If you are unsure about the hostess job description, then think back to the last time you went to a restaurant. A hostess is that person who greeted you at the entrance and showed you to your table. A hostess working in a restaurant has many responsibilities, ranging from greeting the clients, all the way up to assigning each waiter a specific number of tables.
The restaurant hostess job description entails working in a fast-paced environment and possibly performing any number of tasks at the same time. Probably the most important requirement for becoming a restaurant hostess is the ability to keep calm under pressure.
What Does a Hostess Do?
After establishing that a hostess’s work is pivotal towards the success of a restaurant, we are inclined to add that the person occupying such a position is also considered a trend starter among the customers.
We are, of course, referring to the fact that the vast majority of clients usually draw a conclusion upon the quality of restaurants by the way there are greeted by the staff. Thus, hostesses must prove that they can understand the locale’s etiquette and apply it.
Hostess Job Description for Resume
- Greet clients according to the restaurant’s etiquette and ask them for reservations;
- Make reservations for clients over the phone or e-mail;
- Discuss seating arrangement with the customers and escort them to their table;
- Talk to customers about various topics when escorting them to their designated table;
- Assign waiters to various tables and talk to the maître d’ about table rotation;
- Use the computer or telephone in order to make reservations, cancel reservations, discuss take-out orders or about table arrangement;
- Keep track of all reservations and inform clients about the status of their reservation, as well as make seating arrangements according to the client’s preferences;
- Present the restaurant’s menu and answer any questions regarding the restaurant’s menu;
- Recommend certain products from the menu and convey questions to the management;
- Check if the tables and locale are clean;
- Greet customers when leaving the premises;
- Assign extra tables to waiters if the situation calls for it.
Hostess Job Required Skills
Communication skills. A restaurant hostess job description requires being versed in the art of verbal communication. The success and prestige of a restaurant rely solely on how well refined the hostess’s communicational skills are. This professional must be able to handle any demands coming from the customers, as well as being able to quell any conflicts that may arise between the clients and the restaurant.
Teamwork Skills. As far as teamwork is concerned, a hostess must be able to function inside a team. On more than one occasions, a hostess will have more work to do than the maître d’. Like, assigning tables to each waiter, and depending on the number of orders and on how full the restaurant is, more than two tables might be assigned to a waiter.
Computer skills. A hostess will need to prove that she has a basic understanding of how to use a computer. This implies working with the MS Office suite pack, and, at times, using the Internet for various purposes. Furthermore, a good hostess must be able to provide answers to clients who inquire about sitting, menus, tables or reservations, via phone, e-mail or another form of over-the-web communication.
Detail-oriented. The job description of a hostess also includes making periodical inspections. As part of the hostess job description, a person occupying such a position must check closely that the tables, seating area, and local are properly sanitized.
Becoming a Hostess
In order to become a hostess employers often require that all candidates possess a high school diploma or a GED. However, additional credentials such as college diplomas may tip the scales in your favor when it comes to employment.
Education & Training Requirements
One does not require any formal training to occupy such a position. While there are specialized courses in hospitality, most of the individuals employed in this profession have received on-site training. As a future employee, you will need to pay attention during your training period. During this time, your assigned tutor will show you how things work, but they will not be able to teach you everything.
The work of a hostess consists of one-part know-how, acquired as a result of hands-on experience, and one part improvisation. Learn all you can during this period, and don’t forget to get lots of notes on the hostess job description. It will help you later on the job, and it will also show your employer that you have a genuine interest in the job.
Work Experience
The hostess job market is highly competitive. That’s why it is vital to understand that the only thing standing between you and your dream job is a good resume.
Furthermore, any additional skills you may possess can help better your odds of becoming employed, even though you have little to no experience. Of course, candidates who have previously worked in customer service will have a better chance of getting employed than others.
Work Schedules
A hostess can work full-time or part-time. They all must also sometimes work on weekends, evenings, and even holidays. The full-time schedule usually means 40 hours a week and it consists in rotating shifts.
Career Prospects
Usually, hostesses tend to climb the career ladder very fast. After spending a couple of years as a hostess, an individual having this position may advance towards waitress, lead hostess, front-house manager, and even maître D’. But the career ladder doesn’t stop here. They can also become regional managers and, in time, maybe restaurant owners themselves.
According to the recent estimations, a hostess working in the hospitality industry tends to make between $7 and $12 per hour depending on the employer. Although hostesses do not receive any tips, their hourly wages tend to be a lot higher than those of a waiter. As for the annual wage, a hostess working on a part-time schedule can earn between $15,000 and $20,000. The salaries can go even higher depending on your experience and qualifications.
Conclusion
The hostess is the image of the restaurant, she is the first one the customer sees when they walk in. She sets the tone for how the customers will feel while spending their time in the locale. A hostess must be able to speak fluently in English and Spanish. However, additional languages might help increase the chances of securing a position at a top paying employer. Thinking about becoming a hostess? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section bellow.