job Search • People find jobs in a wide variety of ways: • recruit graduates from a particular high school • recruit from colleges and universities • print employment ads online and in local newspapers. • Search job ads in online job search engines and job banks by keyword, discipline, and location. 12.1 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

5. Preparing a Résumé, Portfolio, and Cover Letter • The tools needed for conducting a job search include a résumé, portfolio, and cover letter. • résumé: summary of experience, skills, and achievements that relate to the job being sought (see ex. on p. 740-741) • A résumé is like a sales brochure that tells an employer why the applicant is the best person to hire for the job. • References are unrelated people who know the applicant well and can provide information about that applicant (don’t list on resume, have on separate sheet) • Video resumes should not be more than 1-3 minutes long 12.1 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

6. Preparing a Résumé, (cont.) • A résumé should be short—no more than one page—and contain only the most important information. • If no work experience has been gained so far, concentrate on the activities that show skills and abilities and how they relate to the job. • A résumé changes as the applicant gains more experience, training, and education. 12.1 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

7. Building aSuccessful Portfolio A portfolio is a collection of samples that showcase interests, talents, contributions, and studies. • Select samples that highlight your best talents. • A portfolio is best displayed in a three-ring binder or folder. • Start collecting materials for a portfolio while still in school. Creating a complete and accurate portfolio is an ongoing process. • Electronic portfolios are a great way to showcase a collection of work and require minimal effort to access. 12.1 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

8. Creating a WinningCover Letter A cover letter is a brief letter in which an applicant introduces him- or herself to an employer. • Send a cover letter along with your résumé to potential employers. • A cover letter or message highlights your strengths and confirm your interest in the position being offered. • Keep the cover message brief and be sure to use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. • Conclude the letter by requesting an interview 12.1 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

9. Job Application • The job application shows how well you can follow instructions, your ability to communicate, and your employment history. • be sure to write or print clearly. • On questions about money on the application, write “Open.” • Don’t understand a question: “please see me” • Question doesn’t apply to you: N/A (nonapplicable) • Even if you have no work experience, you still may have qualities and skills that are needed in the workplace. • It’s not illegal to ask about race, national origin, or birthday (you may choose not to answer these questions) 12.2 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

10. College Applications College or trade school applications require information about your education; may request you to write a short essay. • You will need to have high school transcripts sent to the college. 12.2 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

11. Scholarships A scholarship is a grant or financial aid award to a student for the purpose of attending college. • To find scholarships: • Contact the financial aid office of the school to find out what types of scholarships the school offers and how to apply for them. • Search the Internet. • Talk with a guidance counselor. • To qualify for financial aid, the student and the student’s parents need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). 12.2 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

12. Preparing for the Job Interview At the job interview, an applicant meets with an employer to discuss qualifications for a job. • This first impression to a potential employer will make the strongest statement about an applicant. • Key points in making a great first impression include: • Punctuality: The first rule of business etiquette is to arrive at the interview on time (arrive at least 15 minutes early) • Appearance: Applicants who look neat and clean give the impression that their work will also be neat and clean (dressing inappropriately is the most common interview mistake) • Good personal hygiene: the most important point to remember is that applicants will be working with food and people. 12.3 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

13. Preparing for theJob Interview (cont.) • Positive attitude: If applicants smile and are enthusiastic, it suggests that they will do their work with that same attitude. • Good manners: Good manners are the basis for business etiquette. • When meeting the interviewer, applicants should smile, extend their hands, and exchange a friendly greeting. • Remember to learn basic facts about the company before the interview. 12.3 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

14. The Interview • Closed questions can be answered with a simple yes or no, or with a brief, factual statement. • Open-ended questions are designed to encourage you to talk about yourself, make you feel more comfortable, and give the interviewer important information and valuable insight about you. 12.3 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

15. The Interview (cont.) • questions regarding salary on previous jobs: tell the truth. • Avoid talking negatively about previous managers and coworkers. • See page 766 for interview questions • Can’t be asked during an interview: your race, national origin, gender, religion, marital status, age, physical or mental disabilities, or sexual preference. • At the end of the interview, ask the interviewee questions. • When the interview is ended, smile, shake the person’s hand, and thank the interviewer • A simple thank-you note after the interview can make you stand out from the crowd of job seekers. 12.3 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

16. Stress and Time Management Stress is the condition or feeling that demands exceed the resources available for use. • Stress may be caused by factors such as time pressures, grades, getting into college, and relationships. • Stress management is a process people use to identify what causes stress for them in the workplace as well as in their personal lives, and then to apply various strategies to minimize its effects. • Time management uses tools to increase a person’s efficiency and productivity. 12.4 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

17. Resigning from a Job • It’s standard business practice to give your current employer a two-week notice before leaving. • Inform your employer in person, or write a letter of resignation. Do not resign in an email. • Take care in writing a letter of resignation. Include the reasons for leaving, but always be polite. • Always leave on a positive note. Keep long-term goals in mind and rise above any negative words and attitudes of others. 12.4 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

18. Staying Educatedand Involved • Continuous improvement or professional development is essential for success in restaurant or foodservice management. • Certification indicates that a student has demonstrated a high level of skill and has met specific performance requirements by participating in a rigorous process to become certified 12.4 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

19. Staying Educatedand Involved (cont.) • Restaurant managers stay connected to the industry by networking with other industry professionals. The purpose of networking is to connect with several people to build relationships that may result in career advancement, industry updates, and knowledge or career enhancements. • Networking is also valuable because it helps keep professionals current with industry trends. 12.4 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

20. Entry-level Jobs The following are brief descriptions of the responsibilities in some popular entry-level jobs in restaurant and foodservice. • Host/hostess/cashier: Hosts greet customers; take reservations; seat customers; ask whether departing customers enjoyed their meals; thank customers for their visit • Server: servers greet customers; take their order; serve the order; check on customers’ needs after serving the meal; and continue to provide service until customers have left the table. 12.5 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

21. Entry-level Jobs (cont.) • Buser: The buser is primarily responsible for clearing and grooming the table. • Prep cooks: Prep cooks help the more experienced cooks and chefs prepare and cook guests’ orders. 12.5 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

22. A Selection of Careers • Careers in the Restaurant and Foodservice Industry • general managers: responsible for the overall planning, direction, and coordinating of the operation • executive chef: oversees the entire kitchen; purchases food supplies; plans menu • sous chefs: responsible for kitchen in absence of executive chef • food scientists: studies the composition of food • nutritionists and dietitians: trained in the principles of food and nutrition 12.5 Chapter 12 | Building a Successful Career in the Industry

23. Careers in Lodging human resources: recruit, select, and train staff marketing and sales: generating the property’s sales front office: the “nerve center” of a hotel housekeeping: maintaining property engineering and facility maintenance: keeps physical building in shape food and beverage: needs good people skills, oversees kitchen, dining room, banquet room, and room service Concierge: serves guest by helping them buy tickets to shows and events, booking restaurant reservations

24. Careers in Travel and Tourism: Transportation Travel agent: helps travelers with just about all of their arrangements (airline reservations, plan trips, set itineraries, etc.) airline careers: offers a number of jobs including flight attendant, reservations agent, ticket agent, baggage handler)