JobSeeker Newsletter
brought to you by www.starchefs.com

Help Wanted.
        Help Found.   www.starchefsjobfinder.com

1. Top Five Jobs
2. Weekly Jobsearch Tip
3. Chef John Mooney's Interview Question and Tip
4. Jobseeker Hotplate - Strategy for the New Year

• Nutrition Program Manager
  Large Food Manufacture - Philadelphia Area
  Patterson Placements
  Philadelphia, PA
  1/8/04
  http://www.starchefsjobfinder.com/js-jobinfo.php?s=-1&t=j&v=167940&positionid=
  
  
  
• Sous Chef
  Sous Chefs needed for Mesa Grill and Bolo!
  Mesa Grill & Bolo
  New York, NY
  1/14/04
  http://www.starchefsjobfinder.com/js-jobinfo.php?s=-1&t=j&v=168009&positionid=
  
  
  
• Chef/Trainer
  An opportunity to use your skills in a new and different way!
  Miele
  Princeton, NJ
  1/14/04
  http://www.starchefsjobfinder.com/js-jobinfo.php?s=-1&t=j&v=168007&positionid=
  
  
  
• Sous Chef, Executive Sous Chef
  Exciting high volume Sous Chef and Executive Sous Chef positions available...
  Executive Link
  New York, NY
  1/8/04
  http://www.starchefsjobfinder.com/js-jobinfo.php?s=-1&t=j&v=167936&positionid=
  
  
  
• Line Cook
  Seeking Organized, Determined Line Cook for Upscale Hotel
  The Ritz Carlton Hotels of Boston
  Boston, MA
  12/23/03
  http://www.starchefsjobfinder.com/js-jobinfo.php?s=-1&t=j&v=167802&positionid=
  

2. Weekly Job Search Tip

Stay in touch with the industry by reading from a variety of sources such as StarChefs.com articles, Food Arts Magazine, and your local newspaper's food section. Employers are more impressed when they think you care about the industry and are staying in the know.

3. Chef Interview Question and Tip

Benefit from this Star Chefs' insights into the world of job interviewing. Chef John Mooney of Heartbeat in the W Hotel - New York City:

His favorite interview question:
"Have you ever participated in team sports? If so, what team sports have you played?" Playing team sports and working in the kitchen, I believe, teach the fundamentals you need to succeed in both environments. Developing group relationships and giving and getting help when needed are very important to the kitchen structure.

Chef Mooney also suggests this tip:
Be prepared to list a few of your strengths and give some examples of how you've overcome a difficult situation. A restaurant is very unpredictable, and you need to be able to handle the unexpected.

4. Jobseekers Hotplate - Strategy for the New Year

Now that the holidays, or rather holidaze, are over, it's time to get your job search back on track. Perhaps you've made some New Year's Resolutions to eat more green leafy veggies AND remember the combination to your gym locker. Why not add "improve job strategy" to the list. That one might actually be the least painful to accomplish.

Here's a chance to cross off two of those resolutions from your list. For most of us it is terribly cold outside these days. But put on your woolies and take a walk! Many smaller employers post Help Wanted signs in their windows instead of paying for a classified ad. Using other sources in addition to the Internet is already an improvement in your strategy. Not to mention that these restaurants can be a great start for someone wanting to gain valuable cooking experience. You may even get a chance to work all of the stations - an opportunity larger restaurants may not be able to offer.

But just because the restaurant is small, don't assume you can be relaxed about your appearance when dropping off your resume. And PLEASE don't show up during the lunch or dinner rush. Show the owner or manager from the start that you have a clue about the restaurant business and are serious about the job. Cooking is a profession. Be professional.