Working as a restaurant manager can be a tough job. Not only are you expected to manage staff within a hectic and often unpredictable atmosphere, but you are also required to be skilled across a wide variety of areas, ranging from financial management to creative marketing.
As such, a restaurant manager needs to have many skills. Some of these skills are more innate than others. A natural extrovert may find it easier to manage in these environments. However, many other skills can be learned and refined. Anyone can become a restaurant manager if they are willing to put the work in.
However, no matter what type of person you are, you will likely not get very far in management if you can’t secure a position in the first place. With the assistance of ResumeHelp, you can put together a quality restaurant manager resume that will impress hiring managers and get you those all-important interviews.
This article will explore the key skills most restaurant managers have that allow them to succeed in this demanding role.
Communication Skills
Unsurprisingly, all restaurant managers will have excellent communication skills. Even if they are not naturally loud or confident, they can articulate exactly what they require from their employees. They can also communicate comfortably with customers to deal with issues that need manager intervention.
Additionally, a restaurant manager will have strong interpersonal skills that help with communication. They will often have to use active listening, negotiation, and compromise to resolve issues with unhappy customers.
They will also be able to adapt their communication style depending on who they are talking to. For example, if they do not own the restaurant, they will communicate with shareholders differently from how they interact with chefs and waitresses.
Customer Service
A restaurant manager is primarily a customer-facing role. Therefore, they need to demonstrate exceptional customer service skills and lead by example at all times.
As well as dealing with customer complaints, the best restaurant managers will go above and beyond to ensure their diners have the best experience. They will be on hand to answer questions authoritatively and can foster a positive atmosphere among their clients.
Organization
Restaurant managers have a vast range of responsibilities across multiple areas, so keeping on top of all of them simultaneously is vital. Some of the typical obligations a restaurant manager will be expected to carry out include budgeting, recruitment, stock management, supply chain management, and menu alterations.
If any one of these aspects falters, it could harm the whole business, so a restaurant manager must prioritize and delegate effectively.
Marketing Skills
Many restaurant managers, particularly those who own their restaurants, need strong marketing skills to ensure that their business remains profitable and stays ahead of rivals. They will need to deliver effective marketing campaigns that will help retain a loyal customer base while at the same time bringing in new customers.
They will also need to manage their online presence. Most restaurants will need to rely on social media platforms, so these need to be kept updated and populated with creative content.
Problem-solving Skills
A restaurant is often an unpredictable place. Customers can present unique challenges. Staff members will call in sick and kitchen equipment might suddenly stop working.
A restaurant manager must be able to carefully analyze problems, often with very little time to work with. They will be expected to arrive at the right solution and deliver on it to ensure that any arising issues do not seriously affect the business.
If you found this article helpful and you are an aspiring restaurant manager looking to one day run your own restaurant, why not check out our article on improving technology within your restaurant.
