Waiter Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Your job description is the first contact between your company and your new recruit. With millions of people searching for jobs on Indeed each month, a great job description can help you attract the most qualified candidates to your open position. To get you started, here are some tips for creating an effective job description.

Post a job

Waiter job title

An effective job title wiil typically include a general term, the level of experience and any special requirements. The general term will optimize your job title to show up in a general search for jobs of the same nature. The level of experience will help you attract the most qualified applicants by outlining the amount of responsibility and prior knowledge required. And if your position is specialized, consider including the specialization in the job title as well. But avoid using internal titles, abbreviations or acronyms to make sure people understand what your job posting is before clicking.

  • Waiter
  • Head Waiter
  • Waiter (5+ Years’ Experience)
  • Waiter (Part-Time)
  • Waitress
  • Server
Post a job

Waiter Job Description Examples:

Waiter 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 Waiter job summary

Our casual dining restaurant is expanding into three new locations and we need experienced, motivated Waiters to join our team. If you have serving experience and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with the potential for advancement, we want to talk to you. The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing friendly relationships with our patrons and ensuring they enjoy fast, pleasant service throughout their dining experiences. We’re looking for applicants with flexible schedules who don’t mind pitching in with other duties, such as greeting customers or tending bar, when needed.

Waiter 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.

  • Take customer orders and relay them to the kitchen staff
  • Facilitate the filling of drink orders between customers and the bar
  • Suggest additional menu items, such as desserts and drinks, when appropriate
  • Obtain amenities for patrons with specific needs, such as highchairs for parents
  • Operate the drink fountain and coffee station
  • Count down till at end of every shift
  • Memorize the menu for on-demand recitation

Waiter 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.

  • 1+ years’ waitstaff experience preferred
  • Diploma preferred, but will consider current students
  • Willingness to work weekends, evenings and holidays as required
  • Ability to lift up to 10 Kg.
  • Familiarity with HostMe or other restaurant software highly desirable
  • Comfort with noisy, high-volume atmosphere
  • Capable of working well under pressure

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

No search results found