Host & Hostess Job Description

Does it sound like you are looking out for information on the Host & Hostess Profession?

Would you like to find out what it takes to handle the daily responsibilities that come with being a Host or a Hostess?

This article is specifically provided to assist you by describing the vital career qualifications, descriptions, personal requirements, and obligations of a Host & Hostess job.

Article Road Map

Who Are Hosts & Hostesses?

The elites and business professionals often book classy restaurants for the purpose of orchestrating an event(s).

Hosting events has various purposes, including Get Togethers, Business Meetings, Conferences, Art Exhibitions, Dinner Nights, Brand Awareness, and many more.

Orchestrating an event can be very demanding and can lead to consistent absence, so in situations where -for some demanding reasons- the event planner is absent.

Still, the venue is set, it is time for the event to kick off, and the distinguished guests start arriving; how can he/she welcome the guests?

Circumstances like these require the support of professional Restaurant Hosts & Hostess, and they will effortlessly handle the tasks of ushering the guests and making them feel comfortable.

Hosts & Hostesses are food & wine service restaurant employees responsible for ensuring guests have a wonderful experience.

The Host & Hostess are like the selling point of the restaurant i.e. they are the first to come in contact with guests, so the satisfaction of the guests and positive rating(s) from the guests is dependent on the warm interaction between the Host & Hostess offers throughout their stay.

Aside from giving guests a warm reception, Hosts & Hostesses provide the meal menus, soothe angry guests and twirl their negative encounter into a positive one, and they kindly explain why there are customer service delays.

Career And Educational Qualifications For A Host & Hostess Job

Individuals who want to acquire a Host & Hostess Job generally are required to hold a Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality management; they are automatically licensed to practice in their residence or anywhere in the world with this degree.
Complete coursework on food service in Tourism and Hospitality.
Individuals seeking a Host & Hostess job should have completed table planning and reservation booking coursework.
2 – 5 years of training in a profession similar to hospitality management or preferably a Host & Hostess profession.
An aspiring Host or Hostess requires advanced POS technical skills, preferably in calculations and mathematics, to effectively handle guest payments.
He/She is expected to have Proven work experience in a Club or two.
He or She is expected to have advanced business transactions and negotiations knowledge.

One can qualify as a host or hostess with almost any educational qualification; most restaurant employers offer training even on the Job.

However, The Host & Hostess Job Description requires a bachelor’s degree because it is essential if you want to acquire lucrative and profitable supervisory roles that pay largely.

Age Requirements

The minimum hosting age requirement is 16 years old. Although, elderly people between the age of 28 – 40 are at more advantage in the hiring opportunity as they would be more mature to handle wine, food, and other responsibilities of the Job.

Achievements Required

To achieve something means that you played a role in something, you did something, and you not only did it, but you contributed positively to that role by delivering very impressive results.

There are precise achievements an individual is expected to attain before seeking a Host or Hostess hiring opportunity. Some of these achievements are described as follows:

The individual reorganized tables that weren’t properly organized to soothe guests satisfaction.
The individual is expected to have identified and solved different problems in his or her previous restaurant.
The individual has implemented/Developed new procedures and planning strategies in his or her former restaurant.
The individual must have received two or more referral letters from former eateries reflecting his/her ability to make positive impacts in a new eatery.
The individual has achieved compliments from supervisors and co-workers.
The individual has employee appreciation awards from previous restaurants in his or her possession.
The individual reduced last-minute reservation cancellations so many times by communicating reservation reminders to the guests, thereby increasing the restaurant’s profits.
Resolved management/customer conflicts.

Personality And Traits/Attributes

Attentive Listening
Ability to Communicate kindly
Empathy And Compassion
Enthusiasm And Optimism
Understanding
Patience
Must be Capable Of Work Effectively Under Stressful Situations
Friendliness
Self Confidence
Well Spoken
Neat, Tidy, Organized, and Presentable
Ability To Pay Attention To Little Details
Reliability And Accountability
Kindness
Professionalism
Must-Have Multitasking Abilities
Proficient When It Comes To Planning
Strategic
Sociability
Competence

Experiences Required

Having working experience means that by engaging in the role of a Host or Hostess, you have obtained knowledge and skills on how to be more proficient at the Job.

In order to satisfy your employers and win their trust, the host or hostess job description demands that you have a working experience in professions similar to a host or hostess Job or the Job itself. You must have a minimum of 5 of these experiences mentioned below;

Experience In Guest Hospitality & Welfare Experience
Taken Responsibility for Customer Care/Service
Experience In Numerous Team Collaborations
You Have Made Room For Guest Reservations
You Have Effectively Kept Tabs On a Minimum Of 6 Tables Per Shift, Ensuring All The Tables Under Your Care Had Table Napkins, Menus, And Table Ware.
You Should Have The Working Experience Of Implementing New Seating Strategies To Reduce Guest Waiting Time.
Experience In Answering Phone Calls To Schedule Reservations, Confirm Reservations, And Cancel Reservations.
Replied Guest Inquiries About Operating Hours.
Social Work Experience
Experience In Recording Guest Orders Accurately
Experience In Delivering Guest Orders Swiftly
Experience In Managing Seat Arrangements According To Guest’s Preference

