How to Be Assistant Waiter - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 12, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The rise in technology has caused a significant decrease in the need for waitstaff in restaurants. As technology has become more advanced, restaurants are now able to provide customers with self-serve kiosks and online ordering systems, which minimize the need for human interaction and human labor. This decrease in human labor has resulted in fewer opportunities for waitstaff, leading to fewer jobs available in the restaurant industry. Additionally, with fewer people working as waitstaff, customer service and satisfaction may suffer, as customers may not receive the same level of service they would have received if there were still a strong focus on providing personalized service.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent. Most employers require an applicant to have a high school diploma or equivalent in order to become an assistant waiter. Many employers may also require applicants to have some postsecondary education, such as culinary arts training, but this is not always necessary.
Develop Skills and Knowledge. A successful assistant waiter should be knowledgeable about food and beverage menu items and have excellent customer service skills. He or she must be able to take orders accurately, multitask, and problem solve.
Obtain Certification. While certification is not always required, it can be beneficial. Obtaining a Certified Food Service Professional (CFSP) certification can demonstrate a working knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.
Get Experience. Many establishments prefer to hire assistant waiters with experience in the food service industry. Obtaining a position as a busboy, dishwasher, or even a host can be a great way to gain experience and make connections.
Submit an Application. After obtaining the necessary qualifications, applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to potential employers. It is important to highlight skills and experience that demonstrate expertise in the field.
Participate in an Interview. If an employer is interested in hiring an assistant waiter, they will likely request an interview. During the interview process, applicants should express enthusiasm and show their knowledge of the job and the restaurants menu items.

A successful waiter needs to be highly organized and efficient. They must possess excellent communication skills and be able to multi-task quickly and effectively. they should have a strong knowledge of the menu, food and beverage preparation, and presentation.

Furthermore, they should be able to stay calm under pressure, handle stress well, and remain focused even when dealing with difficult customers. Having a friendly and outgoing personality is also important, as it helps build positive relationships with customers, as well as with other staff members. Finally, an assistant waiter should have impeccable personal hygiene and a professional appearance.

All of these qualities combined make an ideal and qualified assistant waiter.

You may want to check Line Server, Restaurant Host, and Breakfast Server for alternative.

Job Description

Greet customers and take orders in a polite and professional manner.
Serve food and drinks to guests, ensuring a high level of customer service.
Clear tables and reset for the next guests.
Ensure tables are appropriately set with silverware, plates, and napkins.
Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
Offer refills of drinks and desserts to customers throughout their meal.
Assist with stocktaking and ordering of bar and restaurant supplies.
Clean and maintain the dining area and kitchen area, including dishes, floors, and tables.
Address customer complaints in a polite and timely manner.
Work in tandem with other wait staff to ensure an efficient dining experience.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent customer service skills
Ability to take orders accurately
Ability to multitask
Good communication skills
Knowledge of food and beverage items
Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Ability to handle cash, credit cards, and other payment methods
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to lift and carry trays and other items as needed

Being an assistant waiter requires a variety of skills, such as excellent customer service, the ability to multi-task, and strong communication. Good customer service is essential for any waiter, as it allows guests to feel welcomed and appreciated. The ability to multitask is also necessary for an assistant waiter, as they are often required to serve multiple tables simultaneously.

Strong communication skills are also important, as assistant waiters need to be able to communicate effectively with both customers and kitchen staff to ensure orders are accurate and timely. All these skills combined help assistant waiters to be successful in their role, ultimately leading to a positive dining experience for guests.

Food Server, Cart Attendant, and Silver Service Waiter are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working as an Assistant Waiter?
How would you handle a customer complaint about their meal?
Describe your understanding of customer service and how you strive to meet customer needs.
What strategies do you use to ensure a smooth and efficient dining experience?
How do you handle stressful situations while working as an Assistant Waiter?
What are the most important qualities that a successful Assistant Waiter should possess?
How do you ensure that orders are accurately taken from customers?
How would you handle a customer who is being disruptive to other diners?
What do you do to stay organized when taking orders and delivering food?
How do you ensure that food orders are prepared according to customer preferences?

Common Tools in Industry

Table Management System. This system records and organizes data related to the restaurant tables, such as seating capacity, availability, and customer preferences (e. g. Reservation Master).
Cash Register. A device used to record and process payments made by customers (e. g. Square).
Point of Sale (POS) System. A computerized system that processes orders, tracks inventory, and collects payments from customers (e. g. Shopify).
Inventory Management System. A system to track and manage the restaurants inventory, including ingredients, ingredients stock levels, and ordering (e. g. LightSpeed Restaurant).
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System. A system to store customer information and track customer relationships (e. g. Salesforce).
Scheduling Software. Software used to create and manage employee schedules (e. g. Homebase).
Food Safety Software. Software used to track food safety standards and ensure compliance with health codes (e. g. FoodLogiQ).

Professional Organizations to Know

National Restaurant Association
American Culinary Federation
International Foodservice Executives Association
Foodservice Management Professional Society
Specialty Coffee Association
National Association of Catering Executives
The American Hotel & Lodging Association
The National Association for Catering and Events
Professional Convention Management Association
International Foodservice Editorial Council

We also have Dining Room Manager, Banquet Waiter, and Deli Clerk jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Food Runner. A food runner is a person responsible for delivering food from the kitchen to the customer's table.
Busboy. A busboy is a restaurant employee who sets tables, cleans up spills, and removes used dishes and flatware from the dining area.
Host/Hostess. A host or hostess is a person responsible for greeting customers, answering phone calls, and seating guests at tables.
Waiter/Waitress. A waiter or waitress is a person responsible for taking orders, serving food and beverages, and providing customer service in a restaurant.
Bartender. A bartender is a person responsible for preparing and serving alcoholic beverages in a bar or restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an Assistant Waiter? A1: An Assistant Waiter is a hospitality professional who provides support to the Head Waiter by helping with tasks such as taking orders, setting tables, and serving food to guests. Q2: What skills do I need to be an Assistant Waiter? A2: To be an effective Assistant Waiter, you should have excellent customer service skills, the ability to multitask, strong communication skills, and a good understanding of food service and safety protocols. Q3: How much do Assistant Waiters make? A3: The average salary for an Assistant Waiter is $11.36 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Q4: How many hours do Assistant Waiters typically work? A4: The typical work schedule for an Assistant Waiter is around 40 hours per week, with the majority of shifts being during peak times such as lunch and dinner. Q5: What duties does an Assistant Waiter perform? A5: The primary duties of an Assistant Waiter include taking orders, setting tables, serving food, cleaning up after meals, and ensuring customer satisfaction.