TIPS

Nothing drives me crazier than bad service. If you're going to work in a restaurant for a living (or to make money while you try to become an actor/actress/model) then be good at it. I was both a hostess and a waitress and while grueling, it's NOT rocket science.

This past weekend, I was on LBI with very dear friends of mine to celebrate our birthdays. As our childless weekend drew to a close, we decided to have breakfast at Uncle Will's Pancake House...quite the establishment (and the only damn restaurant that was open). After we sat for a few minutes, over walks our waitress. Clothes about 15lbs too tight; Uggs; Hair piled on top of her head. Wreaking of patchouli. Cute right? Not when you're 60! Now g-d bless her for dressing how she wants, and I wouldn't have even noticed, had she been a good waitress. But since I had to search for her everytime I needed something, it was hard not to take note. It took her FOREVER to come over and say hello. All the tables around us got their food before we did (and they got there after us); she brought our meals ONE AT A TIME; the food was cold; and she spent more time flirting with my husband than she did refilling my coffee cup. We had to ask repeatedly for butter, ketchup and the check. So when it was time to tip her, I'm the first one to say screw you...hate me if you want, TIPS is an acronym for a reason:

To
Insure
Proper
Service

So show me the service and I'll show you the money.

And this rule goes for all jobs. If you're going to do something, do it 100%...or else, don't do it. Do your due diligence BEFORE accepting a job so you don't end up doing something you hate. Fully vet the person selling you the job. Note - this is not a license to GRILL them (don't go all "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH" on their ass). A few inquiries into why they love the company and their job is completely appropriate. Ask questions. Research the company. Network and find a friend of a friend's third cousin's girlfriend who works at said company. The more you can find out BEFORE you accept the job, the better. And this is where I (or any other recruiter) can be incredibly resourceful. We know our clients better than anyone and know who will and won't work there. So be sure you are candid and honest with whomever you are working with. Tell them all the things you loved AND hated about your current/last job so they can find you the right fit. The more information you provide, the better shot you have of finding a "home" for the next 10-15 years.

We spend more time at work then anywhere else, so if you're unhappy, look inward. People who complain about the people they work with, their bosses and everything else related to their job, usually aren't good at what they do or are not doing what they love and that's why they have so much time on their hands to complain. If you focus on why you're there - whether it's to support your family, yourself or your Prada habit, work is a necessary evil, so you may as well make the best of it. As my father used to say, "If work was fun, it would be called something else." He also said to do what you love in life and then it wouldn't be work. Why choose a profession that makes you miserable? More often than not, people will tell me they took their job for the money. But remember, a high paying job might buy the latest Louboutins, but misery looks just as ugly in five inch heels.

Good night and happy job hunting,
The Job Yenta