If you’re friendly and value good customer service, you might consider finding work as a host or hostess in a restaurant, lounge, or coffee shop. As the source of customers’ first impressions, the host or hostess provides many initial services. They usually take reservations, guide customers to tables… provide them with menus… and ensure prompt and courteous service. In some businesses, the host or hostess is also the cashier. Customer service skills are helpful, as hosts often need to resolve complaints. Knowledge of a second language may be helpful in restaurants specializing in a foreign cuisine. A host or hostess is usually not tipped directly by customers, but may receive a percentage in locations where staff combine tips in a pool. In most places, the job of host or hostess is easy to learn and usually low-stress. Hours are typically part-time, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. A good option for work while attending school, getting familiar with a new city, or working on other projects, hosting’s only major demands are a positive attitude, a neat and clean appearance —and a smile!
What they do:
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
On the job, you would:
Provide guests with menus.
Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
Business
customer service
sales and marketing
Arts and Humanities
English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
food production
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Social
looking for ways to help people
understanding people's reactions
Verbal
communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say
Attention
do two or more things at the same time
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Cooperation
Stress Tolerance
Self Control
Dependability
Social Orientation
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Point of sale POS software
Hospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Sale
Data base user interface and query software
Avenista Table Reservations
Reservation software
high school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.