BUSSER: Duties, Skills, Resume & Difference

BUSSER
Image Source; Culinary Agents

A Busser is a restaurant professional responsible for ensuring that tables are set, silverware is placed correctly and glasses are properly added to the unique dining experience. For this reason, busser skills are included in the job description as a criterion when hiring employees as it saves you time and adds the specific job requirements of your open position. Also, a busser ensures that the restaurant is well stocked with necessary items such as silverware, plates, napkins, and cups of water glasses for their colleagues on the front lines serving customers and making sure flatware is provided at any given time. Stay tuned as I enlighten you on the busser resume.

Who is a Busser?

A busser is an employee who works at a restaurant to provide quality food services and makes sure that tables are bussed, and cleaned at a dining establishment to provide a clean and tidy environment for restaurants. Additionally, the busser ensures food or drinks is delivered promptly to the appropriate customers’ tables to make it easier for servers to provide service and make more sales by attending to as many tables as possible.

How To Become An Effective Busser

Since bussers serve an essential function, you’ll want to know how to be successful by memorizing the pace of service and the art of searching for guest cues.

#1. Don’t Ignore the Unused Tables

It’s important to ensure that the tables being used by customers are cleaned before being used. When a customer is seated, they should find a clean table awaiting them. However, don’t ignore the other tables scattered around the restaurant that aren’t currently being used.

Imagine that you’re being seated at a restaurant. Your table is clean and set for you, but the table right next to yours is covered in used napkins, and ketchup smears and the other busser is asleep on the booth chair. That’s not exactly the look that your restaurant is trying to capture, and customers notice this.

#2. Be Useful Wherever You Can, But Identify If You Can’t

You’ve probably heard this before, but you should always go the extra mile. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will also get you noticed by your superiors. Good bussers should learn as much as they can about the restaurant and its menu so that they can answer customer questions when they arise. Also, if you notice a small customer need such as a drink refill, you can help out with these simple tasks as well.

On the other hand, if a customer needs something or asks a question that you don’t know or don’t have the authority to complete, promptly find them a staff member who can help. Help out where you can, get noticed, and start climbing up that food ladder!

#3. Be Hidden When Removing Dishes From Tables

Since you don’t have an actual cloak of invisibility on you, you’re going to have to devise one here. The best bussers are quiet and calm while removing dishes from tables and taking them back to the kitchen to be washed.

Only use your hands to clear a table while customers are there. This means that you shouldn’t be rolling out large trays, buckets, or dish racks while your customers are eating. Nothing says ambient and relaxed dining like dishes clanking together on a dirty tray with leftover food.

#4. Know The Table Placements

One of the most important tasks of a busser is memorizing tables and their placement throughout the restaurant. You wouldn’t want a waiter to say “Table 8 needs cleaning” and not know where it is!

#5. Take Only What You Can Handle

While carrying multiple plates can seem time-effective, you don’t want to risk breaking items or dropping them on the floor, which can disrupt the guest experience. Take what you can handle, and avoid using dish trays to collect dishes when guests are around. Also, try not to stack dishes to the point where they can be hazardous.

Busser Job Description

The busser job description differs slightly from one restaurant to the next, but it usually focuses mainly on clearing. Bussers are restaurant staffers who are responsible for discretely clearing away the empty plates and dishes from tables during a meal. Also, they are liable for being cautious in the way they approach diners, to not interrupt the meal or allow food or drinks to spill on the table or the diners. Let us take a detailed look at the busser jobs description.

What is in a Busser Jobs Description?

