From Kelsey Grammar to Kelly Clarkson, many people started their careers as restaurant waiters. Working in a restaurant is a job that requires the ability to move quickly and is profitable if you do it right and develop the right skills. If you are interesting, dependable and can do many things at the same time, serving food at a restaurant can be a great short – or long term opportunity. Follow our general guidelines below or find more specific help by reading the links below.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Learning the Skills
Step 1. Attract customers
Most people go to restaurants for more than just eating. Going out to eat is an experience, and the wait staff is the most visible part of the experience. Can you have a chat with the most surly and quiet person at the party? Do you easily empathize with people? Are you easy to make jokes and smile? If the answer is yes, then you have the skills needed to become a restaurant waiter.
You don't have to be a comedian, but you do need to be a good communicator. Quiet waiters are often just as good as talkative waiters, they just need to make sure to communicate with body language, do their job efficiently, and listen as best they can
Step 2. Be agile
Can you do several things at the same time easily? Are you able to quickly adjust to changes and new circumstances? Waiters must be able to take orders, communicate with kitchen staff, and act as the “face” of the restaurant to customers. It is a difficult task, but it must be done quickly and efficiently for the restaurant to work well.
Step 3. Strong
Carrying a container of tumbled drinks and a hot plate full of chicken wings is hard enough to do once without spilling them, but what about after long hours of service to rowdy football fans? It can be very tiring. If you are fit and healthy, becoming a member of the maid staff can be a much more comfortable stepping stone. You don't have to be a bodybuilder, but it can be helpful to feel comfortable walking around a room full of people while carrying heavy objects safely and quickly.
Step 4. Write clearly and use the computer well
If the kitchen staff can't read your order, things can get messy right away. Recording information and clearly recording orders is an important part of the running process of a restaurant. The whole process starts with you.
At a restaurant, you'll receive specific order details and learn how the restaurant runs, but in general, you should be comfortable with the essentials
Part 2 of 4: Getting a Waitress Job
Step 1. Apply to restaurants that will train you
Upscale restaurants in the city center probably won't hire waiters without experience. If you've never worked as a waitress before, a franchise restaurant like Chili's or Applebee's is a great place to start, getting the training and experience you'll need to land a big tipping job. You will learn a lot about how restaurants work and how to be a good waiter.
Step 2. Prepare CV
If you don't have one, focus on the skills needed to serve food in a restaurant. You must be good at dealing with customers, work in a group environment, and work quickly. Highlight similar work experiences that illustrate this trait.
If you've never worked before and are hoping to get a job as a waitress, you may want to focus on succeeding in school and team-building environments such as sports in which you excel. Be positive and sell yourself. That's your job
Step 3. Talk to the manager
When you find a place that has a vacancy, ask to speak to the manager. The CV entrusted to the bartender can be lost and after all, it's not the bartender who is in charge of finding employees.
Bring your CV and show your passion. Tell them that you would love to discuss more about the position and that you are ready to get to work immediately. Since being a waitress usually has a lot to do with making a first impression, think of trying to get the job like the job itself. Make a good first impression
Step 4. Be prepared for interview questions
Preparing answers to questions that may be asked will ensure that you don't look confused in front of the manager and that you've thought about the responsibilities of the job.
- Some managers may ask, “What is your favorite menu of ours?” or “If the restaurant was out of fish, what would you suggest as an alternative?” Study the restaurant's menu beforehand by visiting the food review site or the restaurant's website.
- Be prepared to face difficult conditions. Some managers might ask, “If someone shows a fake ID to buy alcohol. What will you do?" or, “A customer is angry about their dish. What should you do?" Think about these things and respond carefully.
- Make up your own questions. Usually, a good question is something like, “What does one need to be successful here?” could leave a very good impression on his manager. Often they will give you the opportunity to ask questions, which is often a missed opportunity in interviews.
Part 3 of 4: Serving the Table
Step 1. Approach the table you serve with a smile and a greeting
Introduce yourself and say your name clearly. “Hello, nice to meet you. My name _. Menu please. Would you like to order a drink from our bar?” Greet customers with a smile as they enter.
Maintain balanced eye contact, but avoid staring at the customer for too long. Some customers will feel uncomfortable and come to the restaurant with mixed moods. Respond politely. When you show them your seat, maybe start a small conversation as you continue taking their drink orders. If they're not interested in chatting, so be it
Step 2. Start recording the order in a clockwise direction starting from your left
If there are children, ask them for drinks first, followed by the women and then the men following the direction from left to right.
