What does a Waiter do?
Depending on the restaurant, a Waiter awaits customers at the door and escorts them to their seats. They give the customers the menu, introduce them to the seasonal specials and answer any questions about the menu. The Waiter passes on the customer’s selections to the kitchen staff, then delivers the orders once it is prepared. Often, Waiters also process payments from customers in cash or credit.
Most Waiters work in shifts depending on the restaurant’s operating and rush hours.
Waiter skills and qualifications
At times Waiters may be required to wait for customers and welcome them into the restaurant from outside. They therefore need to have good stamina, physical strength and determination to work for an entire shift. They often need to work quickly under fast-paced demands and remain well-mannered and polite. A waiter needs to have perseverance, patience and communication. A successful Waiter candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications, they include:
- Great communication skills both verbal and written
- Attention to details and the ability to work fast under pressure
- Honesty and ability to handle transactions in a trustworthy manner
- being over the age of 18 and having familiarity with local alcohol restrictions and laws
- Great stamina, physical strength and endurance
- Excellent customer service skills
Waiter experience requirements
Waiters should have experience working with cash registers and credit card payment processors. They should also show previous experience working as a server in a restaurant, cafe or hotel. Those who worked in the kitchen or in other roles such as cleaners may also be considered. However, they should also have experience working in a customer-oriented business.
Waiter education and training requirements
Typically, there are no education requirements for Waiters. Students with a diploma from a higher education institution may qualify, but graduates with previous working experience in the kitchen are preferred. They should also be licensed and have certifications from local health departments and alcoholic beverage commission institutes.
Waiter salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Waiter is £9.23 per hour. However, this can vary depending on factors like experience, education, location and company.
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