When you bring out a plate of food to restaurant guests, you know that presentation matters, and your resume is no different. Choosing the right template can help you serve up an enticing document for hiring managers.
The best resume template for servers is easy to read and well-organized, with your most relevant professional accomplishments and key skills clearly outlined. Look for a template that offers a simple layout without distracting graphics or cluttered formatting. Your content should be the focus, so stick with a minimalist design and only one or two colors.
Once you’ve selected your template, it’s time to start writing. If you’re not sure where to begin, check out our list of tips below to get a better understanding of what you should include in each section of your server resume.
Your server resume must demonstrate an ability to provide exceptional customer service while taking orders accurately, delivering meals and processing payments. Hiring managers should be confident that you can handle working their peak business hours and navigate potentially disgruntled customers. Below, we’ll explore a few strategies to help you create a resume that highlights these kinds of abilities and more.
Numbers can make a big difference in your professional experience section. They help you show the results you’ve achieved in your past positions. Instead of just stating your job duties, you can use percentages, monetary figures, and other metrics to illustrate your influence at work. Take a look at our example:
Restaurant hiring managers are usually looking for a very specific set of skills and qualifications in their servers. If you want their attention, speak to their needs. You can find everything you need to know by studying the job description. What are the job requirements? How many years of experience are they looking for? What’s the dining environment like?
Make a note of the words and phrases used in the job posting. Then, include those terms and any specific requirements you match up with throughout your resume in the profile, professional experience, and skills sections.
A list of hard and soft skills gives hiring managers a good idea of what you’re capable of as a server. These technical and interpersonal abilities demonstrate that you can handle daily tasks and maintain positive interactions with guests and fellow staff. Look at our examples below to get familiar with some of the keywords you may encounter during your job search.
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
---|---|
Cash handling and POS systems | Adaptability |
Food safety and hygiene | Communication |
Menu knowledge | Customer service |
Order-taking and accuracy | Teamwork |
Table setting and service | Time management |
Action verbs are mainly used in the professional experience section of your resume. They help you describe your past accomplishments and job duties concisely. As you create the bullet points for each of your previous roles, use words like these:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Accommodated | Anticipated |
Collaborated | Coordinated |
Delivered | Maintained |
Resolved | Upsold |
Many restaurants are often willing to train the right individuals. If you have a good work ethic and solid interpersonal skills, the technical aspect of serving is just a matter of training. But, what do you put on your resume then? Prioritize the following:
Emma Robinson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
Calm and courteous server with over 8 years of experience in fine dining. Ability to work within busy, upscale environments to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and etiquette. Skilled at helping guests with menus and wine choices. Builds relationships with kitchen staff and fellow servers for a positive dining experience.
Lead Server, Binkley’s Restaurant, Phoenix, AZ
May 2018 – Present
Server, The Capital Grille, Phoenix, AZ
June 2016 – April 2018
High School Diploma, June 2010
Pueblo High School, Tucson, AZ
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