Career Path After Waiter: Best Jobs & Next Steps

Career Path After Waiter: Key Findings

Career paths include Bartender, Sommelier, Manager and Cook.
Training and certifications make moving up faster and easier.
Waiters/Waitresses build skills in customer service, problem-solving and multitasking.

While serving can be a great starting point in the hospitality industry, it’s not something most people see as their long-term career path after waiter.

The service industry offers many opportunities for growth if you’re willing to learn new skills and expand your experience.

In this article, we’ll cover transferable skills, the best jobs to pursue after serving and steps to successfully transition from waiting tables.

Transferrable Skills That Support a Career Path After Waiter/Waitress Roles

A good Waitress/Waiter already knows how to provide excellent customer service. In the restaurant and hospitality industry, being service-oriented is important, no matter the role. This is something future employers will undoubtedly value since interpersonal skills are always sought-after.

Waiting tables is arguably one of the most demanding jobs since it’s physically and mentally exhausting. If you’ve been working as a Waitress/Waiter, you’re probably physically active and can work other jobs that require standing for extended periods of time or lifting heavier objects.

Additionally, waitressing hones problem-solving abilities and time management skills, as servers often navigate complex situations and prioritize tasks efficiently during busy periods.

Exploring Career Paths After Being a Waiter/Waitress

Thinking about a future in hospitality? This video explores the Waiter/Waitress career path, highlighting the skills, growth opportunities and unique advantages that come with the role.

From building customer service expertise to opening doors for international travel and management positions, discover why this career offers more than just serving food.

Barback or Bartender

These are two of the best jobs to take on as a former Server. Why? Well, simply because they're quite similar to the role of Server, making them some of the easier career transitions. Of course, you'll need to learn your way around the bar, but you've probably been around bars long enough to have a good idea of what they’re like.

Mixology skills can always be acquired through watching how-to videos and practicing. In fact, there are plenty of online bartending courses and bartending schools that you can enroll into. These courses and schools offer hands-on training to equip you with all the skills and knowledge you’ll need to work as a Bartender.

Some bartending schools even offer bartending certificates and licenses that a lot of establishments look for when hiring. Those certificates and licenses can make you stand out from other candidates when applying for barbacking and bartending jobs.

Sommelier

Sommeliers are wine experts in fine-dining restaurants. The role is a major career step up, with duties similar to waiters but requiring specialized skills in wine knowledge and service.

For starters, Sommeliers are wine experts. To become a Sommelier, you'll probably need to attend a course from one of four renowned institutions:

These institutions award certificates to their graduates that credit them for having varying levels of knowledge about wine. This knowledge can cover the different types, flavors and textures of grapes, the different popular regions, different glassware, serving techniques and so on.

Once you get into the role of a Sommelier, you can aspire to become a Master Sommelier. There are less than 300 Master Sommeliers in the world. This makes it one of the most prestigious positions in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

While completing courses at these institutions can help you land a Sommelier role, they aren’t required. If your workplace already employs a Sommelier, you can ask for hands-on training and use your interpersonal skills to build a mentorship.

Restaurant Manager

If you've proven yourself as a hardworking Waitress/Waiter in a restaurant or bar, you might be considered for a managerial role. Often, owners or upper management decide who becomes a Restaurant Manager, so it may be out of your control.

Still, if you have strong performance and confidence in your abilities, you can ask for a promotion. Many restaurants prefer promoting proven employees over hiring outsiders.

Cook

If you enjoy cooking and want to pursue a career in a kitchen, you can take up a Line Cook job or Prep Cook job. These are entry-level kitchen jobs that teach a lot about what it’s like to work in a fast-paced kitchen.

Kitchens are high-stress environments where you must communicate clearly and work well under pressure. Fortunately, former Servers can transfer many of their skills into these roles.

Strong communication with coworkers is just as crucial as it is with customers. Organization, multitasking, and teamwork are essential for keeping processes streamlined.

If you’re new, ask questions to avoid mistakes and wasted time. When you need help, more experienced staff will often step in to support you.

Pursuing Further Education and Certifications

Enhancing your qualifications can open doors to new career opportunities:

Culinary School: For those interested in becoming chefs or kitchen managers.
Hospitality Management Degree: Beneficial for roles in hotel or restaurant management.
Certifications: Such as food safety or sommelier courses, to specialize in specific areas.

Investing in education demonstrates commitment and can significantly boost your career trajectory.

Steps to Transition in the Career Path After Waiter

There are a few steps you can take to ensure a successful transition to jobs after serving.

Willingness to learn

You need to be open to learning and willing to work hard, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone. If you want to advance, the effort will pay off.

The internet gives you access to endless educational content on any role. You can watch videos, follow industry experts, and learn directly from their experience.

Bartending schools provide both practical and theoretical training for barbacking and bartending. Cooking courses, likewise, can guide you into the culinary world.

Update your resume

Once you feel confident in your knowledge and skills about the role you want to apply for, list them in your resume.

Even if you don't have all the necessary skills required for a certain role, you probably have transferable skills that you gained while working as a Waitress/Waiter.

Take advantage of your networking

In hospitality, you meet people from many backgrounds every day. Use this to build connections with coworkers and clients. Always stay friendly, approachable and professional.

Be careful when connecting with clients. Avoid discussing business at work, since most guests just want to relax. Focus on personal rapport, and leave business talks for another time.

Conclusion on the Career Path After Waiter

The roles we talked about and the tips we provided should give you a general idea of what you can look forward to, and what it will take to transition to another role successfully.

There are plenty of opportunities for hard workers in the restaurant and hospitality industry, so it comes down to your personal preference about what you want to do next. At the end of the day, the best jobs are the ones we enjoy doing. So set a goal for yourself and work towards it!

01. What are the best career options after working as a Waitress/Waiter?

Some popular career paths include bartending, becoming a Sommelier, Restaurant Manager, or transitioning to roles outside hospitality like sales or customer service. Your choice depends on your interests and the skills you want to build on.

02. How can I use my waitressing experience to stand out in other industries?

Highlight transferable skills such as multitasking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Employers value the ability to work under pressure and handle diverse situations, which are skills waitstaff excel at.

03. Do I need certifications to move into a new role, like bartending or management?

Certifications aren’t always required but can give you an edge. For example, mixology courses are helpful for bartending, and food safety or hospitality management certifications are great for leadership roles.

04. What are some high-paying roles I can transition to after waitressing?

Roles like Restaurant Manager, Sommelier, or Sales Representative often pay well. Bartending can also be lucrative, especially in high-end establishments or busy venues where tips are significant.

05. Can I move into non-hospitality roles after waitressing?

Absolutely! Many waitstaff transition to customer service, sales, administrative roles, or even event planning. Your skills in communication and multitasking are highly transferable.