Minimum Age Requirements for Waitressing
The minimum age requirement to be a waitress is typically 16 years old. You will usually need to prove your age with a form of valid ID, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate. Most restaurants will require you to be at least 18 or 21 years old to work as a waitress depending on the state or country you live in. This is because waitressing often involves handling money.
Applebee’s policies say servers must be at least 19 in some regions. While they hire adults as servers, Applebee’s allows minors as busboys and hostesses.
Thirty-seven states let 18 year olds serve alcohol in restaurants. Only three states make servers be 21. One state says 17 year olds can serve alcohol.
Discord requires users be 13, but has "18+" sections. Still, it’s easy to click through the verification.
How to Become a Waitress
There are a few simple tips you can use to land a job as a waiter, even with no experience. Go to the restaurants to which you’d like to apply. You should consider at least five restaurants as the restaurant industry is very competitive.
- A waitress needs to be friendly and helpful, and able to multi-task.
- It might be necessary for a younger applicant to start with "behind the scenes" work.
- Begin with positions like busser or dishwasher that may even earn tips.
Hey guys, In this tutorial, I will explain why now is a great time to become a waiter, how to become a waitress, and how to grow fast in this business so you can start making a lot of money and live a great life.
You can also become a waiter/waitress through a traineeship in Hospitality. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require junior secondary school certificate or equivalent.
Skills and Duties of a Waitress
Skills and Proficiencies:
- Verbal Communication
- Excellent Customer Service
- Resolve Conflict
- Teamwork
Duties:
The most common degree for servers is a bachelor’s degree with 40% graduates, with only 30% server graduates earning a high school diploma.
Becoming a Waitress:
- The customer is always right.
- Familiarize yourself with the Restaurant Layout during training.
- Check back with your guests to ensure that they are satisfied with their meal.
Material Needs:
As a beginner waitress, you will need to acquire a few materials to begin your role.
Common Path to Becoming a Waitress:
- Previous job titles often include cashier, sales associate, and server.
- Essential soft skills include communication skills, customer-service skills, and being detail oriented.
- It usually takes less than 1 month of job training to become proficient.
- Acquiring a waitress certification like the Certified Professional – Food Safety (CP-FS) can lead to higher earnings.
- Formal education is typically not needed.
Salary and Job Description for a Waitress
Average Salary:
Waiters and Waitresses made a median salary of $22,890 in 2019. The best-paid 25 percent made $29,620 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $18,950.
Job Description:
A waitress is responsible for taking orders, bringing food and drinks to customers, and providing excellent customer service. Duties also include cleaning tables and setting up the dining room. Waitresses typically work shifts that include evenings and weekends, so they must be able to work flexible hours.