How to Be Restaurant Hostess Cashier - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 22, 2021 / 4 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The restaurant hostess and cashier are often the first people customers interact with when they enter a restaurant. As such, these individuals play an important role in the customer experience by creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere. They are responsible for greeting customers, seating them, and taking orders.

they must manage the cash register and ensure accurate payments. If these duties are not handled correctly, it can lead to unhappy customers, decreased profits, and even the closure of the restaurant. Therefore, it is essential that the hostess and cashier are knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient to ensure a positive customer experience and the success of the restaurant.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. Most employers require a high school diploma or GED for a restaurant hostess cashier position.
Obtain Necessary Certifications. Depending on the restaurant, a hostess cashier may be required to have a food handlers certification and/or a Responsible Alcohol Service certification.
Get Familiar With the Restaurants Point of Sale (POS) System. Most restaurants use POS systems to track orders and payments. Familiarizing yourself with the system will help you become a more efficient hostess cashier.
Prepare a Résumé. Submit a résumé that highlights your customer service skills and previous experience. Make sure to include any certifications you may have.
Attend an Interview. During the interview, focus on your customer service skills and showcase your knowledge of the restaurant's POS system.
Complete On-the-Job Training. After you are hired, you will likely be required to complete on-the-job training with a more experienced hostess cashier. During this time, you will learn how to operate the POS system, handle payments, and manage customer relations.

As a restaurant hostess or cashier, reliability and competence are key elements to ensure a successful job performance. This is because customers expect a high level of service and speedy responses, when they interact with the staff. By being dependable and knowledgeable, it makes the customer experience more enjoyable and efficient.

Furthermore, if the hostess or cashier is reliable and competent, it can lead to increased customer loyalty, as well as greater likelihood of customer referrals. this can lead to higher sales and profits for the restaurant.

You may want to check Restaurant Delivery Person, Restaurant Dishwasher, and Restaurant Cashier for alternative.

Job Description

Greet customers and provide seating arrangements
Answer phone calls and take reservations
Assist servers and bussers as needed
Manage the flow of customers in the restaurant
Assist in maintaining a clean and organized work environment
Count and balance cash register at the end of each shift
Take payments and provide change
Follow company guidelines on customer service
Monitor customer complaints and take appropriate action
Process take-out orders

Skills and Competencies to Have

Friendly and Professional Demeanor
Excellent Communication Skills
Ability to Multi-task
Attention to Detail
Cash Handling Experience
Knowledge of Restaurant Menu
Basic Computer Skills
Ability to Follow Instructions
Excellent Problem-Solving Skills
Conflict Resolution Skills
Ability to Work Flexible Hours
Ability to Work in a Fast-Paced Environment

Having a strong customer service skill set is one of the most important skills for a restaurant hostess/cashier to possess. The ability to engage with customers in a friendly and welcoming manner is an essential part of this job and can have a significant impact on customer satisfaction. Good customer service skills can lead to increased sales and higher customer loyalty, resulting in more business and higher profits.

having strong communication skills allows the hostess/cashier to effectively answer customer questions, offer assistance, and resolve conflicts, which can improve customer experience. A restaurant hostess/cashier must also have the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and remain organized in order to successfully complete tasks and serve customers in a timely manner. With these skills, a restaurant hostess/cashier can contribute to the overall success of the restaurant.

Restaurant Food Preparer, Restaurant Assistant Cook, and Restaurant Bar Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in the restaurant industry?
What do you think makes a great host/hostess?
How do you handle difficult customers?
What can you do to ensure that guests have an enjoyable experience?
Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer.
How do you prioritize tasks when busy?
How do you handle cash handling and credit card transactions?
What type of computer skills do you have?
What do you know about the menu items and specials?
How do you handle customer complaints or requests?

Common Tools in Industry

Point-of-Sale (POS) System. This is a computerized system used to record sales and process payments. (eg: Square POS)
Cash Drawer. This is a secure storage box for storing cash in the restaurant. (eg: Cashmaster Cash Drawer)
Credit Card Reader. This is a device used to scan and process credit cards. (eg: Ingenico iCT220)
Customer Management Software. This is software used to store customer information and track orders. (eg: Upserve POS)
Reservation System. This is a system used to store and manage reservations at the restaurant. (eg: OpenTable)
Restaurant Management Software. This is software used to manage all aspects of the restaurant, including inventory, staff scheduling, and customer relations. (eg: Toast POS)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Restaurant Association
National Council of Chain Restaurants
International Foodservice Distributors Association
International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
American Hotel & Lodging Association
National Association of Hotel & Lodging Executives
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
American Culinary Federation
National Association of College and University Food Services
Institute of Food Service Management

We also have Restaurant Janitorial Staff, Restaurant Cook, and Restaurant Assistant Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Greeter. Someone who greets customers at the beginning of their visit to the restaurant.
Server. An employee who takes and serves orders to customers in a restaurant setting.
Busser. An employee who clears tables, refills drinks, and maintains the cleanliness of the restaurant.
Food Runner. An employee who delivers food from the kitchen to the table.
Expediter. A person who coordinates the timing of food orders between the kitchen and the customer.
Cashier. An employee who operates a cash register to process payments for customers.
Bartender. An employee who mixes and serves alcoholic drinks to customers.
Line Cook. An employee who prepares and cooks food orders according to recipes.
Prep Cook. An employee who prepares ingredients and food ahead of time for Line Cooks to cook.
Dishwasher. An employee responsible for washing dishes, utensils, and other kitchen items.

Frequently Asked Questions

What responsibilities do Restaurant Hostesses have?

Restaurant Hostesses typically greet and seat guests, answer phones, take reservations, manage waitlists, and provide general customer service.

What do Restaurant Cashiers do?

Restaurant Cashiers process payments, handle transactions, manage customer orders, provide change and receipts, and balance cash drawers.

Is a Restaurant Hostess the same as a Server?

No, Restaurant Hostesses and Servers are two different roles. Hostesses greet and seat guests, while servers take orders and deliver food and drinks to customers.