I have been working at this particular restaurant since I was in early high school. I have customers that I have been serving since then, and since I entered University also. There is one particular customer that I have been serving since grade 11/12 or so. He’s retired 50/60 some years old, went to University, I assume he had a well paying office job, since he boasted about it before. When I first started serving him, he seemed alright. We joked around (still do-but I'll get to that) and when he asked me about my major (at the time I was in Human Resources Management) he seemed really interested and loved talking about 'desk' jobs and the benefits they provide. Fast forward a couple semesters, I have changed my major. I am now majoring in Hotel And Food Administration. It also means that I add 2 more years to my schooling. And yes, it sucks, I know, I do not need to hear about it. My parents tell me enough how I'll be graduating after everyone else. Or that it's 'embarrassing' that I'm taking longer, blah blah blah, I've heard it all. Anyway, so this customer, whenever he comes to the restaurant, he makes conversation. He asks me about school, I end up telling him I changed my major. His response, "Oh, you'd rather serve food to people like me for the rest of your life, than have the benefits of a desk job?" Um... what? Does he not understand that Hospitality isn't just about serving food, etc? But ok, whatever, I just smile, laugh as I usually do. I had work tonight, and so I ended up serving him again. He asked me tonight, "Are you in your last year this year?" I replied, "No, I changed my major so I have two more years." His response, "Oh... you're a slow learner, aren't you?" I was so shocked by his response, that all I could do was smile at him. Who the fuck is this guy, and where does he come judging me? On my life, my program and my intelligence. It annoys the hell out of me, and I dislike having to serve him now. Making me wonder if I have to deal with another one of his belittling responses/jokes.
yea, it's very frustrating when u meet pplz like him.... i feel u.... i had a similar experience multiple times.....but in the end, all i did was smile and laughed ... i'm a soft guy and i usually let pplz say wateva they wanted to....because it's not just that i dont care... but i REALLY dont give 2 fucks....
yeah he is a bit rude on saying that your dumb and everything maybe he got bit attached to you since he has known you for so long dont worry about it mate, its his ignorance of what the meaning of hospitality management is my brother did hospitality management at uni, well we got into out family business now but the things you learn there is quite useful its just my personal opinion, but i think the hotel and food industry is always in demand for people who has studied in their field so I do think you are most likely to end up with a job than anyone else well as i said, its just my personal opinion, since I am living in a place where our majority of our national income is from tourism
Person, I'm in the same situation as you in terms of graduating late. I definitely understand and share the same frustration of having people judge you for not graduating early. To them, I say fuck off, as if they know jack all. And then I carry on. To graduate quickly is such a terrible an inaccurate measurement of success, or ability to learn. Sadly, this is what society seems to not understand. The important thing is that you found what you love to do for the rest of your life. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, or bring you down. Passion for your work is the utmost important thing, and if it takes 10 years to find it, so be it. But don't let anyone trample on what you believe to be your ideal career. Fuck them. Don't waste your time with those who don't understand. Keep on trucking and move on.
You'll meet a few of these people from time to time if you worked in any type of place that service to people, especially in restaurants.
YES! Exactly!! I try to explain that to my parents, and at times they understand, and other times, they don't. I have a cousin who is a couple years younger than me, she'll be graduating Ryerson by April. My mom especially loves to remind me how she'll be done before me. Annoying as fuck! Haha, I can't spit in their food. I mean, I want to, but it's not in my nature. But I have definitely thought about it for this guy. He's a white guy. I worked at a resort last summer, well the past few summers. And jesus, some people are huge assholes. Or just overly arrogant, and they think they can just treat you like shit. There was this guy, we brought him tea, I guess it was filled to the top too much. Instead of pouring it out in this little section for drinks, he decided to pour it on our carpet. Really, you fucking asshole?! Is that necessary?!
That's a shame. But honestly, don't put any weight in it and just carry on as if she didn't say it. With people who like to say things like this, my particularly favourite method is to not say a word, carry on, and excel at what you do. When you do become successful, be humble about it. The mere fact of witnessing your success, amplified by your humility, will hit them like a ton of bricks on an ant. The ensued embarrassment they will feel will be worth more than any words you or I say to them to argue the contrary. When that happens, smile and walk away, knowing you just fucked them up big time in a classy-as-fuck manner.
Yeah, trying to do that. I have relapses every once in a while. I'm really getting tired of school, but what can you do. Speaking of trying to find a job... I'm looking for the summer, and reapplied with this Hotel I've been working with for the past two summers. I applied for Front office positions with the same hotel I worked last summer. I even spoke with the Front Office Manager before I left. Usually I apply through the school, but this time I decided to apply online, with an employee referral. I applied for Front Desk Agent, got rejected the next day. Then applied for Concierge, and two hours later I got rejected again. Wtf?! It was obvious I was sifted through by their computers, cause I received a generic HR hiring email. Pissed me off.
Yea I'm having the same issue right now on my applications. I was explained by my dad (who has been doing hiring for years as exec manager) that companies or organizations tend to sift resumes using a system of keywords and filter conditions. I think this is what is happening to you right now. My dad told me examples of how he would draft up a full job description document, send it to HR to advertise it, and HR would ask "What are the keywords?". He would get super pissed off because hiring a candidate isn't about filtering keywords at all. Especially in a job like yours, where soft skills are the most important aspect to have in a candidate, a non-experienced HR team would not understand the importance of, nor know how to filter resume based on soft skills. You're right, your application was filtered by a computer. And if the hiring manager had any hiring experience, he would be pissed off just as much as you are. It's HR's fault for their incompetency. The best advice I can give you is to send your application straight to the hiring manager him/herself.
Yeah, it's really frustrating when that happens. I couldn't believe I was just 'tossed' aside so easily. Especially since I've worked with them for a few summers now. Though their computers wouldn't know the difference. In the end, I emailed my contact with my resume and cover letter, and just this morning I got an interview with another Front Desk job. I no longer have faith in online applications. This just shows that it's not all about your experience, but the connections you know/have.
Yup big time and glad that you managed to get an interview from your previous work place. I need to do my cover letter too so I can start applying!
Rather than say it's just the connections one has, I'd like to think of it as the balanced combination of: 1) experience 2) the unwavering drive to seek new knowledge and ameliorate oneself 3) connections, but particularly, the drive to seek out new connection to get whatever job done. Simply having a connection is still not enough. And once you have the connection, then what? The key is to know how to utilize such connection. among many others.
That is a good point. Even with the connection, if you don't have the experience for the job you want, then it's a wasted opportunity. But at the same time, how will you gain experience for a particular job if they don't give you a chance to learn? I'm not going to lie, I've gotten a number of contacts through my University years, but I never really know how to keep in touch with them. I usually end up just sending them a Merry Christmas email or something. The times I have sent of emails, I never get replies, so after a while I just gave up. Yeah, I was very relieved. I ended up applying to some places in Muskoka this summer, just as a back up too. I'm not really interested in working for those companies. I'd rather work with a brand that is recognized. I even applied for Trump for shits and giggles. Even though I know I'll never get a call back. Good luck with your applications!
It's a vicious cycle ain't it? You seek jobs for experience, yet these jobs require experience themselves. As for your old connections you want to get back in touch, just send them an email with a hello, asking how they are, where you met, if they would be willing to go for a drink to chat (if they are casual), or if you find a job online you like and would like to talk to them about said position. The key is to rekindle the connection via a mutual fact (where you met). Good luck!
