You don't know how BLISSFUL I would be if I could get a job at a bakery
so that I can quit my job at the office.
Pursuing my passion, practicing my talents, utilizing my creative skills....not leaving them to waste away in a gray building answering phone calls.
I have no idea how to go about applying for positions in this industry though.
I don't think a resume would be beneficial because I have no offical job experience with anything bakery-related (it's all office work) . I have my photo's of my work and my certificates of completion for my Wilton classes, that's about all of the hard evidence that I know how to decorate a cake.
Do I just show up at the local bakeries with my portfolio????
What do bakery job's pay?
While ANYTHING is better than office work, I would really rather land a job at a bakery that does custom cakes and allows me to learn and express myself creatively....not like Walmart or something that makes below-par, identical cakes in a assembly line fashion.
Is being a Wilton Instructor at Michaels good paying?
Thanks!
You could try catering companies, too. In addition, try your local community college. Many are looking for people willing to teach courses on such things as cake decorating. You could tailor the course to accentuate your strong points and interests.
As for applying, go in and introduce yourself. I once e-mailed a local restaurant that does catering as well, asking what qualifications they look for in a cookie & cake decorator. The owner e-mailed back asking if I was looking for a job, and to come in and they'd have me do an on-site assessment. The timing wasn't good, so I declined, but it helps to know a head of time that they'd want a demonstration of skills. Offer to do one at a bakery you have your eye on.
Good luck! I'm all for ditching the day job and decorating instead. Unfortunately for me, my day job pays too well, and my husband would freak if I told him I was taking a significant pay cut to follow my dream!
I have the same ordeal as you do...there are 2 places that are hiring cake decorators...one is an independent cafe (not chain) the other is Sam's club...the pay for both are equivalent starting at around $10. The cafe wants someone w/ 2 years experience (which I don't have...but they offer Sundays off...which I love) then Sam's club...really doesn't matter what your length of experience is...but can't promise what days off.
Even though you want to show your creative skill and do your thing...maybe check a place like Sam's club...I would figure if the pay is good enough...go for it (and from what I understand b/c cake decorating is a skill -your pay could be up to $15/hour - not sure if that's based upon geographic location though)
As far as pay goes, it will depend very much on your location and type of business you are applying in. A chain supermarket like Wal-Mart may pay as little as minimum wage or as much as a high end bakery if they are desperate enough and you can demonstrate you have the skills they need. The chains are going to want a lot of hours, very mundane assembly line cakes and holidays, weekends, etc. Not to say it's not a good starting point for you if you don't have a lot of experience. A higher end bakery is going to want someone they don't have to spend a lot of time or money on training, but should pay quite a bit more for that experience. Take a small portfolio of your very best work and offer to demonstrate your skills for them by decorating a cake at their convenience. The most important thing you can do is be confident, don't ever apologize for what you don't know, just be willing to learn and excel at what you do know!
-Lori
I just recently took a part time job at a friends bakery. I am doing the bookkeeping most of the time (this is a big part of what I did in my last job) and get to do an occasional cake if he is overwhelmed or has one he doesn't want to do.
Only been there 3 weeks but it's going well and having fun. : )
I do have to add a story though. At my last job...there was this young girl that we tried to promote to supervisor. It wasn't working out and the director let her know that it just wasn't working out. (but she wasn't fired, just wasn't going to be the supervisor) She isntead took a job as a police dispatcher and gave notice but quit the next day not finishing out her notice with us. I think she said they needed her to start right away.
She hated being a 911 police dispatcher and wanted to come back. We told her ok. She worked a little longer. Then she said she wanted to be a baker. Next day she managed to get a job at a bakery right away. She said they told her she needed to start the next day so no notice again.
She started her job the next day, had to get up at 4am to go to the bakery. Worked until about 11am with no break...
all of a sudden about noon she shows up with lots of baked goods to hand out to us. I asked her how her first day went, she said she quit! She walked out without even saying goodbye I quit. She said it was hot, you had to stand all day and carry heavy trays and she didn't get a break.
I didn't offer her job back and she was smart enough not to ask, LOL. And we found out later, no they didn't need her to start right away, she just told them she would.
I know this was an old post of mine but just wanted to give you all an update....
I quit my office job and got hired at Publix as a cake decorator 
I start October 6 and I'm so excited.
And the pay is good too, $12.50 an hour : )
Congrats! I'll be starting at a grocery store October 1st for $11 an hour which is pretty high around here for just starting. The thing is I'm the ONLY cake decorator at the store so I'm in charge of it all 
I can't wait! I also haven't worked for a year and a half so it'll be weird to go back!
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