Getting a Job After you Complete Your Training

Getting Your Foot in the Kitchen Door

Be prepared

Before you even open up that employment section of your Sunday paper or surf the web for job markets, you need to do some serious and very important preparation. Most culinary schools and colleges will make sure that you have your resume and portfolio prepared before they bid you farewell. However, if this is something that was not provided for you it is something that you need to do.

Resume

Unless you have lots of experience with resume preparation or have a reliable guide you may wish to have your resume professionally done. You want to give your prospective employers an indication of your creative abilities but you don't want it to get in the way of presenting the facts clearly. Be sure to list all experience even any that preceded your culinary training.

Portfolio

What is the difference between a resume and a portfolio? The portfolio is where you get to list any awards or competitions that you may have participated in. If you have published any papers or had recipes acknowledged be sure to make note of them all here. Photographs of meal layouts or preparations would be appropriate here as well. You'll also want to include copies of all certificates that you have earned.

Cover letter

You will want to prepare a specific cover letter for every specific job that you apply for. That does not mean that you have to start from scratch every time. The bulk of the letter can be standard but be sure to customize the information you spotlight according to the job requirements.

Job search

Don't limit yourself but don't let the search get you down either. If a job comes up in the area that you want, submit an application. Don't assume that you have no chance. The only time you truly don't have a chance is if you don't apply.

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