A Response to an Interview with Sauce

Did you know that 2010 only has eleven months?  Yup, it sure does.  Obviously that whole November crap didn't work out so well for me so I decided to just get rid of it.  If your birthday is in November, I apologize; go ahead and decide on October or December instead.  So here we are in December, the eleventh month of 2010.  I'm feeling pretty good about this one.

To jump us off, I'm going to remind you of an interview I did in a month that no longer exists.  I expected the interview would get some interesting comments and response.  And it did.  In fact it got so many responses that Brianne - creator of the site that I was featured on - posted her reasons for featuring me.  It was the first posting that wasn't an interview.

Below I present Brianne's reasons for including me on her site as well as why I think I deserved to be featured.

The other morning I was at work when I received a text from a good friend. It said, “Really, Bri? A Hooters girl?”

I knew he was talking about I Want Her Job.

Then a little later on I had a phone call with another good friend. She said, “It took everything in me not to write a nasty comment on your blog. I really enjoy coming to your site, but I don’t feel like working at Hooters inspires anybody. I am a teacher, and I work with kids all the time to find out what it is they really want to do. Do you really want girls to say they want to grow up and be a Hooters girl? I think that’s just degrading.”

My response to both of them was this, “Did you read the profile?”

The first friend had not read it, and once he did, well, he seemed to understand it a bit more.

The second friend I mentioned read the profile and didn’t change her mind.

She felt like the job was degrading to women and couldn’t believe I would promote it on this site.

I then asked her, “Well, if next week I featured an interview with an anchor from ‘The Today Show’ or the editor-in-chief of a magazine, would you read it?” “Yes, of course,” she said. And I responded then by saying, “Well, then it didn’t change your mind about the site?” “As long as you don’t feature a stripper … ” she responded before we changed topics.

Here’s the thing. When I made the decision to feature Sauce, I thought about it for a night. I didn’t make a quick reaction. While her job is not one that I had a targeted plan to feature, I was impressed with her viewpoint and her entrepreneurial spirit. Sauce doesn’t just work at Hooters. She trains other girls, she runs a website that gets as many as 500 views a day (which, for the record, is not easy) and furthermore, the website that she created led to an opportunity for her to write for the company’s magazine. I admire that drive.

As someone with a background in journalism, I was taught to always consider all sides of a story. The job of a reporter is to not insert your own voice and to present two sides … and even if I couldn’t find the other side of the story, I had to actively seek it out. Now, with blogging, I feel mainstream news has tried to insert more of an opinion into what they do. And beyond that, writers are looking to have more of a voice. Opinion counts these days, but sometimes it’s still best to step back and be the publisher of content that strikes a chord with people, without inserting your own thoughts. And with I Want Her Job, I am striving to motivate, but also to feature women in all types of jobs. Who am I to say what kind of jobs people should love?

The other thing about this site is that as long as you’re a woman, you can be featured if you can convince me of one thing — that you really, truly love your job. And while I realize some jobs appeal to some people and other jobs don’t, I think there’s something interesting in the fact that Sauce has to wake up every morning and no matter how she feels, she has to look her best. As a woman, I’m sure you can understand how exhausting that can be. There are some mornings when I just don’t care if I have mascara on my lashes or if my hair is curled. I’m just not into it for one reason or another. And the fact that she does this is interesting to me.

The bottom line is this: I Want Her Job is here to feature women with all types of jobs who love what they do. We’re also here to support one another. So, keep the comments coming, because we’re not just profiling women who love their jobs, we’re starting a community that has an opinion and motivates us as women.

And if we can’t be one another’s biggest cheerleaders, then who will be?

So why do I think I deserved to be interviewed on a site meant to empower women through the success of other women?  Yes, I realize I have a job that many would conventionally consider demeaning.  But I don't think my job had anything to do with me being featured.  I was chosen to be featured because I created an amazing opportunity for myself.  I took my job as a simple waitress and created a second job that has become wildly successful and that fact wouldn't change whether I waited tables at Perkins or Cracker Barrel or Hooters.  Now I'm not just a Hooters Girl, I'm a Hooters Girl with a popular blog (that makes money) and a recurring magazine article (that also makes me money).   And I don't think either of those things are easy.

