How to hire a buffet waiter/waitress

How to hire a buffet waiter/waitress, step by step

Here's a step-by-step buffet waiter/waitress hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a buffet waiter/waitress job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new buffet waiter/waitress
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a buffet waiter/waitress, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A buffet waiter/waitress's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, buffet waiter/waitresses from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of buffet waiter/waitresses and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Buffet Waiter/Waitress	Description	Hourly rate
   Buffet Waiter/Waitress	Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.	$8-15
   Server Manager	As the name entails, server managers are responsible for managing and overseeing the serving areas in restaurants. This role is associated with several tasks, including checking the appearance of servers, checking a server's knowledge of the restaurant's daily specials and menu items, and greeting the customers... Show more	$11-77
   Server And Certified Trainer	A server and certified trainer is a wait staff position who takes orders and serves food and beverages to customers dining in the restaurant. Often known as the lead server, a server and certified trainer provides training to new server trainees to serve customers and handle payments... Show more	$11-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wine
   • BARS
   • Customer Service Functions

   Responsibilities:

   • Develop relationships with regular patrons; develop an understanding of their personal needs and expectations, including preferences and food allergies.
   • Operate large volume cooking equipment like buger grills, fryers, and/or griddles.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your buffet waiter/waitress job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A buffet waiter/waitress can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, buffet waiter/waitresses' average salary in oklahoma is 46% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level buffet waiter/waitresses 48% less than senior-level buffet waiter/waitresses.
   • Certifications. A buffet waiter/waitress with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a buffet waiter/waitress's salary.

   Average buffet waiter/waitress salary

   $11.67hourly

   $24,281 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level buffet waiter/waitress salary

   $17,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a buffet waiter/waitress job description

   A good buffet waiter/waitress job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a buffet waiter/waitress job description:

   Buffet waiter/waitress job description example

   Job DescriptionMain Responsibilities of a Waiter/Waitress:
   Taking orders and delivering food and beverages.
   Helping guests with menu recommendations.
   Providing exceptional customer experience.
   Waiter/Waitress Job Description:
   Our restaurant is looking for a waiter/waitress with remarkable hard skills and engaging people skills.
   The right person for this job should be able to multitask food and beverage orders and deliveries, but not only that. Our restaurant prides itself in providing excellent service, which is why we are looking for a waiter/waitress who will treat our guests with attentiveness, patience, and a positive attitude.
   The responsibilities of a waiter/waitress in our restaurant are to greet guests, seat them down, help them with menu recommendations, take and deliver orders (carry trays), and clear tables. All our waiters/waitresses are also responsible for handling cash and credit card transactions.
   To help our restaurant provide a pleasurable dining experience, a good waiter/waitress should be able to ensure that our guests are fully satisfied by being friendly, courteous, accommodating, and reliable. A suitable candidate for the job should also be a problem-solver and a team player.
   Responsibilities of a Waiter/Waitress:
   Greeting, seating, and escorting guests.
   Providing menu recommendations and additional information.
   Upselling additional products when appropriate.
   Checking ID's to prevent minors from ordering alcoholic beverages.
   Taking orders using software, order slips, or by memorization.
   Communicating order details to the kitchen staff.
   Delivering food and beverages in a timely fashion.
   Delivering checks and collecting bill payments.
   Cleaning and maintaining the appearance of tables and tableware.
   Providing exceptional customer experience.
   Waiter/Waitress Job Requirements:
   Must have prior experience as a waiter/waitress.
   Must showcase teamwork and communication skills.
   Must be able to handle money transactions responsibly.
   Must be able to multitask and act quickly.
   Must be flexible and ready to work in shifts.
   Must carry at least a high school diploma.Company Introduction

   Since 1958, IHOP® has been the place where people connect over breakfast, enjoy study breaks, grab a bite before or after sporting events, and so much more. And no matter what menu items they order, there’s one ingredient that’s always constant — a smile. We’ve seen millions of smiles over the years in our restaurants, and now shared in photos across our social properties. In fact, smiles are so much a part of our culture that we changed our logo to include one.
   This is just one of the many fun and exciting changes you can expect from IHOP®. Because we know the shortest distance between two people is a smile. –

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find buffet waiter/waitresses for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any buffet waiter/waitresses they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level buffet waiter/waitresses with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your buffet waiter/waitress job on Zippia to find and recruit buffet waiter/waitress candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit buffet waiter/waitresses, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new buffet waiter/waitress

   Once you've decided on a perfect buffet waiter/waitress candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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