How to Dress for a Job Interview for a Waiter/Waitress Job

Although you may think of casual attire or a uniform when you think of a waiter or waitress job, preparing for an interview in the food service industry is still a formal process. Like with any job, you may be able to dress more casually once you’ve been hired, but while you’re still in the interviewing stages it’s important to be as professional as possible.

1. Pick a conservative outfit that that reflects your personal style

You’ll want to dress conservatively, even if you’re interviewing for a casual restaurant. For men, this means clean, wrinkle-free khakis or slacks with a nice button down shirt. For women, it means nice pants or a skirt and a blouse or casual dress. Stick with neutrals if possible but do add personality to your outfit with a colorful but tasteful tie or scarf. It’s important to remember that appearance does matter, especially when you’re interviewing for client-facing positions.

2. Make sure you’re comfortable

An interview for a restaurant job can often be more like an audition rather than a typical job interview. You may be expected to show off your waiter/waitress skills, or the manner in which you would potentially serve customers if hired. Not only will you have to explain your skills and job history as with most interviews for part-time jobs, internships, or entry-level jobs, but a potential employer may want to see you in action. With that in mind, it’s important to ensure that your outfit isn’t too tight or uncomfortable and that you can move around easily while wearing it.

3. Wear the right shoes

You know you’ll be doing a lot of talking, walking, lifting, even potentially reaching over tables to retrieve items or clean tables, so think smart when it comes to your footwear. Although you won’t typically be doing as much as usual on the day of the interview, the possibility does exist. Wear sensible, fashionable shoes. Avoid anything that may hinder your appearance, such as sandals, sneakers or heels that are difficult to walk in.

Learning how to dress for an interview is an experience in and of itself. Although it might sound a bit intimidating if you’re never interviewed for a waiter or waitress position before, by following these tips you’ll be sure to start the interview off on the right foot and impress the hiring manager.

Next, learn more about succeeding in your new job such as 5 Things You Must Do to Prepare for Your Video Interview and find out about common interview questions such as What Are Your Salary Expectations?