What essential skills should be listed in a Head Waiter job description?

When writing a job description for a Head Waiter, include skills like the ability to lead a floor team calmly under pressure, exceptional guest communication, and strong organisational and shift planning skills. These are crucial for managing the dining area efficiently and ensuring guest satisfaction.

Common misunderstanding: Technical skills like plate carrying are most important.

While technical skills are important, leadership and communication skills are essential for a maitre d'. They need to manage teams and handle guest interactions more than performing basic waitstaff duties.

Let's say you are a maitre d' during a busy dinner service. Your success doesn't depend on how quickly you can carry plates, but on how well you coordinate your team, resolve guest complaints, and maintain service flow throughout the restaurant.

Common misunderstanding: Experience in all dining settings is necessary.

It's more important that they have experience relevant to your specific type of venue, whether it's casual dining, fine dining, or a specific cuisine. Tailor the required experience to your restaurant's environment.

Let's say you are a maitre d' with fine dining experience applying to a casual family restaurant. Your formal service protocols might be excessive, but your leadership and guest service skills remain valuable and transferable.

How do I differentiate between must-have and nice-to-have skills for a Head Waiter?

To differentiate, list 'must-have' skills as those essential for daily operations and critical situations, such as leadership under pressure and guest service recovery. 'Nice-to-have' skills might include experience in fine dining or VIP service, which are beneficial but not essential for performing the job effectively.

Common misunderstanding: All job description skills are equally important.

Not all skills carry the same weight. Distinguish which skills are critical for day-to-day management and which would be beneficial for enhancing the guest experience or operational efficiency.

Let's say you are a maitre d' reviewing job requirements. Leadership under pressure and conflict resolution are must-have skills for daily operations, whilst wine knowledge and foreign language skills are nice-to-have enhancements.

Common misunderstanding: Nice-to-have skills are unnecessary.

While not critical, nice-to-have skills can significantly enhance a candidate's fit and potential to grow within the role, contributing to better service and a more adaptable team.

Let's say you are a maitre d' with additional skills like sommelier training or event planning experience. These extras don't affect your core duties but can help you excel during wine tastings or special events.

What specific skills are required for managing service and staff effectively?

Effective management requires a blend of strong organisational skills, the ability to lead and motivate a team, and excellent guest service capabilities. Skills in handling pressure situations, like reorganising staff during a rush or resolving guest complaints, are also vital.

Common misunderstanding: Good maitre d's only need guest handling skills.

While guest handling is crucial, equally important is the ability to manage and lead the staff. Balancing both guest and team needs is key to smooth operations.

Let's say you are a maitre d' managing a difficult evening. You're simultaneously calming an upset guest about wait times whilst coordinating with stressed kitchen staff and supporting a new server struggling with table management.

Common misunderstanding: Formal hospitality education is required for management.

Practical experience and proven leadership skills can often be more valuable than formal education. Focus on candidates' real-world experience and their demonstrated ability to manage service and staff under pressure.

Let's say you are a maitre d' who started as a server and worked your way up through practical experience. Your hands-on knowledge of restaurant operations and proven leadership skills often outweigh formal qualifications in real-world situations.