Waiter Job Description Template

Waiters serve customers in restaurants by noting food orders, bringing the prepared food to
their table, and preparing bills at the end of the table's meal. Waiters are also responsible for
asking customers if they are satisfied with their meal and providing any assistance should the
customer not be satisfied.
To be successful as a Waiter you must have the endurance to stand for long hours and have
patience with difficult customers. A good Waiter anticipates the needs of customers and
provides all services in a friendly manner.
Waiter Responsibilities:
• Performing opening duties such as setting tables, polishing glasses, folding napkins
and replenishing condiments.
• Greet customers and hand out menus.
• Take meal and beverage orders from customers and place these orders in the
kitchen.
• Make menu recommendations and inform patrons of any specials.
• Deliver meals and beverages to tables when they have been prepared.
• Check that customers are satisfied with their meal, take action to correct any
problems and providing management with feedback.
• Prepare the bill for tables when requested.
• Cash up bills and ensure that the correct amount has been paid.
• Administer change to tables if needed.
Waiter Requirements:
• Endurance to walk and stand for long hours.
• Flexible work hours.
• Ability to remain calm and professional with difficult customers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Coordination to carry plates or trays without dropping anything
Interview Questions for Waiters:
1. Explain how you've satisfied angry customers. How did you handle the situation?

Tests customer service skills.

2. Can you describe your favourite appetizer, drink, entrée, or dessert on our menu?

Shows menu knowledge.

3. Can you name some common dietary restrictions and select one of our menu items for each?

Tests knowledge of ingredients.

4. How do you manage your tables on busy nights? How do you maintain service quality and
accuracy?

Demonstrates the ability to multitask.

5. What is your approach to upselling items? Is it more important to sell expensive items or satisfy
the patron?

Tests sales skills.

Waiter interview:

Q1. Why do you want to be a Waiter and what can you bring to the role?
“I want to be a Waiter because I have a passion for delivering excellent customer service and
the fact you get to make a positive difference to people’s experience whilst visiting the
restaurant is an added bonus to the role. I guess deep down, I am a ‘people person’ who enjoys
serving people and making sure everything is in order. When considering the role, I researched
the job description and I understand the pressure that comes with the position and how
important it is to treat customers very well and provide great service at all times. In respect of
what I can bring to the role, I can bring a positive attitude, a flexible approach to my work, an
ability to give great/consistent service and also the ability to carry out lots of tasks all at once.”
Q2. What are the 7 most important things to consider when carrying out your duties as a
Waiter? (Basically assesses your knowledge of the role of the job description)
“When carrying out your duties as a Waiter you have to consider the fact that the customer’s
needs must always come first; the requirements to provide a fast, efficient and knowledgeable
service and also have an ability to be accurate in your work because you can’t bring out
incorrect orders or overcharge your customers.
Yu also need to remain calm when you are under pressure; deal with customer complaints
efficiently and politely as and when they arise; act as a positive role model in how you act and
how you present yourself, and also having a cheery and positive attitude at all times whilst
serving customers.”
Q3. Why do you want to become a Waiter with our restaurant/eatery over the others within
the local area? (why have you chosen our restaurant?) = That shows you looked in to their
restaurant)

“During my research into your restaurant three things stood out specifically. Firstly, the way
in which you manage and run your business is obviously positive. There are lots of positive
comments made online about your establishment, and this demonstrates you are a great
company to work for who cares about its customers.
Several people who did actually visit your restaurant said that they actually had a very pleasant
experience whilst there. The staff all appeared very happy in their role. They said also that you
have a straight-forward quality menu. And this means customers can easily order their food
without confusion, and this in turn would actually make my role as your Waiter much easier
to perform and to also be able to provide great customer service.”
Q3’. Why do you want to work at this restaurant? (Q3)
“I really like the kind of food the restaurant serves. I love Italian food and I wanted to apply
for a job where I could show my passion for the food when customers ask.”
Q4. What skills, qualities and attributes do you have that are a match for a role as a Waiter?
= It shows the success of (a restaurant or hotel or eating establishment) is basically based on the
reviews that people leave at you as a waiter; you are coming face to face with the customers and
their experience not just in relation to the food that they receive but the service will influence the
type of reviews that they leave online.

