How to Find a Great Job (That Isn’t in Fast Food)
Working in fast food is a masterclass in essential skills. You learn to handle pressure, communicate with all kinds of people, and work as part of a team. These skills are not just valuable—they are your ticket to your next opportunity.
If you feel ready for a change, the key isn’t to forget your experience but to understand how to apply it elsewhere. Let’s break down how you can find a job that builds on the strengths you already have.
1. Uncover Your Hidden Skills
First, let’s reframe your experience. You didn’t just “flip burgers” or “take orders.” You developed professional skills that employers in many industries are looking for.
Think of it this way:
| Your Fast Food Task | Your Professional Skill |
|---|---|
| Taking customer orders accurately | Customer Service, Communication, Attention to Detail |
| Working the cash register | Cash Handling, Financial Responsibility, POS Systems |
| Handling the lunch or dinner rush | Teamwork, Time Management, Working Under Pressure |
| Keeping the kitchen and dining area clean | Health & Safety Compliance, Organization |
| Dealing with a difficult customer | Problem-Solving, Conflict Resolution |
Your résumé shouldn’t say “Made coffee.” It should say, “Maintained product quality and consistency in a fast-paced environment.” See the difference? You already have the experience; you just need to describe it in a way that other industries understand.
2. Explore Industries That Value Your Experience
Now that you know what your skills are, where can you take them? Many entry-level jobs require the exact abilities you’ve already mastered.
Here are a few fields to explore:
- Retail: A sales associate or cashier role uses your customer service and cash handling skills directly. Big-box stores and even smaller local shops need reliable people.
- Hospitality: Hotels need front desk agents who can manage check-ins, answer questions, and solve problems for guests. Your experience with customer interactions is a perfect fit.
- Entry-Level Office Work: Roles like a receptionist or an office assistant are built on communication, organization, and a friendly demeanor.
- Banking: As a bank teller, you use your cash-handling precision and customer service skills daily in a professional environment that often offers strong career growth.
- Warehousing & Logistics: If you prefer more hands-on work, jobs like a warehouse associate or a delivery driver value efficiency, reliability, and teamwork—all things you learned during a busy shift.
3. Create Your Action Plan
Knowing your skills and potential industries is great. Taking action is what matters. Here are four simple steps you can take right now.
- Update Your Résumé. Go back to the table above. For every duty you had at your fast food job, write it down as a professional skill. Use strong action verbs like Managed, Coordinated, Resolved, and Maintained.
- Search Smart. Look on job boards like Indeed, but don’t stop there. Go directly to the websites of companies you’re interested in (like a local hotel, bank, or retailer) and look for their “Careers” page.
- Prepare a Simple Pitch. You will almost certainly be asked, “Tell me about yourself.” Prepare a simple, confident answer. For example: “I’ve spent the last year working in a fast-paced customer service role where I was responsible for cash handling and ensuring a positive customer experience. I’m looking to apply my skills in teamwork and problem-solving in a new environment.”
- Just Apply. Do not let fear of rejection stop you. Applying for jobs is a numbers game. Your goal isn’t to get every job you apply for; it’s to get the one job that’s right for you. Take the imperfect first step and hit “submit.”
Your time in fast food gave you a foundation. Now, you get to decide what you build on it. The most important step is simply believing that your experience is valuable and taking the first step to prove it.