Barista Resume Examples and Templates
Waiter/Waitress Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
Last Updated:
June 28, 2024
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Waiter/Waitress Resume Examples and Templates (Downloadable)
- How To Write a Waiter/Waitress Resume Example
- How To Pick the Best Waiter/Waitress Resume Template
- Waiter/Waitress Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
- Frequently Asked Questions: Waiter/Waitress Resume Examples and Advice
- Check Out Related Examples
Waiter/Waitress Resume Examples and Templates (Downloadable)
- Entry level
- Midlevel
- Senior level
Your waiter/waitress resume should demonstrate your ability to multitask, deliver efficient service in a fast-paced environment, elevate guest satisfaction ratings, and collaborate with a team of servers. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a success-driven resume highlighting the most compelling aspects of your server experience in the hospitality industry.
Key Takeaways
- Emphasize specializations: Waiters and waitresses are not just food service professionals, but they are the frontlines of customer service and brand representatives. Your resume should reflect any special qualities you have, if you’ve worked in a particular type of establishment, and anything that can set you apart.
- Detail quantifiable achievements: Quantifying past achievements can help show that you’re a valuable asset to a restaurant. Share statistics such as customer satisfaction ratings, ability to upsell menu items, and any other data that can illustrate why you’re a great candidate.
- Use keywords for ATS: Applicant tracking systems (ATS) filter resumes based on keywords and phrases. Pay special attention to the wording in the job description and try to include some of the same terminology in your resume to help it get through those initial screenings.
How To Write a Waiter/Waitress Resume Example
A resume template can help you write an effective waiter/waitress resume to win interviews.
Your waiter/waitress resume should include these key sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
1. Share your contact information
Provide your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
2. Create a profile by summarizing your waiter/waitress qualifications
In about two to three sentences, summarize your professional background, relevant skills, and experience as a waiter/waitress. A strong, compelling introduction will gain the attention of hospitality managers and recruiters. Highlight your strengths and integrate keywords from the job description to show you’re a good match for the position.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A seasoned hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in restaurants and hotels, extending from waitstaff to management. A degree in hospitality management and a Certified Specialist of Wine credential, coupled with the proven ability to train staff, streamline operations, and handle management tasks efficiently. Developed strategies that led to significant improvement in guest service ratings and operational efficiency in top-tier establishments such as Outback Steakhouse and Marriott International.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A dedicated waiter with a strong track record in the restaurant and hospitality industries, holding an associate degree in business. Proven experience in food service with exceptional customer service skills. Known for excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and maintaining health and safety standards within a high-volume restaurant.
3.Add your waiter/waitress experience with compelling examples
This section should list your previous positions as a waiter/waitress, including job duties, employer names, and dates of employment. Highlight specific achievements and accomplishments, quantifying your results whenever possible.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Hospitality Manager, Marriott International, New York, NY | June 2015 – Present
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve guest service ratings, leading to an increase in overall customer satisfaction by 20%
- Coordinated staff training programs to ensure all employees are well versed with quality standards and procedures, resulting in a 15% decrease in operational errors
- Assisted in the roll-out of a new menu initiative, leading to an increase in average customer spend of 10%
Senior Waiter, Outback Steakhouse, New York, NY | January 2010 – May 2015
- Trained and supervised a team of 20 wait staff, which led to a reduction in the turnover rate by 30%
- Implemented new protocols that greatly improved operational efficiency resulting in a 25% decrease in complaints related to service
- Coordinated with the kitchen staff and other departments to ensure seamless operations during high-volume periods
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Waiter, Olive Garden, New York, NY | May 2020 – Present
- Consistently recognized by management for excellent customer service skills which have led to a 10% increase in repeat customers
- Skilled in effectively managing orders for a high-volume restaurant, serving an average of 25 tables per shift
- Responsible for maintaining cleanliness of dining area compliant with health and safety regulations resulting in 0 violations during the employment period
Intern – Hotel Operations, Marriott International, Miami, FL | May 2018 – April 2020
- Participated in a comprehensive hotel operations internship where responsibilities spanned across various departments from front office to housekeeping
- Developed excellent problem-solving skills by addressing and resolving guest issues effectively resulting in positive guest feedback
- Assisted in coordination of events and gained experience in providing top-notch hospitality services
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
Use numbers and metrics to show the results you achieved in previous roles. Provide context to your work history and give hospitality managers a better understanding of your scope and impact. You can demonstrate your value and potential as a waiter/waitress by detailing how you improve efficiency, elevate guest satisfaction ratings, and improve restaurant sales.
