Waiters and Waitresses :: Job Description

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Waiters and Waitresses

Careers / Waiters and Waitresses

Summary Description


	Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Banquet Captain

2.	Banquet Server

3.	Banquet Waiter/Waitress

4.	Bar Waiter/Waitress

5.	Bartender

6.	Buffet Waiter/Waitress

7.	Captain Waiter

8.	Car Hop

9.	Cashier and Waiter/Waitress

10.	Club Waiter/Waitress

11.	Cocktail Server

12.	Cocktail Waitress

13.	Deck Steward

14.	Dining Car Server

15.	Dining Car Waiter/Waitress

16.	Dining Room Captain

17.	Food and Beverage Server

18.	Food Expeditor

19.	Food Runner

20.	Food Server

21.	Formal Waiter/Waitress

22.	Head Banquet Waiter/Waitress

23.	Headwaiter

24.	Headwaitress

25.	Hostess

26.	Informal Waiter/Waitress

27.	Mess Attendant

28.	Restaurant Server

29.	Room Service Server

30.	Room Service Waiter

31.	Server

32.	Singing Waiter or Waitress

33.	Sommelier

34.	Waiter

35.	Waiter and Cashier

36.	Waitress

37.	Waitstaff

38.	Waitstaff Captain

39.	Wine Steward

40.	Wine Steward/Stewardess

Job Tasks

	Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems. Communicate with customers to resolve complaints or ensure satisfaction.

	Collect payments from customers. Process customer bills or payments.

	Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff. Communicate dining or order details to kitchen personnel. Take customer orders.

	Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes. Process customer bills or payments.

	Take orders from patrons for food or beverages. Take customer orders.

	Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages. Enforce rules or regulations.

	Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required. Serve food or beverages. Cook foods.

	Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request. Present food or beverage information or menus to customers.

	Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining. Clean food service areas.

	Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine. Prepare hot or cold beverages.

	Roll silverware, set up food stations or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties. Arrange tables or dining areas.

	Inform customers of daily specials. Present food or beverage information or menus to customers.

	Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens. Stock serving stations or dining areas with food or supplies.

	Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware. Arrange tables or dining areas.

	Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods. Present food or beverage information or menus to customers.

	Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, take them to kitchen for cleaning. Collect dirty dishes or other tableware.

	Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests. Schedule dining reservations. Assist customers with seating arrangements.

	Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom. Clean food preparation areas, facilities, or equipment.

	Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers. Serve food or beverages.

	Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee. Prepare foods for cooking or serving. Prepare hot or cold beverages.

	Escort customers to their tables. Assist customers with seating arrangements.

	Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving. Add garnishes to food.

	Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers. Stock serving stations or dining areas with food or supplies.

	Describe and recommend wines to customers. Present food or beverage information or menus to customers.

	Provide guests with information about local areas, including giving directions. Provide customers with general information or assistance.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Waiters and Waitresses
	Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Waiters and Waitresses
	Waiters and waitresses work in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other food-serving and drinking establishments. Work schedules include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. About 1 in 2 worked part time in 2014. During busy hours, they may be under pressure to serve customers quickly and efficiently.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

British translations of American professions: lorry driver = truck driver; joiner = carpenter; sparky = electrician; lift repairman = elevator repairman.

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