TO HOOT OR NOT TO HOOT?

My work involves helping people find jobs. I think I'm pretty good at it, but every once in a while, I get asked a question that I'm not quite sure how to answer. That's when I call my employer friends for advice.

A woman who wants to enter the education field has been working at Hooter's as a server.  Quickly, what came into your mind when I said, "Hooter's"? If you're like me, I saw a blonde bimbo with voluptous breasts straining to break out of a skintight T-shirt. Nice marketing job by Hooter's but not exactly the woman you'd want to be teaching your 2nd grader, right?

I know my biases so I decided to phone a friend. After speaking with a principal from an elementary school  and a representative from the financial services industry, I’ve summarized their thoughts on whether or not to list Hooter’s as a place of employment.

Female Principal

She definitely likes to know that people are working while going to school but felt that Hooter’s on a teaching resume would not serve in her best interests.  The principal didn’t want to prejudge but most females have a negative perception of Hooter’s and since the vast majority of school administrators are female, it’s not a good idea to put it on.  She suggested highlighting educational experience and any volunteer work.  Or, the woman could simply put server at a downtown restaurant and leave off the name.

Male Financial Representative
 Working at Hooter’s would not make or break an interview situation for him.  He said that it takes a lot of self confidece and demonstrates that a woman can handle herself well in most situations.  It takes a certain personality to work at Hooter’s which would fit well with his industry.  In the final analysis, he said that since so many people have negative connotations about the restaurant, it might be better to not list by name. Opinions will vary based on the industry.

Now you can be the judge. To hoot or not to hoot? It all depends.