5 transferable skills you learn in a waiting staff job

5 transferable skills you learn in a waiting job

5 transferable skills you learn in a waiting job

Rachael Langley our consultant managing the role
Date posted: 23/05/2024

There's more to being a waiting staff than simply taking orders and delivering food. To truly serve up success, you need to have a wide range of skills – but the good news is that you can learn each of these on the job.

We couldn’t deliver the service that we do without our waiters and waitresses, so you could say they bring a lot to the table. But what do you gain in a role like this? We’re going to bring you the top five transferable skills you learn in a waiting staff job.

What are transferable skills?

But first, what are transferable skills? Think of transferable skills as your Swiss Army knife of abilities. They’re sometimes known as soft skills. These are the talents, knowledge, and qualities you pick up along the way through school, work, volunteering, or just life in general. 

And here's the magic: you can whip out this toolkit in any situation, not just your current job or field.

Why are transferable skills important?

These skills are like chameleons - they adapt to whatever you throw at them. Need to communicate effectively? Check. Solving tricky problems? No problem. Working seamlessly in a team? You got it.

Transferable skills aren't just icing on the cake; they're the cake itself. They're the reason why you can go from being a rockstar in one job to acing it in a completely different gig. They're your golden ticket to success, now and in the future.

Working in the waiting team helps you build valuable skills. The skills you bag on the job can be your ticket to success no matter where your career takes you,  because they'll help you thrive in all sorts of work environment.

What are the transferable skills you’ll pick up as a waiter or waitress?



1. Become the ultimate team player

Teamwork makes the dream work, there’s no I in team, many hands make light work. We’ve all heard expressions like these about the power of teamwork but have you ever stopped and wondered how working in a team can boost your career? With 125 years under our belt, we know a thing or two about teamwork.

You’ll come together with fellow waiters and waitresses as well as kitchen assistants, head chefs and general managers. 

So, not only do you improve your peer-to-peer teamwork skills, from collaboration to delegation, but you learn to work alongside people in different roles. You will broaden your horizons by learning from people with different backgrounds, making you the ultimate team player.

 2. Improve your people skills

In a waiting job, you will strengthen your social superpowers. Practice makes perfect, and when you’re surrounded by guests all day, you’ll learn some extraordinary abilities when it comes to interacting with others. People skills are key in the hospitality industry.

Whether working in a Harvester, the nation’s family favourite, or a bustling O’Neills with an electric atmosphere, as a waiting team member, you will have to think on your feet. Customer service can be unpredictable but polishing your active listening skills will often save the day and help you dazzle your guests

3. gain crisis management skills

There’s no denying that working as a waiter or waitress teaches you how to always deliver and even step up as a crisis hero. In a bustling pub or restaurant, you’ve got to think on your feet. Responding to unexpected challenges will help give you the skills to manage each and every situation that’s thrown at you. 

Waiting team members learn early on how to manage all possible situations, whether it’s tracking down a missing drink or talking guests through a more serious emergency.


4. Build unbreakable resilience

Resilience is all about how you bounce back from a difficult situation. On a busy shift, it's not uncommon for waiting staff members to face a few hiccups. As a waiter or waitress, you will first master how to get a handle on a problem and next, you will learn how to recover from it.

Have you ever spilled a drink in a guest’s lap? We’re happy to break it to you that you’re not the first and you won’t be the last.

Luckily, these experiences will teach you the ropes and lay the building blocks for an unbreakable level of resilience. Resilience is a stand-out skill to have no matter which job you move onto next.

5. Master effective communication skills

Communication is key. How many times have we heard this? We all know how important it is to have crystal-clear communication at work and that’s why most jobs list it as an essential skill. In fact, when managers and employees were asked to rank key leadership skills, communication secured a spot in the top five.

Every waiter and waitress knows all too well that each guest needs a different communication style. So, if you stay in the restaurant industry or decide to change up your career you’ll have a transferable skill that will help you to be adaptable and communicate with people from all walks of life.

Hone transferable skills at Mitchells and Butlers

Do you want to become a part of a 44,000 strong work family? If you’re passionate about food and want to build your career in a friendly workplace then a waiting staff job at M&B might just be the right fit for you. And with these five transferable skills, you'll have the right ingredients for a successful career, whichever way you steer it.

Just take Danielle, who made the move from cabin crew to M&B team member, finding there were so many similarities between the jobs.

So what are you waiting for? Browse our current waiting staff jobs, or sign up to job alerts to be the first to hear about our latest opportunities.

