Servers are great at multitasking and providing excellent customer service. As a server, your resume should be just like your service: efficient, organized, and tailored to the needs of the customer. In this guide, we'll review X server resume examples that will help you land your next job.
You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.
Here are the essential sections that should exist in an Server resume:
Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other Server candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:
Let's start with resume headlines.
Experienced Server with a passion for providing exceptional customer service and a proven track record of increasing sales by 20% through upselling techniques.
Detail-oriented Server with expertise in menu knowledge, wine pairing, and dietary restrictions, resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rate.
Dynamic Server with a talent for building rapport with guests and a history of maintaining a clean and organized dining area, leading to a 30% increase in positive online reviews.
Why these are strong:
These resume headlines are strong for Servers as they highlight key skills and achievements that are relevant to their roles. The first headline emphasizes the candidate's experience and sales skills, which are crucial factors that hiring managers look for in Servers. The second headline showcases the candidate's attention to detail and customer service skills, which are essential for providing a positive dining experience. Finally, the third headline highlights the candidate's ability to build relationships with guests and maintain a clean environment, which are both important for creating a welcoming atmosphere and increasing customer satisfaction.
Why these are weak:
These resume headlines need improvement for Servers as they lack specificity and don't emphasize the unique value or accomplishments that the candidates bring to the table. The first headline doesn't mention the years of experience or the types of establishments the candidate has worked in. The second headline highlights knowledge but doesn't provide any context or results, such as upselling percentages or customer satisfaction ratings. The third headline mentions skills but fails to showcase any measurable achievements or awards that could strengthen the candidate's profile.
Resume summaries are crucial for Servers as they provide a concise yet powerful way to showcase their skills, experience, and unique value proposition. A well-crafted summary can immediately capture the attention of hiring managers, setting the tone for the rest of the resume and positioning the candidate as an ideal fit for the role.
Key points that Servers should convey in a resume summary include:
Relevant Experience:
Clearly mention the number of years of experience you have in serving, highlighting any notable achievements or career highlights. If you have experience with different types of restaurants or cuisines that are particularly relevant to the job, mention that too.
Customer Service Skills:
Highlight your ability to provide excellent customer service, including your communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle difficult situations with grace.
Menu Knowledge:
Showcase your knowledge of the menu, including any specials or seasonal items, and your ability to make recommendations to customers based on their preferences.
Teamwork:
In any serving role, teamwork and collaboration are essential components. Emphasize your ability to work well with others, including kitchen staff and other servers, to ensure a smooth and efficient dining experience for customers.
Upselling:
Highlight your ability to upsell menu items and promote specials, as this is a key aspect of increasing revenue for the restaurant.
To nail the resume summary, use your best judgment to choose the right combination of these that align closest with the individual role you’re applying for. Remember, your resume summary will be one of the first things that a potential employer will see about you and your serving career.
Here are some key writing tips to help you make the most of it:
Tailor the Summary:
Customize your summary for each job application, ensuring that it aligns with the specific requirements and expectations of the hiring company.
Be Concise:
Keep your summary brief and to-the-point, ideally within 3-4 sentences. Avoid using buzzwords or jargon, and focus on concrete skills and accomplishments.
Use Metrics and Tangible Outcomes:
Whenever possible, include quantitative data to back up your claims, such as sales numbers or customer satisfaction ratings.
Begin with a Strong Statement:
Start your summary with a compelling statement that captures your unique value proposition as a Server, and then build on that foundation with your key attributes and experiences.
Proofread and Revise:
Ensure your summary is free of grammatical errors and typos, and refine the language to make it as clear and impactful as possible.
Why these are strong:
These resume summaries are strong for Servers as they highlight the candidates' key skills, experience, and achievements in the hospitality industry. The first summary emphasizes the candidate's ability to increase sales through their customer service skills and upselling techniques. The second summary showcases the candidate's attention to detail and accuracy in cash handling, which is crucial in the restaurant industry. Lastly, the third summary highlights the candidate's personable nature and ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, making them a valuable asset to any restaurant team.
Why these are weak:
These resume summaries need improvement for Servers as they lack specific details about the candidate's experience and accomplishments. The first summary provides only a general overview of the candidate's experience and passion for customer service, without mentioning any specific skills or achievements. The second summary mentions excellent communication and multitasking skills but doesn't provide any examples of how these skills were utilized to provide exceptional service. The third summary mentions a positive attitude and willingness to learn, but doesn't provide any examples of how these traits have contributed to a great dining experience for customers. Overall, these summaries could benefit from more specific details and quantifiable achievements to make the candidate stand out to potential employers.
Why these are strong:
These resume objectives are strong for up and coming Servers because they showcase the candidates' relevant skills and experience, while also highlighting their passion for hospitality and dedication to providing excellent service. The first objective emphasizes the candidate's communication skills and ability to multitask, which are important attributes for a Server in a fast-paced environment. The second objective showcases the candidate's knowledge of fine dining and their ability to create a memorable dining experience for guests. Lastly, the third objective highlights the candidate's ability to connect with guests of all ages, making them a promising fit for a family-friendly restaurant where they can contribute to the positive atmosphere of the establishment.
