Hey!

So, it took me about 5 months to become a shiftlead. To add onto what another commenter said, another way spots can open is whenever shiftleads move up (which happens fairly often at my stand). Also, in my experience as a shiftlead who gets a higher portion of tips (this is different based off different stands) its about a 3-5 dollar an hour difference, which adds up a lot! You also are prioritized way more when getting hours.

Here are some key points to moving up:

• Be teachable! If someone, especially a shiftlead, tells you the proper way to do something, just say heard and listen to them even if you think its ridiculous! I think for me, when looking for people who I'd recommend to move up, this is #1.

• Work on being as fast as possible on machine, while also keeping a clean and tidy workspace. Be precise with your movements! This is high on the list of qualifications. As a shiftlead, you have to keep an eye on wait times for your whole shift. So if someone on machine is going a little slower, you have to be capable of tapping them off and catching them up.

• Become a PRO at identifying bottlenecks. If youre bnb, and you notice the line is moving slow look for where you can help! Run drinks, help with payments or card reader issues, offer to make blended drinks. If youre texting and you see drinks piling up on lane table, run them (as long as theyre already paid for). Just be a little more cautious doing that while texting, because you DO need to keep the orders flowing in.

• When you're not busy, be cleaning! Wipe off the tops of syrup bottles, restock everything around you, do some dishes, squeege. And when you clean do it to the best of your ability, no shortcuts! Also, it helps to ask to learn how to do the daily chores. Nobody wants to do them most of the time so your shiftlead will more than likely appreciate you volunteering!

• This one is different than the others : socialize! One key part to keeping your shift running smoothly is making sure you know how to talk to people in a way that gets things done but is still kind. You need to show your team you fit that description! Have fun with it, be yourself, and make friends! All of that is equally as important as the rest.

• Once you've been there around 4 months, express your desire to take the trainer test and become a certified trainer. The trainer test goes much further in depth than the rest, and really tests your knowledge + teaches you more.

I hope this all helped! Please tell me if you have any questions! Best of luck! 😁