Related Posts
Rising Star
Additional Posts in Retail & Hospitality
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
Sign Up to see all discussions
- Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
- Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
- Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
"" is an unusual email domain. If correct, please proceed to the next step
Messaging rates may apply
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Share
Embed this post
Copy and paste embed code on your site
Preview
Download the
Fishbowl app
Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile
Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl
Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl
Messaging rates may apply
I wish people wouldn’t act like 40’s and 50’s are old. That is the workhorse generation. We were raised to work. We appreciate working. For many of us, sadly, it’s our identity. Businesses are lucky to get a person with experience, life and work, even if we have a few gray hairs.
Of course, dealing with people is the hardest part of the job, they have that down they can easily learn the rest. I alway say I don't hire people who can do the job, that's easy to train. I hire people who have the personality to get along with others.
a e eeeeeee
Chief
It would depend on the roll. I would see the woman as well qualified. If it was a high paced, high stress busy restaurant I would probably hire experience. But if it was a lower key family establishment I would take the chance on someone with great people skills.
Yes
I would but from being in your current situation myself that would depend upon the hiring manager.
I went through that about 15 years ago and not all hiring managers are open to hiring older people. I don't know if they think we're not good enough or maybe we might be too good and make them look bad. I was told by a reliable source that some employers are afraid of the older workers.
I'm currently 61 and currently unemployed looking for a job is definitely an experience these days
Boy you can say that again! I’m 78 and luckily have had the same job for 8 years but it’s getting tough. New supervisor and she is not nice and has hired new people ( younger) and cut my days to usually 1 a week which just isn’t enough with social security to cover all the bills. My cr cards are maxed now and I’ve been trying to find a remote job and it’s very HARD!!!
My roommate who is same age just lost her job and is looking and put in application after application and keeps getting denied. We just bought a house together and we’re scared now.
Whoever said these are our “Golden Years” was crazy!!!
Absolutely
 You can try to make a server, but I don’t think it’s a good idea if they have a potential yeah they might succeed but not fully committed towards it because it’s a lot of different different work as a server than a customer service
Someone that has experience regardless of age .Is worth hiring. Unfortunatly young does not mean reliable. Age comes with experience and knowledge .And being older means we have deal with more. And can think through problems.
But this is comeing from a over 50 person. That if the computer doesn't work i know who to write a bill and call for authorization from credit cards.
Go by what you feel is right if you think its a good fit go for it. See the person the fit for position not the age.
Why not you hire an any age person no experience so whats wrong with an older staff thats more reliable
Pro
I would make sure to touch on how your experience as a decorator would correlate to the tasks of a server.
Thank you I just wanted to get some feedback on my situation,, I have applied for a few server positions. Maybe I will get lucky!
Yes
It depends. Over 17 years in the industry. "Customer service" is too broad of a term and depending on what it is can have zero bearing in a serving position. On the other hand, it might be a great fit depending on the location. It depends on the person, the business culture of their previous jobs, and the nature of their responsibilities. Serving is way more than learning a series of steps, and I think from the outside it loses a large amount of nuance. In all honesty, hiring for more demanding or advanced serving positions I would skip over a large percentage of those resumes. Your best bet however is to go in person and talk to a manager. I've hired personality over hard skills on paper many times.
Sit down and chat with her for a bit. Theres nothing... mentioned here that should disqualify the woman.
Actually id be willing to bet that if you give her a solid shot she'll be one of the 'rocks'..the solid ones you can always count on.
Thanks for your input
Server seems like a natural fit honestly - the only challenges I foresee is the queuing for the kitchen and understanding the “head on a swivel” for her section: otherwise, experience in attention to detail, on their feet consistently, food safety etc.
Don't discriminate age. Focus on the facts, is this person able to carry heavy trays? Do they look like they can run back and forth all shift? Do they (never ask) mention that they have any concerns about doing the shift you are not able to accommodate? Do they have the personality that a server needs? (Sorry hard worker or not, people are nasty to eachother, especially to service staff, so they need to be able to smile while someone talks down to them and rips them apart while saying sorry for something that is absolutely not in their control) Sometimes people with customer service background can handle it and be proactive, but having done both cake decorating and customer service myself, I would say being a server is more difficult. Always stick with the overall facts, never things like age or race. Addittude and phycial capabilities outweigh most other concerns.
Alot of them want younger more attractive servers nowadays experience just makes you a threat. But im referring to the more hype establishments , not the older hotels or small pubs. But those places can be clicky. If theres a little pub you frequent, make a point of making friends with the regulars, and you may get a chance . But regardless of all that, some people are cut out to be servers, and some are not. There's no in between and when you do get your chance, you will know pretty quickly if your cut out for that line of work. My advice, apply as a hostess to start out. Get your feet wet and go from there. Once your in , the company will train you from there