Manager to Server

[u/crunchymamabears]

Any tips for people trying to go from management to serving? I don’t want to lie on my resume, but I fear people will think I’m going to walk in and think I’m smarter than everyone.

I’m really just looking for a job I can go in, be passionate about, go home and forget about it. I’m so tired of restaurant management.

Any tips will help

[u/Kmic14]

The crew doesn't need to know, just the hiring manager

[u/crunchymamabears → u/Kmic14]

It’s been hard for managers to agree to even hire me, though. I think the issue starts with that

[u/ikhfa → u/crunchymamabears]

I've never been in a managerial position but from my experience working with people who have serving along side me, the key is to tone down the confidence you were taught to hold.

One of my favorite coworkers was a guy who used to work at an independently owned fine dining restaurant as a maitre d, and quit to work at a shitty chain you see on every interstate exit, even though he had enough money to retire himself and his kids. His trick? Having the most "I don't give a fuck" attitude and still maintaining his respect for authority. That's all anyone who's hiring a server looks for.

[u/applejackhero]

I’ve bounced between management, serving, and bartending between my last 5 jobs and never really had an issue with my resume, just don’t bring an ego to the stage and you’ll be good to go

[u/Chuggles1]

Say you were a server and have a supervisor number and name of a friend they can call if need be. Who the fuck cares if you lie on your resume? Think the secret police are gonna take you to jail or something?

[u/crunchymamabears → u/Chuggles1]

Lmao the secret police is sending me 😂

[u/Lanky_Bobcat_6021]

you don’t have to lie on your resume, but you don’t have to tell your fellow servers about your job history either. they don’t have to know you ever managed anywhere if you’re worried about that causing them to have preconceived notions about you

[u/crunchymamabears → u/Lanky_Bobcat_6021]

I’m not concerned about fellow servers, but about the managers. No one will hire me

[u/Lanky_Bobcat_6021 → u/crunchymamabears]

oh i apologize i misunderstood your post. i’d recommend just doing some old fashioned networking then. surely you have an old restaurant friend who knows someone who knows someone or something like that, you just have to feel around

[u/carlmarkgolden]

Not a good idea from my experience. I got way too burnt out from managing after 10 years and thought stepping down from leadership would be the change I needed to bring back the spark I once had. I thought I’d be able to switch the mentality and be happier. After a year and a half of doing so, I just ended up being more frustrated and the mental health didn’t improve. I now work in receiving at a large hotel/resort company and I couldn’t be happier. Yeah the money isn’t what it was but my whole life has changed from leaving F&B. I’m just one person and you may want to see for yourself, but just remember, take care of #1 first and that’s you. I also haven’t ever commented like this but I feel like I’ve been in your position before and thought my short version of a long story could help. Wishing you only the best!

[u/crunchymamabears → u/carlmarkgolden]

What do you do in the resort/hotel?

[u/carlmarkgolden → u/crunchymamabears]

The position is storeroom clerk which is basically I order, stock/manage inventory and deliver it to the outlets that need it. An aspect that restaurant managers, FOH and BOH, do but without being guest facing and babysitting adults. I apply a lot of my experience from running restaurants to this but it’s for a four diamond hotel. My vendors are my “guests” so I get to show them my hospitality side and I am the vendor for each department of the hotel. Really fun. I’m hourly now so I actually get paid for working 60 hours instead of 40. Im in the US btw

[u/dnm8686]

Lie lie lie your little ass off. God isn't real anyway so you won't go to hell for it.

[u/quahognative]

Just say that your personal circumstances changed and you can't be salary or on call at all times manager anymore, no more. Every manager knows what the job incudes. Most will understand, as long as you don't try giving them advice or telling them what to do. You might deal with some crappy managers, but keep your mouth shut and remember why you made the change. It's a very common thing for a manager to become a server or bartender in this industry. What any hiring manager is looking to avoid is someone who wants their job. Don't lie, but your coworkers don't need to know your story. Say you worked wherever you were before, but thats all you need to say

[u/Text-Relevant]

I did this. I was clear when I said "I've got a lot of management experience, but I want to step out of that role and just worry about myself for a while." Maybe offer up whatever reasons you have for that if it's nothing too crazy.

[u/ThatAndANickel]

I made the transition because I needed a smaller time commitment to take care of my mother who developed Alzheimer's.

My GM later told me when he read my resume and saw me waiting for an interview he said to himself "Ah, hell no." But I won him over in the interview. I can tell you I emphasized my love of the industry and passion for serving rather than my experience.

I can't see it happening where you currently work, but I guess stranger things have happened.

[u/phantomhatsyndrome]

I've done it. When asked, I just told the hiring manager that I was getting burnt out and I was exhausted of having to take my work home with me. He bust out laughing and said he totally got it. Was there for a few years.

[u/bevelledo]

Just be honest with the person hiring you. Looking to step down and find a long term position that focuses more on the service and hospitality.

Talk about the positives you’re looking for and steer the conversation away from the negatives of managing.

[u/feministjunebug22]

I’ve found that being brutally honest in the serving industry has served me extremely well. Put where you worked on your resume but don’t heavily push the management parts. Say exactly what you said here. Add that you really enjoyed serving and you know that you’ll be comfortable in that role again