The bad news?

The last few years have taken a tremendous toll on the foodservice industry.  While onsite foodservice companies were less affected than commercial restaurants, reduced consumer spending has forced institutions to reduce labor and operating costs.

The good news?

Foodservice operators across the country are optimistic about the near future.  Industry expert Darren Tristano, executive vice president of the Technomic forecasting firm, expects modest real growth beyond inflation in 2012.  In the onsite sector, Technomic predicts that growth will be led by foodservice in hospitals, colleges, senior living and K-12 schools:

Other foodservice trend drivers include:

• Food price inflation will become more predictable.  Although prices will likely increase 3 to 4 percent in 2012, some of last year’s volatility will moderate.
• Commodity prices will likely decline in the beef, dairy, coffee and cereal/bakery categories.
• Increases in labor costs will continue to be problematic, as recent actions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) may make it easier for unions to organize and structure bargaining units.
• Food trends remain on the same course.  The latest NRA/ACF “What’s Hot” survey of chefs predicts a continuing emphasis on locally-produced, sustainable foods, international street food, small plate grazing and nutrition-inspired trends.

These trends all point to a widespread, if cautious, optimism that onsite foodservice business will be noticeably improved for the remainder of 2012.

Penguin Staff provides comprehensive hospitality workforce solutions to help you effectively manage labor costs, simplify administration and capitalize on the industry upturn.  Serving Atlanta, Central Virginia and the DC/Baltimore Metro region, Penguin delivers the most highly-qualified and trained professionals for your hospitality positions.

Starting a new hospitality job?  Congratulations!

As you know, entering any new work situation means dealing with a set of unknowns – about the work environment and pace, about the personalities of co-workers and supervisors, and about how well you will fit in.  To thrive , you must do more than merely perform your job duties well.  You need to learn how to navigate the sometimes tricky waters of a new culture.

Use this list of suggestions to fit in on the job from day one – and ensure your success:

• Observe. From the moment you walk in the door, pay attention to others – how they interact, dress, maintain their workspaces, etc.  By simply observing, you can learn a lot about how the company operates on a daily basis.  Find out who the most successful team members are and take your cues from them.
• Be flexible. Be open to changing the ways you approach tasks, communicate with others and structure your work day.  The company probably has well-established ways of getting things done and expects you to conform to their standards.
• Be courteous and respectful. One of the best ways to win over new co-workers and supervisors is by using good business etiquette.  Treat everyone with respect by being considerate of others’ workloads and meeting your commitments on time.  If you are working in close quarters or open spaces with others:  use a quiet tone when speaking; keep your cell phone off or on vibrate; keep socializing to a minimum.  Remember that everyone has work to do, including you.
• Dress for success. Your clothes influence the way your manager and co-workers perceive you.  While on the job, avoid fashions that are too trendy, revealing or casual.  Make a good impression by dressing appropriately for your position, or one notch above.
• Beware of office politics. Office politics are part of the interactive process of working together toward individual, team and company goals.  While on a short-term assignment, the best choice is to steer clear of these dynamics.  If you’re on a long-term assignment, or have accepted a direct position, however, you need to learn to cope with them.  Learn how to compliment and not criticize; disagree without being disrespectful; stay above gossip by not spreading rumors.  Establish a reputation as a hard working, positive employee who is not a part of the rumor mill, and you’ll be off to a good start.

Find a Great Fit with Penguin Staff

If you’re looking for a hospitality job or temporary assignment in the Atlanta, GA or Herndon, VA areas, we invite you meet in-person with one of Penguin’s staffing professionals.   Together, we can discuss what type of hospitality job works best for you, the environment you like, your strengths and your salary requirements.

As a leader in hospitality staffing, Penguin knows that a good fit means more than matching skills.  To find the right opportunity for you, we will carefully match your career goals, experience and strengths with the hospitality organization’s culture and the requirements of the job.

Contact Penguin today to find your next hospitality job!

Résumés are a lot like desserts – everybody has a type that they like best.

