A hostess/server greets customers, takes reservations, and serves food in a dining establishment. The position requires certain professional skills and personality traits, and a minimal amount of formal education. Previous experience in sales or customer service is often helpful. The standard procedure for becoming a hostess/server is to apply in person, fill out a job application, and complete an interview with the owner or manager. Once hired, on-the-job training typically includes customer service skills, food safety and handling, and training in issues such as food allergies.
A hostess/server typically refers to someone who serves food in a dining establishment, as well as being available to greet customers and answer the phone. The position requires certain professional skills and personality traits, a minimal amount of formal education and the ability to learn on the job. Having previous experience in sales or customer service is also often helpful. Someone with these qualifications can typically become a hostess/server when successfully applying for an open position.
Someone can fill both hostess and server roles when a restaurant is busy or has a small staff. Full-service restaurants, however, tend to separate positions. A hostess/server’s work hours are often somewhat flexible and often require little, if any, formal education; a high school is enough. For many people, this is their first job and they gain most of their experience through on-the-job training.
Typical hostess duties are greeting customers, showing them to their seats, and providing them with menus; therefore, being friendly and outgoing is an important skill. A hostess may also take reservations in person or over the phone and may need to place customers on a waitlist when necessary and show them alternate seats while they wait for their tables. In many cases, she also performs cashier duties, so basic math skills are important.
Often, a server’s specific duties include serving customers during meal times, explaining the menu and specials, and answering customers’ questions about food preparation. Typically, she should be able to explain the ingredients, noting food safety concerns and potential allergies. If you want to become a hostess/server, you must be able to serve food and drinks in a timely and organized manner, checking in with customers during their meal to ensure their satisfaction and resolve any issues.
There are several ways to apply to become a hostess/server. Available jobs are usually advertised by the restaurant via “Help Wanted” signs or in classified ads in local print and online publications. Some restaurants advertise by word of mouth. The standard procedure for becoming a hostess/server is to apply in person, fill out a job application, and complete an interview with the owner or manager.
Certain personality traits can help someone become a hostess/server. A good memory and organizational skills are important as is being well spoken and polite when dealing with the public. Some restaurants have employees who speak multiple languages, in order to communicate with employees and customers from diverse cultural backgrounds, being multilingual helps you land a job.
Once you become a hostess/server, your on-the-job training typically includes customer service skills, food safety and handling, and training in issues such as food allergies. You may take on administrative tasks, such as processing payments, which may require learning to use computerized cash registers. Some hostess servers participate in classroom training, which may cover more advanced topics related to working in a full-service restaurant.
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