Counter service assistant
Serve food and drinks to customers, take money and give people their change. Keep the cafe, sandwich shop or fast-food restaurant clean and welcoming.
About the job
What it's like
You would serve food and drinks to customers, take money, give people their change and keep the premises clean and welcoming.
You could work in a:
Sandwich shop
Cafe
Fast food outlet
Self-service restaurant
Deli
Canteen
You’d make customers feel welcome and deal with their orders correctly and quickly, including when it is very busy and there are lots of customers to serve.
You’d need to work according to health and safety practices, for example, making sure you handle raw and cooked foods safely.
You would:
Serve food and drinks
Advise customers about ingredients and the menu
Keep eating and serving areas clean and tidy
Operate vending machines such as coffee-makers
Refill hot food containers and self-serve stations
Clear tables, wash dishes and do other cleaning
Operate the till - take cash and card payments and give out change and receipts
Respond to customer enquiries, comments and complaints
In smaller sandwich shops, you might prepare all food and drinks. In fast food restaurants you would also do basic cooking or re-heating.
Hours
Full time work is available and part time and seasonal work is common. This may include evenings, weekends and split-shifts.
Environment
Restaurants and kitchens can be hot, noisy and very busy, and you would be on your feet for long periods. You would need a high level of personal hygiene and a smart appearance. Your employer may provide a uniform.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- working with numbers
- respecting
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Foundation Apprenticeship: Hospitality
Skills for Work: Retailing
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
No formal qualifications are required however many employers value a good general education.
Qualifications and experience that show some knowledge of health and hygiene and customer service skills such as Skills for Work Hospitality (SCQF level 4/5).
Relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Food Service (SVQ level 2) or be willing to work towards qualifications once in a job.
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