A Busser job description begins primarily in the dining area of a restaurant or eatery. They move back and forth between these areas attending to diners and assisting waitstaff with their duties. Along with this, they ensure sauces and seasoning are always available for customers and also present menus to customers when needed. A Busser jobs description includes the below but is not limited to,

  • The ability to work effectively in a new environment.
  • Carrying out basic cleaning or side tasks as instructed.
  • Knowledge of all table numbers and seat numbers.
  • Straightening out the tablecloth or replacing stained ones
  • Greeting and welcoming guests with an appropriate greeting
  • Compliance with safety guidelines
  • Refilling drinking glasses with water
  • Bringing out meal orders if waitstaff are busy
  • Monitoring the dining and cleaning as necessary

The final part of a busser job description is a call to action that encourages interested readers to apply to your job post. Invite them to apply in person by stopping by your restaurant or leaving an application link so candidates can forward their resumes. Sharing your socials is a great way to engage with interested candidates as well who want to do a little more research into your restaurant.

How Much Can a Restaurant Busser Make?

On average, restaurant bussers earn starting wages between $7.25 and $9.00 an hour. Depending on location, employer, and work experience, bus person pay may be unstable. California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois represent some of the most popular and profitable states for bussers to find jobs. On average, bussers earn a yearly salary of $15,000, or roughly $9.25 an hour.

Busser Skills

A successful Busser must be highly organized and detail-oriented. A skilled busser should have great hand-to-eye coordination with the ability to provide customer service that meets or exceeds the expectations of both staff members and patrons alike! A successful busser will have the following necessary skills and qualifications to carry out their duties effectively:

Busser Qualifications And Skills

Busser skills play an important role in maintaining a restaurant and providing excellent customer service. Restaurants tend to hire bussers with the following skills:

  • Must have great attitude skills
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Working knowledge of spirits, wine, and food
  • Great communication skills
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Efficiency and Awareness
  • Strength
  • Multi Tasking
  • Hospitality
  • In-depth knowledge of food sanitation and safety policies.

Busser Resume

Remember that a professional busser resume can help you differentiate yourself as a job candidate in the food service industry, whether you’re looking for an entry-level position or to advance your career. Instead of including all these keywords on your resume, identify the keywords most relevant to the job you’re applying to and include those. 

Based on the most successful resume samples, bussers should demonstrate speed, dexterity, attention to detail, being able to multitask, courtesy, and teamwork. Even if they are not the front line of the restaurant, a well-groomed appearance is necessary. Highlight your skills as a busser on your resume in the following manner:

#1. In a cover letter

In your cover letter, be sure to highlight your skills as a busser. Mention your experience working in a restaurant and your ability to keep the dining room clean and organized. Emphasize your customer service skills and your ability to work well under pressure. Furthermore, be sure to mention any awards or recognition you have received for your work as a busser.

#2. During an Interview

When interviewers ask about your experience as a busser, be sure to highlight the skills that make you a great fit for the job. Talk about your ability to keep a clean and organized workspace, how you can efficiently clear and reset tables, and how you work well with a team. If you have any experience with customer service, be sure to mention that as well. Emphasize your ability to provide a positive dining experience for customers.

How To Write A Busser Resume

Follow these steps to create a resume for a busser position:

#1. Read Jobs Description

Evaluate jobs description and see what skills and experiences employers want. If you’re considering several jobs, compare them to see which skills employers frequently mention and make a list to include in your resume. Additionally, you can use this method to learn about companies you’re interested in working for, as job descriptions can give insight into the daily tasks you might complete and the employer’s general environment.

#2. Add Your Contact Information

After reading through job descriptions, start your busser resume by creating a section to showcase your contact information. This can help employers reach out to you when they want to schedule an interview or ask about your experiences. Here are the key details to include in your contact information section:

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • City and state

#3. Write a Professional Summary

A professional summary is a brief paragraph that discusses a candidate’s professional background. Therefore, adding one to your resume can provide employers with additional context about your experience. When crafting a professional summary, you can write about details like what job title you hold, how many years you have in the industry, and which of your skills are strongest.

#4. Describe Your Work Experience

When you finish your professional summary, start discussing your experience. You can consider any work or volunteer experiences you have that might be relevant for a bussing job. Other restaurant work is especially relevant, but experience working with food safety in other settings can be helpful.

