Working as a waiter in a restaurant typically offers the chance to socialize with new people in a busy setting and leaves you with some money in your pocket when the shift is over. However, it can be difficult to get a job as a waiter if you have no prior experience serving customers at tables. Even without any prior experience, you can find work as a waiter by following a few straightforward tips.
Go to the restaurants to which youd like to apply. Given how fiercely competitive the restaurant industry is, you should take into account at least five restaurants. Try the food, and share your dining experiences with your waiter. Pay attention to how theyre waiting your table. Ask them a few pertinent questions about their experience working at the establishment, but be careful not to pester them excessively as they have other customers. If they appear open to it, you could even exchange phone numbers or email addresses. Once again, only if they appear receptive to speaking with you can you ask them further questions.
Before the restaurant’s busiest times, such as the summer and holidays, submit an application During these times, restaurants frequently find themselves short-staffed and are more likely to hire you. Timing is everything. Plan to visit the restaurant after their lunch shift and before their pre-dinner setup so it is less crowded and you have a better chance of speaking with the general manager face to face.
Go to the restaurant looking your best. Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes are ironed, and that you’ve cleaned your hair and, if necessary, shaved. Ask a host or hostess to put you in touch with the general manager as you enter with a smile. Ask if there is another time you can speak with the manager in person if he isn’t available. Restaurants keep enormous files of applications that customers leave behind, but they rarely read them. Its vital to get face-to-face time with the general manager.
Shake the general manager’s hand firmly and state your intentions while looking him in the eye. You could even say that you discussed the restaurant with a waiter there who works there before. Mention this if the waiter was complimentary of the restaurant. Since you and the waiter are both complimenting the restaurant, it makes both of you look good. Ask to fill out an application. Do so carefully, and take your time. When finished, give it and your resume directly to the general manager. If he has the time to interview you, smile and be honest with him. If he is busy, inquire as to when you can return. Always follow up, but never pester him.
Be friendly to everyone; if even one person doesn’t like you right away, they’ll eventually let the general manager know about it. Make sure to be humble, to smile, and be polite. This rule applies to everyone working in the restaurant, but especially to the general manager. Make everyone want you to work there, and you will eventually be hired as a waiter.
Practice balancing dishes and glasses at home. Walk across your room while holding a tray and balancing several glasses and plates. Make sure you feel comfortable carrying a lot of food and drink through a crowded restaurant because it’s essential. To avoid appearing inexperienced when you arrive at the restaurant, practice opening wine bottles with a waiter’s wine key as well.
Emily Bennett has been acting and publishing articles since 1999. She specializes in public speaking, accents, poetry, and theatre. Her writing has appeared online at The “RADA Literary Magazine” and Notes on the Road. ” She holds a B. A. has coached actors and professionals across the U.S. since receiving a B.A. in acting from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. S. and England.
How to get a server job
There are some steps to take in order to obtain employment as a server even though there is no formal education requirement. To increase your chances of landing the job, you might need to study some prerequisites, skills, and safety measures. You can get ready for a job as a server in the food industry by taking the following actions:
1. Get a high school diploma
No education is needed to become a server. But before applying to work as a server, some restaurants demand that applicants have at least a high school diploma. Consider finding out which restaurants in your area don’t require servers to have a high school diploma if you don’t have one.
2. Plan restaurant visits
If you’re planning to apply for a position as a server, you might want to visit the restaurants first. Make sure to check out several restaurants in case your first choice is closed. The food industry, however expanding, is also competitive. Determine how far you want to commute and whether it will fit into your current schedule by doing some research.
Once you’ve decided, go to each restaurant individually to experience the various operating hours. Keep an eye on the environment, how people behave, how the manager treats the servers, and how your server treats you. During your visits, think about the following inquiries to help you choose the ideal restaurant:
If the servers you speak with are okay with it, request their phone number or email so you can talk more about the restaurant you want to work at. To respect their privacy, you might want to ask straightforward questions that are simple to respond to. Remember that they will be your coworkers if you are hired as a server at the restaurant you are talking about. It’s time to start your application after deciding which restaurants to apply to.
