Waiter

You could prepare for this job by doing a college course to get some of the skills you'll need. Courses include:

• Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry
• Level 1 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could get into this job through a hospitality team member intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could volunteer in a cafe run by a local community organisation or a charity like the Royal Voluntary Service. This will help you to develop your skills before you apply for paid work.

You can find more volunteering opportunities through Do-it.

You can apply for jobs without experience, though you'll have an advantage if you've worked in customer service before. Your employer will train you on the job.

Further information

You can get more details about working as a waiter from the Hospitality Guild.

You'll need:

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• a desire to help people
• active listening skills
• a good memory
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• greeting customers as they arrive and showing them to their table
• giving out menus and taking orders for food and drink
• serving food and drinks
• dealing with bill payments
• making sure tables are clean and tidy

You could work at a restaurant.

Your working environment may be hot, humid and noisy.

You may need to wear a uniform.