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What does a Waiter do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A waiter is a person who serves food and drinks to customers in a restaurant.

Waiter job duties include:

  • Greet customers as they arrive and seat them at their tables
  • Give customers menus and take their drink orders
  • Answer questions about menu items and make recommendations
  • Take food orders and relay them to the kitchen staff
  • Serve food to customers when it is ready
  • Check on customers periodically to ensure they are satisfied with their meals
  • Refill drinks as needed and clear away finished plates
  • Handle customer complaints in a professional manner
  • Thank customers as they leave and invite them to return

Waiter Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for a waiter, but most employers prefer candidates with at least a high school diploma. Certification is not required, but completing a food safety course can give job seekers an edge over the competition. Waiters typically have at least one year of experience working in a restaurant.

Waiter Skills

  • Greeting customers
  • Taking orders
  • Serving food
  • Clearing tables
  • Making coffee and other drinks
  • Preparing food
  • Cleaning
  • Restocking supplies
  • Dealing with customer complaints
  • Working as part of a team
  • Multi-tasking

Related: Top Waiter Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Waiter

The first step to becoming a waiter is to find a job at a restaurant. Once you have a job, you will need to learn the basics of being a waiter. This includes learning how to take orders, how to serve food and drinks, and how to handle payments. You will also need to learn about the different types of menus and how to recommend dishes to customers.

In addition to the basics, it is also important to learn how to deal with difficult customers. This can be challenging at times, but it is important to remember that the customer is always right. You will also need to be able to work well under pressure and keep a positive attitude even when things get busy.

If you are interested in becoming a waiter, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of success. First, it is helpful to have some experience working in customer service. This will give you an understanding of what it takes to deal with customers on a daily basis. Additionally, it is also beneficial to have some knowledge of the food industry. This can be gained through working in a kitchen or by taking classes at a culinary school.

With the right attitude and some hard work, anyone can become a successful waiter. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success and make your transition into this career smoother.

Related: Waiter Resume Example

Related: Waiter Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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