2. DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF POSITION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR

Before you hit the pavement, you'll have to sit down and answer 3 important questions that will help you find the perfect waiter-ing job for you:

  1. How much money do I need to make?
  2. What kind of restaurant would I like to work for?
  3. What kind of hours am I able to work?


How much money do I need to make?

First, figure out what you're aiming to rake in a week. Remember to be realistic-you're new at this, so you won't start off at the top echelon.

Your income will come from two sources: your tips and your hourly wages, both of which vary greatly from restaurant to restaurant. When you visit potential employers (you'll learn how to find some in Step 3), ask these questions:

  1. How much will I make an hour in wages? Some restaurants pay peanuts in hourly wages, but this is usually offset with tips. Your hourly wages could range from $1.50 to $10, but remember to weigh everything.

  2. How much do the waiters generally make in tips during the hours that I will be working? There's a big difference between the tips made during Sunday night dinner and those made on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. And don't take the interviewer's word for it; talk to other employees about the tips they make. Unless they're already fighting over shifts and giving newcomers an evil eye, they'll most likely be happy to tell you. You've hit gold if they brag.

  3. Are the tips split between me and other employees or do I keep all of my own tips myself? Some restaurants divvy up the goods at the end of the day, and a huge pot of money is split among you and all the other waiters (and possibly the busboys). This matters because if you think you're a better waiter than the others, then you might not want to give up your bigger share of tips.

And, of course, a friendly reminder about taxes: your hourly wages will most likely be taxed, but it's up to you when it comes to how honest you're going to be about your tip income. We leave that to your discretion (guilt trip, guilt trip).

What kind of restaurant would I like to work for?

Working at a higher end restaurant doesn't necessarily mean that you'll make more money. Most higher end restaurants give you only a few tables, but you'll make $10-$20 in tips per table. Lower end restaurants, on the other hand, might yield lower tips per table, but you'll get more tables and the turnover is usually quicker. So a lot of it just boils down to your preference.

Another item to consider: a ritzy restaurant or a chain restaurant (such as Chili's) will likely have more stringent rules (e.g. you'll have to wear a very specific uniform) and be more uptight about perfection, but the ambiance will be more organized and less crazed than a popular pizza place would be. A lower end restaurant is more likely to be laid back about rules (you won't be killed if a perfectly cut lemon isn't placed on the water glass), but the atmosphere can become unruly. Keep in mind, however, that a little craziness here and there can make the time fly.

One last thing to keep in mind: your boss. At a smaller family restaurant, the owner will likely be your boss and you'll be in direct contact with him or her during your hours. If you have any problems, he or she can take care of them. At a fancy or chain restaurant, you may never meet the owner, meaning that a large hierarchy will slow the process of making your complaints heard. But some people enjoy that level of deep organization.

What kind of hours am I able to work?

Obviously, this ties into how much money you need to make and also what's going on in your life. When you go job-hunting, stick to your guns. You don't want to establish yourself as a pushover right off the bat. You'll certainly have to compromise a little because newcomers always have to take a stinky shift or two, meaning a shift with few tips (e.g., Tuesday morning, 3 a.m. to 9 a.m.) or a shift that falls during the other waiters' fun-time hours (e.g., Saturday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.). But don't agree to work shifts that you can't work because you have other responsibilities during those times. And don't agree to work a lot more hours or a lot less hours than you planned. Find a happy medium between being a slacker and being a workhorse. As you acclimate to your new job (it usually takes around 3 weeks), you might be able to play around with your hours and fit them to your liking.