 And that is why I was featured.  It wasn't my job, but rather the drive that let me turn my job into something that has boundless opportunity.  Whether I was a teacher or an artist or a garbage man it wouldn't change the fact that I created something that speaks a lot to my own spirit and ingenuity as a woman. 

Yes, I'm just a Hooters Girl, but what I choose to do with that opportunity is what I feel gives me the ability to inspire.  The whole point is that no matter what you're doing you can still put your heart and soul into it and experience a great return.

I, for one, can't wait to see where it takes me.

Sauce Gets Interviewed

Recently, I was featured on a really cool website that profiles women and their many jobs.  Meant to empower women as it explores females in the workplace, the website features interviews posted several times a week.  Monday, I was featured and I present the interview below.  Rather than linking to the website - as it includes my name and photo - I'll simple copy and post the interview.  For those of you curious about the actually website, it's called "I Want Her Job."  Feel free to check it out if you're so inclined!

And please forgive the HORRIBLE variations in font.  Blogger is being totally lame and not posting it as I've edited it.  You hear that, Blogger, you're being effing lame.

Sauce is a “World Famous Hooters Girl” and certified corporate trainer Hooters, Inc.. In February of 2009, Sauce started blogging about her life at Hooters on her site, girlandguitar.blogspot.com, which has attracted a significant following. On the site, Sauce aims to change the stigma that the life of a Hooters girl is degrading to women. Instead, she strives to empower women while sharing juicy stories about the things she sees (and experiences) as a waitress at the restaurant. Her blogging even led to an opportunity for her to write for the bi-monthly Hooters Magazine. She is the first Hooters Girl to be asked to write for the publication (sold both in stores and on newsstands nationwide), and her regular contributions will begin to appear with the November/December issue. When she’s not waitressing, training or blogging, Sauce enjoys playing the guitar, reading classics and working on craft projects.

Sauce
Occupation: World Famous Hooters Girl / Certified Corporate Trainer, Hooters
Websites: girlandguitar.blogspot.com
hooters.com
hootersmagazine.com
Education: Bachelor’s Degree, Marketing
The University of Montana

How did you discover your current job?

I joke that I didn’t find my job as a Hooters Girl — it found me. I had recently graduated and was unemployed after a post-graduation trip to Europe. I found myself entertaining two male friends visiting from out of town and Hooters seemed like a natural stop before heading to a Griz [the local college football team] game. I was offered a job over a plate of boneless wings that Saturday and was training by Monday.

I fell into the blogging much the same way — by accident. I decided to start writing the blog more as an exercise in personal expression. Eventually, I began focusing more on my life as a Hooters Girl and noticed a big increase in readership. While it was widely positive, I also realized there were many negative responses to the world of Hooters. I realized the writings of an intelligent, real Hooters Girl could do some small part in breaking the stereotypes related to the job. Suddenly, I was the blogging Hooters Girl.

I was contacted by Aubrey Gray and Jonathan Chaffin of Hooters Magazine in August of this year. Funnily, my initial response was to ask if they were joking. I was quickly reassured that no, they weren’t joking, and I was offered a recurring column in the magazine. My first piece is being released in the November issue.

What has been your path so far to get you where you are today?

Hooters offers a lot of opportunities for you to personalize your job. While being a Hooters Girl is a waitressing position at its core, it is just as reliant on your ability to creatively serve and entertain your guests. My creativity has not only made me thrive as a Hooters Girl, but it’s also the crucial piece to the success of my blog.

I also like to think of myself as the type of person that goes above and beyond whenever possible. Whether you’re a waitress or a marketing executive, hard work and initiative never goes unnoticed. I am extremely dedicated to my work — whatever it may be.

Also, while I am not in a position that requires a degree, I think my marketing coursework has helped me extensively at Hooters, and it definitely helped me on my blog.

Was there any one situation that helped you along your way?

Not so much at work, but my blog was featured as a Blog of Note in June of 2010. This means that it was the featured blog for Blogger. This attributed to a HUGE jump in my readership — sending me from around 100 views a day to nearly 500. In fact, for two straight days my readership was at nearly 10,000. It really put my blog on the map, and the positive response was amazing.

What is your typical day like? Does it ever change?

