Waiter

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could prepare for this job by doing a college course to get some of the skills you'll need. Courses include:

• Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry
• Level 1 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service
• Level 2 Diploma in Professional Food and Beverage Service

Entry requirements:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could do the Hospitality Team Member Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Volunteering

You could volunteer in a cafe run by a local community organisation or a charity like the Royal Voluntary Service  to develop your skills.

You can also find more volunteering opportunities through Do IT .

DirectApplication

You can apply for waiter jobs without experience as you'll get training on the job.

You might have an advantage if you've worked in customer service before.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a desire to help people
• active listening skills
• a good memory
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of food production methods
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• knowledge of English language
• physical fitness and endurance
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• leadership skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to sell products and services
• knowledge of maths

What you'll do:

Waiters serve food and drinks to customers in restaurants and cafes, take orders and handle payments.

As a waiter you could:

• greet customers, give out menus and take food and drink orders
• answer questions about the menu and give advice on ingredients
• serve food and drinks, handle bill payments and clean tables
• handle any complaints and make sure customers are happy

Location : You could work at a restaurant.
Environment : Your working environment may be hot, humid and noisy.
Uniform : You may need to wear a uniform.

Salary:

Starter : £12,000
Experienced : £22,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

39 - 41 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• specialise in fine dining at formal events like wedding and banquets
• progress to head waiter, restaurant supervisor or restaurant manager
• move into kitchen management or stock purchasing