Resturant Server/Host as a second job?

I know this question has probably been brought up before, but i wanna ask it for my own knowledge.

I work full time @ a desk job from 8am to 5pm M-F and I wanted to know of working at a resturant at nights.

My question is i have NO-Experience in the resturant business and i was wondering what i'd need to know when applying for a server job? Im pretty sure i'd start out as a host or runner or somewere in the back end? Also how hard is it?

Looking to make a few extra bucks. Also i have great customer service experience from working all sorts of retail jobs and customer service positions.

Thanks in advance.

Its really hard work but it's loads of fun and if your good at it you can make TONS of money.
If there is a big chain opening up where you are they will usually hire people with no experience. They typically hire too many people because of the drop out rate.
You might also look into bars. You start out as a bar back and work up to bartender. They make the most money.
Good Luck

There won't be much time between getting off your desk job and reporting to the night shift. Maybe try just a couple of nights a week at first.

You will be on your feet (wear comfortable shoes), you will be working the prime dinner time so your energy level needs to be high so that you are an asset to your fellow workers, and the ability to forsee the customers needs before they ask is very beneficial.

Working in a restaurant is hands on customer service and you will be dealing with all types and temperments. So.... make sure you have a "servants heart" towards others and it will serve you well.

Restaurant work is hard, demanding, and takes being able to think of many things at once. But it is a job that can bring fulfillment if that is the attitude you bring to it.

My rule of thumb is : Think of the customer as someone that you are inviting into your home for dinner. You would always greet them at the door, you would be smiling, you would treat them as you had been preparing and waiting for their arrival all day, you would do your best to make sure their experience in your home was enjoyable, you would want to make sure that they had everything they needed (salt, napkins, etc.) and you would make sure that they felt welcomed and you would extend a farewell to them when they left your home.

When you go to McDonalds or most fast food locations you do not remember who waited on you. But you can make a favorable and memorable impression on others even without being intrusive when they are eating.

Hope you get the job. And have fun in it.

Aloha!

I have worked as and trained several restaurant staff. As for lack of experience, the old Swiss guy who trained me used to say " I can teach a smiler to waitress but I cant teach a waitress to smile" The skills are easy enough to teach as long as the right attitude is there.

The job itself isn't that hard, anyone with an ounce of common sense and the ability to prioritise would have no problem picking it up fairly quickly. The main problem is that the work can be quite physically demanding. Do you think you could cope with being on your feet all night and having to do several things at once after putting in a full day at the office? If the answer is yes , try starting off back of house for a couple of nights a week and see how you are coping.. I hope it all works out for you :)