How to hire a cook/server dishwasher

How to hire a cook/server dishwasher, step by step

Here's a step-by-step cook/server dishwasher hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your cook/server dishwasher job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a cook/server dishwasher for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a cook/server dishwasher to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a cook/server dishwasher that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of cook/server dishwasher salaries for various roles:

   Type of Cook/Server Dishwasher	Description	Hourly rate
   Cook/Server Dishwasher		$12-18
   Kitchen Cook	A kitchen cook prepares food for customers. Kitchen cooks help devise new menu items and methods of cooking... Show more	$12-18
   Prep Cook	Prep cooks are responsible for preparing ingredients. They are usually part of an assembly line-like structure in the kitchen... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Dishes
   • Customer Service
   • Clean Kitchen
   • Dishwashers
   • Food Service
   • Food Preparation
   • Quality Food
   • Fine Dining
   • Food Orders
   • RAN
   • POS
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Customer Orders
   • Safety Standards

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Ensure organizational and cleanliness standard in order to pass health and sanitary procedures.
   • Perform the duties as a hostess as well as keep the restaurant clean as the service assistant (dishwasher )
   • Work BOH in a fast pace environment with food make to order as customers want it.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, cook/server dishwashers' average salary in mississippi is 50% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level cook/server dishwashers 36% less than senior-level cook/server dishwashers.
   • Certifications. A cook/server dishwasher 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 cook/server dishwasher's salary.

   Average cook/server dishwasher salary

   $15.31hourly

   $31,836 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level cook/server dishwasher salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a cook/server dishwasher job description

   A job description for a cook/server dishwasher role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a cook/server dishwasher job description:

   Cook/server dishwasher job description example

   Are you ready to love your place of work? Do you want a job that values you, and allows the opportunity for you to make a meaningful impact? If you answered 'yes', we want you to meet our team of dedicated caring professionals.
   NOW HIRING
   Kitchen Crew
   Cooks
   Servers
   Dishwashers
   
   At Stafford Hill your contribution is meaningful and rewarding.
   
   Here, work is also our resident's home. Our team is here to make their lives easier and happier. They, along with their families, trust you to provide quality compassionate care. Every day will bring something new and exciting. You will be more than an associate - You will be family.
   
   Joining the Stafford Hill family will offer you benefits for growth, health and happiness:
   Feeling valued for your contributions by encouraging and Supportive Leadership Flexible Work Hours and Awesome Fringe Benefits Paid Holidays, Vacation, Personal days and your Birthday! Health Insurance (Including Vision and Dental) 401K Options + Company Match! Access to Same-Day Pay Tuition Reimbursement , Ongoing Education & In-services
   Trainings and certifications will be available, and paid for by us, to the selected applicant. What you will do:
   To prepare food in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines and regulations as directed by the Resident Dining Director and to assure the quality food service is provided at all times. Washes dishes, bus tables, clean pots and pans, clean floors and other surfaces as required and requested.
   
   Apply today!
   
   *All candidates will be required to show valid proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 before commencing work or commit to obtaining full vaccination within 30 days of commencing work, unless they receive an approved exemption.
   
   Live Well, Love Life
   
   Thank you for your interest in working at Stafford Hill!
   
   We take great pride in caring for our Residents and we are happy that you are interested in joining our mission to Live Well & Love Life and to make a difference in the lives of our Seniors.
   
   We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about you!

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right cook/server dishwasher for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your cook/server dishwasher job on Zippia to find and recruit cook/server dishwasher 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 cook/server dishwashers, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 cook/server dishwasher

   Once you've decided on a perfect cook/server dishwasher 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new cook/server dishwasher. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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