Hostess job summary
A good job description starts with an attention-grabbing summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is suitable for them.
Example of a Hostess job summary
Our casual, laid-back bistro seeks a friendly, upbeat Hostess to work variable shifts, including weekends. The ideal candidate loves making small talk with customers and is willing to learn patrons’ names in our small-town establishment. He or she should be willing to fill in as needed for busboys, servers and bartenders to keep up with busy shifts. Some back-of-house assistance might be needed, such as with counting down tills and inspecting/cleaning restrooms. If you love the restaurant business and genuinely enjoy people, we need to hear from you.
Hostess responsibilities and duties
The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and the title of the manager the person will report to.
- Greet customers as soon as they walk through the door
- Provide patrons with accurate wait time estimates during busy periods
- Maintain a neat, organized front-of-house environment
- Seat guests and take initial drink orders as needed to ensure ideal speed of service
- Assist with opening/closing tasks and side work as needed
- Learn food and beverage menu
- Rotate seating between different stations to ensure even workloads for waitstaff
- Answer phones and schedule reservations with large parties
Hostess qualifications and skills
Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you expect from a successful candidate. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.
- Diploma preferred
- Flexible schedule, particularly for weekend/evening shifts
- 1+ years customer service experience, preferably in the hospitality industry
- Ability to work 6+ hours on your feet at a time
- Advanced time management experience
- Friendly, open disposition
- Team player who looks for ways to help out other employees whenever needed
- Willingness to work at least every other holiday