The host or hostess is the first person that a customer sees when they enter a restaurant. A host job description demonstrates that they have a variety of tasks but are primarily responsible for welcoming customers and seating them in their desired place. They may also take reservations, work with the kitchen staff, and close and open the door for people who come into the restaurant.
This restaurant host job description goes over in more detail what they do, skills needed to perform this job, any required education or experience, the working schedule, job outlook, and median salary. After reading this article, you should be able to know what a host does and the steps someone took to become a host.
What Does a Restaurant Host Do?
A restaurant host welcomes everyone to the restaurant. They ask how many are in a party, give an estimated wait time, ask if any children’s menus are needed, take reservations or call ahead setting, and set a positive climate for the table’s dining experience. It is important to be a team player and communicate well with both the wait staff and the kitchen staff. They are generally responsible for the upkeep of the front of the restaurant, keeping the glass clean, and opening doors for customers.
There is no required education or previous experience needed to become a restaurant host. Those who are old enough to have graduated high school need a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous customer service experience is a plus. The median hourly wage for a host or hostess is $9.60.
Restaurant Host Job Description for Resume – Responsibilities
The following list details some of the specific responsibilities seen in a host job description. Use these as starting statements for your own resume and customize them.
- Balance multiple tasks such as taking reservations with seating customers in the restaurant.
- Welcome customers to the restaurant and ask them if it is their first time at the restaurant.
- Ask if there are any special requirements or preferences for seating.
- Clean the front of the restaurant, particularly the door handles and windows.
- Communicate with the wait staff in order to know what areas of the restaurant to seat customers.
- Always have a smile on regardless of actual attitude or personal matters they are dealing with.
- Say bye to customers as they leave the restaurant and that the restaurant hopes to see the customer again.
Restaurant Host Essential Skills
- Friendliness skills. The right person to be a host needs to be outgoing and friendly. They must not worry about being loud or animated, as both of those skills make for a good host.
- Communication skills. The host needs to be able to communicate with the other parts of the restaurant in order to achieve a seamless dining experience for the customer.
- Planning skills. A restaurant host needs to accurately estimate wait times, take reservations or call ahead seating, and prioritize seating for guests who are waiting for a table. This requires the ability to plan and coordinate several different services.
- Physical stamina skills. A host or hostess has to take reservations and walk people to their table. This requires them to be on their feet for the majority of the day.
How to Become a Restaurant Host
There is no formal education needed to become a restaurant host. This is a job where training is completed when the host starts working. There is no prior experience required.
Education & Training Requirements
Restaurant hosts can be younger than 18 years old. Thus, it is entirely possible to have a host that has not had the opportunity to complete high school. Even those who have passed the age of 18 might not have their degree. However, many restaurants prefer someone who has their high school diploma or GED.
The vast majority of the skills and education that a restaurant host needs to learn are gained on the job. They will work under a more experienced host until they have demonstrated the ability to complete tasks independently. The restaurant will also provide training on personal hygiene and how to ensure a clean workspace.
Work Experience
Restaurant hosts do not need prior work experience. This is an entry-level position. It is actually more common that someone will work as a restaurant host to gain the experience they need to become a waiter or waitress.
If a host does have prior experience, it should be in a customer service related field in order to demonstrate their ability to work well with customers.
Work Schedules
The working schedule for a host is largely dependent on when the restaurant is open. For example, a host who works for a traditional Italian restaurant may work the lunch hour from 11 AM to 2 PM and the dinner hour from 5 PM to 10 PM and a host who works at a breakfast place may only work from 5 AM to 11 AM.
The working schedule will also ebb and flow with the feel of the restaurant. When the restaurant is less busy, the host is able to clean windows, organize menus, or incorporate any changes to the specialty menu. However, when there is a wait list, the host will seat people as quickly as possible and stay on top of possible wait times.
Career Prospects
The projected job growth for restaurant hosts through the year 2024 is 4 percent. This is about average for all other jobs. The job of the restaurant host is shifting slightly. For example, faster, casual restaurants are opening. In this case, the host would run food and announce when orders are ready.
The median salary for restaurant hosts is $9.60. There is a good opportunity for job growth because a restaurant host can become a waiter or waitress and potentially a manager of the restaurant. The highest number of hosts are employed in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Conclusion
Restaurant hosts see a relatively low salary, but there are no prerequisites for education or experience in order to perform this job. A host job description shows that they get to work in a fast-paced climate and interact with people on a daily basis. If you are interested in the food and beverage industry but do not have the experience or education to attain another position, then being a restaurant host is a great entry-level career. Another position for you to consider as a professional mean to help patrons is that of a concierge.