The Job Description of a Hostess
If you're willing to work in the restaurant industry but don't want to wait tables, a position as a hostess may be an option for you. Hostesses and hosts are the folks who greet you when you enter an eatery. They held more than 350,000 jobs in the United States in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency notes that about one in five people working in the restaurant industry were between the ages of 16 and 19 that year.
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Duties
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A hostess welcomes guests to the restaurant and finds out what type of seating they need, including how many people are in their party, whether they plan to smoke, and if they are want to sit indoors or out. The hostess advises guests of the expected wait time for their table and may give them a "beeper" to notify them when their table is ready. She directs customers to a seating area where they can wait until their table is available. She may accommodate special requests, such as the desire to be seated in a booth or the need for a high chair. When the guests' table is available, the hostess may escort them to it. She may answer the restaurant's phone and take reservations. Some hostesses also set tables, refill beverages and/or act as a cashier for customers when they leave.
Skills
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A host needs good communication skills and basic math skills. He should be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
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Personal Traits and Abilities
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Since they are ambassadors of sorts for their employer, hostesses need to be friendly, outgoing individuals. They often work on their feet, so the ability to stand for several hours is important.
Education and Experience
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While there is typically not an education requirement, some employers may expect a host to have previous experience in customer service or a restaurant.
Salary and Job Outlook
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People in these positions made an average of $8.42 an hour in May 2008. The agency notes that most of their income is from wages, although they may share in the tip pool in some eateries.
The job outlook is not especially bright for a potential hostess or host. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts these types of job openings will experience slower-than-average growth from 2008 to 2018.
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References
- Photo Credit restaurant. image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
