[vegasgypsy]

Hi everyone!

I relocated to LV from Chicago about a year ago. I came here for several reasons, but the main reason was to take care of my elderly disabled mother. She is doing much better these days and I don't need to be available as often. Now I have the daunting task of looking for work. Yeah, yeah, I know...good luck to ME, lol!

The last time I was a waitress was in 1998. Since then I've had administrative jobs in law, real estate, and manufacturing. I also delivered newspapers for 7 years. Most of the jobs were contract jobs. The resume I have now is only one page, doesn't go back before 1999, and doesn't include any restaurant jobs.

I want to get back into waitressing. I have experiencing serving at formal banquets for 4 star generals as well as slinging hash at local diners. I've tended bar, but I'm not familiar with many of the 'new' drinks. I love working with the general public and I'm the kind of person who goes "above and beyond" when it comes to serving customers.

I'm also 55 years old *pauses for reaction* but most people guess that I'm in my early 40's and even late 30's. My questions are:

What would be my best strategy to break back into the restaurant biz?
Should I 'cruise' the strip and just start filling out applications for EVERYWHERE?
Should I include a second page on my resume outlining my experience and HOPE whoever sees my resume will turn to page 2? Or will they become intimidated by my real estate (I had a R.E. license in Illinois) and legal experience and figure that I'll leave as soon as I find a job in the R.E. or legal field, and NOT BOTHER to turn the page?

I'm not looking to make a TON of money; if I cleared about 500 a week I'd be happy!

So....? What do you all think?

VegasGypsy

[BBMW]

Never worked restaurants, but in my travels around Vegas, I've seen so many, that there have to be opening, just from natural turnover.

To break in, I wouldn't rely on the strip (although you can always take a shot and get lucky. It doesn't really cost you anything to try.) I'd hit the locals casinos and restaurants (chain or otherwise) in your area. They may be more inclined to take someone with less timely experience.

And rewrite your resume, and put the waitressiing jobs back in.

I am actually going to send you to one casino to apply. Go out to the M on St. Rose and LVB. When I was out there last month, they were obviously short of help. I don't know if they can't get people, or what, but they NEED them.

[MSchu]

55 is the new 40... GL with your search

[vegasgypsy]

Originally Posted by BBMW

Never worked restaurants, but in my travels around Vegas, I've seen so many, that there have to be opening, just from natural turnover.

To break in, I wouldn't rely on the strip (although you can always take a shot and get lucky. It doesn't really cost you anything to try.) I'd hit the locals casinos and restaurants (chain or otherwise) in your area. They may be more inclined to take someone with less timely experience.

And rewrite your resume, and put the waitressiing jobs back in.

I am actually going to send you to one casino to apply. Go out to the M on St. Rose and LVB. When I was out there last month, they were obviously short of help. I don't know if they can't get people, or what, but they NEED them.

Thanks for the tips!

[vegasgypsy]

Originally Posted by MSchu

55 is the new 40... GL with your search

LOL!! I never thought of it like that! I'll have to remember to say that in case anyone raises an eyebrow about my age.

[TraceyCCM]

It sounds like you dropped the server experience off your resume because it was over ten years ago? A lot of people no longer do a straight chronological resume any more, so I don't think you have to worry so much about the fact that your restaurant experience was a while ago. Google Functional Resumes. Also, a lot of people do combinations of chronological and functional resumes. Either one might work for your situation. A cover letter explaining that getting back into the hospitality industry is your ultimate goal and not a stopgap measure might be helpful as well. And all your other non-serving experience had elements that you can apply to waitressing - customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, etc. Plus, who among us hasn't worn a million different hats, anyway? I write business plans, manage an apartment complex and do bookkeeping, so the fact that your experience is all over the place is really a non-issue, I would think. If you're enthusiastic and a relatively quick learner, you should be back up to speed fairly quickly and I'm sure someone will be sharp enough to see that and give you a shot.

[jencam]

Originally Posted by vegasgypsy

Hi everyone!

I relocated to LV from Chicago about a year ago. I came here for several reasons, but the main reason was to take care of my elderly disabled mother. She is doing much better these days and I don't need to be available as often. Now I have the daunting task of looking for work. Yeah, yeah, I know...good luck to ME, lol!

The last time I was a waitress was in 1998. Since then I've had administrative jobs in law, real estate, and manufacturing. I also delivered newspapers for 7 years. Most of the jobs were contract jobs. The resume I have now is only one page, doesn't go back before 1999, and doesn't include any restaurant jobs.

I want to get back into waitressing. I have experiencing serving at formal banquets for 4 star generals as well as slinging hash at local diners. I've tended bar, but I'm not familiar with many of the 'new' drinks. I love working with the general public and I'm the kind of person who goes "above and beyond" when it comes to serving customers.

I'm also 55 years old *pauses for reaction* but most people guess that I'm in my early 40's and even late 30's. My questions are:

What would be my best strategy to break back into the restaurant biz?
Should I 'cruise' the strip and just start filling out applications for EVERYWHERE?
Should I include a second page on my resume outlining my experience and HOPE whoever sees my resume will turn to page 2? Or will they become intimidated by my real estate (I had a R.E. license in Illinois) and legal experience and figure that I'll leave as soon as I find a job in the R.E. or legal field, and NOT BOTHER to turn the page?

I'm not looking to make a TON of money; if I cleared about 500 a week I'd be happy!

So....? What do you all think?

VegasGypsy

There's a special thing you have to get to work in Casino's (sheriif's card?) but fyi I saw women older than you working at the Plaza as cocktail waitresses.

[BBMW]

For certain casino job's, yes. But generally, IIRC, you get the job, then they send you to get the card.

[Scott456]

what you can do on the resume is to list each job title and description per line. But high light the waitress job in bold or bigger fon. If space allowed, you can add more details to your waitress job experience.
This way, you have a complete history of your employment, including your waitress job.