What do hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop do?
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.
Job titles to recognize in your search
O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.
- Buffet Hostess
- Dining Coordinator
- Greeter
- Host
- Host Coordinator
- Hostess
- Private Dining Coordinator
- Seater
Core tasks to compare with a job posting
- Provide guests with menus.
- Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
- Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
- Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
- Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.
- Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.
- Answer telephone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls.
- Assist other restaurant workers by serving food and beverages, or by bussing tables.
- Inspect restrooms for cleanliness and availability of supplies, and clean restrooms when necessary.
Prepare an application for this occupation
- Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
- Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
- Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
- Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.
Ready to plan your search?
Start with hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.