#5. Include Certifications

While specialty certifications are often optional for bussers, they usually have at least food handler certification to enter the field. For example, many professionals in the restaurant industry pursue the Food Handler Certification from ServSafe to verify their experience and knowledge of working with food. For each certification you have, include the name of the credential, the certifying organization and the year you earned it.

#6. Add Your Level of Education

The last section to add to your busser resume is one for your education. Bussers often need high school diplomas to enter the field, so including your level of education can confirm to employers that you’re qualified for the job. For each credential or degree you have, include the name of the diploma, the school you attended, and your graduation year if it’s within the last three years.

#7. Check Your Resume and Application

After you finish writing your resume, check it for grammatical and spelling errors. You might also ask a friend or family member to check it for accuracy and completeness. If the job application requires personal or professional references, double-check that information to check all contact information and names are correct.

Busser vs Server

A Busser is a restaurant worker responsible for cleaning and maintaining a dining area. This includes busing tables, setting tables for guests, stocking items such as condiments, silverware, and napkins, and assisting servers with food delivery. A server, on the other hand, is a person who works in a restaurant, bar, or similar establishment and is responsible for taking orders, serving food and drinks, and interacting with customers while,

Servers generally work in fast-paced environments and are responsible for multiple tasks at once, such as taking orders, preparing drinks, and delivering food to tables. Busser vs server have similar job functions but their roles are also quite distinct. This article will show you the key differences between a busser vs a server, 

Busser vs. Server Job Duties

A busser is a hospitality worker whose primary job is to clear and reset tables, assist servers with customer service, and keep the dining area clean and organized. Busser vs server is usually the first point of contact with guests, as they greet them, take drink orders, and provide customers with menus. They also refill water glasses, provide condiments, and ensure that the tables are clean and ready for the next guests. Bussers typically work in the back of the house and report to the restaurant manager.

On the other hand, a server is a hospitality worker whose primary job is to take orders, deliver food and drinks, answer questions about menu items, and provide excellent customer service. Servers often work in the front of the house, interacting directly with customers and helping to create a positive dining experience.

In conclusion, they take orders, input them into the restaurant’s computer system and then deliver the food and drinks to the guests. The primary difference between a server and a busser is in their salaries. Servers earn an hourly wage plus tips, while bussers make a lower hourly wage without tips. They tend to make more money than bussers, as they directly interact with customers and provide them with the best possible services.

What Are the Duties of a Busser?

Bussers are responsible for keeping the eating area clean and pleasant by clearing, disinfecting, or resetting tables. They make certain that the restaurant is well-stocked with essentials such as silverware, plates, napkins, and water glasses.

Is Busser Same as Waitress?

Depending on who you ask, Bussing is also more physically taxing than serving. Except in restaurants where servers do both, bussing and serving are normally two separate jobs. Bussers must cover the entire restaurant, not just one part.

What Is an Example of a Busser?

  • Arrange table settings with fresh tablecloths, napkins, and condiments.
  • Remove any spilled food or liquid, damaged dishes, and empty bottles or trash.
  • Facilitate customer service by performing serving, cleaning, and inventory duties in establishments such as cafeterias and dining rooms.

Do Bussers Talk to Customers?

According to one guide to etiquette, bussers should not speak to or interrupt those being served, and they should refill water glasses at the table instead of inquiring if customers want more water. Also, it tells customers not to start talks with bussers and waiters because they are usually busy and don’t have time.

Final Words

A busser is a hospitality worker whose primary job is to apply the skills required in the job description resume to clear and reset tables, assist servers with customer service, and keep the dining area clean and organized. Busser vs server is usually the first point of contact with guests, as they greet them, take drink orders, and provide customers with menus. Additionally, they also refill water glasses, provide condiments, and ensure that the tables are clean and ready for the next guests.

References

  • .workable.
  • .wikipedia.
  • .monster
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