What Is a Server and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A server is someone who works in a restaurant, providing customer service to restaurant patrons. Servers are responsible for greeting customers, taking orders, bringing their food and drinks, and clearing their plates when finished. They work long shifts on their feet and must be able to work under pressure.

According to the IRS, tips are to be treated as wages and are subject to taxation. By law, servers are to report all tips made to the IRS so that they can be included as taxable income at the end of the year. Employers must also file form 8027, which reports employee’s tip income and taxes withheld for it.

When applying for a server job, your resume should highlight your unique strengths and experience. You should list any restaurant work experience since this is preferred by most employers. You should also mention any special training, such as food safety certifications, as well as promotions your have received.

There are different types of restaurant server jobs for different types of restaurants. The job duties and expectations of a server depend on whether the restaurant is a fine dining, bistro-style, or a family-style restaurant. Customers at each of these styles of restaurants have certain expectations regarding the level of service and the overall atmosphere, ranging from formal to casual.

The laws regarding unemployment benefits vary from state to state, and you should be sure to research the law in your state. In most states, like any employee, restaurant servers are entitled to unemployment benefits under certain circumstances. In general, according to FindLaw.com, if you quit your job or you are fired due to misconduct, you are not eligible for unemployment. If you are laid off due to no fault of your own, you will likely qualify.

Job Summary

We are seeking a personable server to join our team. In this position, you will create an intimate and high-quality dining experience for guests. You will answer customers' questions, assist them with their choices, take their orders, and deliver their meals with a smile. We are looking for a candidate who is warm, and calm under pressure, and who knows how to be a team player and works with urgency throughout the shift.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Greet tables promptly
• Answer questions about menu items
• Accurately take customer orders and relay them to the kitchen staff
• Facilitate filling drink orders with the bar
• Gracefully suggest/upsell additional menu items, such as desserts and drinks
• Offer special assistance to patrons with specific needs, such as highchairs for children
• Memorize the menu for on-demand recitation and questions about ingredients
• Operate the drink fountain and coffee station
• Use the POS system to accurately calculate the patron's bill
• Sidework
• Closeout all checks at the end of every shift

Requirements and Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred
• 1+ years wait staff experience preferred
• Basic math skills
• Willingness to work weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds
• Familiarity with restaurant POS software a plus
• Ability to thrive in an active, noisy, and demanding environment
• Interest in shift work