Employers

Hosts and hostesses work in a variety of restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops throughout the country. Some individuals work for chain restaurants such as the Cheesecake Factory, Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, TGI Fridays, and Applebees. Some restaurants cater to an upscale clientele, while others may be small or family owned.

One of the great things about this job is that there are a plethora of opportunities in almost every area of the country—whether it be in large cities or small towns.

Starting Out

Depending on the specific employment setting, this is often an entry-level job. Preference will be given to individuals who are articulate, well groomed, and have excellent customer service skills.

Aspiring hosts and hostesses can learn about job openings by visting the Web sites of large restaurants or simply stopping by a restaurant to see if there are any job openings. 

Advancement opportunities for hosts and hosts are limited. Individuals may advance in their career by finding similar positions at larger, more prestigious restaurants, which will result in increased responsibilities and earnings. Hosts and hostesses who demonstrate exemplary customer service and organizational skills can advance to positions such as lead host or hostess or restaurant manager.

Be sure to check out the windows of restaurants in which you might be interested in working. Many post signs when there are openings.

Prepare a resume, dress in appropriate interview attire, and stop by restaurants, coffee shops, and lounges to inquire about openings. Many managers will let you fill out an application that will be placed on file if there are no current openings.

Visit job sites such as Indeed.com, Simplyhired.com, and Monster.com to search for openings in your area.