Are you ready to cook up a restaurant resume that's as mouthwatering as a five-star dish? We're here to help you serve up a resume that’ll have hiring managers craving more. In this article, we'll dish out the secret ingredients for creating a resume that stands out like a gourmet meal in a sea of fast-food options.
From bartenders and line cooks to waitstaff and restaurant managers, we've got you covered. Fire up the grill and start your restaurant resume!
One of our users, Pam, had this to say:
Zety is well worth the money! All you do is input your info and Zety turns it into a professional resume that appears like you took hours to make.
Looking for a more specific position in the restaurant industry? Make sure to check out one of our dedicated guides:
Restaurant Resume Example Fred Hamlin
Experienced Restaurant Professional
555-555-5555
fredhamlin@email.com
linkedin.com/in/fredhamlin
Summary
Dynamic and detail-oriented restaurant professional with 8+ years of experience in the hospitality industry. Eager to leverage knowledge and expertise as an Experienced Restaurant Professional at Gourmet Bistro. Increased restaurant sales by 50% at Savory Spice Restaurant by helping overhaul the restaurant’s menu, tailoring it to the local market.
Experience
Server & Host
Savory Spice Restaurant, West Valley City, UT
June 2018-Present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Greeted guests upon arrival and provided exceptional service throughout their visit to ensure returning customers. Maximized tableside sales opportunities by introducing special menu items and upselling additional items when appropriate. Recorded orders accurately within the point-of-sales system to reduce errors in billing or delivery times. Regularly performed side work duties such as restocking inventory, cleaning dining areas, and organizing menus before each shift. Key Achievements:
Increased sales by 50% by helping to overhaul the restaurant’s menu. Achieved “Employee of the Year” recognition twice for exemplary performance during peak hours on multiple occasions (July 2019 & April 2020). Dishwasher & Utility Staff
Delight Cafe, West Valley City, UT
May 2016-June 2018
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Unloaded shipments from vendors and placed items into proper storage areas for easy accessibility while following safety guidelines for food storage requirements. Assembled trays of prepared dishes according to recipes specified by chefs before service hours throughout each shift. Performed daily sanitation duties, including mopping floors, wiping down counters and equipment, and emptying trash containers as needed. Key Achievement:
Upheld the highest standards of cleanliness by minimizing the number of health code violations over a two-year period (May 2016–June 2018). Education
High School diploma
West Valley City High School, West Valley City, UT
September 2015–June 2019
Skills
Skilled in time management. Able to multitask several tasks simultaneously without sacrificing quality or speed." Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with customers and staff. Expertise in maintaining detailed records related to restaurant operations, including orders, inventory levels, taxes collected etc., using POS systems such as Aloha & Toast. Highly organized with excellent problem-solving and analytical skills to handle customer complaints in a timely and professional manner. Certifications
Food Handler Certification, National Restaurant Association, 2016 Awards
"Employee of the Year," Savory Spice Restaurant, 2019 & 2020 "Rookie of the Month," Delight Cafe, 2017 Memberships
Member of the International Restaurant Association since 2020
Organized “Train The Trainer” sessions for restaurant staff to educate them on various food safety practices. Languages
English – Native Spanish – Fluent Interests
Collecting vintage postcards from around the world. Playing classical piano at local senior centers. 1. What's the Best Format for a Restaurant Resume? Say hello to Pete, the restaurant hiring manager. He gets 300+ restaurant resumes a year. Ready for a shock?
He spends just seven seconds on each one, according to our HR statistics report .
That means your restaurant resume format really matters.
Reverse-chronological is best. Why?
Because it shows your most recent experience up front.
Use plenty of white space, big headings, and above all, clear fonts. No comic sans or (eek) papyrus.
Finally, save your restaurant server resume or manager resume as a PDF. That way, it won't turn to soup in transit.
Pro Tip: PDFs are the best choice, but check the job description in case they're off the menu. Some job offers reject restaurant resume PDFs.
Want some other professional restaurant resume format options? See our guide: 3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples]
2. How to Write a Resume Summary or Resume Objective "We should interview this one."
Your restaurant resume should make the hiring manager say the words above.
That starts with a standout resume summary or resume objective.
A resume summary is for food warriors with walk-ins full of experience.
A resume objective is for newbies, fresh off the truck.
The secret to each? Add measurable accomplishments.
These two restaurant manager resume samples show how it's done.
Basic Restaurant Resume Examples [Resume Summaries] Look at these vastly different restaurant manager resume examples:
wrong Restaurant manager with 7 years experience, seeking a new position. Managed employees, handled ordering, training and scheduling.
On its own, that isn't bad. But it melts into the other fine dining resumes on Pete's laptop.
Want the interview? Whip up something like this instead:
right Engaging restaurant worker and manager with 7 years of experience. Seeking to assist Legal Seafoods in reaching their goal of food service industry excellence. Managed 25 cooks and waitstaff in fast-paced, high-end restaurant. Handled inventory, vendors, and hiring. Reduced turnover by 25%.
That could be from Rachel Ray or Bobby Flay. The details sell it.
Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.
When you’re done, our AI resume builder resume checker
Don't have experience like that? Check out these restaurant server resume examples:
Two Entry-Level Restaurant Resume Objectives No experience doesn't have to mean the trash bin.
Use a resume objective if you're an entry level applicant or if you're seeking a new niche.
wrong Entry level restaurant worker. No real restaurant experience yet, but I'm anxious to start!
That misses the target like a pancake on the ceiling.
But here's a trick most applicants don't know: add instant details, and Bam! You're up in the Emeril zone:
right Energetic waitress and restaurant worker. Have filled in for catering and festival food service, as well as fast food restaurant positions. Complimented for great personality, work ethic, and solid hustle.
