In order to ensure your professional resume will support your goals, use this waiter and waitress job description template to inform what you should highlight on your resume.

By reviewing server job description examples, you'll be able to identify what technical and soft skills, credentials, and work experience matter most to an employer in your target field.

Waiter & waitress job description

The Waiter/Waitress will take customer orders and serve food and beverages to guests in our restaurant. Always aware of guest satisfaction to deliver the perfect service experience. Ensure high quality of food and beverages to guests. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: servicing the guest in a friendly, efficient manner while maintaining a clean and safe work environment. guests must feel welcome, comfortable, and well attended to at all times

Waiter or waitress duties and responsibilities:

  • Provide the perfect service experience for restaurant patrons

  • Ensure the guest feels important and welcome in the restaurant

  • Ensure hot food is hot and cold food is cold

  • Adhere to timing standards for products and services

  • Look for ways to consolidate service and increase table turns

  • Present menu, answer questions, and make menu recommendations

  • Serve customers in an accommodating manner

  • Must know all food liquor, beer, wine, and retail offered

  • Apply positive suggestive sales approach to guide guests

  • Pre-bus tables; maintain table cleanliness, bus tables, remove dirty plates

  • Look for ways to avoid waste and limit costs

  • Assist in keeping the restaurant clean and safe

  • Provide responsible service of alcoholic beverages

  • Deliver food and beverages to any table as needed

  • Must follow all cash handling policies and procedures

  • Report to property on time and in proper uniform

  • Process payments of food and drink orders with the cash register

  • Coordinate with kitchen staff to deliver accurate food orders

Waiter or waitress job requirements:

  • Must be of legal age to serve alcoholic beverages (May vary by state)

  • Must have all certifications and licenses as required by local Health Department and Alcoholic Beverage Commission statutes

  • Must have clear written and verbal communication skills

  • Must have the physical abilities to carry out the functions of the job description

  • Must be able to responsibly handle cash transactions

  • Must be able to consolidate and coordinate needs for all tables within their station

  • Must be able to carry food and beverages

  • Must be able to work in a team environment

  • Must attend food safety training 

  • High school diploma or equivalent; college degree preferred

  • At least one year experience as a food server within a restaurant, hotel, or conference center operation

  • Any related customer service/oriented experience will be considered

  • Ability to comprehend and effectively communicate in fluent English

Waiter or waitress skills & proficiencies:

  • Basic Math

  • Verbal Communication

  • Excellent Customer Service

  • Resolve Conflict

  • Teamwork

  • Persistence

  • High Energy

  • Sell to Customer Needs

  • Thoroughness

  • Professionalism

  • Client Relationships

  • Physical Strength

  • Stamina

  • Point-of-sale Systems

  • Food Safety

  • Patience

  • Social Perceptiveness

  • Positive Attitude

  • Dependability

  • Interpersonal Skills

  • Stress Tolerance

  • Dexterity

  • Adaptability

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