I feel like I've been here before...print resumes at the coffee shop, canvass all the restaurants on the street start with the best and work down, meeting managers, smiling off rejections, filling out repetitive application forms with inane questions. Oh yeah, this is the same circle as Toronto '97, Guelph '99, Huntsville '00 and Guelph '06. After 12 years waiting tables, I should have seen it all...
I have, however, learned of a few things that are different in Vancouver:
1. All restaurant managers have a 3:00 Monday meeting. Do NOT disturb. Who cares who they're meeting?
2. All of the chains have their applications available online. Fill it out, no matter how inane the questions, and carry it with you. that's what separates you from the masses.
3. Most restaurants have open interviews between 9 and 11 am, even when they're not hiring. Like that's a good use of time.
4. Eating out in Vancouver is more upscale, across the board - even at Tim Horton's. But the tips aren't any better.
5. It's easier to get a job in a restaurant if you speak Chinese, Japanese or Korean, even for an Italian restaurant.
6.Even if you get a job, you need to spend $1000 on your wardrobe before you can start (unless everything you own is short, tight, black and from Mexx, Guess, Costa Blanca, Urban Behaviour, etc)
7. British Columbians are not afraid to make fun of Ontario, and brag about the mountains, even when interviewing you. Just smile and nod.
8. You can go broke on free wireless at Van cafes, buying $5.00 lattes while you wait for the next interview.
9.The transit system actually gets you where you want to go! And, if you make a mistake, you have two hours to backtrack on a transfer.
10. Knowing the GMs name before you walk in, and wearing a tie and jacket still gets you an interview, no matter how much you fail on all of the above. Thank you Google!
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