Workaway International

Tips

The key to becoming an exceptional Waitron

Many individuals start their careers by waiting on tables or working in a restaurant. While getting into the serving industry can be fairly easy, progressing and becoming brilliant at your job takes a set of very specific skills. Exceptional waitrons can juggle multiple tasks, keep their cool in the midst of a packed restaurant, anticipate what their customers need, and make great, lasting impressions. With over 22 years’ experience in placing young South Africans as servers at exclusive US Country Clubs, Workaway International’s Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes has picked up some valuable tips on how to go from being a good waitron to an exceptional one.

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How to become an exceptional Chef

If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a chef, you will know that while this is one of the most exhilarating career paths, it is also one of the toughest. Spending time in the kitchen to become a world-class chef – from experimenting with different flavours and tastes, being excited by the idea of seeing how people react to a new recipe, or serving your very own gourmet creation to food lovers – requires creativity and willingness to try something new. Whatever your reason for choosing this career, there are some vital tips that will help you go from being a good chef to an exceptional one. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, a recruitment company that has helped thousands of South Africans find work as chefs at five star country clubs in the US, shares her top tips for becoming a master of the culinary arts.

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How to ace a job interview

For job seekers, the prospect of an interview could be quite daunting – each company and interview process is different, and you may also be competing against many other candidates for the same position. “There are some easy-to-follow, but all-important rules and guidelines for serious job seekers to ensure they have a comfortable and successful interview experience. While it is good to know what to do during an interview, perhaps equally important is to know what to avoid too,” explains Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa. Over the past 22 years, Quenet-Meintjes has assisted in placing more than 21 000 young South Africans in five-star country clubs in the US and has conducted her fair share of interviews. She shares four of her most important interview tips below which are sure to land you your dream job:

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How to get your foot in the door at Workaway International!

The sunny state of Florida is home to many South African recruits who have embarked on the Workaway International journey over the last 22 years. The program has helped them, and thousands of other young South Africans, find work at some of the most exclusive country clubs in the US. “Our goal is not just about finding our recruits a job in the US for a few months, but also to guide them through the cultural experience of living there,” explains head of Workaway International South Africa, Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes. “They are able to earn US dollars, gain valuable international work experience, and watch their skills improve while their CVs grow.” She explains, “For many of our recruits the Workaway programme will be the first time they have travelled overseas, lived away from their parents for a long period of time, and managed their own affairs. This is why Workaway International is available – to help co-ordinate their stay and open the way to many new and enlightening experiences.” Quenet-Meintjes shares some important first steps to take for those wanting to embark on the Workaway International journey:

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Be prepared: How to stay safe and handle an emergency abroad

Travelling overseas is exciting, a little daunting, and for some, downright scary. While planning ahead of your trip, don’t forget to plan the most important aspect of travel – your safety. An overseas adventure is about having fun and enjoying yourself, but being responsible at the same time. There are many unforeseen challenges you may be exposed to while travelling abroad – losing important documents, illness, an accident, becoming the victim of crime, or even a natural disaster – all of which are sometimes unavoidable. With more than 22 years experience, Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, shares her instrumental safety tips, as well as tips on how handle an emergency, when travelling abroad.

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Working and travelling abroad: Reasons to embrace it!

If you’ve ever thought of going overseas and exploring new places, there’s hardly a better time than now. The experience of a lifetime could be waiting just around the corner; all you need to do is take the leap. Positive reasons for working and travelling abroad are endless – becoming independent, earning a foreign currency, meeting new people, experiencing various cultures, or developing a stronger CV with international experience. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, has seen thousands of young South Africans venturing overseas and enjoying the experience of a lifetime. She believes that everyone should explore the opportunity to work and travel abroad at some point in their life as it can be a great adventure which allows you to grow both professionally and socially. “Not only is having international experience invaluable, it’s the journey you go on while gaining that experience that will change your life forever,” she says. Quenet-Meintjes explores a few reasons for embracing the idea of working and travelling abroad – how it will benefit your growth and why you should do it as soon as you get the chance:

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First time going abroad? These top tips will make your experience stress free

It’s important to prepare yourself and know what to expect when travelling to another country. As a first-time overseas traveller you may experience many unnerving occurrences, which can even include what and how to pack, as well as ensuring you have a pleasant first flying experience. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes is head of Workaway International South Africa, a recruitment company that that has helped more than 21 000 South Africans find work at a number of five-star country clubs in the US over the past 22 years. She has seen many first-time flyers pass through the programme, and says, “For many recruits, their trip to the US was the first time they had stepped onto a plane.” Below, Quenet-Meintjes shares a few top tips on how to make your first travelling experience easy and stress-free:

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How to keep fit, happy and embrace new cultures abroad

Travelling abroad is very exciting, but coming across any inconveniences like getting sick, being unsure about how to spend your free time, or suffering from home-sickness could put a dampener on your trip. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, has some tips to ensure that you stay happy and healthy while working overseas.

