35-3031.00 Bright Outlook

Waiters & Waitresses

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

Career Cluster:Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
Job Family:Food Preparation and Serving Related
Job Zone:Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Industry:Accommodation and Food Services
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Key Tasks

  • Collect payments from customers.
  • Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
  • Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
  • Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
  • Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
  • Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
  • Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
  • Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
  • Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
  • Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
  • Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
  • Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
  • Stock service areas with supplies such as coffee, food, tableware, and linens.
  • Roll silverware, set up food stations, or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
  • Inform customers of daily specials.
  • Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
  • Assist host or hostess by answering phones to take reservations or to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests.
  • Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
  • Garnish and decorate dishes in preparation for serving.
  • Perform food preparation duties, such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.
  • Prepare hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons, and chill bottles of wine.
  • Escort customers to their tables.
  • Bring wine selections to tables with appropriate glasses, and pour the wines for customers.
  • Describe and recommend wines to customers.
  • Provide guests with information about local areas, including directions.
  • Check with customers to see if they want to apply any rewards to their purchase.
  • Perform routine tasks, such as refilling syrups, sanitizer bottles, and other essential supplies.

Skills

Service Orientation
72%
Speaking
63%
Active Listening
63%
Social Perceptiveness
60%
Coordination
53%
Monitoring
50%
Critical Thinking
47%
Reading Comprehension
44%
Time Management
44%
Persuasion
44%
Judgment and Decision Making
44%
Complex Problem Solving
41%
Active Learning
38%
Quality Control Analysis
31%
Instructing
28%
Mathematics
28%
Writing
28%
Negotiation
28%
Systems Analysis
25%
Operations Monitoring
25%
Systems Evaluation
25%
Learning Strategies
25%
Management of Personnel Resources
22%
Troubleshooting
19%
Management of Material Resources
19%
Management of Financial Resources
16%
Operation and Control
10%
Programming
3%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%
Science
0%
Equipment Selection
0%
Operations Analysis
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%
Technology Design
0%

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
74%
English Language
66%
Sales and Marketing
57%
Food Production
41%
Mathematics
40%
Administration and Management
38%
Psychology
36%
Education and Training
35%
Computers and Electronics
35%
Sociology and Anthropology
34%
Telecommunications
32%
Communications and Media
28%
Public Safety and Security
28%
Economics and Accounting
27%
Administrative
26%
Personnel and Human Resources
21%
Law and Government
21%
Production and Processing
20%
Engineering and Technology
16%
Mechanical
15%
Transportation
15%
Chemistry
15%
Foreign Language
13%
Medicine and Dentistry
10%
Physics
10%
Design
9%
Geography
8%
Therapy and Counseling
5%
Building and Construction
4%
Fine Arts
3%
Philosophy and Theology
3%
Biology
3%
History and Archeology
1%

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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
72%
Speech Clarity
69%
Oral Expression
69%
Speech Recognition
69%
Stamina
56%
Time Sharing
56%
Trunk Strength
56%
Problem Sensitivity
53%
Manual Dexterity
50%
Deductive Reasoning
50%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
50%
Near Vision
50%
Information Ordering
50%
Finger Dexterity
47%
Written Comprehension
47%
Selective Attention
47%
Gross Body Coordination
47%
Far Vision
44%
Extent Flexibility
44%
Static Strength
44%
Inductive Reasoning
44%
Auditory Attention
41%
Category Flexibility
41%
Written Expression
41%
Memorization
41%
Multilimb Coordination
38%
Dynamic Strength
38%
Visualization
31%
Flexibility of Closure
31%
Visual Color Discrimination
31%
Fluency of Ideas
28%
Mathematical Reasoning
28%
Control Precision
28%
Gross Body Equilibrium
28%
Perceptual Speed
25%
Hearing Sensitivity
25%
Speed of Closure
25%
Originality
25%
Number Facility
25%
Explosive Strength
22%
Depth Perception
19%
Spatial Orientation
19%
Speed of Limb Movement
16%
Reaction Time
13%
Dynamic Flexibility
10%
Sound Localization
3%
Peripheral Vision
3%
Wrist-Finger Speed
3%
Rate Control
3%
Night Vision
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Response Orientation
0%

Work Activities

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
75%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
72%
Performing General Physical Activities
69%
Handling and Moving Objects
67%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
66%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
62%
Getting Information
57%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
54%
Assisting and Caring for Others
54%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
52%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
52%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
51%
Selling or Influencing Others
51%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
51%
Working with Computers
50%
Developing and Building Teams
49%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
45%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
45%
Thinking Creatively
44%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
41%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
41%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
39%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
39%
Coaching and Developing Others
36%
Training and Teaching Others
36%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
35%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
34%
Analyzing Data or Information
33%
Processing Information
33%
Controlling Machines and Processes
29%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
27%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
26%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
24%
Scheduling Work and Activities
20%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
19%
Performing Administrative Activities
15%
Staffing Organizational Units
12%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
8%
Documenting/Recording Information
8%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
7%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
3%

Work Context

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

96%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

92%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

88%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

87%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

87%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

83%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

73%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

73%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

73%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

69%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

66%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

65%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

64%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

62%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

61%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

60%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

60%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

60%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

53%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

52%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

51%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

51%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

46%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

45%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

41%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

41%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

36%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

33%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

32%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

23%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

22%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

20%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

20%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

18%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

16%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

16%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

16%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

13%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

12%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

9%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

8%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

7%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

6%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

6%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

6%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

5%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

2%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

2%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

2%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

2%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

1%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

1%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

0%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

0%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

0%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

0%

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

58%

Less than high school diploma

32%

Post-secondary certificate

8%

Interests

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

64

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

59

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

53

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

51

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

16

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

0

Work Styles

Social Orientation
82%
Cooperation
79%
Dependability
71%
Optimism
67%
Empathy
63%
Self-Control
59%
Stress Tolerance
56%
Attention to Detail
51%
Integrity
50%
Adaptability
45%
Humility
43%
Perseverance
42%
Self-Confidence
41%
Sincerity
38%
Initiative
37%
Achievement Orientation
29%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
21%
Cautiousness
14%
Leadership Orientation
3%
Innovation
0%
Intellectual Curiosity
0%

Work Values

Relationships
83%
Support
39%
Achievement
22%
Independence
22%
Recognition
17%
Working Conditions
17%

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