.jpg)
waiter
Waiters, also known as food and beverage attendants, have busy and exciting jobs that require very good customer service and communications skills. They can work in many different types of hospitality industry businesses including restaurants and cafes, hotels, pubs, and clubs.
What would I do?
- set tables with clean linen or place mats, cultery,
crockery and glasses
- welcome and seat customers and hand menus to them
- tell guests about the menu and drinks and appropriate
combinations of food and drinks
- take customers' orders and pass them to kitchen staff
or bar attendants
- serve food and drinks
- make up bills and present them to customers
- handle money or credit cards
- take restaurant reservations
- clear tables and return dishes and cultery to the kitchens
What training do I need?
There are no formal training requirements that you need to be able to work as a waiter, but a Certificate II or III in Hospitality (Operations) would prepare you well for working in the industry as a waiter.
What personal attributes do I need?
- Excellent personal presentation
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Commitment to providing excellent customer service
- Highest level of personal cleanliness and hygiene
- Good communication skills
- Ability to respond and solve problems quickly
You need to be a minimum of 18 years of age to be able to serve alcohol
How much can I earn?
On average, waiters earn approximately $500 a week before tax.
How many hours can I expect to work in a week?
The number of hours a waiter can work in any week varies greatly, with much of the work being available in the evenings and at weekends. A large percentage of waiters are employed on a part-time or casual basis.
What are my employment prospects?
Employment prospects for waiters are good with most of the hospitality industry currently experiencing a shortage of skilled waiters. Future job growth is expected to be moderate with growth of the industry to continue at approximately 7%, so your prospects of finding employment as a waiter should be good.
How do I find a job as a waiter?
You could approach restaurateurs and owners and managers of other food and beverage venues in the areas you’d like to work in and ask to talk to them about employing you. Leave your CV, which should include your workplace achievements and experience and contact details. Followup your initial approaches. Many employers in the hospitality industry, though, prefer to find their staff through recommendations from their existing staff members. An approach through people you know working in the industry could be successful. If you have access to the internet go to www.discoverjobs.com.au, this a website dedicated to helping you find employment in the hospitality industry.