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For almost eleven years I have worked in the fast-food industry, and just under two years in sit-down restaurants. In 1998 I started at Carl's Jr. at 785 N. Main St. Bishop, CA 93514, 760-873-4090. Mary Navarro was one of my immediate supervisor there. Because this was one of my first jobs, and I was so young, at first I was shy and timid, and did not want to work the register, only clean the dining room as I was originally hired to do. One day, however, with a short staff and heavy business, I was forced to get on a register and before long I had come out of my shell and working a register and customer service became second nature, soon receiving compliments from our customers, employees, and supervisors.
It wasn't before long when I was given the privilege to be an acting manager when the official managers were away or on break, because of the leadership and customer service skills I quickly portrayed. And it wasn't long after that that they decided it would be better or just as well to make me an official low-level manager, a Shift Leader. I would work any shift needed, including doubles, and was responsible for supervising the crew, making de facto scheduling changes when a crew member was sick or just did not show up for work, handling money transactions at a register, filling out reports at the end or beginning of each shift, making sure each register and the safe balanced out at the end of a shift, and for accurately counting our inventory and reporting such to the supervisor in charge of ordering. My main responsibility, of course, was making sure we all gave great customer service with quick times and good, properly prepared food and in general the over all smooth function of the restaurant.
Over the years I was there, indeed very quickly as this was in a small town, we all became a family and would look out for each other. For my part, I was willing and did work any and all shifts that were short on staff and to jump in to help on my days off, even if I just stopped by for a bite to eat. At one time I had two jobs, this one at Carl's and a night time janitorial one, and while it was hard to work double shifts and long ten-hour shifts and still go to my second job that night, I did it, I did it for the restaurant, for my manager, for all of us. I can do that for you.
I left there a few times, and was able to come back, but in 2004 I left for good as my other job started paying better. While I hated letting down my friends there and the restaurant in general, with my hours and pay picking up at my other job, it was the only logical choice for me.
I also worked at McDonald's, Jack in the Box, and Burger King, all there in Bishop.
In 2006 my hours at my janitorial job started getting cut as my boss lost a few contracts, so I had to find a second job again. This is when I went to work at a sit-down restaurant, this one being a Denny's there in Bishop (1014 N. Main Bishop, CA 93514, 760-873-5656). I worked there for just under a year as a Host/busser and enjoyed my job; my interaction with the customers, my helping the servers, and the daily tips that came with it. But I only worked part-time or less, about 3 or 4 days a week and only 3 to six hours a day. The good thing was my janitorial job was paying my bills, this paycheck and the tips were just extra cash in my pocket. I normally only worked the register, hosted and seated guest, and offered refreshments, but sometimes I would have to help the bussers and the servers. I also had to look for work to do on our slow times, this being cleaning menus, wrapping silverware for use, washing windows and other glass, dusting, and such.
In mid-2007 my grandfather was dying in a hospital 300 miles away in Southern California, and that, along with some better potential college opportunities, pushed me to quit both jobs and relocate. I at first moved in with my father, step-mother, and two half-sisters in Yucaipa, CA which is near Redlands, and looked for work. I made the uncalculable stupid mistake of relocating at the beginning of the great economic downturn, and for six months could not find a job, even in the big city and with all my experience. I did get on with a janitorial firm, but after working long, grueling hours for it, the owner refused to pay me. I did some other odd-jobs here and there, and finally landed a position at Riley's at Los Rios Rancho in Oak Glen, though it was only seasonal (39611 Oak Glen Rd. #13, Oak Glen, CA 92399, 909-797-1005). There I mainly did janitorial work, but I also helped cook and serve food in the kitchen, and serve at special events. Oak Glen is in the mountains here just east of Yucaipa, and it reminded me of Bishop, of my home.
That job was only seasonal and when it ended, and with a bonus and compliment from my supervisor, the owner, I was back to the job search. By this time, I now live on my own at 1221 N. San Gorgonio Av. Banning, CA 92220. After another month, I finally got on with Gramma's Country Kitchen here in Banning, CA. I was a busser or "Server Assistant," and the job, like most, had its ups and downs. I sat guests and offered refreshments, bussed tables, helped take care of the customers for the Servers, and cleaned and stocked. I was there for just over a year (December 26, 2008-May 16, 2010), when I was unexpectedly let go.
And so we get to today...now I am searching again. Yet, I do have many, many years experience behind me in the hospitality, customer service, and food industry. I know that I can find a job and an employer that I will like.... and who will like me, in a business that, like only a few others in the past, will become like a family and that I will stay with and loyal to for years to come.
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