Finding a job in a foreign country can be challenging, especially if you need visa sponsorship. In the USA, one common entry-level job that offers visa sponsorship for foreigners is a waiter or waitress position.
This post explores everything you need to know about waiter or waitress jobs in the USA, including the job role, visa options, and the application process.
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What is a Waiter/waitress Job?
A waiter or waitress, also known as a server, is a hospitality professional who serves food and drinks to customers and ensures they have a positive dining experience. Waiters and waitresses work in restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, and events.
Some of their responsibilities include:
- Greeting customers: Welcoming guests and presenting menus
- Taking orders: Recording orders and relaying them to the kitchen
- Serving food and drinks: Delivering meals and drinks to customers.
- Checking on customers: Ensuring customers are enjoying their meals and addressing any issues.
- Making recommendations: Explaining menu items and making suggestions based on customers’ preferences
- Cleaning tables: Keeping tables clean and tidy
- Preparing bills: Providing customers with their bills and ensuring they receive the correct change or credit card receipt.
- Communicating with the kitchen: Sending special food requests to the kitchen and communicating diner requests
- Rotating opening and closing duties: Supporting the wait staff by cleaning coffee pots, restocking items, or cleaning the food runner station
Waiters and waitresses should have excellent communication skills and a friendly demeanor. They should also be able to multitask and keep their cool while staying on top of everything.
Salary of Waiter/Waitress in the United States
The mean hourly wage for waiters and waitresses in the United States is $15.89. However, salaries can vary depending on the type of job, location, and experience:
- Student waiter: The average hourly pay for a student server in the United States is $15.80 but can range from $16.01 to $28.61.
- Hotel waiter: The average annual salary for a night waitress in a hotel is $32,855.
- Professional waiter: The average salary for a professional waiter is $61,499.
- Server: The total pay for a server can range from $56,000 to $100,000 per year.
- Senior server: The total pay for a senior server can range from $58,000 to $104,000 per year.
- Assistant manager of food service: The total pay for an assistant manager of food service can range from $65,000 to $102,000 per year.
The national minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 per hour, but restaurants must pay servers at least $7.25 per hour. If servers don’t earn enough tips to average $7.25 per hour, the restaurant must increase their hourly wage.
Required Skills for Waiter and Waitress in the US
Some skills and knowledge that are required for waiters and waitresses in the US include:
- Customer service: Waiters and waitresses need to be able to meet the needs of their guests, which includes having strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
- Communication: Waiters and waitresses should be able to interact with customers, coworkers, and managers in a friendly and professional manner.
- Menu knowledge: Waiters and waitresses should have a good understanding of the menu so they can answer customers’ questions and make recommendations.
- Food handling: While waiters and waitresses are not responsible for cooking the food, some understanding of food preparation can be helpful in answering customers’ questions.
- Teamwork: Waiters and waitresses should work well with others and be flexible, cooperative, and adaptable.
- Attention to detail: Waiters and waitresses should be thorough and pay attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure: Waiters and waitresses should be able to accept criticism and work well under pressure.
Visa Options for Waiter and Waitress in Chicago, US
Some visa options for waiters and waitresses in the United States include:
- H-2B visa: A temporary work permit for unskilled laborers. Florida is the main destination for H2B visas.
- EB-3 visa/green card program: A popular option for employers that provides a predictable staffing option.
- J-1 visa: A visa for exchange visitors.
- H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, and H-3 visas: Temporary worker visas.
The best visa type for a foreign worker depends on their qualifications and the role they will be taking on. To apply for a work permit in the United States, the employer must file a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This means that the applicant must first be accepted for a job in the US before applying for a visa.
Finding a Waiter or Waitress Job with Visa Sponsorship in the US
Here are some ways to find a waiter or waitress job in the US:
- Ask your network: Contact friends and family who work in the restaurant industry to see if they can connect you with hiring managers.
- Visit restaurants: Visit restaurants when they’re less busy and ask to speak with a manager about job opportunities. Bring copies of your resume and contact information for your references.
- Check company websites: Look at the company websites of your favorite restaurants or other places that seem like a good fit to see if they’re hiring.
- Cold call restaurants: If there needs to be more information online, you can call the restaurants to ask if they have any serving positions available.
- Use job search websites: You can use job search websites like Indeed.com to search for waiter or waitress jobs.
Waiters and waitresses typically don’t need formal education or related work experience. They typically learn through on-the-job training that lasts 1 month or less.
What is the Application Process for Waiters and Waitresses in Chicago, US?
To apply for a waiter or waitress job in the US, you can:
- Network: Ask friends and family who work in the industry for restaurant manager contacts
- Search online: Look for openings on job boards or the restaurant’s website
- Visit the restaurant: Visit during a slow time to speak with a manager
- Prepare: Bring a copy of your resume and references
- Follow instructions: Carefully follow the application instructions
- Dress professionally: Wear clean, wrinkle-free clothes that are appropriate for an interview
- Be on time: Arrive on time to demonstrate professionalism
If you pass the initial application process, you may be invited to an interview or trial shift. During the interview process, you can:
- Be confident about your strengths and weaknesses
- Be honest about your weaknesses
- Show how you work through issues
- Show your team-player attitude
- Demonstrate your personality and positive attitude
- Learn more about the restaurant and make sure you approve of the conditions, expectations, and atmosphere
Some desirable skills for a waiter or waitress include customer-facing experience and experience with handling cash.
Challenges and Considerations
Waiters and waitresses in the US face a number of challenges, including:
- Physical demands: Long shifts on your feet, carrying heavy trays, and navigating crowded spaces can be physically exhausting.
- Emotional demands: Dealing with difficult customers requires patience and a thick skin. Servers must maintain a professional demeanor, even in stressful situations.
- Inconsistent income: Waiters may have low base pay and inconsistent income.
- Risks of injury: Common risks include cuts from knives, burns from hot plates, slips, trips, and falls.
- Unruly children: Parents may feel that their family restaurant outing is a break for them from their kids, but kids can have bad days, too.
- Splitting the check: This can become an issue with groups of more than four or six people.
- Incorrect orders: Waiters may face challenges with incorrect orders.
- Working late: Waiters may work late or start early.
Here are some things about the state of waiter and waitress jobs in the United States:
- Salary: The average base salary for a waiter or waitress in the United States is $36,530 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- Job growth: The BLS forecasts that waiter and waitress jobs will increase by about 10% between 2021 and 2031.
- Hours: Waiter and waitress hours can be long, and most employers avoid shifts longer than eight hours.
- Tipping: It’s required by law that employees are allowed to keep all tips they receive. Some US restaurants are moving towards abolishing tipping.
- Training: A professional waiting-on diploma can help you stand out during the application process. The knowledge you gain can also help boost your confidence for interviews and trial shifts.
Final Thoughts
Waiter/Waitress jobs in the USA can be a gateway for foreigners seeking employment and experience in the country. While the position itself may not require advanced skills, obtaining a visa and securing a job offer can be complex. Understanding the visa options, job responsibilities, and application processes can help in navigating this path effectively.