How to Thrive in the Restaurant Industry On a Waiter Career Path
Wherever in the world, you may be, restaurant servers or those in the waiter career path are among some of the most essential members of the workforce. With Singapore's reopening measures to include dining out in small groups for vaccinated patrons, the demand for well-trained hospitality staff is set to pick up as restaurants seek to provide quality experiences.
Expected to be multitaskers, people walking the waiter career path are crucial to the operations of the restaurant business—playing host, taking orders, manning the register, serving food, and catering to all sorts of customer requests and complaints with every shift.
But while embarking on a waiter career path may not exactly sound glamorous, it can open up a bevy of opportunities especially for undergraduates looking to earn a decent living, informal workers or even professionals looking for a side hustle, as well as for those aspiring to succeed in the food and beverage industry. Over time, you can even go from bussing tables to leading your own restaurant operations.
Sounds appealing to you? Here's everything you need to know about this industry.
What does a waiter do?
Functioning primarily as a customer service rep for food establishments, a waiter usually takes on various tasks during the course of his shift:
- Acting as a host and welcoming customers, finding tables and seats for them, and monitoring the table rotation
- Presenting the menu to customers and explaining the food and beverage options as necessary
- Taking orders and communicating them with the cashier and the kitchen staff for preparation
- Serving the food and drinks or take-out packages to the customers
- Bussing tables by taking used plates and utensils to the kitchen to be washed, resetting tables for the next customer, and making sure customers have everything they need—from water to condiments and napkins
- Facilitating payments for orders through POS systems
- Addressing customer concerns or complaints about the food or service
- Accepting orders or reservations by phone or text
- Washing dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment as needed
- Assisting the kitchen staff in food preparation
Salary Range
While waiters usually start with a modest hourly pay, there's plenty of opportunity for career growth—and increased pay—as one advances in the industry.
According to the Jobstreet Salary Report 2020, entry-level employees in the food and beverage or restaurant service industry in Singapore typically start with a monthly salary of around S$2,197. Those with a few years of experience or are in junior roles can earn S$2,525 monthly, and this can go up to S$3,314 as they're promoted to senior roles. Employees in managerial positions, meanwhile, are paid a monthly salary of S$3,733, whereas those with senior manager roles can command up to S$5,782 a month.
There's also the opportunity to go the culinary route as a cook or chef, but this usually requires additional culinary training and certifications.
What is the career path of a waiter?
Junior Level (1-3 years experience)
- Waiter / Waitress
- Dishwasher
- Host / Hostess
- Bartender
- Head Waiter
- Prep Cook or Kitchen Assistant
Mid Level (4-8 years experience)
Senior level (8 years or more)
What requirements do you need to become a waiter?
Required skills
- Customer service skills. Since you will be serving customers face to face, you will need to be good at catering to other people's needs and addressing their concerns patiently and respectfully.
- Effective communication. The ability to properly communicate and relay important information—including orders, special requests, and complaints—is crucial in performing the job well.
- Basic math skills. This allows you to accurately process sale transactions for the restaurant.
- Administration knowledge of F&B operations and quality management. It's also necessary to be proficient in Microsoft Office programs.
Other skills
- Food safety. This demonstrates your knowledge of safe food handling to ensure the customer's health and well-being.
- Point-of-sale systems. This refers to basic technical knowledge in operating point-of-sales systems (i.e. computers and registers) to process restaurant transactions.
- Teamwork. Since you will be closely working with other servers and restaurant staff, you need to be able to work and interact well with others.
- Multitasking skills. Restaurant settings can be extremely fast-paced and demanding, so it's helpful to be good at juggling different tasks while ensuring quality performance.
- Patience. This skill involves giving each and every customer the same level and attention, and maintaining a calm demeanor when faced with issues or conflicts.
Educational background
There is no strict educational requirement to become a waiter, but most employers prefer candidates with at least a high school diploma to ensure basic reading and math skills. Applicants are usually required to undergo on-the-job training before becoming officially employed in order to familiarise themselves with tasks and protocols. Prior experience is also preferred by restaurants and establishments with specific service standards.
Opportunities for Continuous Education
Since many waiter jobs offer part-time arrangements, you can pursue further studies while being employed. Obtaining a bachelor's degree in a food and beverage (F&B) or hospitality course can easily fast-track your career and allow you to land a managerial or a chef role.There's also a variety of training and certification courses you can take to give your career a boost and rise up the ranks faster. Here are some examples of available WSQ (Workforce Skills Qualifications) courses in Singapore:
- WSQ Certificate in Food Services (Culinary Arts)
This equips entry-level food service staff with basic skills in food handling, storage, and preparation.
This trains participants on the basics of food safety and hygiene required to be a food handler.
- WSQ Specialist Diploma in Food Services (Food and Beverage Service)
This teaches participants advanced management knowledge and technical skills in the F&B and hospitality industry.
How to write a waiter resume
Whether you're a newbie to the whole waiting gig or an experienced server looking to land a better role, here's a resume template you can use to snag the job. Download this Waiter resume HERE.
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