Duties of a Waitress
From LoveToKnow Jobs
The duties of a waitress may seem simple, but until you have walked a 12 hour shift in their shoes, don't be so sure the job is easy. Most waitressing jobs people expect to be abundant through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Waitresses make most of their earnings through tips. Fine dining and restaurants with more business are the best choices for individuals who wish to maximize earnings in the field.
Duties of a Waitress Uncovered
Waitresses work with customers food establishments, providing service from the time customers are seated until the time they leave. They often greet customers and may even help them to find their seats. They often suggestively sell special foods and drinks to the customers. They answer questions about items on the menu, take orders, fill drinks and deliver meals to customers. They also have to keep the dining facilities clean and orderly, especially in locations where traditional bussing employees are not available.
The job of a waitress is extensive, beyond these basic duties.
- Manage Customer Menu Selection: Waitresses handle the customer visits in total, often including helping with menu selection. They may aid the customer to find healthy menu choices for special dietary needs. They interpret pricing and make suggestions. They may work to increase sales by encouraging the customer to purchase special drinks, appetizers or desert.
- Aid Customers with Complaints: Waitresses may have to provide the customer with service when something is not right with their meal. They may need to apologize, make corrections and request another meal to be prepared, as well as determining if discounts are appropriate.
- Keep Food Safe: As food establishment workers, waitresses may need to ensure food served is safe. Dishes, glassware and silverware need to remain clean. Food should be prepared properly. In their work stations, waitresses need to follow safety standards and food safety requirements. Sanitization of counters, trays, work stations and tables is often their responsibility.
- Work as a Team: Most waitresses manage the dining facilities with other waitresses. They also work as a team with food preparers to ensure the customer gets just what they want and need. They work with managers and owners to ensure the goals of the establishment are met. They work as a team helping to keep the dining facilities clean.
- Handling Money: Waitresses present the bill to the customer and take payment for it. They will need to use computers and credit terminals effectively. The duties of the waitress often include making sure client pays their bill in full. Tips also need to managing, according to the establishment's policies.
In many ways, the waitress is the front line of service to the customer. They are the face of the establishment. The duties of a waitress are often what causes a customer to come back to the establishment. Good service is often rewarded with a larger tip.
Waitress Work Conditions
Many waitresses work part time, with full time positions being harder to get. The environment can be stressful. Many work long hours to make enough in tips to meet their needs. Also, because of the industry, waitresses often work the dinner shift, ranging from 4pm to 9pm or later. Weekends are also busy times. If a waitress hopes to make as much as possible, they will need to work with the most customers are coming in the location.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics asserts that there were about 7.4 million waitresses and other food servers working in the United States. This number includes restaurants of all types, coffee shops fast food establishments and travel related establishments like hotels, gambling facilities and amusement parks. The number of jobs available is often dependent on the economy. People enjoy eating out, and when they have the financial means to do so, there is an increase in the number of waitresses that are needed to serve them.
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This page has been accessed 2,192 times. This page was last modified 13:47, 16 March 2009.
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