How to Become a Restaurant Manager
There has never been a better time to improve your career choice and find a good paying hospitality job. In 2019 the USA stats estimated there were 1 million more jobs than qualified candidates to apply to those jobs. The unemployment rate was 3.7%. This created an employment market, set in the job hunters favor, for the first time in 20 years.
The restaurant industry features among the most lucrative and satisfying of job providers. Offering a whole range of positions ranging from a waiter to a restaurant jobs manager, more and more people are carving a rewarding career with this industry.
Hospitality and Tourism Jobs
The hospitality industry has grown substantially in recent years, globally employing 266 million people and contributing 9.5% of the world’s GDP.
It has been ten years since the US travel industry emerged from the recession. Partly due to a historic increase of travel around the world. In the USA the gross revenue increased from $250B to $799B. In the same time, the Hotel industry increased by 6% from $116 B to $185B. (2019 US Travel and Hospitality Outlook, National Restaurant Association, IBIS.)
The good news for anyone aspiring for a better job, or a job in the restaurant or hospitality industry is the fact that, rising operating costs have put pressure on hotels and restaurants to budget tightly. This means that qualified management candidates in high demand. But as experienced restaurant managers move into higher management jobs they leave entry level openings for qualified candidates.
What is a Qualified Restaurant Candidate?
It all depends what type of restaurant a management candidate, or person with restaurant experience, wants to work in.
Jobs Near Me
If you are looking for a job near where you live then you are probably not looking at a major chain, or a large hotel. All you need is a good understanding of the industry.
Diploma in Food Safety
This is the minimum education you need. You can train free at Alison.com and earn a diploma in food safety. This may not be enough for a large organization but it may be enough to land you a supporting job, or at least get your foot in the door.
If you are working towards a Food Safety Manager Training program then www.360training.com/ might be more what you are looking for.
Food Manager Certification is designed for mid-level or experienced professionals in the food service industry, such as restaurant managers, etc. With the Food Manager Certification Exam there are no required courses or training requirements leading up to the exam (unless jurisdiction requirements stipulate otherwise). The learner is assessed based on their knowledge of a set of concepts.
Upon successfully passing the exam, the learner will earn their Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) designation (or CFP). This acronym can be added to the individual's name.
If you are not sure whether you are ready, or overqualified then take the practice test at
https://www.premierfoodsafety.com/food-manager-certification/servsafe-practice-test
For more information on restaurant manger qualifications review the requirements at the national Restaurant Association website or study.com Both will give you the information needed to get started.
No Formal Education Requirements.
You do not need formal education but you do need to understand the purpose of the job. There are several types of restaurant managers. Floor managers are responsible for the day to day activities.
A larger restaurant may have a general manager, but if not, the manager may be responsible for making sure that owners and the board understand the restaurant’s profit, loss, and potential.
Hospitality Recruiter
Most important, job hunt following the industry norms. In the hospitality industry 99% of employers use hospitality recruitment firms like geckohospitality to find qualified candidates. When contacting a recruiter do not try to impress them. They have ment hundreds of candidates. Instead, ask for help.
Ask them if you are qualified, and if not, what you need to do to become a qualified restaurant management candidate.
