info for Seattle?

Kerrangatang92

Hi everyone. I’ve seen some older posts about the Seattle, but they are over a year old now, so I’m looking for some up to date info. I was hoping you guys who are familiar with Seattle could help me out. This time next week I will be moving to Seattle by myself to break out of my shell, see how well I can manage by myself and explore a part of America I’ve wanted to see for a long time.

I already have my accommodation sorted in the U-District close to UW and the Ave, which also means I am pretty close to the different bus lines and bike paths to other areas of the city. As well as this, I have enough savings to sustain myself till I find a job (several months’ rent and living costs should last just over a month). So, I feel pretty confident I’ll land on my feet over there. However, as the date looms closer, I can’t help but feel a bout of jitters over how difficult finding and securing a job over there may be. As it stands, I am willing to work most jobs (any I can get my hands on), and would be pretty happy to get a job in a coffee shop or something similar. What worries me a little is that I have no experience working in bars and cafes.

My question is. Does anybody have any tips on where the best places to look for work are, and what types of jobs are plentiful at the moment? Would I have much chance getting work in an Irish bar with little experience? I’ve been scanning craigslist so far, but I guess I’m just looking for some first-hand experience from people who have done J1’s there, and those who have or still live there. Any other tips you may have? I’m all ears. Apart from the nerves, I’m really excited about the trip! Thanks a million

ProudDUB

Don't worry about not being hired if you don't have experience. Lots of places prefer it, as they can train new staff in their way of doing things from scratch. They aren't bringing a set way of doing things, or bad habits from other restaurants.

If you bring a good attitude, a good work ethnic, an ability to up sell food/drink to customers (as opposed to just writing an order down) and interact well with the customers (coz they will be the ones paying your wage via tips) you can do really well, very quickly. Bartenders tend to get promoted up from the ranks of servers, or come in with experience, so you may have to wait a while to do that.

The U district has a great cluster of bars and restaurants and coffee shops, so you won't be short of places to apply. Print up multiple copies of your resume, bring proof that you can work there legally & hit the pavement. Don't rely on websites. Do it in person and flog your Irishness. It can be an asset if you want it to be. There is an Irish bar in nearby Wallingford (Murphys I think) but it can be pretty quiet mid week and out of term. If you don't mind the commute, the downtown bars and restaurants would be busier & you'd get better tips from tourists and locals, than from students in the more student-y watering holes/restaurants around U-Dub.

Kerrangatang92

Thanks ProudDUB for the bit of reassurance. I'll take your advice regarding doing the asking in person. I'll definitely go looking in the downtown areas as well. Thanks

Jonny_D

Just in time for the nice weather!

Try Fado, down by Pike Place market.

http://www.fadoirishpub.com/seattle/

The owners are Irish - as opposed to many of the other "Irish" bars around.
Think they are from Belfast.
Really nice people.

There are loads of restaurants around and if you get a waiting job you can make a lot from tips.
Especially if you have a bit of personality and an Irish accent.
Don't be afraid to try some of the chains like Red Robin.

Good luck!

InTheTrees

Kerrangatang92 wrote: »

I already have my accommodation sorted in the U-District close to UW and the Ave

Welcome to Seattle.

You sound like a local already referring to The Ave!

You're well placed for work... U district is a vibrant place, also Capitol Hill which is just south, closer to Downtown. Ballard too is a busy area. Queen Anne as well.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/

These people may be of help, dont know anything about them, I'm on their email list but I never partake (i'm anti-social!):

http://irishnetworkseattle.org/

Kerrangatang92

Thanks guys. I'm taking notes! Good tip about Fado, Jonny, I appreciate it. And I've done a lot of reading about the different areas while looking for accommodation, so I'm glad it's paying off! ha. Oh, and I will definitely join and keep in the loop with that Irish network, will be nice to have some kind of support if ever needed. Thanks Trees

If any of you don't mind, I have another couple of questions. Is there many places for hiking close to the city and or within it? And would it be difficult to get out to the national parks and the Cascades if I have no car? (I'm hoping to make some outdoorsy friends when I get there, so might be able to carpool when I'm more settled)

And finally, I'm planning to cycle out to Ellensburg at some point using the Mountains to Sound greenway. Has anyone hiked or biked along it before and what did you think of it? Would you suggest any other places to see out that part of the state? (Also, I plan to be on a budget so nothing too extravagant, ha)

InTheTrees

Kerrangatang92 wrote: »

And would it be difficult to get out to the national parks and the Cascades if I have no car? (I'm hoping to make some outdoorsy friends when I get there, so might be able to carpool when I'm more settled)

You'll have an amazing time. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful area it really is. What kind of "hiking"? There's so much available. From taking a walk for the day to heading out into the wilderness.

I'm not sure how without a car but its got to be possible... the North Cascades region is huge, (about 300km long by 100km wide) and there's three main passes over into Eastern Washington with towns dotted along the way, so there has to be buses going there. You'd have to find out which stops are closest to good hiking trails. There's some major ski resorts in each of the passes so they're probably a good place to start from and must surely be served by buses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Cascades

There's a large outdoor camping store based in seattle called REI, its run as a cooperative I believe. They would have some good information on local outdoor stuff to do. It could be a good start point:

http://www.rei.com/learn.html

Some transport sites:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/choices/

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/pdf/wsfroutemap.pdf

There's also trains up to Vancouver, plus the Victoria Clipper ferry to Victoria, BC which leaves from Downtown.

http://www.clippervacations.com/

http://www.amtrakcascades.com/

http://www.amtrak.com/empire-builder-train

InTheTrees

Kerrangatang92 wrote: »

Apart from the nerves, I’m really excited about the trip! Thanks a million

You'll do great. There'll be a bit of a culture shock. They'll love the accent but you may have to repeat yourself over and over to be understood.

Do you have a resume written?

Kerrangatang92

Sorry for late reply, time has flown by with all the preparation. Arrived the other day, and so far love the place. I would definitely recommend the U-district to any young people hoping to come here on J-1s and the like. Cafes, bars, shops, pharmacy, restaurants, cinemas all within easy walking distance and it only took me about 20 minutes to get to the city centre on the bus last night. Will start the job hunt today, and am feeling confident!

Thanks Trees, I do have a resume, and have only needed to repeat myself a few times so far ha. Also, thanks for all the links info, they're very helpful.