tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25017834998974813742024-03-05T05:57:52.738-05:00Underemployed In New York CityMe: 24 Year Old, Ivy-League graduate working at a top player in the New York City restaurant industry.UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-36816789175068040192010-10-16T17:17:00.006-04:002010-10-22T08:29:08.056-04:00Taking A Bow and Bowing Out.In April of 2009, almost one year after I had graduated from Ivy League, I began a pretty hardcore job search. I finished up an internship that had brought me through my first (non)academic year after college, the world was totally not my oyster. So after a month of living on the west coast without a job, I moved back east. And in with my Dad.By September, I had my first job in the restaurant UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-11180442209440810092010-09-29T23:25:00.004-04:002010-09-29T23:33:01.267-04:00Everything Old Is New Again.This is a short post, since I need to make it into bed early. I'll put it this way: This time last year I was waking up monstrously early to be at work in room service at 6 AM. I have come full circle, setting my alarm to wake up tomorrow in time to give my boss the Chef a wake up call at 6 AM for his early morning flight. This is going to suck real bad. And my 30-day performance review / UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-23539223224079298122010-09-19T23:03:00.007-04:002010-09-20T01:22:05.526-04:00In Which I Revert To Old Habits.Since I still don't know whether this temporary full time job is going to stick or not, I've gone back to spending my free time on the computer surfing the food/bev/hosp section of the nyc Craigslist. Check out this incredibly insulting post. Before you read this headline, please remember that serving can in and of itself be a lucrative career. That servers at places like Per Se and Le Bernardin UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-34611028809744597142010-09-12T21:31:00.004-04:002010-09-12T22:31:36.047-04:00What's A Girl Have To Do To Get A Little Service Around Here?Apparently, the answer is "Call me."This was my first weekend where I did substantial work on day off. And in the middle of what was a really great day off. I spent three hours calling customers, emailing the restaurant, and rearranging car services for Chef. I set up shop at the bar of a mom & pop chinese food restaurant, nursing a single can of diet coke working from my "virtual office."NowUnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-86178475551535174732010-09-06T18:25:00.005-04:002010-10-23T01:16:24.517-04:00Figuring Out Who Likes Me. Like, At Work, I Mean.Well, this week was my first week flying solo.At the end of my first day of work, two of the higher ups sat me down.SkinnySuperior: How do you think it's going so far?"Underemployed: Good. There hasn't been any yelling so I think that's a good sign.Awkward laughter since nobody ever makes jokes at this office.SkinnySuperior: Well, this is the smoothest transition we've ever had, and UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-90797368038391633002010-08-28T23:57:00.005-04:002010-08-29T22:58:11.158-04:00Oh, You Really Do Need To Check That Blackberry. Or, An Apology to Those I've Judged.I get it. I didn't used to get it. Now I do.I've never had a job where I needed to be available when I wasn't on the clock. It never made sense to me why I would need to be. What could I do from home anyway, I'd think to myself back when I was working in an arts administration office, I'll be back in the office on Monday morning and if it was really important they'd call me. And every once in a UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-53262958001792421902010-08-25T22:31:00.004-04:002010-08-25T23:18:19.769-04:00Ode To Kelly Cutrone. Part 1.OSure, I bought her book hoping for advice about working in a fast paced, diva driven office environment but instead got her general musings about how to learn who I am. Although her description of fashion pr as her yogic ashram falls on deaf ears, Kelly Cutrone has wisdom to offer me. Below are some amazing clips from Bravo's "Kell on Earth." After a busy second day at the office, I have a new UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-74923169254042053792010-08-24T22:53:00.005-04:002010-08-24T23:13:46.631-04:00Back To Schoolish. Day 1 At The New Place.It was fitting that first my first day at my new gig the weather was gray and crisp and back-to-school like. I definitely felt like I started a new chapter today.Readers, forgive my lack of motivation but I am exhausted and can't write too much about my day. My dad emailed me to see how it went, below is our word for word email exchange.Dad, to UnderemployedHow was work?Underemployed, to DadFine-UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-69226358447388963672010-08-21T16:54:00.005-04:002010-08-22T03:58:20.202-04:00Worth Waiting For. A Tale of Good Luck In A Bad Economy.Dear readers (if I even have readers after this horrific pause) my life is about to change in a big way. A lot has happened since my last post.