Wait Staff Jobs in Des Plaines, IL

Wait Staff, also known as servers, are integral to the Hospitality Service industry as they are primarily responsible for serving food and beverages to customers, taking orders, and providing excellent customer service in restaurants, cafes, and other food-service establishments. Their tasks include handling cash transactions, cleaning tables, answering customer inquiries about the menu, and ensuring that the food service area is clean and well-stocked. They are the face of the establishment, as they directly interact with customers, making them crucial in maintaining the restaurant's reputation and overall guest experience.

Essential skills for Wait Staff include strong communication, ability to work under pressure, customer service skills, physical stamina, and multitasking. They must also have a good memory to remember orders and the layout of the tables. No specific certifications are generally needed, but having a Food Handler's Card or ServSafe certification can be beneficial, while some upscale restaurants might require formal training or a degree in hospitality or a related field. Before becoming a Wait Staffer, a person may have roles such as Host or Hostess, Busser, or Food Runner. These positions allow individuals to gain experience in the food service environment and customer service, preparing them for a server position.

1-15 of 850 Jobs

Part Time Server $16 an hr.

River Forest, IL (11 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

River Forest, IL (11 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Company Description Do you have HEART? We are looking for individuals who can embrace our mission to purposely brighten and enrich the lives of those we serve with HEART; Hospitality, Excellence,...

Restaurant Team Member - Cook

Glen Ellyn, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Glen Ellyn, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Overview Be a Part of Something Uncommonly Good At Noodles & Company, our mission is to nourish and inspire every team member, guest, and community we serve. We're hiring restaurant Team Members...

Restaurant Team Member - Cashier, Server

Glen Ellyn, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Glen Ellyn, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Overview Be a Part of Something Uncommonly Good At Noodles & Company, our mission is to nourish and inspire every team member, guest, and community we serve. We're hiring restaurant Team Members...

To Go - Chicago T1 B&B-HMS Host

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Role Overview Our To-Go Specialists are responsible for providing fast service and great hospitality for our To-Go Guests. If you take pride in great team work and love making people feel special,...

To Go - Naperville Chili's

Naperville, IL (23 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Naperville, IL (23 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Role Overview Our To-Go Specialists are responsible for providing fast service and great hospitality for our To-Go Guests. If you take pride in great team work and love making people feel special,...

On-Demand: Guest Advocate (Cashier), General Merchandise, Fulfillment, Food and Beverage, Style (T2081)

Broadview, IL (12 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Broadview, IL (12 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Empowered to make shopping quick and easy for guests at the checklanes, guest services, gift registry, pick-up and drive up while ensuring exceptional quality....

On-Demand: Guest Advocate (Cashier), General Merchandise, Fulfillment, Food and Beverage, Style (T1342)

Rosemont, IL (3 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Rosemont, IL (3 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
2 hours ago

Empowered to make shopping quick and easy for guests at the checklanes, guest services, gift registry, pick-up and drive up while ensuring exceptional quality....

Ranallis of Andersonville Seeking FOH staff

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
6 hours ago

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
6 hours ago

Ranallis of Andersonville is seeking experienced front of house staff to join our team. Responsibilities include counter service, phone ordering, and basic serving. Must be available weekends and...

Runner

Rosemont, IL (3 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
15 hours ago

Rosemont, IL (3 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
15 hours ago

allergy procedure and special orders/restrictions Comply with all safety and sanitation guidelines and procedures Follow all rules, policies, procedures and conditions of employment, including those...

Busser

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
15 hours ago

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
15 hours ago

NEW POLICY! YOU MUST HAVE A STATE-ISSUED GOVERNMENT ID TO CHECK IN AND WORK - driver's license, state ID card, passport and military ID are acceptable forms of identification. THIS IS NOT A TIPPED...

Kyoten is looking for server/dishwasher (Necesito ayuda por favor)

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
16 hours ago

Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
16 hours ago

Kyoten is a sushi restaurant on 2507 W Armitage, and we are looking for a server/dishwasher position. This is a 'do it all' position where someone is expected to serve beverage, wash dishes, take...

Foh

Lincolnwood, IL (7 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
16 hours ago

Lincolnwood, IL (7 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
16 hours ago

We are seeking dedicated Front of the House members to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for food and a commitment to delivering high-quality meals in a fast-paced...

barista - Store# 09911, GLEN ELLYN-ROOSEVELT & NICOLL

Glen Ellyn, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
22 hours ago

Glen Ellyn, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
22 hours ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, its all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 09397, ELMHURST-NORTH&RTE 83

Elmhurst, IL (11 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
22 hours ago

Elmhurst, IL (11 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
22 hours ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, its all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

barista - Store# 23091, DEMPSTER & DODGE

Evanston, IL (9 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
22 hours ago

Evanston, IL (9 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
22 hours ago

Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, its all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...

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Demographic Data for Des Plaines, IL

Moving to Des Plaines, IL? Find some basic demographic data about Des Plaines, IL below.

Median Age

Average Household Income

Home Value vs Household Income in Des Plaines, IL

Local

National

Total Population

91,939

Number of Businesses

3,014

City Size

Medium/Lg

Wait Staff Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireHospitalityServices curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.

Leading Well for Staff Health and Wellbeing in the NHS

The health and wellbeing of NHS staff is essential to the quality of care provided to patients, service users and communities. The Covid-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressures on the health...

Guardians - "The Waiting Game"

Balancing family, duty, and danger, the team discovers a poacher's snare and stages an ambush at the scene of the crime. However, the mission is perilousand the stakes are high. Curiosity Stream...

Prison Health: Vaccinations for People Working and Living in Prisons (Vaccine Trained Staff)

This two-week course will help you gain an understanding of why vaccines can help protect the health of those living or working in prisons and those around them. Whats more, youll develop the...

Salary for Wait Staff Jobs in Des Plaines, IL

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireHospitalityServices research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Wait Staff positions.

Highest Education Level

Wait Staffs in Des Plaines, IL offer the following education background

High School or GED

41.1%

Bachelor's Degree

21.2%

Associate's Degree

13.1%

Vocational Degree or Certification

12.7%

Master's Degree

4.1%

Some College

3.8%

Some High School

3.1%

Doctorate Degree

0.9%

Average Work Experience

Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Wait Staffs in Des Plaines, IL

Less than 1 year

34.0%

None

24.3%

1-2 years

24.0%

2-4 years

17.8%

Qualifications / Skill Sets

The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Wait Staff position

In-Demand skills () are the most popular among employers according to the current jobs in our database. Last updated today!

Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills

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