I’ve been working at a country club for the past four years as a banquet server. While most might say it is a lot of work and tiring shifts, I would happily say that it has been one of the most fun jobs that I have ever had (and I’ve had a lot of them).
I started at 18, fresh out of high school and excited to start something new and make new friends in the town over. My first shift was a golf tournament; it was simple, HOT, and super sunny. While we waited for the guests and had some extra downtime, more than we thought, I ended up chatting with this one girl who had just moved to town, and since that day we have ended up being best friends.
Now, obviously, time and place, and I was able to meet this amazing person I now call my bestie, BUT let me tell you the other reasons why you should work in the service industry.
Patience: Working in jobs like these has made me become patient because when you have a client who is constantly asking you for something that you know nothing about… it’s out of your control. Instead of talking back or telling them you have no idea. I’ve learned to just stop in that moment, empathize with them, and tell them that you are going to get a manager or just listen. Listening is so important.
Confidence: I mean, I don’t know about you, but I NEVER thought that I would be carrying a huge black tray with 6+ dinner meals on it. While it’s not something I was comfortable with at the beginning, I stepped up to carry around my 2nd year at the club. With the support of my coworkers and me trusting myself, I’m now able to pick up a tray without even second-guessing it!
Communication: This is HUGE. Especially for our weddings, even though you have an event order, communication is so important with the whole team. You learn that if you stay quiet, something might go wrong, so it’s best you ask the silly questions and make sure that you are doing things correctly because with correct communication, everything will run smoother and more efficiently.
Customer Service: I mean, this goes without saying—you need to empathize with the customer, understand their needs, and act professionally. Good customer service will take you farther than you think.
The People: I have been so lucky to be surrounded by an amazing, hardworking team. Walking into my shifts is the least of my worries because I know that I can walk into a welcoming and amazing group of people. Even though we are working hard to stay on top of things, we are still cracking jokes and doing a dance as the DJ is playing our favorite songs. Moments like those make picking up dirty trays and doing the dishes so much more enjoyable.
So please go out there and work a service job. It will make you a well-rounded individual that can empathize with humans and give you the patience to deal with any scenario you might encounter. :)
P.S. You also might get some amazing perks like a free meal and flowers!