Chapter 1: CAREERS RELATED TO THE ARTS
Chapter 2: CAREERS RELATD TO SALES & FINANCE
Chapter 3: SERVICE-ORIENTED CAREERS
Chapter 4: CAREERS IN HEALTH & MEDICINE
Chapter 5 JOURNALISM-RELATED CAREERS
Chapter 6: TRAVEL-RELATED CAREERS
Chapter 7: CAREERS RELATED TO LAW & GOVERNMENT
Chapter 8: CAREERS IN SCIENCE, SPACE & ENGINEERING
Chapter 9: CAREERS RELATED TO EDUCATION, FITNESS & SPORTS Chapter 10: JOB HUNTING ON THE INTERNET
(Sample Careers) Caterers
The catering business combines the art of providing outstanding food, beverages, and service to clients for social and business events. Like many businesses, the success depends largely on the quality and reputation of not only the product, but most importantly, the service. It is a business that often stems from a hobby, but those in it will tell you that catering is as real as any other professional endeavor. One which requires skills, organization and good business sense that can bring both personal and financial rewards to those who are committed to it.
One distinct advantage of a catering service is that you can start on a shoestring and increase your investment as your business expands. "This makes going into business easy from a capital standpoint because you don't need start-up capital, " says Clyde Small of the Catering Company in Pasadena, Ca. "You can rent a kitchen and just about everything else you need." Start-up costs for a catering service can range from a $1,000 for a home-based business to $75,000 for a fully equipped commissary and catering van.
The first and most important step in becoming a caterer is determining your niche and expertise in that particular niche. Whether it's delivering sandwiches and soups to offices, catering corporate lunches or large social events such as weddings, establish your specialty and prepare a detailed business plan. This business plan will help you map out your business strategy, goals and ways in which to achieve them.
"A business plan helps you identity what type of catering business you have chosen to operate, where you should locate, and what basic equipment you need to start out," Small says. "Depending on your financial situation you may be able to start you business from home if health codes permit, or find a local kitchen to rent." Once you have established what and where, Small says to "get the word out." He said he started out by catering parties for friends and business associates and the word just spread. "Word of mouth is a caterer's best marketing tool and that's why it is so important to always follow up after an event. You need to find out from your clients what you could have done better. It's often difficult being your own critic, but the only way you can expand any business is by constantly listening to what your customers want and being open to change and improvement.
"Catering can be very competitive, but those who add that extra personal touch by accommodating clients better than other local caterers do, have a better chance at success," Small said. "You also have to really love what you're doing, so your job remains an exciting venture rather than a daily task. "
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CATERER
Education- Extended knowledge of preparing food and planning. Community colleges and universities offer extension classes in home economics, gourmet cooking, party planning, and business management.
Requirements- Basic understanding of business accounting and mathematics, familiarity with food service equipment and its operation and maintenance. Licensing Requirements-Vary, check with your state and local governments for specific health codes and zoning specifications.
Personal Qualifications-Enjoy working with people, patience, confidence, dedication., the ability to handle the physical demands and the time commitment required. Opportunity for Experience-Work for a catering company in various positions, from preparing food, setting up, serving and clean up.
Method of Entry- May be able to start your business from home if health codes permit. Seek a position with an established caterer.
Working Conditions-Work in a kitchen and at various locations where food is catered. $$Salary-Varies with type of business. Average annual pretax profits range between $50,000 and $1 million. About two-thirds of caterers earn more than $100,000 annually. Number of Hours- 50-70 hours each week, including evenings and weekends.
Method of Advancement-Expanding and some caterers advance by opening a restaurant. Occupational Future- This $6 million industry is expected to continue to expand as more companies and individuals opt for the convenience of prepared food delivered. Advantages- You are your own boss.
Disadvantages-The food service business is notorious for its high failure rate. For More Information: "Start and Run a Profitable Catering Business," Self Counsel Press, 1994. "Catering Like a Pro," John Wiley & Sons, 1994.U.S.
Entrepreneurs
Individuals start their own businesses or create occupations for themselves for a number of reasons. Some just couldn't find a job that matched their needs, some were between jobs, and others had always wanted to try their hands at owning their own business.
Every day you hear stories about high-powered sales reps running their own business, housewives building small catering empires, and those who just pursued a dream or an idea and it "took off." Experts currently estimate that nearly one in every ten adults is self-employed, and although it takes capital to get started many got started out of necessity to make money.
"I always wanted to be a chemist, but knew I would never make the money I wanted unless I went out on my own," says Fred Farago, who pursued his dream of becoming a flavor chemist when he went into business for himself 36 years ago. "There's always a risk, but risk taking stimulates the adrenaline and can work as the motivating factor to give 'it' your all, and the rewards are very gratifying."
We all know that not everyone is meant to be an inventor, but many individuals have found it possible to provide services and obtain jobs that combine their interests, and they attribute a large part of their independent success to the fact that they are doing what they really like.
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