But what is the best type of résumé for finding a hospitality job?  The answer is “it depends.”  Let’s start by taking a look at the basic types, courtesy of About.com:

• Chronological.  This type of résumé starts by listing your work history, beginning with your most recent position and working backward.  Employers prefer this type of résumé because it’s easy to see what hospitality jobs you have held and when you have worked at them.
• Functional.  This résumé type highlights your skills and experience, as opposed to your work history.
• Combination or Hybrid.  The combination résumé lists your skills and experience first, but also includes your work history, listed in reverse chronological order.  It allows you to highlight your relevant skills, but also provide the chronological work history many employers prefer.
• Targeted.  A targeted résumé is highly customized and specifically highlights your experience and skills that are relevant to the individual job for which you are applying.

Bear in mind that your résumé will not get you the job; it is simply a marketing tool to get you in the employer’s door.  Consider the following questions to decide which type of résumé will help you put your best foot forward:

• Do you have significant gaps in your work history? If so, a functional résumé may be best, because it focuses on your abilities – not the chronological timeline of your employment history.  One caveat:  many internet job boards will not accept this format.
• Are you changing direction in your career? Again, a functional résumé may be the right choice.  It allows you to present the skills and experience you possess that will transfer well into a different line of hospitality employment.
• Have you been promoted several times or taken jobs with increasing responsibility? A chronological résumé is well-suited to showcasing your growth and career advancement over time.
• Are your qualifications and experience a great match for the available position? In this case, a targeted résumé is the way to go.  While it requires significantly more work to create a new résumé specifically tailored to the available hospitality job, it’s usually well worth the effort.  The targeted résumé will highlight the ways in which you are a perfect match for the job and help you stand out from the crowd.
• Still not sure which way to go? While the majority of employers tend to prefer the chronological format (because it’s easy to read and clearly presents your job history over time) the best modern résumés are combination or hybrid.  This résumé format provides the best of both worlds – a paragraph or list that summarizes your main areas of accomplishment and experience, as well as a detailed reverse-chronology work history with information about your achievements in each position.

If you’re looking for a hospitality job and could use some advice on preparing your résumé, give Penguin Staffing a call.  Whether you’re searching for temporary employment, a permanent position or some extra money on the weekend, Penguin has the hospitality career opportunities you need!

Are you putting together a new résumé?  Updating your current one?

Good for you.  Before you get ready to send it out, though, put it through one final test – the buzzword test.

Buzzwords are a real turn-off for potential employers and may actually hasten your résumé’s journey to the “circular file.”  Here’s why:

• Buzzwords send up a red flag to employers, who may feel you’re trying to hide knowledge gaps or exaggerate your qualifications.
• Buzzwords are trite and vague.  Through overuse, these terms have lost their impact and ability to communicate properly.
• Buzzwords take up space on your résumé that could be used for strong, concrete, specific examples of what you’ve accomplished and produced, as well as your value to a potential employer.

So which terms should you avoid?  Let’s start with the 10 most overused profile buzzwords LinkedIn recently published:

1. Extensive experience
2. Innovative
3. Motivated
4. Results-oriented
5. Dynamic
6. Proven track record
7. Team player
8. Fast-paced
9. Problem solver
10. Entrepreneurial

Here are 10 more common buzzwords you should avoid:

1. Creative thinker
2. Detail oriented
3. Multi-tasker
4. People person
5. Perfectionist
6. Proactive
7. Quick learner
8. Seasoned professional
9. Strong work ethic
10. Trustworthy

So if you need to avoid these terms, what should you write instead?

The best way to grab a recruiter’s attention is by giving real-world examples.  Instead of saying that you have a proven track record, provide specific, measurable results you’ve accomplished.  Instead of saying that you are a team player, include successful projects you’ve worked on and the critical role you played.

Your résumé may be the only opportunity you have to make a great impression on a potential employer.  Use it wisely!  Eliminate these common buzzwords from your résumé (and your LinkedIn profile, to boot) and you’ll be one step closer to landing the job you want.

Looking for a Hospitality Job?

Are you active in the hospitality industry?  Are you looking to earn extra money during your free time?  Visit Penguin Staff’s website today.  Whether you’re a bartender, hostess, server or chef, Penguin Staff provides access to a wide variety of assignments and permanent positions.  Contact us today or apply online.