About Server Jobs in Portland, OR
Portland 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 Portland, Oregon
Once revered as a unique river shipping port, Portland is now one of the biggest cultural hubs in the United States. Its walkable downtown area is rich with food trucks, farmer's markets, boutiques, live music, arts, and museums. You can take a stroll in the Portland Japanese Garden or get a Voodoo Doll doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut. Outside the city, you can hike in Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area or Mount Hood National Forest. It should be no surprise, then, that Portland is ranked one of the best places to live in the U.S., with job seekers from across the country looking for Portland jobs.
Ready to do your part to keep Portland weird? There are many benefits to living and working in Portland. Among them is the city's healthy job market index, with low unemployment and a higher-than-average median annual salary. You can also expand your job search to nearby cities such as Gresham, Hillsboro, and Beaverton.
Update Your Portland 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 Portland, Oregon?
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 Portland, Oregon, 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 Portland is $12.78 per hour, which is 11% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Portland 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 Portland, how to nail your job interview, and more.