Jane Horvat's Blog

My daughter got her first real job this summer.  She has worked here and there at temp jobs, but this is her first REAL job.  She is a server at a local restaurant.  She has never been a server before, so we were all surprised she was hired with no experience at such a busy place. 

The first thing we did was go shopping for “uniform” clothes — black top with black shorts, khaki shorts, black pants, or khaki pants.  So we got one of each bottoms and several black tops.  Her first paycheck went to paying me back for the clothes.

She spent 2 days in training, following other servers around and becoming familiar with the computer used for orders and bills.  Then she started for real on a Friday night.  What a baptism by fire!  For some reason, they didn’t think they would be busy and they were swamped!  Poor girl — she was overwhelmed.  Her very first order, when she picked up the tray to take it out, she dropped a plate of french fries off of the tray.  She was devastated!  She was so nervous then, that one of the cooks wanted to follow her out helping her with the tray.  He didn’t, but he wanted to.  The next day when she was telling us about it, she started crying.  She was embarassed, upset, wondering if she could do the job, and basically just really overwhelmed with everything there was to remember.  She went back the second day and it was busy, but she did much better.

That first week was really difficult.  So much to remember!  She goofed up orders, some people had to wait longer than they should have because she didn’t realize they were in her section, she goofed up bills, and generally made all the mistakes a beginner would make.  Most of the customers were really understanding and didn’t take her mistakes out on her.  In fact, most of them gave her fairly good tips!  Having an outgoing personality and letting them know she was new at this, the customers helped her out and made her first week better for her.

Now that my daughter is starting her third week, the “new card” will be more difficult to play — unless she is on the deck, where she IS new.  Many customers are repeat customers and they have asked to be seated in her section.  That’s a nice compliment!  She has waited on people she hasn’t seen in quite awhile and it was nice to catch up on happenings.  She even found out that one of the dishwashers was a really good friend from her childhood!  They have become reacquainted and are having a good time reminising about their childhood exploits.  Having all these people around and the ever changing atmosphere really helps keep the summer from being too boring.  That’s a good thing!  First jobs are always good…and this one is VERY good.