Whilst working abroad is undoubtedly the best thing you’ll ever do, organising your trip can be tough: you have to deal with unfamiliar companies, different interview techniques, deadlines months in advance of when you intend to begin and often visas, accommodation, air travel and miles and miles of red tape. In fact, sometimes it’s easy to lose enthusiasm for your dream job and think it’s all too much bother. That’s where agencies come in. They already have the jobs and contacts you need to find work abroad, and what’s better is that they can help you get through the paperwork! However, not all agencies offer the same services…
Yummy Jobs is a UK-based company that organises placements within top class companies, giving you the opportunity to both further your career and learn invaluable life skills to help you in the future. Set up by Jason Smith in 2000, Yummy Jobs now places over a thousand people into hospitality jobs per year, recruiting from the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia and Canada!
Yummy Jobs Work Placements Abroad
As the name suggests, the company focuses on fun, enjoyable jobs for those wanting to kick-start a career in hospitality. Successful candidates are matched to suitable entry level roles within various US tourism organisations, ranging from life guarding and retail to waitressing, bartending and front desk – and you’ll often experience work in several different sectors. Employers are just as important as employees, and Yummy Jobs aims to be regarded as an indispensable business partner by providing a seamless, top quality service.
And when we said Yummy Jobs candidates go to top-class companies, we weren’t kidding! Most enroll on International Programs run by Walt Disney World in Florida, and get to work side-by-side with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy in providing the very best customer service to thousands of guests each and every year! Heck, you might end up with a Disney performer job yourself!
In addition to the magical opportunities with Disney, it is also possible to be placed on twelve month traineeships with 4/5 star resorts all over the United States. Their flagship program is the ‘American Cultural Resort Program,’ where participants spend up to 12 months working at locations across the USA. Every area of hospitality is catered for, as they try to offer all the roles involved in running a hotel, from concierge to chefs to food service in family and fine dining restaurants. The Disney Programs last between six to twelve months, but Yummy Jobs also offers summer positions for university students wanting holiday work. In some cases management trainees are found permanent positions in Britain.
“Some people say it changed their lives completely and sometimes it gives people the travel bug, so after their experience through us, they travel in other countries too”
However, Yummy Jobs don’t just accept anybody: you need to understand how to provide great guest service and have enough energy and enthusiasm to get through a ten hour shift and still remember that the guest comes first! “We love to see candidates demonstrate excitement and passion for the industry” is Jason’s view, and whilst previous experience is not essential, students on Hospitality and Leisure courses in particular will benefit from what Yummy Jobs can offer.
You’ve probably heard about the abysmally low wages for bar and waiting staff in the US but luckily you won’t be expected to live on a pittance – but you won’t be rich either! Wages can be anywhere from $6.76 to $10.45 per hour, and it’s possible to pick up some overtime during peak season. However, the tips more than make up for the low hourly rate in this industry, and Jason believes that Yummy Jobs workers use this to save money for travelling after their placement finishes, allowing them to make the most of their time abroad! Accommodation is usually provided at a minimal cost to keep expenses low, so your savings largely depend on how much time you spend at the mall! “Don’t expect to come home from any working abroad experience with a deposit on a house,” laughs Jason, “but with essential life skills and lifelong memories!”
Agencies can be a great way to ease the burden of bureaucracy, and Yummy Jobs offers compete support every step of the way. The most common problem is time management, with people often leaving the visa application too late or not preparing thoroughly for the interview process Jason encourages his workers to contact the team with any paperwork problems they run into, stressing that Yummy Jobs is only a phone call or email away. After all, he’s been there himself: “I remember how challenging it was to save up, find a job and get my American visa organised in time, let alone start a new job in a foreign country! That’s why I make sure that every candidate we place is supported throughout the whole pre-departure process and given step-by-step instructions to cover everything from the day they accept the job to the day they start.” It doesn’t stop there: if you run into difficulties once you’ve left the UK, Yummy Jobs has working partners in the USA that can help deal with your problems in-country.
With someone there to advise you of deadlines and help with tips and techniques, you’ll fly through the application process and be well on your way to a flourishing career, so check out www.yummyjobs.com for the latest vacancies!
