Is it normal to offer to volunteer in a corporate restaurant like applebees/chilis, until a position opens?

I've never heard of this EVER, but I have never worked for minimum wage and I have experience as a server and bartender, but on interviews, lately they are being real firm about ONLY offering a hostess positions, and NOTHING else, it's really confusing to me, and therefore, this desperate and creative thought of just asking the manager to allow volunteer hostess until a position as a server opens? Will they be cool with this and say Ok or think it's totally unacceptable and ridiculous? What do you think?Is it normal to offer to volunteer in a corporate restaurant like applebees/chilis, until a position opens?
It is not normal.Is it normal to offer to volunteer in a corporate restaurant like applebees/chilis, until a position opens?
It's VERY common to offer to volunteer in an established gourmet restaurant - it's called a stage. Sort of like being an intern. Usually, if paid, just minimum.



I don't know that people bother to do it in corporate restaurants like Applebees, and the fact that they are corporate leads me to think it wouldn't work because of liability issues and/or the fact you might sue them for something that happened on the job when you aren't even getting paid.



But in high-end restaurants, it's very common.



HOWEVER, it doesn't hurt to ask, and that will let the manager know you are VERY interested in working there. I suspect they will have to say no, but I also suspect you will be the first person on their mind when they go to look for a replacement for someone. Go for it!Is it normal to offer to volunteer in a corporate restaurant like applebees/chilis, until a position opens?
I have never hear of someone wanted to volunteer at a restaurant chain. However, if you are serious about working your way to the top, then get a job there doing anything at first and try to transition on.



Managers would love volunteer help as more places are short handed these days. The issue is that if you become hurt in any capacity, it becomes a liability for the employer and the manager can be fired. In short, I don't think they will take volunteers because of legal issues.



Try to create and expand your network. Find out as much as you can about the restaurant and the manager. Speak to employees when you are there. Make friends, and ask them to give you a heads up when a position is opening. Speak to the manager to let him know that you can be on call if he is short handed.