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How to become a Waiter

190

Waiter jobs

223

Waiter courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Waiter

Waiter

| Up to £20,000

Head Waiter

| Up to £25,000

Restaurant Supervisor

| Up to £30,000

The role of a Waiter

What does a Waiter do?

Thinking about getting into waiting? We’ve got a few tips for you…Waiters and Waitresses serve food or drinks at restaurants, bars and cafés. They may also work at larger functions, providing excellent service guests everywhere from music festivals to large-scale sporting events.Often working front-of-house, waiting staff can literally make or break the guests overall experience, showing just how important their role is in the hospitality industry. Some waiting staff may also choose to specialise in silver service or train as Sommeliers (wine waiters) to help get themselves ahead.Typical responsibilities for a Waiter may include:

Greeting and serving customers
Taking orders
Making menu recommendations and providing information on any specials or offers available
Answering customer queries and dealing with complaints
Processing payments
Cleaning and preparing tables

Is a career as a Waiter right for me?

With great waiting, comes great responsibility. And by responsibility, we mostly mean tips…And with so much at stake when it comes to offering-up world-class service, excellent interpersonal skills are absolutely essential to make the most out of this positon.Aside from communication skills and the ability to build up an instant rapport with the clientele, the ability to keep a cool head at all times is essential. The hospitality industry can be extremely fast-paced and stressful at times, so keeping calm under pressure will certainly be a necessity. After all, if you can’t stand the heat (and various other clichés).Other key skills for a Waiter include:

A good memory
A head for numbers
Ability to multi-task
Patience
Confidence
Excellent personal hygiene
The ability to work under your own initiative

What's it like to be a Waiter?

"I started waiting at university, just to earn a bit of extra cash. It was only in a local pub, but was a great way to gain experience. You have to be quick on your feet, and get used to working fast, but that’s what I like about it so much. There’s never a dull moment or time to clock-watch. You’re just constantly kept on your toes. I now provide silver service at big events, and I’ve worked everywhere from Wembley to the O2 to help keep the VIPs in check. Although, speaking of toes, make sure you invest in some sensible shoes. Trust me, you’ll thank me later."

Get qualified as a Waiter

It is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a Waiter. However some qualifications specific to the industry will help you get the edge over the competition when applying for roles.

Recommended Waiter training courses

Professional Barista, Coffee Brewing & Waiter Training - CPD Certified

StudyHub

Summer Sale - Bundle of 3 Courses + FREE e-Certificate, Transcript & Student ID | 24/7 Tutor Support | Lifetime access
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- Online
- 6 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- Tutor support
Great service

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Waiter & Barista Training Are you ready to stand out in the crowded food and beverage industry? Do you want to learn the skills and techniques needed to deliver an exceptional dining experience as a waiter or waitress? Look no further! Our Waiter & Barista Training cou …
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£31 £32
Waiter Training Diploma - CPD Certified

Apex Learning

Winter Sale Now On | 11-in-1 Premium Bundle| 110 CPD Points| Gifts: Hardcopy + PDF Certificate + SID - Worth £180
- Compare
- Online
- 32 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 110 CPD points
- Tutor support
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Become a Masterful Waiter with Our Exclusive Waiter Training Diploma Bundle Start on a journey to becoming a top-notch waiter with our comprehensive Waiter Training Diploma, designed to transform you into a hospitality professional. This Waiter Training online course equips you w …
£51