- This is also the time to discuss special dishes and other current promotions that the restaurant has to offer.
- When you serve their drinks, ask them if they have anything to ask about the menu. Don't rush them unless they're slow, however, treat them gently. If they're ready to order, record their order clockwise starting with the one closest to you. If not, move on to the next table.
Step 3. When the main course is served, always ask, “Is there anything else you'd like?
' and give them time to think about it. Come back in five minutes with the question, “Did you enjoy the food?”. Always ask specifically about the customer's dish: “How did the food taste?”. Listen to their responses and read their body language: many people are too shy to speak up when something goes wrong, and they may blame you for leaving a tip.
Take the order in its entirety. Never take a customer's order without another order, unless requested to do so (this may be the case if one or more people plan to leave early). Usually, there should be no circumstances that cause one order to arrive much later than another. If at any time you expect this to happen and cause problems, briefly describe the circumstances and ask the customer what he or she would like to do
Step 4. Clear all empty plates from the table as soon as the customer seems to want them
Always clear the plate from the previous dish before bringing the plate for the next dish to a table.
Before clearing the plates, be sure to politely ask if they're done. Use manners and a tone that suits the atmosphere and the customer. Usually the question, “May I clean this plate?” pretty good. Don't ask if it's obvious they're still eating the dish. If someone is talking and there's food on their plate, don't interrupt to ask if they're done. Wait and come back again
Step 5. When the main course is done, ask, “Would you like dessert?
Asking that gave them the opportunity to order again without having to ask specifically. They are more likely to order dessert if you ask.
Before customers order dessert, clean the bread or appetizer that is placed before the main course
Step 6. Receive payment
Inform the customer that you will take care of paying their bill, handing over change if they pay cash and processing the card if they pay by credit card. Never ask if they want your money back or assume the change is your tip - just pay the bill and come back immediately with the change/receipt.
When you return, thank them and say something like, “Nice to meet you”, “See you later”, or if they seem eager to linger after the meal, just say “Thank you”, as they may want to add more. drinks or something
Part 4 of 4: Generating Lots of Tips
Step 1. Make sure you look presentable before leaving for work
Always arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled shift and look presentable in clean clothes. Wear clean socks and shoes. Your hair should look well-groomed and washed, your nails clean, your clothes/uniform clean and tidy. Wear a little cosmetic to give a natural and fresh look.
Step 2. Watch for signs
If a customer at a table wants something, they will turn to look for you. Learn to always be alert when walking, without looking at the tables. Most customers will make eye contact as a sign they need you. This can make them feel like you're paying attention without watching them.
When the food is finished and their conversation is over, they will start looking at other restaurants or the walls around them. This can help you know when to bring their empty plate, offer dessert or prepare the bill
Step 3. Talk less
Avoid observing the customer too much and hounding him. Customers don't like being stared at or constantly interrupted in their conversations and mealtimes, but they also need something every once in a while. This requires caution.
Learn to read your customers quickly. If a couple of customers seem tense and may be at odds, it might not be a good time to ask, "Are you guys celebrating something tonight?" or other questions that lighten the mood. If a customer at a table seems to be having a good time and is reluctant to leave, offer a drink or coffee. If they want to chat, take a minute to chat. If not, leave them in their conversation
Step 4. Don't assume a male customer will pay
If you know which customer will pay during their visit, you can leave the bill by the table. Otherwise, leave the bill in the middle of their table. Bills should always be placed upside down facing the table. If the bill is in an envelope, lay it flat on the table.
Step 5. Stay calm
When customers are being rude or rude, listen and communicate with them openly. Remember: this is just a job, nothing personal. If they're being aggressive, bothering other customers, or getting too drunk, call the manager and let your boss handle it.
Tips
- Never come to the table with the smell of cigarettes. If you are allowed a smoking break, wash your hands, rinse your mouth and – if possible – clean your clothes by spraying them with lemon juice.
- Never try to hide faults from management – you will only make matters worse. Admit it briefly and let them help you deal with the situation.
- If your friends come to visit, keep your chats short and treat them as you would any other customer. If they don't eat or order anything, it won't look good if they stay in the restaurant for more than a few minutes.
- If you wear perfume or cologne, make sure you don't wear too much of it. The smell can be too strong and drive restaurant patrons away instead of inviting them in.
