How do i get a job in a restaurant without having prior experience?

i just moved to san francisco, and im looking to find a job as a server in a restaurant. ive been on craigslist and other websites, and every listing asks for people with experience, but i dont have any experience. im going to college here and a nightime job like this would be the most lucrative for my age and situation. waiters have to start somewhere, right? how do i go about finding a job here in a restaurant where i would make good tips? help!

You won't make good tips until you learn the job no matter where you are so get any job you can, learn the ropes and then you can work in a good restaurant.

Olive Garden or Applebees can be good places to start.

Good Luck!

First....Don't think about tips! That comes with good service, the customer, and the restaurant. I'd advise that you apply at some well known or brand name restaurants first. Don't worry about lookin them up in the help wanted ads. Just go in, and show them who you are. It's a new age, and most companies, no matter the field, are more interested in the personality of the employee than their experiences.

And don't just go in and ask for a application. Ask for the manager, and let him or her know that you're looking for a job to pay your way through college. Be confidant, and enthusiastic.

Get to know the owner personally, and take a course that qualifies you to be there.

Most restaurants require you to start as a host or hostess before you can be promoted to server if you have no prior experience. You can try starting there. They do not make as much money but since the hours are flexible you can work two jobs.

I would not bother with Craig's list or anything like that you have to go there get the application and when you have filled it out then give it directly to the manager between 2-4 pm mon thru thurs. is preferable. If you can sound confident or like you have experience that is all you need a good place sometimes wont move you up from a host position at all learn what questions you need to know (I can probably help with that) then its all about how confident you can act. They usually will train you anyways so don't worry. Expensive is always better so a steakhouse or seafood place would be an ideal place to work also if there are only kids working as servers you will know that you probably wont make a lot of money there. You have to keep calling persistence is the key to getting hired.

apply. you probably won't be hired for a server position, but show interest. take what is offered. maybe you'll be able to work your way up.