How to Be a Head Waiter
Restaurants, from all sorts of establishments in various locations around the world, often seek out prospective head waiters to fill necessary positions. Head waiters lead customers to their tables and serve them, but unlike regular waiters they also oversee the work and performance of other serving staff. Additionally, head waiters usually have the authority to delegate tasks to other waiters. Some head waiters even help create menus and plan banquet events as well. Since the food and restaurant industry is constantly buzzing with growth, there may be room for you to get hired as a head waiter. A head waiter's salary can vary, but the average annual salary sits around $29,000 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Instructions
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Obtain working experience as a waiter. Head waiters almost always have prior work experience as a junior waiter, busboy or serving staff member before being promoted or hired as a head waiter. You may be required to work in a lower-end serving staff position for a number of months up to a few years before gaining sufficient experience to be considered for hire as a head waiter.
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Obtain a high school level education at the very least. No formal education is required for becoming a head waiter, but managers and restaurant owners do look at your level of education as part of the hiring process just like any other job. Most head waiters have a high school diploma at the very least, and it helps to have a college or university as well, especially if you can specialize in culinary arts or restaurant management.
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Obtain customer service experience. You can get experience in customer service through any other customer-related job, through an existing serving job or through participating in non-profit groups and clubs. Head waiters are required to be customer-oriented, friendly and helpful to all customers while on the job.
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Practice refining your leadership skills. You can do this by taking up the responsibility to plan and oversee a local club gathering, group event or meeting in your local area. Head waiters need to know how to multitask, make quick decisions and operate under stressful and fast-paced conditions.
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Develop good communication skills and memorization skills. You can do this through team building exercises, working in groups and participating in memorization skill games. Head waiters are required to actively communicate with both customers and junior waiters as well as memorize menus and customer orders as part of the job.
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Ensure that you are ready to undertake the physical demands of being a head waiter. Head waiters spend much of their time working on their feet and balancing trays. Consider getting more active physically and practice balancing trays at home so you can keep up with the demanding conditions.
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Apply to restaurants as a head waiter. Highlight your experience, education and best skills in terms of serving and leadership.
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References
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