List #1

Some articles you might like

shift supervisor
What to expect in a Shift Supervisor job at M&B

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/14/2024

Summary

Are you a natural leader, problem-solver, and passionate about working with people? Then a Shift Supervisor job could be a brilliant choice for you. A Shift Supervisor—sometimes called a Shift Ma

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

ben shaking hands with a man at the pub
Discover Ben's journey: Why a Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship might be your perfect fit

Teaser

Apprenticeship

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/16/2024

Summary

Ben Bishop joined the Vintage Inns team as a Bar and Waiting Apprentice, gaining himself a Hospitality Team Member Level 2.  Wondering what exactly is a Bar and Waiting Apprenticeship? As the frie

Teaser

Find out more
Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

Katie Handy

by

Katie Handy

bar staff smiling holding a tray with drinks in summer beer garden
Why a pub job is the perfect summer job

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

07/04/2024

Summary

Whether you’re a school leaver, a student, or a parent looking to put some extra cash in the bank, a summer pub job can be the perfect solution. But how do you find that ideal summer job that’s fun, a

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

How a part time Assistant Manager role has offered Mary a better work life balance

Teaser

Company update

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

11/07/2023

Summary

Are you searching for a job that you can fit around other commitments in your life? If your answer is yes, then you are not alone. In a recent survey, four out of five British workers expressed

Teaser

Assistant Manager Mary has worked her way up through M&B and following the birth of her son she now works as a part time Assistant Manager, which allows her a positive work life balance.

Find out more
Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Sue Bayley

by

Sue Bayley

Barr staff decorating bar
Why hospitality jobs are great for students at Christmas

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/19/2023

Summary

As the wintery nights roll in, something magic this way comes. The season to be jolly is fast-approaching, and what better way to make your Christmas merry and bright than snagging a fun seasonal

Teaser

As the wintery nights roll in, something magic this way comes. The season to be jolly is fast-approaching, and what better way to make your Christmas merry and bright than snagging a fun seasonal role?

Find out more
Nicki Hodson

by

Nicki Hodson

Nicki Hodson

by

Nicki Hodson

Smiling bar staff pouring a pint, working in hospitality
Jobs in the hospitality industry: is a pub job for you?

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

08/25/2023

Summary

'Food and Beverage' is the largest of the four sectors in the UK hospitality industry. That’s everything from that sizzling steak you order at Miller and Carter to the refreshing drink you enjoy at

Teaser

Searching for jobs in the hopsitality industry? Choosing the right pub or restaurant job can feel like a puzzle. We’ve got the know-how to help you find success

Find out more
Jess Birch

by

Jess Birch

Jess Birch

by

Jess Birch

man in a restaurant handing a menu to a guest sat at a table
Top 5 tips to dazzle your guests in a waiting job

Teaser

Bar and Waiting

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/28/2023

Summary

One of the reasons so many people love working in hospitality is because of the people they meet. Whether it’s serving a local that has come in for their ‘usual’ or greeting a bunch of newcomers

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

young man wearing chequered shirt holding two plates of food
What are some of the best jobs for under-18-year-olds?

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

10/04/2022

Summary

Are you under 18 years old and looking for a job? You've come to the right place. Across the many brands at Mitchells & Butlers, we hire under 18s in a few different roles. Not only does that give you

Teaser

Find out more
Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

Rebecca Skeet

by

Rebecca Skeet

man in chef whites passing plated food to a woman
Why a uni transfer at M&B was the best summer job for Ben

Teaser

General

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

06/01/2022

Summary

Are you heading off to university in September? Are you looking for a job for the summer holidays before you go? Do you want to keep working for some extra cash whilst you’re studying?  Enter: M&

Teaser

Find out more
Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

Rachel Weaver

by

Rachel Weaver

Hands holding up flags and LGBTQ+ signs
The power of inclusiveness and Daniel's experience of the LGBTQ+ community at M&B

Teaser

Kitchen

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

01/27/2022

Summary

This month we caught up with Daniel from All Bar One in Guilford, who decided to return to the M&B family after spending a few years with another company. Having also gained experience withi

Teaser

Daniel tells us why he re-joined M&B because he felt it was somewhere he could feel good about himself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community

Find out more
Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Emily Smith

by

Emily Smith

Jobs

Jobs you might like...

Part Time Christmas Team Member

Salary

Competitive Salary plus tips

Location

March Hare, Cheadle Hulme, SK8 5PG

Departments

Waiting Staff

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Cheadle Hulme

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  As a Part Time T

Reference

2350239

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Part Time Christmas Team Member

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Dragon Fly, Duffryn, NP10 8BB

Departments

Waiting Staff

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Duffryn

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  As a Part Time T

Reference

2350212

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
Christmas Team Member

Salary

Competitive Salary

Location

Dragon Fly, Duffryn, NP10 8BB

Departments

Waiting Staff

Hours

Part Time

Vacancy Type

Other role

Brand

Vintage

Location

Duffryn

Description

No CV to hand? No problem! We've made our application process mobile friendly and removed the need for a CV. Our form takes 2 minutes to complete and tells us all we need about you!  Unwrap your per

Reference

2350211

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Apply Add to shortlist
 

job search