The most sought-after skills by employers within the hospitality industry continue to change.Based on the jobs posted on CulinaryAgents.com in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October, November, December), 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, identify 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. Leadership
  3. Communication
  4. Benefits Administration
  5. Inventory Management
  6. Team Management
  7. Financial Performance Evaluation
  8. Teamwork
  9. People Skills
  10. Problem Solving
  11. Beverage Service
  12. Decision Making
  13. Mentorship
  14. Attention to Detail
  15. Time Management
  16. Employee Development
  17. Organizational Skills
  18. Scheduling
  19. Product Knowledge
  20. Standard Operating Procedures
  21. Team Building
  22. Training Others
  23. Prioritization
  24. Ordering / Purchasing
  25. Retail Operations

Host

  1. Customer Service
  2. Teamwork
  3. Communication
  4. Attention to Detail
  5. Positive Attitude
  6. Time Management
  7. Problem Solving
  8. Reservation Management
  9. Organizational Skills
  10. Resy Tools 

Busser

  1. Customer Service
  2. Teamwork
  3. Attention to Detail
  4. Busser or Runner Experience in a High Volume Environment
  5. Communication
  6. Team Player
  7. Positive Attitude
  8. Knowledge of Italian Cuisine (Wood Fired Cooking)
  9. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  10. POS Systems

Server

  1. Customer Service
  2. Wine Service
  3. Teamwork
  4. Attention to Detail
  5. Positive Attitude
  6. Communication
  7. POS Systems
  8. High Volume Service
  9. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  10. Food Safety Knowledge

General Manager

  1. Leadership
  2. Customer Service
  3. Inventory Management
  4. Problem Solving
  5. Communication
  6. Scheduling
  7. Restaurant Management
  8. Team Management
  9. Financial Management
  10. Training and Development

Director of Operations

  1. Leadership
  2. Problem Solving
  3. Training and Development
  4. Inventory Management
  5. Communication
  6. Communication Skills
  7. Customer Service
  8. Vendor Management
  9. Operations Management
  10. Attention to Detail

Barback

  1. Teamwork
  2. Heavy Lifting
  3. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  4. Customer Service
  5. Communication
  6. Attention to Detail
  7. Organizational Skills
  8. Positive Attitude
  9. Inventory Management
  10. Multitasking

Bartender

  1. Bartending Skills
  2. Customer Service
  3. High Volume Bartending
  4. Teamwork
  5. Wine Service
  6. Communication
  7. Wine Knowledge
  8. Attention to Detail
  9. Cocktail Making
  10. Positive Attitude

Sommelier

  1. Wine Service
  2. Customer Service
  3. Wine Knowledge
  4. Inventory Management
  5. Can Lift Up to 50 Lbs
  6. Teamwork
  7. Attention to Detail
  8. Organizational Skills
  9. Service Procedures
  10. Food and Beverage Pairing

Beverage Director

  1. Inventory Management
  2. Training and Development
  3. Customer Service
  4. Leadership
  5. Problem Solving
  6. Team Management
  7. Wine Service
  8. Communication
  9. Beverage Management
  10. Cost Control

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