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Restaurant Server Resume Examples
Use these resume examples for restaurant server as a guideline, or visit our extensive library of customizable resume templates.
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Server Resume Examples Resume Example (Text Version)
[Your Name]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number LinkedIn]
Resume Summary
[Insert your summary here. This should be a brief statement highlighting your core qualifications and career goals.]
Summary of Qualifications
- [Insert qualification #1]
- [Insert qualification #2]
- [Insert qualification #3]
- [Insert qualification #4]
[Type of] Skills
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
[Type of] Skills
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
Education
[Degree Earned]
[High School Name, Location]
[Graduation Date or Estimated Graduation Date]
- [OPTIONAL: Add relevant coursework or academic achievements]
- [OPTIONAL: Add any honors or awards received]
Work History
[Job Title #1 | Club or Employer Name #1]
[Location, Year]
[Job Title #2 | Club or Employer Name #2]
[Location, Year]
How to Write a Server Resume
Your server’s resume format is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout hacks to follow: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections.
Professional header and contact info:
Include your name, contact information, and a professional email address.
Compelling summary statement:
A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three restaurant- or hospitality-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.
Highlight your skills:
Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to server work, like waiting tables, customer service and time management.
Emphasize your work history:
List your work experience in reverse-chronological order: include job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.
Supporting education section:
Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.
Additional sections:
You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.
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How to Write a Server Resume Summary
The resume summary is your first professional pitch — convince hiring managers to read on by highlighting three essential qualifications and achievements as a restaurant server. It is a concise introduction to your resume and can significantly impact the hiring manager’s decision. Follow these guidelines to craft an attention-grabbing server resume summary:
Keep it concise and impactful:
The resume summary should be a brief paragraph consisting of three to four sentences. Focus on highlighting the most relevant qualifications and accomplishments that align with your target server role.
Showcase your expertise:
Emphasize the experience and skills that make you a strong candidate for the restaurant server position. Mention your years of hospitality experience, proficiency in waiting tables, addressing client concerns, multitasking and any other relevant skills that set you apart.
Tailor it to the job description:
Customize your resume summary to match the specific requirements of the server role you’re applying for. Use keywords and phrases from the job description to demonstrate that you possess the desired qualifications and understand the position’s needs.
Strong and weak Server Resume Examples summary
“Energetic and customer-focused restaurant server with over five years experience in high-volume dining establishments. Adept at providing exceptional service, ensuring guest satisfaction, and maintaining a positive dining atmosphere. Strong multitasking abilities, with a proven track record of increasing repeat business and enhancing overall dining experiences.”
This example is effective because it concisely highlights key qualifications and accomplishments. It emphasizes customer focus, the candidate’s dedication to guest satisfaction, and creating a welcoming environment. The summary also mentions the server’s experience in increasing repeat business, indicating a well-rounded skill set for the role.
“Experienced server with several years in the industry. Capable of handling busy shifts and providing decent service to customers. Aims to create a pleasant dining experience and encourage repeat visits.”
This example needs to detail the candidate’s experience further and include specific skills suitable for the role.
PRO TIP:
The resume summary works best if you have over three years of experience. Try the resume objective if you’re a first-time job seeker, freelancer or career changer. This alternative introduction pitches your transferable skills and downplays your lack of relevant experience.
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How to Add Your Server Work History
The work history section of your server resume provides an opportunity to highlight your relevant professional experiences and accomplishments. Follow these guidelines to showcase your work history effectively:
Start with your most recent role:
List your work history with your current or most recent position as a restaurant server. Include the name of the restaurant, your job title and the dates of employment.
Focus on achievements:
Instead of listing job responsibilities, emphasize your accomplishments and contributions in each role. Highlight any improvements you made or positive outcomes you achieved. Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Tailor it to the server role:
Highlight experiences directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. Emphasize customer service, time management, attention to detail, upselling techniques and other hospitality skills that showcase your suitability for the job.
Strong and weak Server Resume Examples work history
Senior Lead Server | The Grand Tasting Room | San Francisco, CA February 2019 – Present
- Spearheaded a team of servers in a renowned upscale dining establishment, ensuring exceptional customer service and smooth operations.
- Trained over 50 new employees, enhancing their knowledge of menu items, service standards, and customer engagement techniques.
- Increased sales by 25% through effective upselling strategies and personalized customer recommendations.
- Implemented a customer feedback system that improved service quality and increased repeat patronage by 30%.
- Recognized as Employee of the Year in 2021 for outstanding leadership and exemplary service.
This example is persuasive because it provides specific achievements and measurable outcomes. It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to drive positive changes and effectively manage server responsibilities. Including quantifiable metrics, such as the increase in sales repeat patronage, strengthens the impact of the accomplishments.