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Top tips for solo female travellers

Travelling in a group allows you to share suggestions, experiences and fascinating stories, but there may come a time where you have no option but to travel alone. This can be unnerving for anyone, especially as a woman travelling alone. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, has encountered many solo female travellers throughout her 22 years of placing South African recruits in five star country clubs in the US. She says, “As women, we are typically prone to be at the receiving end of various pressures and wrongful acts, and we should always keep our wits about us to ensure our experience abroad is a safe and successful one.” Here are five essential tips for single females which Quenet-Meintjes believes are instrumental when embarking on an overseas journey unaccompanied:

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Stop homesickness and make your new house a home

Travelling and working in a new country or province means you should be having the time of your life! It’s a new environment, you able to meet new people and make new friends, and there are hundreds of exciting new opportunities that await you. One of the most difficult parts of moving away from home is making the four new walls around you feel like more than just a building. “Homesickness can really put a damper on what should be a fun time,” says Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, which has placed thousands of candidates in five-star country clubs in the US since its inception in 1991. During this time, Quenet-Meintjes has encountered many recruits longing for home. “There is nothing wrong with feeling homesick – everyone does at some point – but it’s the way you deal with it that makes the difference.” Here, she offers a handful of useful tips to ensure that you enjoy the opportunity of travelling and living abroad:

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How to be more productive and stress-free in the workplace

If your productivity levels at work are less than adequate, you may often find yourself rushing around and trying to get on top of your work, more often than you should. Learning how to be more productive and dealing with stress are two essential skills required in any industry. It is often external factors like unreasonably difficult clients or non-performing colleagues that may cause unnecessary and unwanted stress in the workplace. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa, a company that has placed thousands of South Africans at some of the top country clubs in the US, has shared some of her invaluable tips for boosting your productivity at work and busting stress. Using these tips will help you keep your customers and clients happy, and will ensure your time at work is used efficiently.

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Being vigilant with social media

Social media has changed the way we live and go about our daily lives. This phenomenon has enabled us to share experiences and news with friends and family around the world, almost instantly, and is one of the most efficient platforms for people travelling abroad to communicate with loved ones back home. Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram are just some of the platforms that have contributed to the exponential growth of this virtual world. As we do in the “real world,” it is wise to apply a few safety precautions to avoid falling prey to the dangers associated with social media. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International South Africa which places thousands of South Africans in five-star country clubs in the US, can attest to this sentiment. “As a recruitment company, it is vital that we highlight the risks involved with using social media, which may be amplified while travelling in a foreign country,” she says. With more than 22 year’s experience, Quenet-Meintjes has amassed a wealth of experience and highlights five important social media safety tips for a safe and enjoyable trip abroad:

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Why it’s good to travel and work abroad

The attraction of working abroad is clear – earning foreign currency, meeting new people, travelling to wonderful destinations and working at globally recognised companies. There are a number of ways that working in a foreign country can help you kick-start your career and grow as a person. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, head of Workaway International (South Africa), shares some of the benefits of working abroad, as well as a few of the most important things you should take with you to ensure your travels are successful:

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How to exceed expectations at Customer Service

Exceptional customer service is a vital component in the hospitality industry, and is expected regardless of the establishment, or even the country, in which you work. As the hospitality industry is one of the most challenging and competitive, stellar customer service can be the difference between a good or great experience. This can leave your guests coming back for more, or steering clear at all costs. As a customer service provider, you need to ensure that your patrons are satisfied with everything you do. Remember, the best establishments in the industry will always do whatever it takes to keep customers happy, and you need to constantly compete with them to continue raising the bar. Here, Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes from Workaway International South Africa – who has placed thousands of recruits in five star country clubs in the US in customer service positions – provides us with seven key tips on how to exceed expectations at customer service.

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Top etiquette and behavioural tips for working in the hospitality industry

Working in the hospitality industry is a wonderful way to meet new people – from different cultures, backgrounds or even other parts of the world. Learning how to deal with these different types of people, and their individual needs and expectations, can be a challenge for some, but remains a vital component to performing your job to the best of your ability. Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes, general manager of Workaway International in South Africa, has assisted in placing over 21 000 young South Africans in some of the most prestigious five-star country clubs in the US. She comments, “Workaway International’s main focus is on hospitality, and although the market in the US is somewhat different to that in South Africa, we always try our best to prepare our recruits on the ‘dos and don’ts’ of what is generally accepted in the industry.” Here, she shares some important insight into the industry’s best practice, and has listed some top etiquette and behavioural tips that all staff should employ to ensure success:

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General top tips for our soon-to-be Workaway recruits!

The sunny state of Florida is home to many South African recruits, often first-time travellers, who have joined the Workaway International programme over the past 22 years to gain international work experience and earn US Dollars.
Workaway International places recruits in hospitality positions in the US, offering them the opportunity to work for seven to eight months in the thrilling environment of a five-star Country Club.

General Manager, Charlotte Quenet-Meintjes explains, “Our goal is not just to find our recruits a job in the US for a few months, but also to guide them through the cultural experience of living in the States. For many of our recruits, Workaway International is the first opportunity they’ve had to travel overseas, live away from their parents, and manage their own affairs – which is why we’re there every step of the way to help coordinate their stay and open the way to many new and enlightening experiences.”

Quenet-Meintjes shares some important tips for first-timers embarking on the Workaway journey, or a similar experience of leaving their comfort zones and working abroad:

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