Skills And Knowledge Expected Of A Host & Hostess

Communication Skills
Negotiation and Collaboration Skills
Cash Handling Skills
People Skills
Teamwork skills
Leadership Skills
Conflict Resolution Skills
Decision-Making Skills
Culinary Skills
Table Planning And Organizing Skills
Verbal Communication Skills
Efficient Customer Service
Time Management Skill
Analytical Thinking
Excellent Planning Strategist
Accountability For Guest Tables Under His/Her Care
Multitasking Skills

Assigned Tasks Requirements To Host & Hostesses

Reservation Booking And Management.
Seating Chart Management.
Cleaning Of Tables Per Shift
Management Of Restaurant Wait Lists
Distribution Of Menus
Respond To Guest Inquiries
Hosts And Hostesses Welcome Incoming Guests.
They Communicate To The Guests To Determine How To Be Of Help To Them.
Hosts & Hostesses Give Table Recommendations To Guests, Take Note Of Their Table Numbers, Take Down Their Orders, And Serve Their Orders Swiftly.
Ensure Effective Guest Crisis Resolution By Provision Of Emergency Assistance And Support.
Arrange Seats In Specific Orders To Satisfy Guests
Develop/Draw A Table Management Plan
Communicate To Guests About Services The Restaurant Has To Offer In Ways They Will Understand.
Handle Tables Assigned To Them.
Determine The Bone Of Contention Of An Angry/Unsatisfied Guest.

Hosts & Hostesses, as professionals, should have knowledge of certain etiquettes as it is in the job description. Here Are Some Restaurant Etiquette Tips;

Tables must be neatly arranged to satisfy guests.
Always wear a warm and welcoming smile.
Learn to greet guests warmly so they feel comfortable.
Napkins and tableware must be kept clean for guest use.
Make sure menus are on every table.
Don’t be desperate for tips.
Be kind to guests.
Serve guest meals neatly
Serve in very clean dishes and glassware.
Keep your belongings off the table under your care
Set up guest payments ahead of time
Don’t serve across the table
It is important to always remember table manners
Kindly ask guests what they would like to be served.
Open the doors for incoming guests.
Don’t be boastful, arrogant, or proud
Avoid criticism or complaints
Always say “Thank You” and “Please.”
Answer phones promptly and apologize for any delays.

Hosts & Hostesses Salaries

A host or hostess’s job payment varies, depending on their employers, years of work experience, and hours of work/shifts.

A Rookie Host or Hostess Earns $8.73 – $9 Hourly, and He/She could earn up to $10 tips depending on a job well done.
A Year Experienced Host or Hostess Earns Roughly $10.46 – $11.00 Hourly; He/She Could Earn Up To $12 Tips Depending On A Job Well Done.
Senior Host or Hostess Supervisors Earn Between $14.16 – $15.00 Hourly And Tips Worth $20 and more.
Expert Host or Hostesses Earn $15.80 – $16.00 Hourly And Tips Worth $20 – $30 and more.

FAQ

What Are Hosts And Hostesses?

A host is a natural person who is expected to represent the party in front of the guests; the party organizer can also be the host. A hostess is the same as a host, but she is female and functions similarly to a host.

What Is A Female Host Called?

The feminine form of the noun host is hostess.

What Are The 5 Types Of Hosts?

There are mainly 5 types of hosts: primary host, secondary host, paratenic host, adventitious host, and reservoir.

What Should I Say In An Interview To Be A Hostess?

As a hostess, I understand I hold a vital position in the restaurant. As the first person customers meet, I must create a welcoming environment that sets the rest of their visit up for success. I enjoy getting to know my customers and meeting their needs so they have a good time.”

How Do I Become A Hostess With No Experience?

No formal training is required to become a host or hostess, although some experience in hosting or working with the public is helpful. A host or hostess is usually trained within the first few days and weeks on the job, and tasks vary from restaurant to restaurant

Who Are Called Hosts?

If you receive or entertain guests socially or as a matter of business. : a living plant or animal on or in which a parasite lives.

Is A Host A Waitress?

A host is a greeter in a restaurant, while a server brings food to customers in a restaurant. Hosts greet incoming restaurant customers and either lead them to an available table or ask them to wait for a table to open.

What Are Examples Of Hosts?

A host is any hardware device allowing network access through a user interface, specialized software, network address, protocol stack, or other means. Examples include but are not limited to computers, personal electronic devices, thin clients, and multifunction devices.

Conclusion

These are the basic foundations to becoming a successful host or hostess; as a host or hostess, you will work directly with guests and other restaurant employees like Dishwashers, Bar attendants, Secretaries, Barbeque experts, and Staff in charge of the kitchen.

This is why you need good teamwork skills and patience to fit into the job description.

We believe this article has been helpful in helping you learn about a host & hostess job description and requirements.