This person is responsible for serving food and drinks at restaurants, filling customers' orders, assuring top quality in all aspects of service and complying with workplace health and safety rules. Waiters can also end up performing other tasks, depending on the type of establishment where they work (restaurant, cafeteria, bar, etc.).

• Prepare and organise the tables, correctly arranging the chairs and preparing the entire table service.
• Ensure that the dishes, glassware, cutlery and table linens are in optimal condition and prepared before and after each service.
• Receive the customers and help them to their places, if necessary.
• Attend to the customers' requests, taking their orders and communicating these to the establishment's bar or kitchen.
• Tell customers about the menu and answer any questions they may have regarding the establishment's offering.
• Perform the tasks of carving, flambeing and garnishing.
• Serve the customers, delivering the food and drinks they have ordered.
• Attend to any possible complaints.
• Usually this individual will charge for the food and drinks and provide customers with the correct change and receipt.
• Occasionally check the stock of the stored products and place the respective purchase orders in the event that the stock is running low.
• At smaller establishments, this individual can also provide counter service, preparing certain types of food and drink such as sandwiches, breakfasts, snacks, etc. those which are easy to prepare.

Regulated training and graduates

• Professionalism Certificate: Bar and café services (Level 2)
• Professionalism Certificate: Restaurant services (Level 2)
• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Hotel and Tourism Sector - Intermediate Level: Restoration services

Complementary training

Other specific skills

Orientation within reach: Level 1

Initiative: Level 1

Concern for order and quality: Level 2

Flexibility and change management: Level 2

Customer orientation: Level 2

Planning and organisation: Level 1

Customer service

Direct and personal interaction with people and relating to the public are highly-motivating activities for individuals who have an interest in the field of customer service. A focus on people and on satisfying customers' needs is key in the occupations included in this field. These jobs entail the need to know suitable techniques for attending to the public and being able to give appropriate service that is tailored to their needs and expectations. Good examples are activities which offer assistance and guidance during functions, trips or at facilities, and those which provide advice in relation to products and services.

Mechanical handling

People related to the field of mechanical handling are interested in the assembly, maintenance, repair and use of machines, tools and installations. Some good examples of professional activities in the field of mechanical handling are adjusting and configuring machines, reviewing technical equipment to detect incidents in their operation, handling machinery in production processes and driving specialised vehicles.

Bartender

Barista

Kitchen assistant

Host / hostess

Bellboys

• Work hours

  Full or part time and very flexible, with long work days; morning shifts, afternoon shifts, night shifts and work on holidays.

• Salary

  Between 14.607 and 18.648 euros gross per year, depending on experience and, above all, the type of establishment. Median: 16.503 euros annum gross. Tips can sometimes represent significant additional wages. Extra pay is common for upkeep, work clothes and even lodging (in the case of establishments that need seasonal workers).
  
  Source: Report "Observatory of Jobs and Salaries of the Labour Market. Barcelona Activa", elaborated by ICSA Grupo. April 2015.

• Other features

  A great capacity to work hard is essential. This job requires physical exertion, as the large part of the work day is done standing or walking. The most frequent workplace risks are falls, cuts and burns.

• Professional category

  Non-specialist staff

• Human resources and equipment

  A uniform is normally required, although sometimes the company provides them.