Why these are weak:
These resume objectives need improvement for up and coming Servers because they lack specificity and don't effectively showcase the unique value or skills the candidates possess. The first objective is generic and doesn't provide any information about the candidate's background, passion, or relevant experience. The second objective hints at some experience in hospitality, but it doesn't mention any specific achievements, education, or industries the candidate is interested in. The third objective, although it mentions a passion for food and beverage, doesn't elaborate on the candidate's expertise, skills, or any particular area of serving they are passionate about, which would make their profile more appealing to potential employers.
Provided exceptional customer service by anticipating and fulfilling guests' needs, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate and positive reviews on social media platforms.
Demonstrated strong teamwork skills by collaborating with kitchen staff and management to ensure timely and accurate food delivery, resulting in a 20% increase in table turnover rate.
Maintained a clean and organized dining area, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and receiving a perfect score on all health inspections.
Upsold menu items and promoted specials, resulting in a 25% increase in average check size and contributing to a 10% increase in overall restaurant revenue.
Managed a high-volume section during peak hours, consistently delivering accurate orders and maintaining a positive attitude under pressure, resulting in a 90% accuracy rate and positive feedback from guests.
Trained new servers on restaurant policies and procedures, resulting in a 100% retention rate and improved overall team performance.
Why these are strong:
Took orders from customers and delivered food to tables.
Assisted with cleaning and resetting tables after customers finished their meals.
Operated cash register and handled customer payments.
These work experiences are weak because they lack specificity and do not highlight any unique skills or accomplishments. They simply describe basic tasks that are expected of a server. To improve these bullet points, the candidate should focus on incorporating specific examples of exceptional customer service, upselling techniques, or any other ways they went above and beyond their basic duties to enhance the dining experience for customers.
As a Server, you understand the importance of providing exceptional customer service and creating a positive experience for every guest. Similarly, pairing your resume with a well-crafted cover letter can make a significant impact on potential employers and increase your chances of landing an interview. A cover letter is an extension of your resume, an opportunity to showcase your personality, passion for the industry, and relevant experience. Contrary to common belief, crafting a compelling cover letter doesn't have to be a daunting task, and the benefits far outweigh the effort required.
Here are some compelling reasons for submitting a cover letter as a Server:
In general, a Server resume should be one to two pages in length. It is important to keep in mind that hiring managers and recruiters often have limited time to review resumes, so it is important to keep the information concise and relevant. When crafting your Server resume, focus on highlighting your relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments in the food service industry. Be sure to include any relevant certifications or training, such as food safety or alcohol service certifications. Overall, the goal of your Server resume should be to showcase your qualifications and experience in a clear and concise manner, while also demonstrating your passion for providing excellent customer service.
The best way to format a Server resume is to keep it simple and easy to read. Use a clear and legible font, such as Arial or Times New Roman, and make sure the font size is large enough to be easily read. Use bullet points to highlight your skills and experience, and organize your information in a logical and easy-to-follow manner. Be sure to include relevant information such as your experience working in the food service industry, your knowledge of different types of cuisine, and any certifications or training you have received. Additionally, make sure to include any relevant work experience, including any previous positions you have held in the food service industry. Finally, be sure to proofread your resume carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and typos. By following these guidelines, you can create a resume that will help you stand out from other applicants and land the job you want as a Server.
Based on our analysis of job postings and industry trends, some important Server skills to highlight in a resume include: 1. Customer service: Servers need to be friendly, attentive, and able to provide excellent customer service to ensure a positive dining experience for guests. 2. Communication: Servers must be able to communicate effectively with customers, kitchen staff, and other servers to ensure that orders are accurate and delivered in a timely manner. 3. Menu knowledge: Servers should have a good understanding of the menu, including ingredients, preparation methods, and any special dietary requirements, to be able to answer customer questions and make recommendations. 4. Salesmanship: Servers should be able to upsell menu items and promote specials to increase sales and revenue for the restaurant. 5. Time management: Servers need to be able to manage their time effectively to ensure that orders are delivered promptly and that customers are not kept waiting. 6. Teamwork: Servers should be able to work effectively as part of a team, communicating with other servers and kitchen staff to ensure that orders are delivered accurately and on time. By highlighting these skills in a resume, Servers can demonstrate their ability to provide excellent customer service,
If you have no experience as a Server, you can still write a strong resume by highlighting your transferable skills and relevant experiences. Here are some tips: 1. Start with a strong objective statement: Begin your resume with a clear and concise objective statement that highlights your interest in the Server position and your willingness to learn. 2. Highlight your transferable skills: Even if you haven't worked as a Server before, you may have transferable skills that are relevant to the job. For example, you may have experience in customer service, communication, teamwork, or multitasking. Highlight these skills in your resume and explain how they can be applied to the Server position. 3. Emphasize your education: If you have completed any relevant coursework or training, be sure to include it in your resume. This can demonstrate your knowledge of food and beverage service, as well as your commitment to learning. 4. Include any relevant volunteer or extracurricular experience: If you have volunteered at a restaurant or