New Orleans Server Jobs Overview
Can you guess the No. 1 reason customers return to a restaurant? According to FSR Magazine, it’s not the food but the service that makes or breaks the dining experience. That’s one of the reasons server jobs are so important. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that job openings for servers will see an extraordinary 20% increase over the next 10 years. This includes new openings in many types of food establishments, including restaurants, bars, and hotels.
One of the advantages of being a server is flexibility. You can work part- or full-time, early morning to the late evening, and even in seasonal jobs at resorts and local attractions. The duties of a server vary as well. Many upscale restaurants employ servers and hostesses to greet customers, seat them, and serve them beverages. The typical server job includes describing dishes, taking customers’ orders, relaying them to the kitchen, and serving meals. Many servers also prepare salads and mix drinks, and if there are no bussers, the servers also clear and clean tables.
You can expand your search for food service jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is known as "The Big Easy." But it's not a simple task to figure out where this nickname came from. Some say it came from a gossip columnist who coined the term to compare the city's laidback vibe to New York's Big Apple bustle. Another story links the name to the city's love of music that makes it easy for musicians to get New Orleans jobs in the city's numerous performance venues. Yet another theory says it's because Prohibition never quite took hold in New Orleans, and it was easy to get alcohol when you were out on the town. Today, the relaxed lifestyle, music, and nightlife are a bonus when you're searching for jobs in New Orleans.
Pirates and ghosts are associated with the Big Easy. In 1813, Louisiana Governor William Claiborne offered easy money to anyone who could capture notorious pirate Jean Lafitte. Lafitte thought of an easy way out and offered a $1,500 reward for the capture of Governor Claiborne. According to legend, ghosts do not rest easy in New Orleans. It's considered the most haunted city in the U.S., with endless stories about spirit sightings in graveyards, restaurants, and old mansions.
Despite the spooky legends, it's easy as pie to fall in love with New Orleans. If you're thinking of relocating to this easygoing city, be sure to look at other colorful cities nearby, including Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Kenner.
Update Your New Orleans Server Resume
Many server jobs will require you to fill out an application. You should also submit a resume to show your professionalism and commitment to the job—especially if you’re applying to work at an upscale establishment. Look at Monster’s sample server resume to find out what to include.
A server cover letter will also put you head and shoulders above other applicants. A well-written cover letter gives the hiring manager a glimpse into your personality and communication skills—both of which are important in a customer service job. A cover letter also gives you a chance to discuss information that you don’t touch on in your application or resume, such as your enthusiasm for the job, career goals, and expectations.
How Much Do Server Jobs Pay in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in server jobs in New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median waiter/ waitress pay in New Orleans is $10.34 per hour, which is 10% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next New Orleans Server Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in server? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those server jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in New Orleans, how to nail your job interview, and more.