Food Service Workers Job Description: Employment Opportunities, Wages and Earnings, Required Skills and Education, Job Outlook
Submitted by: Cheska Davenport
Job Overview: Food service workers are persons who take part in the food business by means of being servers, counter attendants, dining room attendants, kitchen assistants, hosts, cooks and cleaning personnel. They take in customer orders, serve meals and beverages, take in payments and provide change. Their duties vary on the food service establishment they work in.
Education, Knowledge and Training Required: There is no minimum educational requirement needed in order to become a food service worker, as this is a job usually taken for par-time work. However, there are vocational schools which offer special training courses for waiters and dining servers. There are also restaurant associations which offer courses, and these as well provide employment opportunities in partner food service establishments and agencies. Some people, especially those who wish to run their own food service business such as restaurants, diners or fast food chains, may find these jobs a good way to train themselves for their future ventures.
Skills and Abilities: In order to become a successful food service worker, one should be physically fit and free from physical disabilities or impairments which may hinder them from accomplishing their tasks for the day. They must have strong physical stamina, congenial temperament, patience and the passion to serve the public. Food service workers should also be neat and clean and conscious of their personal hygiene and appearance. They also have to communicate properly with the public, have basic math skills to compute payments, as well as organizational skills in case they are assigned at the counter to take bills and checks.
Tasks: Food service workers work on a variety of jobs depending on the department on which they are assigned as well as the size of the food service establishment they work for. Informal waiters and food servers are assigned to satisfy patrons and give them adequate attention so that they would keep coming back to that particular establishment.
Among the basic duties and responsibilities of food service workers regardless of formality or type include taking orders, serving food and beverages, assisting patrons to their reserved seats or tables, calculate bills and collect money for payment. They also clear and clean tables, replenish supplies and condiments, and set up table service for incoming customers. Servers who are assigned in the cleaning and dishwashing area are responsible for the overall cleanliness of the dining and kitchen area, and these involve mopping the floors and taking out the trash, and washing and drying the dishes, glasses and utensils.
Earnings and Job Outlook: The earnings and salaries of food service workers depend highly on different factors, such as the type of establishment they are employed in, the size and location of the establishment, their experience, basic wages, geographic wage scales and other items. Full-time food service workers usually earn an average annual salary of $24,150, but they earn more on the tips and freebies given by their customers and loyal patrons. Full time workers also receive benefits packages, leaves and insurance plans.
Cheska Davenport is a career search strategist who focuses on creating power resumes and providing job search advice that aim to help individuals achieve their target goals in the job market.
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