Sever Career Guide

Sever Career Guide

Whether you’re a seasoned Server or someone looking to get into the field, this practical guide will answer all of your questions regarding Server requirements, necessary skills, career progression and more.

Working as a Server offers a wide array of possibilities, from career progression in the hospitality industry to completely changing your career. The skills you gain as a Server are highly competitive and widely applicable to many other jobs on the market.

What Is a Server?

Servers are in charge of welcoming the guests and making sure their dining experience is enjoyable and memorable. They’re also supposed to clean and prep the tables as guests come and go, ensuring that cleanliness and service are at the highest standard.

Servers communicate with the back-of-house and front-of-house staff on a daily basis. They make sure the orders are delivered promptly and accurately.

However, it’s important to differentiate between the role of a Server and the role of a Waiter, as these two are sometimes used interchangeably. While some aspects of their work are quite similar, such as taking and delivering orders, as well as interacting with customers, Waiters have a more narrow set of responsibilities compared to Servers.

Waiters can work in both casual and fine-dining establishments and Servers are usually found in upscale restaurants where they handle a broader set of responsibilities. For example, apart from waiting on tables, they can also manage reservations and handle special requests.

What Does a Server Do at a Restaurant?

The Server’s duties and responsibilities include:

• Greeting and welcoming customers
• Interacting with patrons and presenting the menu
• Answering customers’ questions and suggesting items from the menu
• Taking orders in an accurate manner
• Communicating with staff to ensure orders are delivered on time
• Preparing tables, washing dishes and helping with other tasks
• Dealing with complaints in a calm and efficient manner
• Handling cash and credit card payments

Make sure to check out our Server job description where you will find a complete guide on what the position entails.

How To Become a Server?

You don’t need previous experience to become a Server, as most of the skills are learned on the job. However, to apply for a Server job, you must meet the minimum age requirements set by the state in which you live.

To increase your chances of getting your first job, you can browse through the National Restaurant Association which supports over half a million restaurant businesses in the country. There, you can attend courses and learn more about the latest trends in the industry.

Lastly, it’s also beneficial to go through the state labor laws as the U.S. has 50 different states (and Washington D.C.), all of them with different legislations. It’s important to know your rights as an employee so you can effectively protect yourself and your livelihood at all times.

Top 4 Skills for Servers

Customer service

Being friendly and approachable is one of the most important traits of a good Server. Since you will be continuously interacting with customers throughout your shift, you will have a unique opportunity to answer all their questions and proactively ask for feedback.

Communication skills

Given that delivering orders on time depends on both the Server and other staff members, your employer will expect you to possess outstanding communication skills. By effectively communicating with others, you’re ensuring that the service is running smoothly even during the restaurant’s busiest hours.

Ability to multitask

Ordinarily, Servers work in a fast-paced environment, simultaneously juggling a couple of tasks at the same time. To make sure everything’s running without delays, Servers should excel at multitasking. The good news is that this incredibly valuable skill can be learned through practice and experience.

Good physical shape

Although there’s no specific age requirement for Servers, this job requires someone who’s in good physical shape. Servers spend their shifts walking or standing for long hours. To qualify for the job, you should be able-bodied and capable of pushing heavy trolleys and serving carts.

Is Being a Server the Right Job for You?

Here are 10 quiz questions to help determine if a Server job might be a good fit for you.

Results

Congratulations!

Based on your responses, it seems like a career as a Server would be a great match for you. Your skills and preferences align well with the demands of the profession.

Embrace this opportunity, and consider exploring further training or gaining hands-on experience to refine your abilities. Check out our list of high-paying Server Jobs.

There’s great potential!

While your results suggest that a Server role might not be an immediate perfect match, there’s significant potential for you to excel with dedication and focused effort.

Consider investing time in honing your skills, perhaps by attending server training workshops or gaining practical experience in a restaurant setting.

You can also visit our Server Interview Questions to learn more about how you can improve your chances.

#1. How do you handle high-pressure situations?

