One common question a Recruiter asks at a job interview is for the Candidates expected pay.  One of the major challenges each Candidate faces is to determine how much they are worth. It can be difficult to assess your net worth when making a career change.  There are several things you must take into consideration before you can negotiate a competitive salary.

Salary Expectations

The first step is to forget what the college/university professor told you. No…

A weekly roundup of small-business developments.

Reported by foodem.com, the online wholesale food marketplace-

There is nothing easy about running a business.  It can be an extremely difficult task.  Running a successful business, by contrast, can be nearly impossible to do, especially in an environment where failure is more of a guarantee than success.  Before anything else can be…

No transition is ever easy. This is especially true in the workplace. You are prepared and experienced enough to perform your current job. The stresses and problems are familiar. You’ve worked out strategies for dealing with the day-to-day struggle.  You know what is expected, and you understand what you can expect from others.  Seniority, stability, and expertise all go out the door when you make a career change.

This is especially true when you move from a staff position to…

Do you know how to identify the difference between things you dream about, and things you are passionate about? The truly successful, happy person is someone who has found a job that is in line with their passions. These people love going to work because their job feeds their ‘emotional quotient’, their ‘love language’, and their self-worth.

When you have a job you can be passionate about you are actually energized by your job. You are rejuvenated when you overcome another problem.…

Restaurant Managers rarely want to remain in their current position for the rest of their career. There is always another horizon to venture, a new challenge to accept, and a new mountain to conquer. The smart manager may not move from one company to another, but they will have developed a strong career path that will move their career in the direction they want to go.

The question that most career coaches ask is ‘why?’  What motivates you? Most people understand what they want. They…

Career coaching at the management level can be enlightening for both the coach and the manger. I recommend that everyone pursuing a restaurant management position take a few courses in life coaching and career coaching. The basic fundamentals of coaching provide the tools needed to understand yourself, your motives, and your strengths. It also provides the structure needed to manage a team successfully.

One core element teaches managers to understand the difference between a ‘want’…

Many people struggle with the uncertainty and purpose of changing their career path. It is important to know the right time to make the next move. For example, changing careers from restaurant manager to general manager requires more than having taken all the necessary courses.

When career coaching, I stress to professionals that their motivations, mindset, and confidence level is as important as their education and experience.  Long term goals are also important factors when…

When Sal and Amanda discovered that she was expecting, they started dreaming of the heights that their future little Salamander would surmount.  Despite his gas problems, they were intent on raising him properly.

It is that very sentiment which causes the parents of foodservice equipment to continue naming their…

Location. Location. Location. It’s a cliche for a reason. Before you fold the napkins or add a dash of anything, you need to settle on a location. This should never be an afterthought. You can have the best food in the world and still be hungry for customers if you are not in the right location. Location is really the key to the success of your restaurant. Even if you have the “perfect” spot in mind, don’t get too attached until you do a little research first.

Here are four factors to…

Career coaching helps people start the job search by looking at their wants and needs. These insights help people identify a job skill set where they posses natural talent.

1. What salary do you want?

There is more to answering this question than just writing down a figure on paper. What are you willing to sacrifice to reach that income level? Are you willing to work long hours? Are you willing to take courses in management, marketing, analysis and other topics that may be…

It’s no secret that being online increases your company’s visibility. Burkett Restaurant Equipment can attest to that. In 2002 we created our first online store and spurred…

Not every restaurant offers the same environment. There are some basic questions you need to answer before you know which restaurant jobs you need to apply for, and which you need to let pass to another candidate.

Write a description of a typical day in your life when employed in your dream position?

Is your view of the job realistic? Have you gained enough experience to know whether you understand the job?

Do you know the job Tasks on a daily basis? Have you watched…

One of the biggest obstacles to a successful management career is being forced into a position where you work to survive. A well developed career not only lets you survive most of the daily recommendations of the typical restaurant, but you’ll be in an environment where you’ll thrive.

Each manager will have priorities. It might be marketing, or maybe it is in the kitchen. What matters most to you, the profit margin or the customer experience? Take the time to explore these…

Each Restaurant Candidate’s Manager Career Strategy will be unique. While the Restaurant Manager Job Description is fairly standard, how you prepare yourself for that job position will vary depending on your talents and learning style.

Before registering in post secondary education, or taking courses, then it is necessary to work backwards. It will be impossible to clearly identify what type of manager you will be. Restaurant manager candidate in training have a limited view of what…

Once you understand yourself it is time to understand the work type. Then determine how you can fit into the work type. One of the most effective tools to understanding your strengths and how to leverage these is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).  This tool explains the relationship between personality types and the workplace. The MBTI will increase self-understanding and appreciation of personal differences. Once a manager understands how different personality types process…

Each of us is multifaceted. Our desires are molded by beliefs. Unfortunately, many of our beliefs are ‘second hand.’ We were told that success requires a certain income, level of recognition, lifestyle so we strive to reach for that definition of success without asking if this will make us happy.

It is impossible to understand what we need until we identify the beliefs that are truly ours, and what we believe because parents, society, media, or peers have imposed on us.  The…

Venturing into the wonderful world of food is an exciting journey. Not only will you be testing out new recipes and pleasing the palates of many, but you’ll also create the perfect ambiance to accompany main courses, side dishes and the like.

Now, before actually opening your restaurant, you need to figure out a budget. Questions regarding the amount you have saved, how much you’re willing to spend and what amount you want left over…

There are seven basic principles shared by successful people. There are also some fundamental steps shared by people who reach their goals.

1: Learn who you are.

2: Determine where you want to be in the next 5, 10, 20 years.

3: Identify your strengths and areas where you need development

4: Create a career Plan

5: Engage/Create a team of people who will help you reach your goals

6: Create a check list of achievements designed to move you closer to…