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

Due to the increasing use of technology in our daily lives, the demand for professionals with technology-related skills has risen significantly. This has caused a spike in the number of students enrolling in technology-focused courses and degrees, leading to an increase in the number of graduates with tech-related qualifications. As a result, businesses are now able to access a wide range of highly skilled individuals with up-to-date knowledge of the latest technologies and trends in the industry, enabling them to stay ahead of their competitors and remain competitive. Consequently, this has led to an improvement in the quality of products and services being offered, enhancing customer satisfaction and increasing profitability.

Steps How to Become

1. Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. Most employers require a high school diploma or GED to become a waiter.
2. Get On-the-Job Training. Many restaurants offer on-the-job training for waiters. This is the best way to learn the basics and get a feel for the job.
3. Obtain Food Handler’s Certification. In some states, it is mandatory for waiters to obtain food handler’s certification in order to serve food safely.
4. Get Job Experience. Most employers prefer to hire waiters with at least some job experience. Working as a busboy or host at a restaurant is a great way to get started.
5. Develop Your People Skills. Being a successful waiter requires excellent people skills. You should be friendly, courteous, and attentive to your customers’ needs.
6. Continue Your Education. Many restaurants offer waitstaff classes that teach new techniques and skills. Taking advantage of these classes can help you become a better waiter.

The key to becoming a skilled and efficient waiter is to have a good understanding of the restaurant's menu, a positive attitude, and excellent customer service skills. Knowing the menu will help the waiter provide accurate information to customers and quickly take orders. Having a positive attitude will help to create a pleasant dining experience for customers and also help to create a good working relationship with other staff members.

Finally, having excellent customer service skills will ensure that customers are provided with a positive and satisfactory experience. Good customer service skills include being attentive, friendly, and offering suggestions based on customer preferences. By having these three qualities, a waiter can become skilled and efficient, resulting in an enjoyable dining experience for the customers.

You may want to check Room Service Attendant, Room Service Waiter, and Banquet Waiter for alternative.

Job Description

1. Food Server/Waiter: Responsible for taking orders, serving food and drinks, and providing excellent customer service to restaurant patrons.
2. Busser: Responsible for setting tables, cleaning tables, stocking supplies, and assisting servers as needed.
3. Host/Hostess: Responsible for greeting guests, taking reservations, seating customers, and answering incoming calls.
4. Bartender: Responsible for mixing and serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, stocking bar supplies, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
5. Barista: Responsible for preparing coffee beverages and other drinks, updating menus, and providing excellent customer service.
6. Food Runner: Responsible for delivering food from the kitchen to the dining room in a timely manner, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
7. Dishwasher: Responsible for washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, and ensuring all kitchen equipment is properly stored.
8. Kitchen Prep: Responsible for preparing ingredients and food items according to recipes, and helping to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen.

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Excellent customer service skills
2. Ability to take orders accurately
3. Knowledge of food and beverage items
4. Ability to multitask
5. Strong communication and interpersonal skills
6. Knowledge of proper food handling and safety procedures
7. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
8. Knowledge of cash-handling procedures
9. Ability to work as part of a team
10. Flexibility to work various shifts

Having the right skillset is essential for success as a waiter. Being able to effectively communicate is the most important skill a waiter must possess. Good communication skills help to create a positive experience for customers, builds customer loyalty, and increases tips.

It also helps in developing good relationships with customers and other staff members in the restaurant. having a good knowledge of food and beverage selections is necessary as well. Knowledge of ingredients, preparation techniques, and allergens help to ensure that customers have a safe and enjoyable dining experience.

Finally, having excellent organizational skills and being able to multitask are also essential for waiters, as they are often tasked with multiple duties at the same time. All these factors combined create an effective waiter who is valued by customers and the restaurant alike.

Assistant Waiter, Buffet Attendant, and Food Server are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

• What experience do you have in the food service industry?
• How would you handle a customer who is not satisfied with the service they received?
• What is your biggest strength as a waiter?
• How do you handle stressful situations while on the job?
• How do you ensure that customers receive prompt and courteous service?
• How do you handle customers who are unhappy with their food?
• What safety and sanitation measures do you take when handling food?
• Describe a time when you successfully worked with a difficult customer.
• How do you handle large groups of customers?
• What is your approach to multitasking while serving customers?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Cash Register. Tracks and records sales transactions, (eg: Square Register)
2. Point of Sale (POS). Processes orders and payments, (eg: Clover POS)
3. Credit Card Reader. Accepts payments from credit cards, (eg: Square Card Reader)
4. Inventory Management System. Tracks and stores inventory information, (eg: Lightspeed Inventory)
5. Barcode Scanner. Reads and collects barcodes, (eg: Honeywell Voyager)
6. Kitchen Display System. Displays orders to kitchen staff, (eg: Toast Kitchen Display System)
7. Digital Menu Board. Displays digital menus, (eg: Samsung Smart Signage)
8. Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Manages customer information, (eg: Salesforce CRM)
9. Waiter Pager System. Notifies waitstaff when orders are ready, (eg: SureCall Pager System)
10. Table Management System. Manages table information, (eg: Resy Table Management System)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. Institute of Food Technologists
2. American Society of Safety Professionals
3. International Association of Administrative Professionals
4. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
5. International Association of Business Communicators
6. National Association of Professional Organizers
7. American Society of Interior Designers
8. Project Management Institute
9. National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
10. National Association of Legal Assistants

We also have Wine Steward, Bar Waiter, and Cafeteria Worker jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

1. Table Service. A form of restaurant service where servers take orders, deliver food and drinks, and provide other services to customers at tables.
2. Tray Service. A form of restaurant service in which meals are presented on a tray to customers.
3. Busboy. An employee in a restaurant who clears tables, refills condiments, washes dishes, and performs other duties related to the upkeep and sanitization of the dining area.
4. Maitre d'. A professional in charge of managing the front-of-house operations of a restaurant. They handle customer relations and direct the waitstaff.
5. Host/Hostess. An employee who greets customers and assigns them to tables or other areas of the restaurant.
6. Banquet Server. An employee who serves food and drinks to guests during special events or banquets.
7. Bartender. An employee who prepares and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to customers.
8. Barista. An employee who prepares and serves coffee-based drinks such as espresso and cappuccino.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average hourly wage of a Waiter?

The average hourly wage of a Waiter is $11.45.

How many hours do Waiters typically work per week?

Waiters typically work 25-35 hours per week.

What are the primary duties of a Waiter?

The primary duties of a Waiter include taking orders, serving food and drinks, and providing excellent customer service.

What qualifications are required to be a Waiter?

To be a Waiter, one must have a high school diploma or GED and some restaurant experience.

What type of environment do Waiters typically work in?

Waiters typically work in restaurant environments, providing services to customers in a casual or formal atmosphere.

What are jobs related with Waiter?

• Counter Attendant
• Lead Server
• Catering Waitstaff
• Greeters
• Line Cook
• Busboy
• Bartender
• Food Service Supervisor
• Snack Bar Attendant
• Grill Cook

Web Resources

• Waiter | Community College of Philadelphia - ccp.edu www.ccp.edu
• Waiter | The Art Institute of Chicago - artic.edu www.artic.edu
• Waiters and Waitresses | Irvine Valley College - ivc.edu www.ivc.edu