I thrive and stay calm under pressure.

I thrive and stay calm under pressure.

I find it challenging and often get overwhelmed.

I find it challenging and often get overwhelmed.

Next

#2. How do you feel about working evenings, weekends, and holidays?

I’m flexible and don’t mind irregular hours.

I’m flexible and don’t mind irregular hours.

I prefer a regular 9-5 schedule but can adjust occasionally.

I prefer a regular 9-5 schedule but can adjust occasionally.

Next

#3. How comfortable are you with interacting with people all day?

Very comfortable – I love engaging with people and providing customer service.

Very comfortable – I love engaging with people and providing customer service.

Somewhat comfortable – I enjoy it, but it can be tiring.

Somewhat comfortable – I enjoy it, but it can be tiring.

Next

#4. How do you react to feedback and criticism?

I take it positively and use it to improve my performance.

I take it positively and use it to improve my performance.

I accept it but sometimes feel defensive.

I accept it but sometimes feel defensive.

Next

#5. How do you prioritize tasks during a busy shift?

I handle the most urgent tasks first and keep a mental checklist.

I handle the most urgent tasks first and keep a mental checklist.

I focus on one task at a time and don’t worry about other tasks until the current one is completed.

I focus on one task at a time and don’t worry about other tasks until the current one is completed.

Next

#6. How do you handle difficult customers?

I remain calm and professional, trying to resolve the issue politely.

I remain calm and professional, trying to resolve the issue politely.

I avoid confrontation and seek help from a manager if needed.

I avoid confrontation and seek help from a manager if needed.

Next

#7. How do you ensure accuracy when taking orders?

I repeat the order back to the customer and write it down immediately.

I repeat the order back to the customer and write it down immediately.

I rely on memory and check the order only when it’s being served.

I rely on memory and check the order only when it’s being served.

Next

#8. How do you handle a situation where a customer is unhappy with their meal?

I listen to their concerns, apologize, and try to resolve the issue promptly.

I listen to their concerns, apologize, and try to resolve the issue promptly.

I explain the situation to them and suggest they speak to a manager if they’re still unhappy.

I explain the situation to them and suggest they speak to a manager if they’re still unhappy.

Next

#9. How do you handle a situation where you make a mistake with an order?

I admit the mistake immediately and correct it as quickly as possible.

I admit the mistake immediately and correct it as quickly as possible.

I try to fix it discreetly and only inform the customer if necessary.

I try to fix it discreetly and only inform the customer if necessary.

Next

#10. How do you deal with the physical demands of being on your feet for long periods?

I stay active and make use of downtime to stretch or rest when possible.

I stay active and make use of downtime to stretch or rest when possible.

I try to take breaks as often as I can, even if it means leaving my station.

I try to take breaks as often as I can, even if it means leaving my station.

Finish

Server Salary and Earnings Potential

On average, Servers make $18,46 per hour, excluding tips. This can greatly fluctuate from state to state, depending on the employer, economic conditions and life expenses. For example, the state of Vermont in the New England region, offers the highest-paying jobs for Servers.

On the other hand, states like Georgia, Florida and Massachusetts, offer the lowest pay in the country.

Server Industry Trends in 2024

In the United States, minimum wages for regular employees are not the same as minimum wages for tipped employees. The federal minimum wage is 7.25$ per hour – however, for those who regularly receive tips, such as Servers, the base salary can be significantly lower.

This is because employers are allowed to include tips on top of the base salary to equal the minimum national wage. However, as this is not always followed by many establishments, some employers end up underpaying their Servers. As a result, some Servers are left in a difficult situation making less than the state’s minimum pay.

According to Sylvia Allegretto, a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 60% of tipped workers in the United States are Servers and Waiters, whose minimum salary hasn’t increased for the last 15 years.

However, there are efforts to eliminate salaries for tipped employees and increase wages to $15 per hour for all employees. It is expected that future changes will boost the hospitality sector and attract more workers who have been underpaid in the past.