I work five to six days a week at Hooters. I generally work day shifts that run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Usually this means that I wake up early to go to the gym. Regardless of my schedule, I find that if I work out before I go to work, it makes my whole day just feel better. Then, of course, I get ready for work. All the “getting ready” Hooters requires is probably the part of my job that I like the least. I have to be looking my best every day, regardless of how I’m feeling. This includes having my hair styled, wearing an appropriate amount of makeup and having an immaculate uniform, which can be a challenge when working with wings. Then it’s off to work, which — minus the random outbursts of hula hooping, singing, dancing and miscellaneous fun — is pretty much just the typical day of any server.

I do, however, take LOTS of notes at work for my blog. I’ll jot down situations, quotes or whatever else sparks an idea. Then when I get home, I try to at least start a post as I find the sooner I write things down, the funnier and more vivid they seem to be.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I love that at my job I can make a real connection with my customers. I don’t know of any other serving job where I would be so encouraged to actually sit down with my customers and get to know them. The key to Hooters is the fact that they strive to make every guest feel like a regular, regardless of whether they’ve been in one time or fifty times. They want their waitresses to know peoples’ names and their kids’ names and their dog’s name. It’s really about connection with people, and I think it’s something people really appreciate about Hooters. We offer one-of-a-kind service that stresses individualizing the experience.

I also feel personally rewarded when I see attitudes about Hooters change, whether from my blog or from a visit to the restaurant. Hooters faces a very obvious stereotype that doesn’t accurately reflect what it is. Reading a positive comment on my blog, or having a customer tell me I changed their mind about Hooters, is one of the best parts of my job.

What is the most challenging part?

The most challenging part is easily overcoming the judgment that is so commonly associated with Hooters. It’s a job that — unfortunately — stereotypes. This is not so much because a Hooters Girl is a certain thing or a certain type of woman, but rather because people have the wrong understanding of what a Hooters Girl is. I understand why the stereotype exists, but I dislike that the stereotype is perpetuated on rumors rather than personal experiences.

What is one lesson you’ve learned in your job that sticks with you?

My job has taught me so much about people and how to deal with them. While it’s one thing to deal with someone from behind an office desk, it is totally another to serve them. I think the lessons I’ve learned about customer service are just as valuable as some of the things I learned in my college classes.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge for women today, particularly females in your industry?

In my industry it is definitely challenging to deal with the stereotype that I am not a smart or educated woman. I think women across many industries have to prove themselves in a lot of ways that men don’t necessarily have to. This is especially true at Hooters.

Who are your role models?

In addition to my mother, I look up to a lot of the women who work at the corporate level for Hooters. The vast majority of women in upper-level positions at Hooters began their careers as Hooters Girls. I like knowing that with enough drive there are a lot of lifetime career opportunities with Hooters.

Is there a quote or mantra that you live by?

I’m not sure that I live by a quote or specific mantra, but I always say that I am “blindly optimistic.”  To me this means that I see a positive in pretty much any situation. I think this has not only helped me overcome a lot of hard situations, but but also it has led me to have a fierce drive even when things seem especially difficult.

What advice do you have for girls who want to be in your industry?

As far as being a Hooters Girl, I tell all my trainees that the most beautiful part of a Hooters Girl is not her face, but her personality. It’s a common misconception that being a Hooters Girl is about a look, but the personality is definitely the most import thing for success.

As far as with blogging, it’s important to maintain consistency both in you writing and in your posting. Regularity is the key to growing a following. And being funny doesn’t hurt either.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

It might be important to note that I did indeed have a job for a few months related directly to my major. I sat behind a desk 40 hours a week at the corporate office for a popular Mongolian restaurant here in town. They paid me $10.25 an hour, and I was miserable trying to impress them. It was an impossible task. Eventually, due to budget cuts, they let me go, and I returned to Hooters. I realized then how much I loved my job and how at 20-something it wasn’t that important if I didn’t have the big marketing job I expected myself to have right out of college. I’ll have that one day, but for now I couldn’t be more happy.

