Restaurant Server Job Description
What Does a Restaurant Server Do?
A restaurant server is responsible for taking orders and serving food and beverages to customers. This job involves professional and friendly customer service, taking orders, delivering food, cleaning tables and resetting them for new customers, and handling payments.
Restaurant Server Job Description Example
Richmond Table Cafe is a pleasant dining destination for all guests. We are currently looking for a hardworking and passionate candidate to join our team as a restaurant server. The ideal candidate must be friendly, eager to learn, and have a positive attitude.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Welcome and greet guests in a warm and friendly manner
- Learn menus in order to answer all questions and make accurate menu suggestions
- Take drink and food orders accurately
- Serve food and drinks to guests
- Place fresh plates for each guest
- Inform guests regarding specialties and menu items
- Remove dirty dishes, glasses, and silverware from tables
- Ensure that an accurate check is presented to the guest
- Process payments accurately
- Stock service area with appropriate supplies
- Perform additional duties as requested
Work Hours and Benefits:
The restaurant server is expected to work a full-time schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays. In addition, our restaurant server will receive competitive salary and benefits, including healthcare coverage and 401K plans.
Qualifications:
- Previous experience in the restaurant industry
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent communication skills
- Knowledge of health and safety regulations
- Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs
- Understanding of basic cooking techniques and alcoholic beverage service
- High school diploma or equivalent
Training and Education:
The ideal candidate will have previous experience with restaurant operations, but on-the-job training will be provided.
If you feel you possess the necessary skills and experience for this position, please send a copy of your resume for our review. We look forward to reviewing your application and learning more about why you are the ideal candidate for this role.
What to Include on a Restaurant Server Resume or Job Posting
Common restaurant server responsibilities
- Greeting customers and taking orders
- Serving food and drinks
- Upselling menu items
- Processing payments
- Answering customer questions
- Maintaining a clean and organized work area
- Following health and safety regulations
- Resolving customer complaints
- Recommending menu items
- Providing excellent customer service
Qualities & traits
- Good customer service skills: Restaurant servers should be friendly, patient, and attentive to customers’ needs.
- Knowledge of the menu: A good server should be able to explain menu items, suggest dishes, and answer any questions customers may have.
- Multitasking skills: Restaurant servers must be able to juggle multiple tasks at once, from taking orders to delivering food to clearing tables.
- Organization: A server should be able to keep track of multiple orders and tables simultaneously.
- Problem-solving skills: Restaurant servers should be able to troubleshoot any customer issues that may arise.
- Flexibility: Restaurant servers should be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to adjust to changes quickly.
- Teamwork: Restaurant servers should be able to work well with other staff members and cooperate with them.
What a typical day looks like for a restaurant server
On a typical day, a restaurant server greets customers, answers questions about menu items, takes orders, brings food/beverages to customers, collects payments, and often speeds the cleanup process. Servers may also be asked to change silverware, refold napkins, vacuum carpets, mop floors, and perform other general upkeep duties. Additionally, servers must check with customers to ensure they are enjoying their meals and provide exemplary customer service. After the customers leave, servers must tally their bills, process payments, and balance the cash drawer.
Compatible jobs and work history
Restaurant servers rely heavily on customer service skills, the ability to multitask, and knowledge of food and beverage orders. While restaurant server experience is ideal, many applicants without prior experience can demonstrate their qualifications for the role through experience in other jobs or industries. Roles such as customer service representative, retail sales associate, hospitality worker, banquet server, and barista can all provide transferable skills for those seeking to become restaurant servers.
Compatible Job Titles:
- Customer Service Representative
- Retail Sales Associate
- Hospitality Worker
- Banquet Server
- Bartender
- Barista
- Cashier
- Fast Food Worker
- Food Preparation Worker
- Delivery Driver
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