Do
- “Developed and implemented strategies to improve guest service ratings, leading to an increase in overall customer satisfaction by 20%”
Don't
- “Improved guest services”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application
Align your waiter/waitress resume with the job description to improve your chances of securing an interview. Incorporate keywords and highlight accomplishments that prove you can exceed the company’s expectations. This will require tailoring every resume you send to a recruiter for the specific job application. Even minor tweaks can make a big impact.
What if you don’t have experience?
Creating a waiter/waitress resume can be challenging if you don’t have real-world experience yet. However, you still have valuable skills and knowledge from your education and training. Also, consider volunteer experiences and highlight certifications you’ve earned. For example, if you were asked to wait tables at a charity golf outing because of your courteous nature, note this in your experience section. Or, if you earned a ServSafe Food Handler certification, include this to show your commitment to advancing your career.
4. Include waiter/waitress-related education and certifications
List any relevant education and certifications you’ve received to display you’re a well-qualified waiter/waitress. Include the title of the degree or certificate earned, the institution’s name, and the completion date. Also, list continuing education courses or professional development programs.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example:
Bachelor Degree in Hospitality Management
The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY | 2009
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
- Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW, Society of Wine Educators), 2015
5. List key skills and proficiencies for waiter/waitress
Highlight key skills for your waiter/waitress career — both hard skills and soft ones. Choose hard skills, such as payment processing and product sales and promotion, and soft skills, including conflict resolution and task prioritization. Strategically select which skills to include by aligning your capabilities with the job description to increase your chances of winning an interview. Some examples are highlighted in this table.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Conflict resolution | Customer satisfaction |
| Menu and order memorization | New hire training |
| Point-of-Sale (POS) systems | Product sales and promotions |
| Task prioritization | |
Resume writer’s tip: Use strong action verbs
Take a strategic approach with your words on your waiter/waitress resume. In the professional experience section of your resume, use action verbs to communicate your job duties and accomplishments. Instead of listing off responsibilities, start each sentence with a dynamic action verb, and avoid repetitive or first-person language such as, “I was responsible for…” Here are some action verb ideas to energize your resume.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Coordinate | Engage |
| Ensure | Greet |
| Improve | Increase |
| Memorize | Order |
| Prepare | Prevent |
| Promote | Recommend |
| Relay | Retrieve |
| Serve | Solve |
| Streamline | Upsell |
How To Pick the Best Waiter/Waitress Resume Template
Waiter/waitress resumes should look professional, simple, and focused on the content of your past accomplishments and skills. Choose a template that is organized and easy to scan rather than worrying about flashy fonts or layouts.
Waiter/Waitress Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Profile
A dedicated waiter with a strong track record in the restaurant and hospitality industries, holding an associate degree in business. Proven experience in food service with exceptional customer service skills. Known for excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and maintaining health and safety standards within a high-volume restaurant.
Key Skills
- Cleanliness and table setup
- Customer service
- Health and safety compliance
- Menu knowledge
- Speedy service
Professional Experience
Waiter, Olive Garden, New York, NY | May 2020 – Present
- Consistently recognized by management for excellent customer service skills which have led to a 10% increase in repeat customers
- Skilled in effectively managing orders for a high-volume restaurant, serving an average of 25 tables per shift
- Responsible for maintaining cleanliness of dining area compliant with health and safety regulations resulting in 0 violations during the employment period
Intern – Hotel Operations, Marriott International, Miami, FL | May 2018 – April 2020
- Participated in a comprehensive hotel operations internship where responsibilities spanned across various departments from front office to housekeeping
- Developed excellent problem-solving skills by addressing and resolving guest issues effectively resulting in positive guest feedback
- Assisted in coordination of events and gained experience in providing top-notch hospitality services
Education
Associate Degree in Business
Borough of Manhattan Community College, NY, May 2020
Frequently Asked Questions: Waiter/Waitress Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with a waiter/waitress description?
The job outlook for waiters and waitresses is expected to decline through 2032, making your resume all the more important. When exploring job postings, pay special attention to how your skills align with specific employers’ needs and tweak your resume accordingly. For example, if you’ve got fine dining experience and want to work at an upscale restaurant, that is important to highlight.
What is the best waiter/waitress resume format?
As with many professions, a reverse-chronological resume format is typically best for waiters and waitresses. It gives you the opportunity to focus on your most recent professional accomplishments and key skills while showing your career progression. It’s also a format that most hiring managers are comfortable with, so you can’t go wrong.
Expert advice:
Include a cover letter with your resume
Including a cover letter to go along with your resume is an extra touch that can go a long way toward impressing recruiters.
Check Out Related Examples
Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach
Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.
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