“Having Studied the job description for this role, I believe I’ve all the skills, qualities and
attributes to perform to a high standard.
For example, I’m really passionate about delivering high quality customer service and care. I
have an ability to deal with and resolve customer complaints quickly and efficiently. So, I am
able to communicate effectively when dealing with customers about what’s in the menu,
allergies and also the specials that will be available. I’m actually flexible and I can work
unsociable hours as and when required. I’m also a loyal and hardworking person who
understands how important the role of the Waiter is to the success of your company.”
Q4’. What is your favourite part about being a Waiter? (show why you applied for a waitressing
job rather than another)

“Waitressing gives me the opportunity to learn on my feet, I mean when I kind of come across
your job advertisement, I thought wow this a great position where I could make a difference
and these types of positions don’t come up so often. I said this a restaurant doing really
interesting things and I want to be part of it and it’s a place where I can really make a positive
contribution. I know that this position requires a great deal of effort but I’m sure that I will
succeed it by my determination.
Q5. What experience do you have? / Do you have experience making and/or serving
desserts, carrying serving plates?
“Well I’ve got basics to do it, however, I know I have the ability and skills to learn more in a
short time. I know most importantly that you have a great training program for new starters
and a proven career path for those who are ambitious enough and that’s why I’m here today.”
Q5’. Can you prepare tables?
“Yes, in my last job as a Waiter I had to set out cutlery correctly. I know how to set out different
types of wine glasses when preparing a table.”
Q5’’. What is your knowledge like on wines?
“I’m not much of a wine drinker but I know if I started working here, I’m sure I will get
experience of which wines pair well with certain foods.”
Q6. How would you deal with an angry customer?
“After listening to the customer, I would try and think of a solution. If I’m unable to deal with
the problem myself, I’d find my manager or another senior member of staff”
Q6’. Describe the steps you would go through when dealing with a customer complaint?
“Firstly, I would carefully listen to the customer’s complaint. I believe that it’s important for
customers to have the opportunity to deliver their complaint to a human being and I would
make sure that I’m attentive in hearing the issue directly from them.
At this point, I would try resolve anything that I could actually on the spot. In some cases, this
might just require an apology. If so, I would offer them my most heartfelt and sincere apology
for the incident that they’re complaining about If they’re complaining about an issue with their
food, then I would do my best to refund or exchange the customer there and then. But If the
issue can’t be resolved in the moment, I would take note of the complaint after the customer’s
left. I would then speak to my manager so he or she could follow up and speak to the customer
soon after.
Finally, it’s always important for me to follow the training I would have provided when I started
working here at the restaurant and that I follow your own specific guidance on how to deal
with complaints in the restaurant.”
Q6’’. Describe a time you had to overcome a challenge. (Q6)
“Let’s take an example of working in a special day like on Christmas Day. As it is busy, I’ve to
help look after three Christmas parties and it is very challenging. As I am working with another
waiter, we work as a team to serve the larger parties together so they do not have to wait
longer for their food to be served. I have to keep on my toes as food is coming out quick and
customers want more drinks.”
Q7. What are your weaknesses?
“Because I focus on making customers happy, I can get quite stressed. I understand you can’t
make every customer happy but I want to show I’m good at my job.”
Q7’. What do you like least about being a Waiter? = (Q7)
“I suppose my least favourite part of waitressing is when you get an unhappy customer.
Sometimes you get that customer who was in a bad mood when they arrived and they’re
unhappy with everything you do. It’s alright, I’m used to it and I know how to remain
professional throughout the situation.”
Q8. What do you do in your free time?
“In my free time I like going out with my friends. And when I can, I like going camping where I
can meet new people and talk to them and share ideas.”
Q9. Why do you think you would make a great addition to our team? (show if you will be a
good fit with the rest of the team)
“When I was a trainee in the labo, I got along with everyone I worked with. I do my job and
I’m happy to help if anyone ever needs it. I enjoy having a laugh with my colleagues and getting
to know them.”
Q10. Have you worked long shifts before? Do you feel comfortable working on your feet?
“I’ve worked in similar busy jobs where I’ve had to be on my feet for most of my shift. I’m used
to it and I enjoy this type of work.”
Q5. We need a Waitress/Waiter who is going to be flexible in this role and be able to work
unsociable hours when required. Describe a time when you were flexible in a work-related
situation.

Q6. As our Waitress/Waiter, you will need to provide outstanding service at all times. Give an
example of when you delivered excellent customer service I a previous role?

Q7. How would you deal with a dissatisfied customer at our restaurant? What would you consider
when dealing with them and why?

Q8. Describe the specific steps you would go through when dealing with a customer complaint.

Q9. Whilst working at our restaurant as a Waitress/Waiter, you notice another Waitress/Waiter
being rude to one of our customers whilst serving them. What would you do?

Q10. As a Waitress/Waiter you will need to work hard as part of a team. When have you worked as
part of a team to complete a difficult task?

Q11. How would you deal with a Waitress/Waiter or Waiter within your team who was not pulling
their weight?

Q12. As a Waitress/Waiter you will sometimes have to work in stressful situations. Describe a
stressful situation at work and how you handled it?