What does a Host do?
Hosts work at sit-down restaurants ranging from casual family diners to fine dining establishments to make customers feel welcomed and provide attentive service from the moment a customer enters the dining room. They are also in charge of fairly assigning tables to waitstaff so that servers can split the workload fairly and get a fair opportunity to earn tips during their shift. Hosts lead guests to their tables, manage reservations and communicate with front of house staff about when they have a new party in their section. Hosts support bussers in clearing tables, wiping down menus and organizing silverware.
Host skills and qualifications
A Host should have skills that allow them to interact with guests and help keep restaurant operations running smoothly. Some qualifications for a Host include the following:
- High school diploma or GED
- Prior customer service experience in the hospitality industry
- Positive attitude and interpersonal skills
- Good communication skills and phone etiquette
- Flexibility when working alternating shifts
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
Host Salary Expectations
A Host makes an average of $12.50 per hour. Pay rate may depend on level of experience, education and the geographical location.
Host Salary Expectations
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Common salary:
13.71 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -41.10 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Host education and training Requirements
Hosts typically need a high school diploma or GED for a Host position, but some employers offer this position without any formal qualification. High school students often prefer to work part time as Hosts while working toward their diploma. A bachelor’s degree is often helpful for Hosts looking to pursue a supervisory role. The job of a Host generally does not require any formal training.
Host experience requirements
Although an entry-level Host position does not require any specific experience, it generally helps for the candidate to have some experience working with people. Candidates with a customer service background, and phone handling experience are ideal for the position. Exact experience requirements vary with the specific job profile and career growth planned for the position. For example, if the Host is required to serve alcohol, the Host should have relevant experience and a thorough knowledge of different types of drinks.
Job description samples for similar positions
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