Server | Bella Italia Ristorante | New York, NY June 2022 – Present
- Efficiently served many customers.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff.
- Addressed and resolved customer complaints promptly.
This example needs specific details and measurable achievements. The bullet points are vague and fail to provide examples of the candidate’s contributions.
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How to Write a Server Education Section
Formal education is usually optional for roles in hospitality and the culinary industry. However, you should include any relevant academic program that informs your knowledge and qualifications as a restaurant server. Follow these guidelines to present your educational qualifications effectively:
1Start with your highest level of education:
Begin the education section with your most advanced degree. Include the degree type, primary or focus area, institution name and dates of attendance or graduation.
Degree resume example:
Bachelor of Business Administration, University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA | September 2014 – May 2018
2Highlight specialized certifications and training:
Emphasize any certifications or specialized training that enhance your qualifications as a server. This could include certificates in food safety and hospitality or specific programs relevant to your role.
Certification resume example:
Certification in Food Safety | National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
San Francisco, August 2018
3Showcase relevant coursework and research projects:
Mention any coursework or research projects that demonstrate your expertise in hospitality, business management or relevant areas of study. This can provide insights into your knowledge and skills in the field.
Relevant coursework resume example:
Food and Beverage Management | USF School of Education
4Include notable institutions or educational affiliations:
If you have attended prestigious educational institutions or are affiliated with reputable academic associations, highlight them to strengthen your resume’s credibility and showcase your commitment to excellence.
Membership association resume example:
Member, National Restaurant Association (NRA)
5Mention professional development activities:
Highlight workshops, conferences, or training programs relevant to hospitality you have attended. Include the program name, organization, and dates to demonstrate your commitment to staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in the field.
Professional development resume example:
Specialized Waiter Training
The International Hotel School | November 2021
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15 Skills For Your Server Resume
We covered how to incorporate soft, hard and technical skills throughout your resume. Your skills section is the last place to add server skills you’d like employers to know about. Here’s a starting list of restaurant-friendly skills to feature on your server resume:
Soft skills
- Time management
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Collaboration
Hard skills
- Customer service
- Upselling techniques
- Knowledge of food and beverage pairings
- Cash handling
- Health and safety regulations
Technical skills
- Point of sale (POS) systems
- Reservation management software
- Inventory tracking
- Kitchen display systems (KDS)
- Digital menu and ordering platforms
PRO TIP:
Including a well-rounded mix of resume skills specific to restaurant server responsibilities, you can effectively showcase your capabilities and suitability for the role. Remember to tailor your skills section to align with the requirements of the specific server position you are applying for.
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20 Server Action Verbs
With the ease of online job boards and professional social media sites like LinkedIn, hiring managers can see dozens to hundreds of applications for a single opening. Unique action verbs and power words can help your resume stand out against the monotony of repetitive resumes.
- Assisted
- Served
- Delivered
- Greeted
- Recommended
- Upsold
- Managed
- Coordinated
- Communicated
- Prepared
- Arranged
- Cleaned
- Stocked
- Processed
- Resolved
- Ensured
- Facilitated
- Recorded
- Monitored
- Trained
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Additional Resume Sections
Consider adding the following sections to your server resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:
Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself
A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide, or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.
Server Resume FAQ
What is a sample objective for a server resume?
A resume objective is an excellent alternative to a resume summary if you have less than three years of experience or are changing careers. Focus on highlighting your transferable skills and your career goals. Here’s an example:
“Motivated and enthusiastic server seeking to contribute to a dynamic restaurant team. Eager to leverage strong customer service skills and a passion for creating enjoyable dining experiences. Committed to learning and growing in the hospitality industry while ensuring guest satisfaction and efficiency.”
Should I tailor my server resume to each job application?
Yes, it’s essential to tailor your resume to each specific job application. Analyze the job description, identify key skills and requirements, and customize your resume accordingly. Highlight experiences and achievements that directly relate to the specific needs of the restaurant server position.
Can I include non-hospitality-related work experience in my resume?
You can include non-hospitality-related work experience if it showcases transferable skills or qualities relevant to the server role. Focus on highlighting skills such as time management, communication or problem-solving that can be valuable in a restaurant setting.
Should I include references on my server resume?
It is optional to include references on your resume. Instead, have a separate document ready with references and provide it when specifically requested. Utilize the space on your resume to highlight the qualifications, skills, and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position.
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Last edited by: Gabriela Barcenas, CPRW, Content Writer II - November 12, 2024
Gabriela Barcenas
CPRW, Content Writer IIGabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career adviser. With 10 years of digital media experience and five years of resume writing expertise, her publication history includes fashion, education, travel, social justice, equitable design and career advice.