Career Tools from NewHRjobs.com

Top Ten Reasons to Start A Catering Business


There is little doubt that Americans still have a deep abiding love for all things eatable. Despite the health craze that has forced Ronald McDonald to sport a jogging suit, Whoppers, Big Mac's, and French Fries is truly why we have fat thighs. So what's the answer? We need great home-grown cooks who are not into the fast food obsession. Do you love to cook and suffer from severe withdrawal when denied the opportunity to prepare your famous spinach stuffed chicken breast served with broccoli and roasted garlic? Do you want to profit from the food you prepare in your kitchen?

How often have you dreamed of a kitchen make-over where you were wearing a chef coat and torque? You may want to try your hand at starting a small catering business. You are destined for the catering field if your friends rave over your food and are willing to pay you to prepare their favorite dish. Can you answer yes to the following questions?

1. Have you ever worked in a grocery store or a restaurant?

2. Do live, breath and think about cooking food all the time? (Note, I did not say eat.)

3. Do you have a collection of what you would consider some of the most delectable recipes on the planet?

4. Do you take every opportunity to give friends and family food gifts?

5. Do you make every family meal a memorable one but paying close attention to every detail of the meal?

6. Do you love to cook for big crowds?

7. Do you dream of selling your food to the public?

8. Can you take stiff criticism? (Note, catering is tough business and you must have thick skin.)

9. Do you have access to a commercial kitchen/large kitchen?

10. Can you see yourself working as a caterer?

If you answered yes to all of these questions you may well be on your way to a catering career. You may first want to contact a caterer in your community and spend a day with her. Ask if you can volunteer to work a catered event. If you want this and you are hungry, really hungry, you will do whatever it takes to make your dream a reality. Start small, ask lots of questions, get a mentor and perfect the fine skill of being totally organized. You could well be the next Paula Deen, of the Food Network's Paula's Home Cooking. She parlayed her southern delights into a catering business, and ultimately opened her own restaurant. Remember, nothing beats a failure, but a try.

Detra D. Davis is a writer and Consultant with over 20 years of experience. Author of several books, email Detra at: detra_davis@supportingourchildren.com, or by mail: J. Davis & Associates, P. O. Box 4935, Cary, NC 27513-4935, to learn more visit: http://www.supportingourchildren.com


CAREER TOPICS
Beat the Crowd with Winning Resume Cover Letters
Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover letters. In a sense, a well written cover letter works like an agent on your behalf.
Mystery Shopping
Mystery shopping is an excellent way to make extra money. In fact, some people make a full time living doing it.
Avoiding Tire Kickers as Job Seekers
With the economy heating up and employment prospects opening up after years of dormancy, it is more critical than ever for employers to understand that unfortunately, career "tire kickers" still exist in the marketplace. Demand for quality talent, especially at the senior executive level, still outweighs supply.
Stacking The Deck In Your Favor
Many people do not bother to look at their own magnificence and without that view it is not likely that we will recognize the need for strategies to maximize our strengths. When we buy an outfit for a special affair, we automatically try to coordinate each piece so that they enhance one another and amplify our sense of "looking good" from head to toe.
Preventing The Runaway Candidate
Municipal and law enforcement officials in Georgia are still calculating the final costs associated with the "runaway bride". Much like the runaway bride, the "runaway candidate" can have a devastating effect upon a potential employer.
Losing A Career Can Feel Like Getting A Divorce
Most of us are aware that we need to grieve the death of a close friend, relative or favorite pet. We are beginning to learn that other events -- relocation, divorce, illness -- can also be experienced as loss.
Job Interviews -- The Real Reasons Why You Need to Follow Up
Effective follow-up after a job interview is often a key reason why someone gets a job, even though there are other equally qualified candidates. Many candidates treat follow up as an optional add-on to their job search.
Prepare for Your Performance Review Before You Start the Job
When you start a new job, you probably realize the first three months are critical to your long-term success. Everybody's eye is on the "newbie" as you learn the ropes.
Job Search Blurts
I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous and apprehensive way of saying something in the job search that makes you feel like a buffoon. A "blurt" is a catchy way of saying: Gaffe.
Job Search Secret #1
The job search secret that is so powerful it will blow your socks off is simple - if you think you want or need a Career Change all you have to do is understand this Job Search Secret:It's simple - Change your Thinking.When you're looking for the new job or career move it's easy to think that 'they' hold all the cards.
Get Off Your Butt and Out of the Rut
It's amazing to see so many people who are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their careers.I'm sure you know of someone like that.
Turning Their Loss Into Your Job Gain
It isn't the end of the world, even if it seems like it. Losing your job can be a heart-breaking experience.
Tips for Handling On the Job Setbacks
If you've chosen a business career, you will inevitably experience some type of setback. And whether your pet project is canceled, your performance review is a bust, you get turned down for a promotion, or you're asked to leave the company, setbacks hurt big time.
Career Success: Get Ahead of the Crowd
Regardless of where you open your briefcase or palm pilot each day - at a large corporation, a small business or the end of your dining room table - the key to staying employable the rest of your life is your own creative action. The person who is going to be successful is not going to succeed just because of good work.
How To Prepare For A Telephone Interview
It is important to prepare thoroughly for your telephone interview.Begin by studying the job description and the candidate profile.
How To Start Your Own House Cleaning Business
If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning business, begin by evaluating your present circumstances. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but how you reply will affect what you do.
Job Search Campaign Tip: An Activity Diary
Looking for a job involves a wide range of responsibilities: preparing a resume, looking at ads, contacting employers, calling and visiting friends and acquaintances, follow ups, interviews. While none of us ever plan to be out of work for very long, it can be very useful to immediately start documenting your activities and your feelings to provide a road map of where you have been and where you want to go.
Applying for a Job in China
Working in ChinaWorking in China is very common now. Either you are sent to China by your company or you apply for a job to be stationed in China.
Working in Dubai
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is one of the world's fastest growing employment hotspots in the world. Up to 20 new companies establish themselves in the emirate's free trade zones every week and since 2002 some 650 companies have registered in the Dubai Media City free trade zone alone.
17 Surefire Ways to Annoy Potential Employers
Despite the President's encouraging words, the job market is still in sorry shape. There are more job seekers than job openings, so do NOT make things harder on yourself by doing any of the things on this list! Never, ever do these!Apply for jobs you are not qualified for.



Questions? Call Toll Free: 1-888-475-6272  or  1-888-HR-jobs2