DayShift / Job descriptions / Waiter and food server

Waiter and food server job description: what you'll do and what to write on your resume

Applying for waiter or food server at a restaurant or hotel? Copy the duties below into your resume, then read what the interview asks.

Duties to write on your resume

Start each line with what you did. Keep the ones you've really done.

• Greeted guests, seated them and presented the menu
• Took food and drink orders accurately and entered them into the point of sale system
• Answered questions about dishes, ingredients and allergens using menu knowledge
• Served food and drinks to tables in the correct order
• Checked on guests during the meal and refilled drinks
• Handled complaints politely and passed problems to the supervisor
• Processed bills, cash and card payments and returned the right change
• Cleaned and reset tables and kept the dining area tidy and stocked

First job? Use the same lines for a school event, a family business or volunteer work, and say where.

A resume objective you can adapt

Hardworking senior high school graduate seeking a waiter job, ready to work rotating shifts, serve guests politely and learn the menu fast.

Skills employers ask for

• Talking to guests politely, in English and Filipino
• Remembering orders without mixing them up
• Carrying plates and trays safely
• Staying calm during busy meal hours
• Working well with kitchen and floor staff

What the interview asks

1. Why do you want to work as a waiter? Say you enjoy meeting people and working in a busy place.
2. Can you work weekends, holidays and late shifts? Answer honestly, because restaurants are busiest when others are off.
3. What would you do if a guest complained about the food? Say sorry, offer to fix it and tell your supervisor.
4. How do you handle many tables at once? Say you serve in order, stay organized and ask teammates for help.

The questions every interview asks, with sample answers

How to get hired

1. Most posts ask for at least a senior high school diploma and that you're 18 or older.
2. Prepare a resume, a valid ID and your government numbers like SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN.
3. Some employers also ask for an NBI clearance and a medical certificate.
4. TESDA offers a national certificate for this work: Food and Beverage Services NC II. It can help but isn't always required.
5. Apply in person or online, then expect a short interview and sometimes a trial shift.

Licence or certificate

• TESDA offers a national certificate for this work: Food and Beverage Services NC II. TESDA's online program has a course for it. Source

What the work is like

You're on your feet and moving for the whole shift, carrying plates and talking to guests. Meal rush and difficult guests are the hardest part, and shifts rotate across weekends and holidays.

Use the waiter and food server resume template

Questions

Do I need experience to work as a waiter?

No. Many places hire beginners and train you on the floor.

Is waiter work part-time?

Both. Many places hire part-time students and full-time staff.

Do I need to study to become a waiter?

Not always. A TESDA course like Food and Beverage Services NC II can help you stand out.

Similar jobs

• Service crew
• Barista
• Bartender
• Restaurant manager
• Kitchen crew

Want work from home in daylight hours?

DayShift lists remote jobs with Singapore and Asia clients, on the same clock as Manila. Applying is free, and we never ask you for money. See today's DayShift jobs