Find restaurants near you that are looking for help and apply in person. You'll probably be bussing tables or cleaning at first, but you'll get a look into what working in this industry is like. 

Apply for a restaurant job.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

First Interest High-Point

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Second Interest High-Point

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Third Interest High-Point

Strengthen your people skills and practice patience with people. Then find a restaurant that is hiring hostesses and apply. Explain your people skills and demonstrate to your interviewer that you are friendly, outgoing, and personable.

Getting to work early and setting up my area and making sure the front is all cleaned up. Also being alert and focused when greeting and seating guests.

Hostess

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

Other Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers

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.

Answer telephone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls.

Operate cash registers to accept payments for food and beverages.

Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.

Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.

Receive and record patrons' dining reservations.

Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.

Inform patrons of establishment specialties and features.

Inspect restrooms for cleanliness and availability of supplies and clean restrooms when necessary.

Assist other restaurant workers by serving food and beverages, or by bussing tables.

Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.

Hire, train, and supervise food and beverage service staff.

Prepare cash receipts after establishments close, and make bank deposits.

Direct patrons to coatrooms and waiting areas such as lounges.

Plan parties or other special events and services.

Order or requisition supplies and equipment for tables and serving stations.

Perform marketing and advertising services.

Confer with other staff to help plan establishments' menus.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

Overview

Career

What Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Do

Other Job Titles Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

Overview

Career

What Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Do

Other Job Titles Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

Related Careers

Related Leaders