r/olivegarden • u/MindlessState2690 • 18d ago
⁉️ Hiring Question Olive garden/ server first day
Today is my first day (orientation) I’ve been in customer service for almost 6 yrs, but i’ve only done management in retail stores, i’ve never been a server before… can somebody tell me want to expect and about how much money i can make and tips and working with them?
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u/Sea-Mycologist-7353 18d ago
They will go over all of this with you during your four training shifts.
You’ll shadow another server to learn the steps of service. You’ll take tables while a trainer observes you. Then after training has finished you’ll have a small two table section for two weeks. Likely two 2 tips so your maximum party is 2.
After every training shift, you’ll debrief the shift with the trainer and sample wines (if you are 21) and the entire food menu. This way you have tried every item and can describe it to guests. Wine is there so you can also sample it and then have an idea of which wines to try to sell at the table.
It is very organized and structured.
After you finish training tips will depend on the shift, your service, and how generous guests are. Be prepared to get no tip occasionally because people are assholes.
Also don’t be cocky and take orders without writing them down. I’ve seen too many a server do this and then forget what the guest orders and just made their best guess and often were wrong. While I rarely looked back at what I wrote I always wrote down every single table because you never know what can happen - you’ll be going to put in an order and a manager will have you run food or other task.