Think of a job requiring impeccable timing and balance, memory and mobility, intuition and stamina. No, it's not an Olympic athlete — it's a restaurant server.
Your servers are hugely important. They facilitate the flow of your restaurant — delivering dishes and drinks to guests, checking on them regularly, relaying their special requests and dietary restrictions to the kitchen, and collecting payment when the meal finishes. But beyond that, they're also brand ambassadors who help form your customers' immediate and lasting impressions of your business.
So restaurateurs need to be deliberate about recruiting and hiring the right servers and nurturing and retaining that talent. This isn't the type of role that just anyone can do. You need comfortable communicators who like interacting with people and whose knowledge of your menu allows them to answer questions and provide great recommendations.
With all that in mind, it's plain to see that a good server job description has to cover more than waiting tables. Here's an overview of what to include in your job listing and why.
Why a clear server job description matters
Plenty of job seekers may have confidence in their ability to transport trays of plates, platters, and glasses from one table to the next — but that's just one component of what a server does. More than anything, a server needs to be friendly, attentive, detail-oriented, and genuinely care that their guests are having a good time.
That means communication and social skills are as necessary in a server job description as dexterity. A passion for cuisine, food pairings, and customer service are also huge pluses.
And then there are the extra roles and responsibilities that front-of-house staff take on, depending on the situation. A server may help welcome and seat guests if the host is busy or absent, or they might help bussers clear and set tables to ensure customers aren't kept waiting. They could polish glassware or roll napkins and cutlery if there's a lull in service. They may need to partner with kitchen staff to understand inventory and which dishes to recommend to guests. They should also be adaptable, able to meet the needs of guests and the restaurant as they evolve.
A server job description needs to emphasize the multidimensional functions that waitstaff — who may also be referred to as waiters or waitresses, depending on the type of restaurant you run — must fulfill.
What an example server job description looks like
A great job description is critical to reach the right talent. It's important to outline the specific requirements you're looking for, including hard and soft skills, along with the perks and benefits you will offer employees. Here's how you might go about structuring a job description:
Job Title: Server
Location: [Restaurant name], [City, State]
Pay: Post the hourly wages or salary you will pay, and how/whether tip income is included.
Schedule: Specify full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week) and, if possible, the days or times you want them to work.
Restaurant Overview: Outline the type of restaurant you run, as well as its atmosphere, work environment, and company culture. Provide a summary of the attitudes, attributes, and aptitudes you're looking for in a successful candidate.
Roles and responsibilities: This is where you can get details on the servers' duties. Here are some that you might include:
Greeting guests as they arrive and seating them in accordance with the seating chart.
Promptly providing menus, water, and preliminary information such as daily specials.
Taking orders, making note of alterations, and providing recommendations as needed.
Accurately and efficiently relaying requests to the back-of-house staff and bartenders.
Intuiting when to check in with guests to ensure everyone is satisfied with their orders.
Clear dishes when guests finish with them and offer options for the next course.
Using the restaurant's POS system to input orders and process payments when it's time to settle the bill.
Helping co-workers keep the restaurant clean and well-organized.
Follow all health, safety, and sanitation guidelines.
What We're Looking For:
2-3 years of experience in hospitality or serving
Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Adaptability and attention to detail
A positive attitude
Perks & Benefits:
Competitive wages and tips
Flexible scheduling
A fun, supportive work environment
Staff discounts on food and drinks
Opportunities for growth and development
Health benefits
Key elements of an effective server job description
A restaurant job description for servers should cover three core areas to be effective. First, it should tell applicants exactly what type of dining establishment you run, which adds context and nuance related to what you're looking for in serving staff. Second, it should detail the roles and responsibilities that servers are accountable for. And third, it should list any prior training, experience, or certification you require.
1. The type of restaurant you operate
Start your restaurant's server job description with an informative and inviting summary of what your restaurant is like and the kind of team member who thrives in your work environment.
A luxe, haute cuisine establishment. A lively, community-centered pub. A sophisticated urban tapas bar. A sustainable farm-to-table dining experience. Each type of restaurant will appeal to different applicants, so be upfront about what you are and who you want to employ.
2. The work schedule
Don't forget to include information about the type of hours, shifts, and coverage you're hiring for. Is this part-time or full-time? Morning, afternoons, or evenings? Weekdays or weekends? If you want to attract the right talent, it's important to specify your restaurant's needs.
3. The specific duties of serving
Let applicants know what responsibilities they'll be expected to perform. You can also include a list of the hard skills they'll need to bring to the table — or the tables, as it were — and the soft skills that make for a great server.
For instance, attention to detail and strong memorization abilities are a must — it's no small feat to keep track of which guests wanted their eggs over easy, over medium, and sunny side up, and which guests can't be anywhere near them because of a serious allergy.
4. The pre-requisite job requirements
Not all restaurants have requirements that applicants must meet for consideration — but if you do, say so in your description. Examples might include previous service experience, understanding how to process payments and use POS systems, knowledge of safe food handling best practices, and a certain level of education or certification.
5. The perks and benefits you offer
A compelling job description highlights not just expectations but also what makes your restaurant a great place to work. Competitive wages, flexible scheduling, and a supportive team culture can set you apart. If you offer growth opportunities, staff discounts, or health benefits, make it clear — these perks can attract dedicated, long-term employees. Show candidates why joining your team isn't just a job but a valuable career opportunity.
What to look for in server resumes
Sometimes, you can tell which job applicants are promising candidates because they anticipate what your restaurant needs from its waitstaff, and foreground the capabilities that separate great servers from good servers.
Pay attention to resumes of people who thrive working under pressure in fast-paced settings, as well as those who pride themselves on being upbeat and outgoing, calm and patient, and who love connecting with people.
Certain skills are nice to have, such as prior restaurant service positions or experience with a POS system, but people can also learn and grow on the job, so try not to disqualify a great candidate just because they have gaps that could be quickly closed.
But then there are non-negotiables. Communication and time management skills are imperative, as serving staff are the intermediaries between the customers and the kitchen. And of course, those with a personal interest in the culinary or hospitality industry may be more motivated to build a long-term career with your restaurant business, rather than just looking for something short-term.
How a strong job description boosts retention and performance
Most restaurateurs will agree that turnover is one of their businesses' top challenges. Constantly having to cover and hire for vacant positions is costly both in terms of time and money. That's certainly the case for Mike Solomonov, whose CookNSolo restaurant group oversees many successful ventures and venues across Philadelphia.
His solution? Recruiting talent who want opportunities to advance in the company. By having a detailed server job description, you attract applicants who have a passion for food and customer service, which bodes well for their performance and longevity.
"We look at revenue, we look at sales, but really, we look at the way to position our employees and upward mobility for them. And that's what determines our growth."
It's a similar approach to the one taken by Luciana Giangrandi, Chef and Owner of Boia De, who ensures she cross-trains her employees to expand their skill sets, leading to consistent internal promotions.
At the end of the day, a job description is a chance to differentiate your business as a brand that people want to work for. Be sure to highlight the professional development opportunities you offer your employees, as well as the culture of engagement and empowerment at your restaurant.
And if you want more ways to stand out to future employees, learn how offering benefits can increase retention in the restaurant industry.
