The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to change. Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the third quarter of 2023 (July, August, September), 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. Customer Service
  2. Wine Service
  3. High Volume Service
  4. POS Systems
  5. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  6. Communication
  7. Team Development and Training
  8. Food Safety Knowledge
  9. Teamwork
  10. Positive Attitude
  11. Service Procedures
  12. Attention to Detail
  13. Conflict Resolution
  14. Fine Dining Service
  15. People Skills
  16. Professionalism
  17. Wine Knowledge
  18. Food and Beverage Pairing
  19. Organizational Skills
  20. Multitasking
  21. Spirits Knowledge
  22. Work In a Fast-Paced Environment
  23. Bartending Skills
  24. Scheduling
  25. Beer Knowledge

Host

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

Busser

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

Server

  1. Beverage Service
  2. Customer Service
  3. POS Systems
  4. Teamwork
  5. High Volume Service
  6. Food and Beverage Pairing
  7. Food Safety Knowledge
  8. Positive Attitude
  9. Service Procedures
  10. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs

General Manager

  1. Team Management
  2. Customer Service
  3. Business Management Knowledge
  4. Beverage Service
  5. Scheduling
  6. POS Systems
  7. Food Safety Knowledge
  8. High Volume Service
  9. Conflict Resolution
  10. Staff Management of up to 20

Director of Operations

  1. Team Management
  2. Customer Service
  3. Financial Management
  4. Business Operations
  5. Communication
  6. Organizational Skills
  7. Leadership
  8. Accounting / Bookkeeping
  9. Hospitality Driven
  10. Professionalism

Barback

  1. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  2. Beverage Service
  3. Teamwork
  4. Bar Operations
  5. Customer Service
  6. Spirits Knowledge
  7. High Volume Service
  8. Glassware Knowledge
  9. Organizational Skills
  10. Positive Attitude

Bartender

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

Sommelier

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

Beverage Director

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

 

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