Wait Staff Jobs in Illinois

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 1,370 Jobs

Server Full Time/Part Time

  • Normal, IL
  • 1 day ago
  • Normal, IL
  • 1 day ago

The Village at Mercy Creek, a part of Franciscan Ministries, is a vibrant senior living community in Normal, IL. We offer Assisted Living with an Ancora Memory Care Unit opening soon. We are...

Cocktail Server - Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile

  • Chicago, IL
  • 6 hours ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 6 hours ago

Joy in each extraordinary experience Cocktail Server Be ready to elevate your skills and ability. Join our hotel community, and you can surpass your own expectations as well as those of our...

Team Member

  • Gurnee, IL
  • 6 hours ago
  • Gurnee, IL
  • 6 hours ago

Our teams take pride in providing excellent guest service by ensuring the quality of the food and beverages we serve; and by keeping a safe and clean store environment....

Barista/Counter Serv

  • Chicago, IL
  • 7 hours ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 7 hours ago

and respond knowledgeably to questions about the restaurant and menu Use sales techniques to present and encourage current promotions to guests Follow all steps of service Understand and follow the food...

Bus Person East Bank Club Now Hiring

  • Chicago, IL
  • 7 hours ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 7 hours ago

service techniques and procedures....

Food Prep/Server

  • Deerfield, IL
  • 7 hours ago
  • Deerfield, IL
  • 7 hours ago

Part-Time Food Prep/Server We are seeking a Food Prep/Server to assist with food and beverage sampling events. This role involves distributing samples, recording feedback, and maintaining...

Restaurant need waitress or waiter

  • Saint Charles, IL
  • 7 hours ago
  • Saint Charles, IL
  • 7 hours ago

Restaurant hiring waitress and waiter. Full time or part time is ok. If got experience will be first. Income about $25-$45/hour. Need to be focus the job and love the clean person!

Dining Room Server

  • Oak Park, IL
  • 8 hours ago
  • Oak Park, IL
  • 8 hours ago

restrictions Assists with all special events and catering functions in a variety of areas throughout the community Assists with plating and delivery of meals to remote locations or Residents rooms...

Cashier

  • Carol Stream, IL
  • 9 hours ago
  • Carol Stream, IL
  • 9 hours ago

Job Description Provide guests fast, friendly, and clean service Maintain inventory Operate cash registers Maintain the overall appearance and cleanliness of the restaurant Provide excellent guest service...

Arby's Cashier

  • Troy, IL
  • 9 hours ago
  • Troy, IL
  • 9 hours ago

Qualifications Required Qualifications Incredible guest service skills and ability to maintain a guest focused culture Ability to complete accurate sales transactions Ability to cleanly and safely...

Food Runner

  • Wilmette, IL
  • 9 hours ago
  • Wilmette, IL
  • 9 hours ago

Maintains complete knowledge of table and seat numbers Maintains complete knowledge of all menus, including ingredients Maintains knowledge of dietary restrictions, or other special instructions Assist...

Arby's Team Member

  • Troy, IL
  • 9 hours ago
  • Troy, IL
  • 9 hours ago

service Qualifications Required Qualifications Incredible guest service skills and ability to maintain a guest focused culture Ability to complete accurate sales transactions Ability to cleanly and...

Server (Dietary Aide), Part Time

  • Homer Glen, IL
  • 9 hours ago
  • Homer Glen, IL
  • 9 hours ago

Victorian Village, a Skilled Nursing Community, located in Homer Glen, IL is seeking Dining Room Server (Dietary Aide), Part Time! Victorian Village is a member of the Providence Life Services...

Food Runner

  • Lake Forest, IL
  • 9 hours ago
  • Lake Forest, IL
  • 9 hours ago

Required Years of Experience 2 years Job Details Organization Overview: The Cafe at Elawa Farm offers breakfast, lunch, coffee service, weekend brunch, and kid friendly options. The Cafe will be...

Barista

  • Chicago, IL
  • 9 hours ago
  • Chicago, IL
  • 9 hours ago

Required Years of Experience 2 years Job Details Job Overview We are seeking friendly, customer-service forward, and knowledgable Baristas to join our team at Chapel Street, Chicago's first...

Demographic Data for Illinois

Moving to Illinois? Find some basic demographic data about Illinois below.


Local
National
12,812,477
319,486

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 Illinois

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 Illinois 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 Illinois
Less than 1 year
34.0%
None
24.3%
1-2 years
24.0%
2-4 years
17.8%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Wait Staff Related Career Advice Articles

Empty glasses hanging in a restaurant
Must-Read Job Search Advice for Restaurant Workers

Learn the ins and outs of how to get a job at a restaurant, including when to turn in your resume, how to present yourself, and how to land the job.

Read article »