What NOT To Do If You Want To Get Hired At Hooters

I've seen lots of people come to interview for jobs at Hooters.  I mean people of all types.  Guys, girls, young, old, pretty, not so pretty - you name it, I've seen it.  Some of these people got jobs and lots of them didn't for all sorts of reasons.  A lot of times people simply aren't qualified or we're not hiring, but all too often people aren't hired because they epically fail when they come in to interview or even when they come in to pick up the application.  Here I present a list of things NOT to do when applying for a job at Hooters.

1.   Don't come in at noon or 7:00 p.m. to request an application
All too often, I see people coming in at the most awkward times to pick up an application.  This totally baffles me.  If one is going to be applying at a restaurant you'd think they'd have enough sense to not come in at the busiest times to try and get a job.  Lunch is busy.  Dinner is busy.  Don't come in and get an effing application when it's busy.  You look like an idiot or at the very least incredibly inconsiderate; neither of which are desirable in an employee.  Do yourself and - hopefully - your future employer a favor and come in between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.  Or better yet call ahead and see when the restaurant you're applying to prefers to accept applications.  Trust me, you'll look like a way better potential employee this way.

2.   Don't bring your friend/significant other/family member in with you

I have actually seen people sit down to interview with someone else in tow.  This is hardly impressive and makes you look like you can't handle your shit.  Are they going to come to work with you?  No, so why would they come to the interview with you?  Be an adult and handle your own shit.  Are you twelve?  You don't need anyone holding your hand.

3.   Don't dress like a total skank or total slob
I realize you're applying at Hooters, but please don't come in hanging out all over the effing place.  Hooters hires the "girl next door" not the slut around the corner.  While I would suggest you dress to show off your body, I advise you do so in a professional manner.  Yes, it's Hooters.  No, you don't need to be dressed up in business attire, but do look like you give two shits.  This will show that you're serious about the job and put in some effort.  Believe me, you are not impressive when you come in looking like you just rolled out of bed and put on the first slutty dress you could find.  You look like the epitome of the walk of shame.  This is not a good thing.

4.   Don't fill out the application like an idiot
While honesty is important don't list on your application that you "hated the boss" or "couldn't get out of bed" as reasons for leaving a previous position.  Yes, I've actually seen both these things on applications.  Actually, I've seen a lot of stupid things that basically scream, "I am a total ass-clown."  Trust me, no one wants to hire an ass-clown.  You'd think this would be the most obvious thing, but people seem to write whatever the hell they want on an application.  "Der, paper.  Let me scribble words on it."

Also, watch your spelling and write legibly.  Nothing says idiot like misspelling the word restaurant or waitress or writing them so sloppily you might as well have written elephant or plaster of paris.

5.   Don't forget to look good

In case you didn't notice, Hooters is image based.  As such it is important to look the part when you come in (if you're applying to be a Hooters Girl).  Wear makeup.  You'll be expected to wear it at work so wear it when you apply.  Not a lot, just enough to emphasize your best features.  You know what these are.

More important than the make up is your hair.  I.E. don't wear you hair like you just rolled out of bed after you got rammed into the headboard for the last six hours.  Sex hair/bead head/I didn't even know I had hair let alone did it/grease never, ever, never looks good.  Do yourself a favor and AT LEAST run a comb through that shit.

6.   Don't be a bitch to the girls on shift
Perhaps the quickest way to not get a job at Hooters is to be a dirty whore to the girls on shift.  Most likely they'll be the ones to take your application and the first to get an impression of you.  Odds are the manager will ask the girls if you were pretty and had the right personality to get a call back.  If you are a bitch you can be pretty sure they'll say you were a mute troll even if you're effing Megan Fox.  The girls you meet when you come in are your potential coworkers so you should treat them as such.  If you're nice to them and show a bit of personality odds are they'll report well to the manager.  Think of them as your first interview.

7.   Don't come in wearing a Hooters shirt
You look like a groupie idiot.  Seriously.  Take that shit off.  This is not an Abercrombie store; we're not impressed.

8.   Don't show up late to your interview

Seriously?!  Effing self explanatory.

Now you'd think all of this would be pretty common sense, but apparently it's anything but.  Everyday I am thoroughly entertained by idiots that come in to apply.  Are they really idiots?  Maybe not, but they certainly present themselves that way.  If you really want a job take the time to think about what you're doing and make sure that you present yourself correctly.  Trust me.  I know these things.