hello ryan, I was a banquet server Once. And needless to say, i have experienced that very frustration of feeling like part of a "team." Only to be taken down by shotty work hours, and lack of superiority in booking events on a full time basis by the so called "leaders of the Catering and booking department " at the place i worked. I had gone from working 30 hours or so a week, really good . Down to 1 day a month to two.I was Not sure , if it was due to the fact or lack of them knowing how to book events? Or my constantly calling in to find out if i was put on call or schedule. My best advice to you is to get out of that industry period. All though you may make a few bucks in tips or get hours, and experience alot of parties and fun/ unless you have other banquet jobs to go do? You will experience a painful down slope into that economy of expectations which will prove worthless. Set your goals higher attend a college for course and become a banquet coordinator or something entirely different.

I have the same problem. I'm a bartender and I freelance as well. I've been called in a couple of hours before an event. I've even been called in while I was grocery shopping! I'm looking for something with a stable schedule, but I want to continue freelance work. It is challenging trying to budget when you don't know if you're going to work 1 day or 30 days monthly. I have registered with various staffing agencies to try to get as much work and stay as busy as possible. Hang in there, but continue to seek a permanent position.

Consider this as demand of your job. Try to step up the ladder by upgrading yourself. Find out which is the next step, what it demands. Learn, perform and you will move up. Once you move up your time management and financial problems will start vanishing.

Go back to school (apply for grants), get educated and dump your rotten job! Lord who would want to make a career of waiting on people?

Couple of duggestions. The nature of the catering busiinessential is that way and good servers are called because they are dependable and good at what they do. 1.Work hard get some F&B experience then you can move up 2. Speak with your boss tell him your issues and let him help you figure out a better plan. 3. Attach you self to several banquet properties so your work will be more staple

Ask about getting more stable hours it can't hurt

I see your profile has you as a senior in college. It's time to think about post graduation. With your education, I encourage you to start asking questions about how to best applying your degree by asking for a mentor at your current employer or your dream job. Without a mentor or a sponsor, you can stay too long in a role and paint yourself into a corner. don't be afraid of application rejection. Being rejected from an application is part of the process. We all go through it. This year, I have applied at more than 100 jobs. I have had three second-round interviews this week. Employers are more afraid to hire than people are willing to work. You have demonstrate how you remove the risk for the employer.

Do you get a schedule ahead of time of when you need to work? Just be upfront with your manager about the days you can’t work.

It might be more reflective of the industry you’re in. But I suppose it couldn’t hurt to talk to your manager.

Hey Ryan, that sounds pretty frustrating. I think you should have a talk with your manager about your availability. Don't make it seem like you're inflexible; just let them know about the days you can and can't work. And don't be afraid to ask for more hours! Also, start building better bonds with coworkers so they can cover you if you can't get to a shift.