Order Up! How Working in a Restaurant is Like Working at an Agency

Most people think that working in a restaurant is awful. There are rude customers, long hours on your feet, and of course, you have to deal with food. Although there are plenty of reasons why people hate working in a restaurant, being a server is very similar to working at an agency.

First, taking an order for a customer is a lot like taking on a work order. The customer will tell you exactly what they want, and it is your job as the server to make sure that they get what they ordered. At an agency, a client will tell whoever is in charge what they are looking for, and it is their job to make sure they are getting what they asked for.

The creative team is like the team of cooks in the restaurant. The server will give you a food order, and it is your job to prepare it that way. Working at agency is comparable because your boss will give you the work order, and it is your duty to give them what they asked for under budget constraints.

Teamwork experience is valuable in both the restaurant and agency settings. You need to know how to work together with your co-workers to get the best results. If you need help, just ask! It is not always best to do everything yourself.

Working at a restaurant gives you time-management skills because you are usually doing a million things at once. Likewise, in any agency job, it is likely that you will have to manage more than one project at a time. To be a successful in both a restaurant and at agency, you have got to be able to multitask and think on your feet.

Another part of being able to multitask is the ability to stay calm under pressure. Whether you are busy with multiple tables at once at a restaurant or swamped with several projects at an agency, take a minute to relax. Make a list of everything that needs to be done so you don’t forget anything, and take things one step at a time.

Finally, maintaining customer loyalty is the same in a restaurant as it is at an agency. If you give the customer or client exactly what they are looking for, then they are likely to keep coming back. As a server, giving a customer a great experience will result in better tips and the possibility that they will come back and request you again next time. If you give your client their money’s worth, it will provide your agency with credibility, positive word-of-mouth, and the possibility that the client will choose your agency again for its next project.

Written By: Rachel Ausperk from Rebecca Adele PR & Events