How difficult is it to get a waitering job in Manhattan?

Answer 1

Not too difficult, as long as you have at least a little experience (if you don't, then lie about it and try to get a slow graveyard shift until you get the hang of it).

I used to bartend in Manhattan, and the longest I was without a job was two months. You just have to put a lot of resumes out there. Pick a different neighborhood each day, and walk around and go into every single restaurant you see. Ask them if they are hiring, and even if they're not, ask them to take a copy of your resume. Pretty soon, at least a couple of them will give you a call.

The restaurant business has a very high turnover rate. It's not uncommon for bartenders and waiters to quit on the spot, giving no advance notice to their employer. Or, sometimes they just don't show up to work one day, and are never seen or heard from again.

So, now the restaurant managers find themselves suddenly and unexpectedly short one waiter or bartender. This is the point when they reach into a drawer and pull out the resume that you gave them. They're desperate, and they need someone quickly, so they give you a call.

You can also try answering the ads in Craigslist and the Village Voice. I've had some success with that, too.