How to hire a dishwasher/server

How to hire a dishwasher/server, step by step

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

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the dishwasher/server you need to hire. Certain dishwasher/server roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A dishwasher/server's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dishwasher/servers 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of dishwasher/servers.

   Type of Dishwasher/Server	Description	Hourly rate
   Dishwasher/Server		$10-16
   Kitchen Staff	The kitchen staff consists of preparation workers who execute several routine tasks as directed by chefs, food service managers, and cooks. These works should have the ability to follow cooking instructions and deliver well-prepared meals... Show more	$11-17
   Kitchen Helper	Kitchen helpers perform various kitchen tasks in restaurants, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. Their duties and responsibilities include assisting cooks in the preparation of meal ingredients, helping other staff with unloading food items from delivery trucks, and washing and drying the utensils, dishes, and cookware... Show more	$9-15

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Wash Dishes
   • Customer Service
   • Clean Kitchen
   • Fine Dining
   • Food Service
   • Dishwashers
   • Food Orders
   • Bus Tables
   • POS
   • Food Preparation
   • Drink Orders
   • Customer Orders
   • Cooking Equipment
   • Mop Floors

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Complete end-of-shift cleaning duties to maximize dining area cleanliness
   • Work from dishwasher to bartender performing various tasks to ensure customer satisfaction
   • 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 dishwasher/server job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A dishwasher/server salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, dishwasher/servers' average salary in mississippi is 42% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dishwasher/servers earn 37% less than senior-level dishwasher/servers.
   • Certifications. A dishwasher/server with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a dishwasher/server's salary.

   Average dishwasher/server salary

   $13.49hourly

   $28,063 yearly

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   Entry-level dishwasher/server salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a dishwasher/server job description

   A dishwasher/server job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a dishwasher/server job description:

   Dishwasher/server job description example

   ** We offer up to $750 retention bonus and up to $250 if you refer a friend **

   NRC is seeking a Server/Dishwasher to work alongside Dietary Managers and Cooks to provide meals for the residents of our assisted living community. Our servers play a key role in fulfilling specific dietary requirements that promote the health and wellbeing of our residents.

   Hours: PT and FT available / Every Other Weekend / Every Other Holiday
   Day: 6:00 am – 2:30 pm; Swing: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm; Evening 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm

   Responsibilities and Duties

   • Prepare meals, snacks and beverages following specific procedures.
   • Serve meals, ensuring food safety and hygiene procedures are followed.
   • Wait tables during meals in the dining area.
   • Prepare dessert for meals.
   • Clean up after meals, wash dishes, pots, pans and put them away.
   • Take Inventory of kitchen supplies and food items.
   • Restock supplies in kitchen for next shift.

   Qualifications and Skills

   • Previous experience in a food service role is preferred but not mandatory.
   • Able to lift 50 pounds.
   • Ensure compliance with sanitation and safety regulations.
   • Ability to follow instructions for meal orders and nutritional needs to ensure residents receive appropriate meals.
   • Strong Attention to detail.
   • Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with residents.
   • Patience and compassion when working with residents or family members.
   • Ability to communicate effectively with residents, family members and team members.
   • Flexible and willing to learn all areas of the kitchen.

   Retention Bonus

   To remain eligible for the bonus, you must have good attendance and good work relationships with residents, family members and staff.

   • If you are hired and commit to working 15 hours or more per week, you will be eligible for a total bonus of $400 : paid $200 after the first 6 months and $200 after 12 months of employment.
   • If you are hired and commit to working 30 hours per week, you will be eligible for the total bonus of $750 : paid $375 after the first 6 months and $375 after 12 months of employment.

   Benefits and Perks

   On the Job Training · Tuition Reimbursement · Mentorships · Competitive wages · Medical, Vision and Dental insurance · Employer paid Life Insurance · 403B plan · PTO · Referral Bonus

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right dishwasher/server 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 dishwasher/server job on Zippia to find and recruit dishwasher/server candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting dishwasher/servers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 dishwasher/server

   Once you've decided on a perfect dishwasher/server 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new dishwasher/server first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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