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brapper · Jul 5, 2005, 08:19 PM

I have an interview in the morning for a busing job. Just something to last me until school, but I'd like to get some bar experience for later on when I want to work my way through Europe.

What should I expect in an interview and what are some key things to say?
It's a fairly casual bar in downtown Toronto.

budster101 · Jul 5, 2005, 08:32 PM

You are a fast worker and you never drop anything.

Steve · Jul 5, 2005, 11:40 PM

I worked in a casual-upscale resturant for 4.5 years. The first 2 years were as a server assistant (ie busser) and the rest of the time was as a waiter. I had an in at the resturant, because my sister worked there as a server and was one of the managements favorite employees.

For an interview, I'm sure they'll ask if you've had any prior resturant experience. If you haven't, let them know this, but tell them what kind of customer service work you have done. If you're just applying for a busser position, it shouldn't be too important what your prior work was, but sometime resturants are picky.

Some key things to say would be that you work well in stressful situations and with people. You'll be dealing with the same people day in and day out, and you have to get along well with them and be willing to help them out in any way. The wait staff has a more important job than you do, mainly because they are the ones interacting with the customers. However, you are also very important because you help maintain the "flow" of the resturant. If you're able to keep up and allow the wait staff to concentrate on the customers, the resturant will do better and you'll make better money (extra tip-outs).

It's also important to let them know that you are available any time, and WANT to pick-up any lost shifts. Many times, resturant employees are very unreliable and you'll be called in to cover for someone. I would sometimes double the number of shifts in a week, and triple the amount of money I brought in.

Working at a resturant was a great experience, and if you get into a good one, you can make some great money for a student. You will get burned out after a while, however. 4.5 years was way too long to be working at one, but it helped pay for everything that I needed.

Oh yeah, if you're working at strictly a bar (not a resturant), then more than likely you'll be one of the people dealing with the unwanted customers. If this is the case, let your interviewee know that you have skills in dealing with those types of people (if you do).

Let us know how it goes!

JustAnOl'Broad · Jul 6, 2005, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by brapper

I have an interview in the morning for a busing job. What should I expect in an interview and what are some key things to say?
It's a fairly casual bar in downtown Toronto.

Take a shower and go in clean; nails, etc. Great manners,
desire to work (any hours), good personality (friendly
and pleasant). Best of luck!

I work in a restaurant that seats 400 throughout the building.
I have favorite busboys (girls too) that I tip very well when they
work with me. They're like a second set of hands and eyes;
they back me up, and several have become decent waiters.
Patti~

Superchicken · Jul 6, 2005, 04:12 AM

Remember, people could make food at home. They eat out because it's better than what they could make at home, maybe, and most importantly service. Your job is to make sure nothing detracts from the good time they are paying a good buck for.
There's a Moxie's a ten minute drive from my house, I have yet to find any restaurant be it super up scale or average bar + grill that has better service than I get there... which I why I leave five dollar tips on 12 dollar meals

willed · Jul 6, 2005, 04:44 AM

They can train you into most things, so the most important thing is presentability - they won't like long hair, sloppiness etc. Apart from that, as long as you're not a complete idiot, I'm sure you'll stand a great chance! Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

brapper · Jul 6, 2005, 08:10 AM

Thanks for the advice...Heading out for the interview soon, so I'll report back.

mitchell_pgh · Jul 6, 2005, 08:29 AM

I was a bartender for a few years. Come in clean and on time... be courteous to EVERYONE (from the owner to the dish washers) and DON'T fraternize with the other workers [but be nice to them all].

Never stop working (AKA: if you are standing around, you are doing something wrong) and give everyone the same level of high quality service.

It worked well for me.

Cubeoid · Jul 6, 2005, 08:32 AM

what he said

brapper · Jul 6, 2005, 11:48 AM

Got. The. Job.
I'm pumped.
Good money too.

mitchell_pgh · Jul 6, 2005, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by brapper

Got. The. Job.
I'm pumped.
Good money too.

Congrats... details please!

budster101 · Jul 6, 2005, 11:52 AM

Congrats!

Yep, if you are leaning, you can be cleaning...

brapper · Jul 6, 2005, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

Congrats... details please!

Originally Posted by budster101

Congrats!

Yep, if you are leaning, you can be cleaning...

Thanks guys. It was a pretty easy interview acutally. I showed up looking good (as can be...) and was honest. He didn't ask any tough questions and I was just honest. I'll be making $8 plus 1.5% of sales, which will turn out to be a lot considering how much business they get. It's right in the heart of downtown, so whether it be a lunch shift or a night shift, it should be packed.
Whole thing lasted about 10 minutes and he said, "well you seem like a good guy, can you start tomorrow?"
needless to say,