Host or Hostess
Also known as: Host · Hostess · Front of House Host
Welcomes guests on arrival, assigns tables, manages reservations and ensures a smooth flow between waiting list, table and service.
The host or hostess sets the first impression of a hospitality venue and manages the floor layout based on reservations and how busy it is. Unlike the waiter or waitress, the emphasis is on welcome and floor management, not on serving itself. Selection often weighs polished appearance more heavily than the ability to keep an overview under a full waiting list.
Competencies to measure
These are the behavioural and ability constructs in this profile. Each one shows which hrmforce questionnaire measures it.
| Competencies to measure | Target level | hrmforce instrument | Assessment method | Behavioural anchor at target level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client focus Competency (50-framework): Customer Focus Knockout | N2 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, 360 Feedback | 360-degree feedback | Responds to client questions within the agreed term and refers on when the answer falls outside own task. |
| Managing workload pressure Competency (50-framework): Stress resilience | N2 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, Pulse Survey | Structured interview | Tells the supervisor that the work does not fit the available time and follows the choice that is made. |
| Professional demeanour and representation Competency (50-framework): Organizational Sensitivity | N2 | 360 Feedback, Competency Check | On-the-job observation | Follows house rules on conduct, language and dress and asks the supervisor for guidance when in doubt. |
| Discipline and keeping commitments Competency (50-framework): Discipline | N2 | Big Fifty, 15PF, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Arrives at the agreed time with the agreed work and reports any delay to the supervisor. |
| Improvising within boundaries Competency (50-framework): Creativity | N2 | Competency Check, 360 Feedback | Situational Judgement Test | Reports an unexpected situation immediately and carries out the solution the supervisor provides. |
| Physical strength and endurance Competency (50-framework): Energy | N2 | Work sample test | Work sample test | Lifts and carries light loads over a short distance with the prescribed technique within own task. |
| Sustaining pace in repetitive work Competency (50-framework): Discipline | N2 | Big Fifty, Work sample test | Work sample test | Completes the assigned series of operations at the pace indicated and reports when a backlog arises. |
| Safety awareness Competency (50-framework): Discipline | N2 | Big Fifty, Competency Check | Situational Judgement Test | Follows the safety rules of the workplace and checks back when in doubt about an operation. |
| Accuracy and attention to detail Competency (50-framework): Accuracy | N1 | Big Fifty, 360 Feedback | Personality questionnaire | Goes through the own work with a checklist and repairs errors found before the work is passed on. |
| Commercial capability Competency (50-framework): Commercial acumen | N1 | Big Fifty, Competency Check, 360 Feedback | Assessment centre | Reports to the account manager which customer wish could lead to an additional assignment. |
Short profile
The ten heaviest skills in this profile. The full profile with every skill, behavioural anchor and assessment method is in the download.
| T | Skill | Target level | Weight | Knockout | Assessment method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Client focus | N2 | 5 | yes | 360-degree feedback |
| V | Hospitality service | N2 | 5 | yes | On-the-job observation |
| K | Applying food safety and hygiene codes | N2 | 5 | yes | Knowledge test |
| V | Expectation management | N3 | 4 | no | Structured interview |
| V | working in teams | N2 | 4 | no | 360-degree feedback |
| G | Managing workload pressure | N2 | 4 | no | Structured interview |
| G | Professional demeanour and representation | N2 | 4 | no | On-the-job observation |
| V | Working with shift work and irregular hours | N2 | 4 | no | Structured interview |
| V | Clear oral expression | N2 | 3 | no | Assessment centre |
| V | Complaint handling | N2 | 3 | no | Situational Judgement Test |
See all 25 skills in the full profile
Assessment instruments for this job
Competency Check
Behavioral-Level Competency Assessment
Big Fifty
Personality questionnaire, 150 items, 25 factors
Work sample test
Representative work sample under standardized conditions
360 Feedback
Multiple assessments based on behavioral anchors
Knowledge test (client-specific)
Professional knowledge test, customized for each client
Structured interview
Behavioral interview with a fixed structure
Conflict Styles
Preferred style in conflict situations
Pulse Survey
Periodic measurement at the team and organizational levels
Communication Styles
Preferred communication style
Mental Resilience (4C)
Mental Resilience According to the 4C Model
15PF
Personality Profile, a shorter alternative to the Big Fifty
Comparable jobs
24 skills in the profile · junior
Waiter or Waitress25 skills in the profile · junior
Barista25 skills in the profile · medior
Bartender26 skills in the profile · medior
Cook26 skills in the profile · medior
Independent Cook26 skills in the profile · senior
Head Chef27 skills in the profile · lead
Sous Chef27 skills in the profile · senior