The restaurant industry is full of vibrant professionals building rewarding careers. Are you making errors that might inhibit your landing the perfect job? Here are some crucial missteps to avoid.

1. You are looking for jobs in all the wrong places

If you’re open to employment in any job, within any industry, you can spend time searching listings on general job boards. However, as a restaurant job seeker, you’ll find your next position more efficiently if you target your job search. Niche job boards, like Hcareers.com, are ideal for professionals building hospitality careers. You’ll find positions within restaurants as well as foodservice jobs in establishments including hotels, resorts, and casinos.

2. You are underestimating the importance of image

While restaurant jobs may not require the type of image one would cultivate in the corporate world, you’ll still find greater opportunities if you present yourself in a professional light. This means setting up an email account with an appropriate address (no more ‘crazycatlady@gmail.com’) for communication with potential employers. It also means dressing up (at least to a business casual level) when making job inquiries in person. Above all else, it means maintaining a professional attitude throughout your search, from initial contact to the final interview.

3. You are holding out for your ‘dream job’

No one wants to start at the bottom, but that’s often the only option. And within the restaurant industry, there’s ample opportunity to move up. In fact, a survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association found that 80 percent of today’s restaurant owners got their start in entry-level positions like busser, dishwasher, and waiter. Also, keep in mind that you cannot tell everything about a job from the description posted alone. One that sounds less than ideal ‘on paper’ could prove to be a fabulous opportunity. 

4. You are submitting generic resumes

You want to stand out, not blend in when you’re searching for a job. A generic resume does only the latter, so tailor yours to the position you are seeking. This means highlighting the experience and skills a restaurant manager will find most valuable. While this is easier if you have prior food service experience, even a former office administrator can frame his or her background in a way that highlights relevant skills. While you’re at it, customize the content of your cover letter with the restaurant’s name and pertinent details gleaned from the job description and research as well.

5. You are not checking your references

Many professionals mistakenly believe that acing an interview means an offer is certain to follow. Unfortunately, a bad reference can still derail your employment train. The best way to avoid this is to confirm that your professional and personal references will speak highly of you before including their contact information on your resume. Inform your former managers, colleagues, and professors of your intent, ask for permission and even offer a few tips on strengths you’d like them to emphasize.

Whether you’re a whiz in the kitchen, a natural at service, or still discovering your talents, you can have an exciting career in the restaurant industry – and Hcareers is here to help. Check the job board frequently for new restaurant employment opportunities around the country.