Manual

Waitress Job Description

By Mary White
M.A., SPHR
Are you interested in learning more about what duties are typically included in waitress jobs? Whether you are seeking employment as a waitress or if you are looking for ideas that can help you write a job description for your company, finding out the types of duties waitresses are expected to perform and the skills they need to have can bevery helpful.
Ads by Google
MBA in Project Management for Busy Project Managers: Online Masters (MBA) in Project Management EducationDegreeSource.com/Free_Info
Jobs Canada 5 urgent open positions. Apply now! Jobs Canada jobrapido.com/jobs+canada
Looking for Chefs Jobs? Find Chefs Jobs on Facebook. Sign Up Free Now! www.Facebook.com
Essential Waitress Job Duties
While not every restaurantwill use the same job description for waitress positions, the basic duties for this type of work are similar from one employer to another.
Customer Service Duties
Waitresses are responsible for a variety of customer service tasks, including:
* Providing excellent customer service
* Greeting patrons once they are seated
* Presenting menus to customers
* Explaining menu itemsto customers
* Answering questions from patrons about food and beverages
* Sharing information with customers about the status of their orders
* Refilling customer drink orders throughout the meal
* Finding out if customers need additional items
* Verifying that customers are satisfied with their orders

Tips on Waiting Tables
Sales Duties
Waitresses handle a varietyof sales-specific tasks, including:
* Taking food and drink orders
* Up-selling additional food and beverage products to patrons
* Entering each item ordered into restaurant register system
* Delivering check to customers
* Accepting payment for the meal
Operations Duties
* Communicating customer orders to kitchen staff
* Ensuring that customer orders areassembled properly in the kitchen
* Delivering orders to customers
* Removing empty plates, used silverware, and soiled napkins from tables
* Determining when customers have completed the meal
* Attending scheduled team or shift meetings
Compliance Duties
Waitresses play a role in regulatory compliance, including:
* Verifying age of customers who order alcoholic beverages* Following all relevant health department rules and regulations
Duties Included in Some Waitress Jobs
Since each restaurant location or chain has its own guidelines for customer service and staffing, wait staff may be asked to perform a variety of different functions. In some facilities, working as a waitress requires additional duties.

Hostess Functions
Not all restaurants have adedicated hostess staff. In these facilities, waitresses will likely be required to perform the following tasks:
* Taking reservation phone calls
* Greeting customers at the door
* Seating patrons
* Cash register operation
Additional Operations Duties
In some restaurants, waitresses are required to be heavily involved with all aspects of operations. Additional duties mayinclude:
* Assisting with preparation of some food items
* Preparing table for the next guests once a party has departed
* Preparing cocktails
* Training new food servers
* Keeping the restaurant location clean and tidy
* Restocking salad bars or buffet lines
* Folding napkins
* Arranging table settings
Amenity Duties
Some restaurants offer more amenitiesthan others. Depending on the "extras" provided at a particular restaurant, waitresses may be required to perform the following tasks:
* Coordinating with other wait staff members to provide team oriented service
* Presenting a dessert tray once the main course is finished
* Singing Happy Birthday to patrons upon request
* Encouraging customers to complete customer service...