Wait Staff Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA
Wait Staff, also known as servers, are integral to the Hospitality Service industry as they are primarily responsible for serving food and beverages to customers, taking orders, and providing excellent customer service in restaurants, cafes, and other food-service establishments. Their tasks include handling cash transactions, cleaning tables, answering customer inquiries about the menu, and ensuring that the food service area is clean and well-stocked. They are the face of the establishment, as they directly interact with customers, making them crucial in maintaining the restaurant's reputation and overall guest experience.
Essential skills for Wait Staff include strong communication, ability to work under pressure, customer service skills, physical stamina, and multitasking. They must also have a good memory to remember orders and the layout of the tables. No specific certifications are generally needed, but having a Food Handler's Card or ServSafe certification can be beneficial, while some upscale restaurants might require formal training or a degree in hospitality or a related field. Before becoming a Wait Staffer, a person may have roles such as Host or Hostess, Busser, or Food Runner. These positions allow individuals to gain experience in the food service environment and customer service, preparing them for a server position.
Software Engineer, Full Stack - Server Driven UI Platform
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 hour ago
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 hour ago
About the Team Our mission is to create a world-class server driven UI platform that serves engineers across the company. We create libraries, tools, and frameworks that enable product teams to...
Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Server Driven UI Platform
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 hour ago
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 hour ago
About the Team Our mission is to create a world-class server driven UI platform that serves engineers across the company. We create libraries, tools, and frameworks that enable product teams to...
- Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 13 hours ago
- Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 13 hours ago
Required Years of Experience 1 year Job Details Shepherd & Sims is a new addition to The Hot Behind You Hospitality Management's portfolio of restaurants. We are looking for qualified food servers...
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 21 hours ago
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 21 hours ago
Job Summary Make your story part of ours at the TETRA Hotel Campus. Opened in 2022, TETRA Hotel, Autograph Collection brings understated luxury to the Silicon Valley market as the only AAA Four...
FRONT OF HOUSE/CASHIER - $26-$30hr (WITH TIPS)
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 day ago
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 day ago
Now Hiring: Front of House Staff Join Our Craft Beer Sports Bar Team! Were a small business with a big love for great beer, good vibes, and a strong community. Our craft beer sports bar is looking...
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 day ago
- Sunnyvale, CA (23 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 1 day ago
Grow with us... Life at SH is based on a simple idea: the world is beautiful and we want to keep it that way. But we can't do it alone. That's why hiring thoughtful and inspiring Team Members and...
- Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 2 days ago
- Santa Clara, CA (22 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 2 days ago
About the job Team members are responsible for delivering an exceptional guest experience through consistently providing friendly, responsive service, great food, and a clean restaurant...
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 2 days ago
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 2 days ago
Job Type Full-time, Part-time Description Zone 8 Sports Bar & Grill is San Joses best place to watch sports, with our two 200 HD projection screens and wall to wall 65 TVs. We have a diverse menu...
Captain/Server at Michelin Star Restaurant
- Mountain View, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
- Mountain View, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
Chez TJ, a Michelin Star restaurant in Mountain View We are looking for an experienced individual for the position of Captain with wine knowledge only evening shifts. The successful candidate will...
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
ABOUT THE ROLE As a Dining Room Server at Belmont Village Senior Living, you will play an active role in ensuring a welcoming atmosphere and an exceptional dining experience throughout each meal...
- Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
- Los Gatos, CA (14 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
Are you a Foodie seeking a new and exciting opportunity? Come join the Whole Foods Market team where youll work in a professional environment, with the highest quality ingredients and have a true...
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
- San Jose, CA (24 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
In most jobs, everyone doesnt spontaneously erupt into applause and start raining down high-fives. At Buffalo Wild Wings, thats just a Thursday night. This is the place to start the next phase of...
- Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
- Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 3 days ago
Brand: Noah's New York Bagels Breakfast with us, and dinner with your loved ones! At Noah's, the friendly gathering place for good conversation and great food we have been serving fresh bagels,...
- Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 4 days ago
- Cupertino, CA (15 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 4 days ago
When you work at THE FORUM, you have a front-row seat to the amazing life stories of the wisest people on earth. What's more, you are part of an extraordinary company - one that's investing in the...
barista - Store# 06931, CAMDEN & CURTNER
- Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 4 days ago
- Campbell, CA (18 miles from Santa Cruz, CA)
- 4 days ago
Join us and inspire with every cup! At Starbucks, it's all about connection. People are at the heart of who we are, especially the people that are a part of our store team. We connect with each...
Demographic Data for Santa Cruz, CA
Moving to Santa Cruz, CA? Find some basic demographic data about Santa Cruz, CA below.
Wait Staff Online Courses and Training Opportunities
Salary for Wait Staff Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA
Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Wait Staff positions.
Highest Education Level
Wait Staffs in Santa Cruz, CA offer the following education backgroundQualifications / Skill Sets
The following top skills are often required or desired to land a Wait Staff position
- Military Background
- Ordering Merchandise
- Banquet Catering
- Casual Dining
- Front of House
- Back of House
- Food and Beverage Management
- Guest Service
- Buffet
- Dishwashing
- Sanitation
- Loyalty Marketing
- Fryer
- Grilling
- Fine Dining
- Menu Planning
- Food Preparation
- Catering
- Food Handling
- Courteous
- Food Safety
- Baking
- Point-of-Sale System
- Health and Safety
- Long-Term Disability
- Wellness
- Cooking
- Cashier Skills
- Merchandising
- Cash Handling
- Energetic
- Reimbursement
- Scanning
- Stocking
- Closing
- Friendliness
- High School Diploma
- Punctual
- Retail
- Events
- Flexibility
- Interpersonal Skills
- Multitasking
- English
- Inventory Management
- Regulations
- Sales
- Policy Development
- Team Building
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Customer Service
- Scheduling
- Leadership
- Communication Skills
Other Career Titles
Here are some other career titles that require similar skills
Wait Staff Related Career Advice Articles

Must-Read Job Search Advice for Restaurant Workers
Learn the ins and outs of how to get a job at a restaurant, including when to turn in your resume, how to present yourself, and how to land the job.
Read article »