What does a server do?
A server typically works for restaurants and other food establishments to interact with guests and provide them with their meals in a timely manner. They work closely with other servers and restaurant staff to take orders, offer menu recommendations, and check on them throughout their meal. They may also be responsible for cleaning tables after guests leave and communicating with the kitchen about special meal requests.
Server skills and qualifications
Successful servers possess the following important skills and qualifications:
- Being the age of majority if serving alcohol as part of their role
- Obtaining a Smart Serve certification to serve alcohol, specifically in Ontario
- Having excellent customer service skills for interacting with the public
- Being physically able to transport trays and move between tables and the kitchen for the duration of their shift
- Working well under pressure and staying calm during busy dining hours
- Using critical thinking and time management skills to ensure guests receive high-quality meals on time
Server experience requirements
Servers with no experience often start as restaurant attendants and work their way into the server position. Beyond that, there are no specific experience requirements to become a server. A person entering the service profession is encouraged to expand on skills such as customer service, attention to detail, multitasking, and basic math. These skills may be gained after spending time in the food service industry.
Server education and training requirements
A server is not typically required to have any specific education or training, although some employers may require a high school diploma or equivalent. It is advantageous for candidates to obtain a safe food handling certification and Smart Serve certification to be more competitive in the market. As servers gain more experience in the field, they can move up to leadership or managerial positions.
Server salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, a server in Canada can expect to earn an average wage of $17.46 hourly. This varies depending on the location, experience, and size of the restaurant hiring.
Job description samples for similar positions
If you are looking for candidates for similar roles to a server, see our job description templates for related positions:
Server job description FAQs
What are some potential career advancements for a server?
A server with more experience may become a lead server, a restaurant manager, or an assistant manager. Those with education in wines may pursue becoming a sommelier.
What should you ask when hiring a server?
During the interview process, questions that focus on a candidate’s competency and behaviour help maintain a focused and productive interview that will help reveal which candidates will excel in your restaurant environment.
What should you look for when hiring a server?
Knowing what to look for in your servers is helpful as a restaurant owner or manager looking to deliver exceptional customer experience. Exceptional servers can remain calm under pressure, care about people, act quickly, and work well in a team.
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