The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to change. Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the first quarter of 2023 (January, February, March), here are the top requested skills for some of the most common Front of House positions.

Pro-tip for Job Seekers: Before applying to jobs, cross-check your skills against these that are in high demand to see which role(s) you are most qualified for and/or if you are seeking to grow into a new role, identifiy which skills you need to work on to take you to the next level.

 

Top 25 Most Sought After Skills for FOH Positions

  1. Beverage Service
  2. Customer Service
  3. Team Management
  4. POS Systems
  5. High Volume Service
  6. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  7. Communication
  8. Food Safety Knowledge
  9. Teamwork
  10. Service Procedures
  11. Positive Attitude
  12. Fine Dining Service
  13. Conflict Resolution
  14. Attention to Detail
  15. Food and Beverage Pairing
  16. Wine Knowledge
  17. People Skills
  18. Reservation Management Platforms
  19. Professionalism
  20. Cocktail Making
  21. Spirits Knowledge
  22. Beer Knowledge
  23. Scheduling
  24. Organizational Skills
  25. Multitasking

Host

  1. Customer Service
  2. Reservation Management Platforms
  3. High Volume Service
  4. Restaurant Management Software
  5. POS Systems
  6. Communication
  7. Teamwork
  8. Positive Attitude
  9. Telephone Skills
  10. Conflict Resolution 

Busser

  1. Customer Service
  2. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  3. Teamwork
  4. High Volume Service
  5. Bussing Tables
  6. Service Procedures
  7. Fine Dining Service
  8. Food Safety Knowledge
  9. Positive Attitude
  10. Beverage Service

Server

  1. Beverage Service
  2. Customer Service
  3. POS Systems
  4. High Volume Service
  5. Teamwork
  6. Food Safety Knowledge
  7. Service Procedures
  8. Positive Attitude
  9. Food and Beverage Pairing
  10. Communication 

General Manager

  1. Team Management
  2. Financial Management
  3. Customer Service
  4. Business Operations
  5. Leadership
  6. Communication
  7. Organizational Skills
  8. Food Safety Knowledge
  9. Teamwork
  10. Training Others 

Director of Operations

  1. Team Management
  2. Financial Management
  3. Customer Service
  4. Business Operations
  5. Leadership
  6. Communication
  7. Organizational Skills
  8. Food Safety Knowledge
  9. Teamwork
  10. Training Others

Barback

  1. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  2. Teamwork
  3. Customer Service
  4. Multitasking
  5. Organizational Skills
  6. Positive Attitude
  7. High Volume Service
  8. Bar Operations
  9. Work in a Fast-Paced Environment
  10. Beverage Service

Bartender

  1. Beverage Service
  2. Cocktail Making
  3. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  4. Beer Knowledge
  5. Spirits Knowledge
  6. Wine Knowledge
  7. Customer Service
  8. High Volume Service
  9. POS Systems
  10. Service Procedures

Sommelier

  1. Beverage Service
  2. Food and Beverage Pairing
  3. Wine Knowledge
  4. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  5. Team Management
  6. Customer Service
  7. Inventory Management
  8. Service Procedures
  9. Wine Cellar Organization
  10. Fine Dining Service

Beverage Director

  1. Beverage Service
  2. Team Management
  3. POS Systems
  4. Cocktail Making
  5. Customer Service
  6. Beer Knowledge
  7. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  8. Wine Knowledge
  9. Spirits Knowledge
  10. Food and Beverage Pairing

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