Hostess/Server
(Female, Age 29) from Springfield, VA
This is a REAL-LIFE job profile written by a Female aged 29 who works as a Hostess/Server in Springfield, VA. We have removed all names and personal information in order to protect privacy. This professional kindly spent a bit of their time to complete one of our job profile surveys so that prospective job seekers like you could read their insights. Please excuse any punctuation or grammatical errors in this profile.
At a Glance
Current Job
Basic data on your current job
| Job Title | Hostess/Server |
|---|---|
| Salary | $15,000 |
| Other Compensation | None Set |
| Hours/Week | 35 |
| Company Size | (not answered) |
| Location | Springfield, VA |
| Years Experience | 1.5 years |
Career Ratings
Opinions on your CAREER overall (i.e. not just your current job)
| Years in Career | 0 |
|---|---|
| Education | (not answered) |
| Income Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Interest Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Work-Life Rating | 0 / 10 |
| Fulfilment Rating | 0 / 10 |
Current job Q&A
Describe the type of organization you work for.
I work for Red Lobster, which is a restaurant with locations all over the country. We are a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, which also owns Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, and Bahama Breeze. Nationwide, we have thousands of employees.
Describe your job role and responsibilities.
Greet and seat guests, serve food, clean and stock supplies
Please list an additional benefits (beyond compensation) that you receive.
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D
Do you feel you are under/over or well/fairly compensated at your current position?
Well
Does your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this something you like/dislike about your job? Please explain.
I am constantly working with people, and that’s one of the things I love most about my job. My coworkers are energetic and fun, and I get to meet new people (customers) every day.
Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes
Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes
Describe your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what you like/dislike about working in it.
I work in a restaurant and I like the fact that I’m on my feet and moving around all day. I couldn’t never stand being stuck in an office.
Please rate each of the following aspects of your current job on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest/best):
Income: 2
Benefits: 6
Hours: 4
Co-Workers: 5
Supervisors: 3
Job Title: 8
Level of Responsibility: 7
The Actual Work: 1
A day in the life of…
Please describe a typical workday for you in your current job:
| 5am to 6am | |
| 6am to 7am | |
| 7am to 8am | N/A |
| 8am to 9am | N/A |
| 9am to 10am | N/A |
| 10am to 11am | Arrive at work. Fill spray bottles with table cleaner. Restock paper towels at all dining room stations. Put chairs at bar. Put menus in menu holders. |
| 11am to 12pm | Greet and seat guests. Clean windows. Help servers clean tables. |
| 12pm to 1pm | Greet and seat guests. Sort menus and throw away dirty ones. |
| 1pm to 2pm | Greet and seat guests. Roll children’s menus. Check restrooms and clean/stock as necessary. |
| 2pm to 3pm | Greet and seat guests. Assist job applicants with filling out applications and taking pre-employment tests. |
| 3pm to 4pm | Greet and seat guests. Vacuum floors. Clean lobster tank. |
| 4pm to 5pm | Switch all menus from lunch to dinner. Restock supplies. Clean and set up for dinner crew. |
| 5pm to 6pm | N/A |
| 6pm to 7pm | N/A |
| 7pm to 8pm | N/A |
| 8pm to 9pm | N/A |
| 9pm to 10pm | N/A |
| 10pm to 11pm | N/A |
| 11pm to 12am | N/A |
Table of Contents
How you got your job
How did you get your current job?
Newspaper
What was the application process?
Completed application, took test, interview
Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
Yes, I had one interview with the service manager.
If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
I was asked how I would handle certain situations, such as having an upset customes. I was also asked about my employment and educational background.
Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
Yes. As I said above, training was extensive.
Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
Yes, I had extensive training. First we had orientation, then two days of classroom training, then three days of on-the-floor training, then one day of computer training.
Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
Other than knowing basic math and English, my education didn’t have much to do with my job.
If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
N/A
If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
My job is an entry-level job, and all you really have to do is apply.
What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
You work with people on a daily basis and customer satisfaction is key to how much you get paid (tips), so good social skills are vital. The ability to multitask and manage stress is also important because you’re usually juggling many tasks at once in a very time-pressured environment.
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Basic math and good English speaking are all you need.
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Don’t expect to please everybody because it’s just not possible. Sometimes you have to “cut your losses” and move on.
Long-term career plans
Is your current employment part of your overall career plan? Why or why not?
I never thought I’d end up in this job, but now that I’m here, I think I’m going to stay in this field. I’d like to move up to management though.
What are your current career goals?
I want to go to management training and become a manager at my restaurant.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your career?
My line of work is perfect for people like me who can’t stand being stuck in an office. I love being active and moving around all day.
Prior work history
Please list your most recent jobs prior to this current job:
| Title | Length | Salary | Description | |
| Prior Job 1 | Human Resources Assistant | 1 year 4 months | 36000 | Administered benefits programs and benefits education for staff of an association. |
| Prior Job 2 | EMT | 4 months | $10/hour | Treated and transported patients in an ambulance. |
Educational background
Please list your educational background:
High School GPA:4
| GPA | School | Degree | |
| College (Undergraduate) or Technical/Vocational |
3.95 | George Mason University | BA in Music |
| Graduate or Professional (Masters or Doctorate) |
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