-I got my evaluation from the restaurant. Super positive.-I applied to be an office manager for one of the most succesful restaurant groups in New York.-I interviewed with said group.Yesterday I did a trail in their offices. Only an office run by former UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-78660527388532126032010-08-15T09:41:00.006-04:002010-08-25T23:33:41.731-04:00How's Your Backhand? Good? Good.Oh, summer time, how I love your promises of lushery, concerts, hanging out on balconies and fire escapes, cute dresses and new haircuts. I have grown accustomed to the fact that I am a mosquito magnet and weirdly proud of being an SPF 55+ wearing body double for any of the pale folks of Twilight.New Yorkers are weirdly forward, I think because there the odds of seeing some random schmo you had UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-58006897211375211212010-08-10T09:11:00.005-04:002010-08-11T03:20:01.897-04:00Serving Breakfast Makes Me Whiny.Several people I work with at the restaurant have noticed that I have "good attention to detail," but its really hard to be detailed oriented while doing side work at 6:45 AM. Seriously.See, the thing is, I'll forget to do something, and then my manager will be like- "You didn't fully set up the ice machine," and I'll just shrug and tell the truth, "Sorry I forgot." I don't like having to say UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-36133882458805432552010-08-05T11:58:00.005-04:002010-08-05T12:18:04.010-04:00How Much Would This Best Man Have To Pay You?This morning's daily Craigslist fix had a job posting that makes me hate affianced American men:Need Cute Topless Female Poker Dealer and Bartender Friday Night (Chelsea)We are a group of laid back young professionals who are getting together to celebrate an upcoming marriage of one of our closest friends. We are looking for two girls who are willing to be our dealer for our poker game and UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-21019327457878665022010-08-04T02:14:00.006-04:002010-08-04T02:56:25.835-04:00Literally Going Ballistic. A Frightening Workplace Tragedy.Manchester, ConnecticutSo there's this truck driver Omar S. Thornton (fans of "The Wire" note this) who had been stealing beer from the distribution company he worked for. He hated working there, he even suggested to his girlfriend that he had been the victim of racist harrasment. Walking into the office at 7 AM, Omar knew he was in for a doozy, seeing as it was a disciplinary meeting to talk UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-69007576144617060472010-08-02T14:19:00.003-04:002010-08-02T14:29:09.213-04:00The Time I Left Work Grinning.The time is 1:15 AM. I am almost done with an unremarkable Sunday night cocktailing shift.Tall Irishman: Is it too late for a pot of tea?Underemployed: Nope.Tall Irishman: Great! Can I get two pots of English breakfast tea with some milk?Underemployed: Sure. Hey you look really familiar to me.Tall Irishman: Oh?Underemployed: Yeah. You know, you look just like the guy from The Frames.Tall IrishmanUnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-6997326361890515392010-07-30T14:48:00.002-04:002010-07-30T15:03:51.192-04:00Things Underemployed People Shouldn't Do Include: International Drug Smuggling.I have just started reading a fascinating book by Sandra Gregory, who at age 27 got arrested for attempting to smuggle heroin out of Thailand into Japan. This book, along with overdosing (bad pun intended) on the National Geographic tv show "Locked Up: Abroad" has taught me one valuable lesson about underemployment. It is far better to be underemployed than locked up in a prison, particularly if UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-50628255734041357012010-07-27T11:17:00.007-04:002010-07-27T12:14:12.511-04:00My Job Is An Exit To Eternal Summer Slacking.Remember those dumb jobs of high school summers past? For me my quintessential high school job experience was being a day camp counselor. You worked a long day, sometimes enjoyable and sometimes excruciating, and if you brought it home with you, you carried it only long enough to complain about it to your parents before going to someone's house (party).Sometimes, and I mean this in the best of UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-4837420293092199372010-07-25T21:12:00.010-04:002010-07-25T23:08:44.704-04:00That Chocolate Sprinkle Is Moving: Oh God, It's Not An Ice Cream Shop, And That's Not