3. Build a resume
Your resume itself is one of the key elements that determines whether you can get a job as a server if you have no prior serving experience. It may be crucial to highlight any prior experience you have in various entry-level fields on your resume and in your manager interview.
Hobbies and achievements from any type of education you’ve had can help you stand out from other candidates for serving positions. Any type of college degree or college course history can also help you increase your chances of being hired for a serving job, though neither is necessary. You can add the following examples of skills to your resume:
When applying for a serving position, any experience in the customer service industry can be helpful. Employers value servers who are outgoing, proactive, and genuinely interested in making their clients happy. Mentioning any previous work in customer service on a resume and in an interview is a great idea. A social job enhances your resume for becoming a server, whether it was as a cashier, shop assistant, or in any other type of receptionist desk position.
Resumes dont have to contain strictly job-related summaries. List any interests you have that you believe are relevant to this job in brief. Being the leader at any high school or college social events or having a hobby in cooking or baking are examples of these experiences.
It’s crucial to mention any coursework you’ve taken that relates to serving responsibilities both on your resume and in your interview. Even if students aren’t pursuing a full degree, community colleges offer culinary courses or courses in food preparation. You might be qualified to apply for a server position in fine dining or higher-class restaurants if you enroll in those courses or courses that are similar to them.
4. Apply for the server position
You might want to think about things like your appearance, the time of day, and the restaurant’s current staffing situation before scheduling your interview. You can do the following to give yourself the best chance when requesting an interview with the restaurant manager and applying for the position:
Make sure your attire is tidy, wrinkle-free, and appropriate for an interview. First impressions are crucial in this situation, just like they are in the majority of interviews. For instance, you might dress more formally if you’re applying for a job at a fine dining establishment.
Try submitting an application right before a busy time, like right before a holiday or in the final weeks of spring. The restaurant might be more receptive to hiring more servers before the seasons arrive.
Speak with the manager when business is slow. If you frequently dined there prior to applying, this time should be simple to remember and schedule. Before your scheduled interview date, consider frequently dining there so that the staff will become familiar with your face and name.
5. Practice basic server skills at home to prepare for training
Regardless of the outcome of your interview at your top pick restaurant, honing your fundamental serving techniques will benefit you in your serving career. Even if you are not hired right away, applying for additional jobs while honing your server skills at home can shorten your training period:
What does a server do?
In a full-service restaurant, a server typically welcomes customers, takes and serves food and drink orders, accepts payments, and makes change. They can collaborate effectively with clients and coworkers to provide timely, accurate service to visitors throughout their stay. They frequently perform their duties in hectic settings while managing several tables in a section throughout their shifts. Typical duties of a server include:
Tips for interviewing for a server job
After making sure your resume is prepared, the next step is to get ready for your interview. Here are a few quick pointers for server job interviews:
4 Ways To Get A Server Job WITHOUT Experience | How To Prepare For A Restaurant Interview
FAQ
How can I be a waitress with no experience?
- Show off your other work experience.
- Do your research.
- Practice your skills at home.
- Smile and be friendly.
- Be professional.
How do I get hired as a server?
- Get a high school diploma. No education is needed to become a server.
- Plan restaurant visits. …
- Build a resume. …
- Apply for the server position. …
- Practice basic server skills at home to prepare for training.
Do waitresses make good money?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, waitresses made an average of $11 per hour nationwide. 73 in 2016. The highest 10 percent made $18. 49/hour, and the lowest earned $8. 22/hour.
How do I become a first time waitress?
- Wear Appropriate Clothes. Waitresses must always look presentable when they work.
- Memorize the Menu. Memorizing the menu can make a waitress’ job easier.
- Have a Good Attitude. …
- Check on Customers. …
- Be Honest with Customers. …
- Bring the Check Promptly.
