Wherever in the world, you may be, restaurant servers or those in the waiter career path are among some of the most essential members of the workforce.
The demand for well-trained hospitality staff is crucial to providing quality experience. Expected to be multitaskers, waiters are crucial to the operations of the restaurant business, as they are required to play host, take orders, man the register, serve food, and cater to all sorts of customer requests and complaints with every shift.
Embarking on a waiter career path may not sound like the most glamorous, but it can open up a bevy of opportunities. Over time, you can even go from bussing tables to leading your own restaurant operations.
Here’s what you need to know about this industry.
What does a waiter do?
Primarily the customer service representative for food establishments, a waiter usually takes on various tasks that may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Hosting and welcoming customers, finding tables and seats for them, and monitoring the table rotation
- Serving customers, presenting the menu and explaining the food and beverage options
- Bussing tables, taking orders and communicating with the cashier and the kitchen staff
- Facilitating payments for orders through POS systems
- Addressing customer concerns or complaints about the food or service
- Accepting orders or reservations by phone or text
- Washing dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment as needed
- Assisting the kitchen staff in food preparation
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Career path of a waiter
Junior Level (1-3 years of experience)
- Waiter / Waitress
- Dishwasher
- Host / Hostess
- Bartender
- Head waiter
- Prep cook or kitchen assistant
Mid Level (4-8 years of experience)
- Assistant restaurant manager
- Restaurant manager
- Sous chef
- Executive chef
Senior level (8 years of experience or more)
- Assistant general manager
- General manager
Required skills
- Customer service skills: As you are serving customers face to face, you need to be good at catering to other people’s needs and addressing their concerns patiently and respectfully.
- Effective communication: Being able to communicate and relay important information, including orders, special requests, and complaints, is crucial.
- Basic math skills: This allows you to accurately process sale transactions.
- Administration knowledge: This ensures the smooth running of F&B operations and quality management. Being proficient in Microsoft Office suite is a plus.
- Food safety: This demonstrates your knowledge of safe food handling to ensure the customer’s health and well-being.
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems: Basic technical knowledge in operating POS systems to process restaurant transactions is essential.
- Teamwork: You need to be able to work and interact well with others, including other staff in the establishment.
- Multitasking skills: F&B can be extremely fast-paced and demanding, so being able to juggle different tasks while ensuring quality performance is key.
- Patience: This skill involves giving each and every customer the same level and attention and staying calm when issues arise.
Opportunities for continuous education
There are no educational requirements for waitering. But as many restaurants offer part-time arrangements for wait staff, you can pursue further studies while being employed.
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in F&B or hospitality can fast-track your career to land a managerial or a chef role. There are also a variety of training and certification courses to give your career a boost up the ranks.
Here are some available WSQ (Workforce Skills Qualifications) courses to consider:
- WSQ Certificate in Food Services (Culinary Arts): Offers basic skills in food handling, storage, and preparation.
- WSQ Basic Food Hygiene Course: Addresses the basics of food safety and hygiene for food handling.
- WSQ Specialist Diploma in Food Services (Food and Beverage Service): Provides advanced management knowledge and technical skills in the F&B and hospitality industry.
This article is contributed by Jobstreet by Seek.