A Sprinkle!A reader forwarded me the following email chain, with the simple question: "If this had happened while you were working, what would you have told me?" To which I replied, "I would have apologized and sent a manager to talk to you, on the hope that they would comp. your meal."Below are the emails, with names changed to protect the innocent.FrequentFalafelEater, to BigFalafelInfoI am a frequent UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-20572712141840662332010-07-24T14:05:00.003-04:002010-07-24T14:14:57.444-04:00I'd Apply But I Have Karaokephobia.To all underemployed actors-Do you like being in front of people? Do you like being at bars? Do you like watching people sing?Then you should be a karaoke host. According to this job posting, you earn $25 per hour ($100-$200) per shift plus performance bonuses. I assume this bonus means you perform and do good?And the best part? It can be your full-time gig.UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-80971775896663057552010-07-21T23:29:00.004-04:002010-07-21T23:33:52.783-04:00Did You Say Van Gogh? Oh Nevermind You're Choking On Cake.My birthday is just less than seven months away, which means my loved ones have more than enough time to figure out how to score me a cake like this and make it taste good.Found on My Food Looks Funny.UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-74793239849084827342010-07-20T21:06:00.006-04:002010-07-20T22:57:12.805-04:00What's An Upcharge? Look Down At Your Itemized Receipt Next Time You Drink.Well, all my cocktail studying really paid off today. I had a party of 10 middle aged men and women in the fashion industry celebrating a birthday party. The terms of their reservation included a $250 minimum before tax and tip, with a 20% gratuity included. Awesome.The party went well. And I asked follow ups for every drink order. Shot of tequila? I upsold the most expensive tequila we had when UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-66319486410724867162010-07-18T21:44:00.004-04:002010-07-18T22:09:02.178-04:00When Customers Flirt I Feel Sorry For Them.I mean, not always. But I can't say that potential relationships are why I waitress. According to teen shopping catalogue and website mecca Alloy, that's exactly why they rank waitressing as one of the best summer jobs.Why It Rocks: Tips, tips, tips! Not only is the money good, this is a great job to meet people! Who knows? Maybe you'll nab something more than just extra cash, like a yummy new UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-44377612784966435792010-07-16T12:22:00.004-04:002010-07-16T12:41:24.061-04:00A Rare Apology. Or, The Nicest Moment of My Yesterday.Yesterday I worked a brisque cocktailing shift. The entire day was mildly stressful and I just wasn't feeling like myself. But there was one stand out nice moment.ChubbyCustomer: Hey, I just wanted to apologize. You served me and a couple of my friends last week. My friend was really rude to you.Underemployed (with the light of recognition) : Oh yeah, he didn't like his martini.ChubbyCustomer: I UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-37429234903274168372010-07-15T11:15:00.003-04:002010-07-15T11:19:45.881-04:00Holy Boogers! This Is Horrible.Check out this video from Fox Reality channel. I cannot speak to the validity of this video.There is no excuse. For those who have wondered about where I work, I just want you to know that I have NEVER seen anything half as disgusting at work. What a creeper.UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-4933443179570344402010-07-12T11:50:00.007-04:002010-07-12T13:32:29.330-04:00And Then I Dreamed Neo-Nazis Invaded. Or, My Supervisor Can Suck It.Last night went reasonably well. Almost every table tipped over 18%, several tables had multiple rounds, and yet I was off by 12:30 AM. It started rocky.GermanSupervisor: You don't work that often and you'll be alone on the floor tonight so just ask for help when you need it. That's what I'm here for.Underemployed: Ok.First of all, I've been cocktailing 3 days a week for a month. Often alone for UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2501783499897481374.post-61363239222460084842010-07-11T16:27:00.005-04:002010-07-13T00:17:10.971-04:00Knowledge Is Power. Or, Why I Studied Before Work.Tonight is my first late night cocktail shift. I will clock in at 6 PM, and clockout when we shut the bar down between 2 AM and 4 AM. I want to step up my game, not only to ensure that I keep getting these lucrative shifts, but also so I can make the most I can. So I'm studying up.I've spent the afternoon looking over classic cocktail recipes. Why? So I can upsell. For example: Lady orders a UnderEmployedInNYChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557075832948389047noreply@blogger.com0