Does that wait staff resume have 3+ years of experience? No. More like 3 days.
But a restaurant server resume with just a few small stints like that can sell your skills.
Even customer service experience looks great on a resume for restaurant positions.
Pro Tip: Your restaurant resume objective or resume summary is just an appetizer. Save the main course for your experience section.
Want to knock your food service resume out of the food court? See the template for a restaurant resume up top. Also, see these guides:
How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See +20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them on Your Resume (Tips)
3. How to Describe Your Restaurant Experience Let's get back to Pete, the hiring manager.
He needs to know you can do the job like Anthony Bourdain.
That means experience.
Don't have any on your restaurant resume? Include customer service, festivals, catering, or similar work history.
Show your last job first. Add 3-5 bullet points with measurable achievements. Match them to the restaurant duties and responsibilities in the job offer.
Let these food service manager resume examples light the way:
Restaurant Resume Examples [Experience] Take a peek at these two restaurant resume samples:
right The Enchanted Narwhal Cafe
Waitress, Manager
2012 - 2017
Managed 15 waitresses and bartenders in a high volume restaurant. Handled all ordering and stocking for liquor, wine, barback, coffee, supplies Developed relationships with vendors that resulted in a 15% cost savings. Presided over a 20% increase in total restaurant sales in 4 years. Hired and trained entry-level staff. Reduced turnover 25%.
Wow. Five star. That's how to put restaurant experience on a resume. It works equally well on a restaurant general manager resume.
Don't do it like this:
wrong The Enchanted Narwhal Cafe
Waitress, Manager
2012 - 2017
Responsible for managing waitstaff. Handled ordering of inventory. Supervised some staff training.
That first restaurant resume example is a Triple Chocolate Meltdown. The second is the wooden stick left after you eat a popsicle.
Without details, you're an empty plate.
But what if you don't have them?
Let these next two restaurant waiter/waitress resume examples be your guide.
How to Make a Resume for Restaurant Jobs with no Experience There's no such thing as "no restaurant experience."
Anyone with any history with food or working with the public can list that on a restaurant resume.
Don't even have that? Consider a few days of temp work at restaurants, festivals, or catering companies.
Next, make it shine like the second of next two restaurant resume examples.
Two Restaurant Resume Samples [No Experience] This first restaurant waitress resume example has gone past the sell by date:
Not good, right? It's like a box of generic cornflakes.
But add some measurable achievements and your restaurant waiter resume is back on the specials board:
right Restaurant Experience
Various
2017
Fill-in for Plumstead Catering. Commended for personality and work ethic. Temp table busser, Pizza Hut. Complimented for solid hustle. Food server, Common Ground Country Fair, Maine.
Nice. Like Gordon Ramsay in the rough. But stop and do the math. That restaurant resume example only lists about three days of experience.
Pro Tip: Need to know how to describe restaurant work on a resume for other jobs? Match your achievements to duties and skills shown in the job description.
What's worse than boring food? Boring resume language. Put the flavor to your restaurant hostess resume with action words. Use these: +80 Examples of Resume Action Words for Every Profession
4. Is Your Education Section Flavorless? It Might Be Restaurant work ain't about PhDs and fancy titles.
But if you don't make good use of your education section, you're serving up an empty plate.
Start with:
School Name and Location Years in School Degree Then add accomplishments that match the job description.
These restaurant resume examples show how to make the grade:
Restaurant Resume Examples [Education] The two sample restaurant resume education sections below are as alike as Ronald McDonald and Guy Fieri.
right Clara Mitchell High
2012 - 2016
Drum major, marching band. Girls swim team co-captain. Voted boys choice of sister.
See that? It's not about the degree. It's about the restaurant worker achievements.
They all show responsibility and interpersonal skills.
But in this next restaurant resume example, we're back in the Krusty Krab category:
wrong Clara Mitchell High
2012 - 2016
Why bother, right? You could just say, "Graduated high school."
On a resume for a restaurant worker, that example looks like imitation seafood.
But add back the details, and you're serving up a feast again.
Pro Tip: Are you writing a restaurant general manager resume? If so, your education matters a lot more. Focus on school achievements that show leadership.
Want your fast food restaurant manager resume to stand out like a Habanero pepper? See our guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]
5. How to Put Skills on a Resume for Restaurants Let's sneak into the back office after hours.
There's Pete, the hiring manager. He keeps throwing breadsticks at the wall.
He's angry. Why?
Every one of the 300+ restaurant resumes he's looked at shows the same skill set.
Yet not one of them shows proof.
Then he gets to yours. His frown vanishes like a plate of bacon-wrapped anything.
Your secret?
You proved your skills. Check out the first of these fast food restaurant resume examples:
These skills were in Pete's job description:
Speed customer satisfaction reliability
So you listed them. But then you proved them in your food prep resume bullet points:
Red Lobster
Line Cook
2014 - 2017
Received three commendations from management for speed and efficiency. Zero sick days in four years of enthusiastic cooking. Assisted in creating 96% customer satisfaction scores throughout the restaurant. Ding! You matched your skills to your experience like a great side dish to a fantastic entree.
Need some restaurant server resume skills or manager skills? Start with this food service skills list:
Restaurant Resume Skills Use the tips above, and your good restaurant resume will sizzle like an entree from Hell's Kitchen.
Struggling to find the best skills for your restaurant resume? Check top skills loved by employers .
By reviewing 11 million resumes made in our builder, we discovered that:
Restaurant workers include an average of 9 skills on their resumes. Among the top skills frequently listed by restaurant workers are menu memorization, food safety knowledge, POS system operation, order taking accuracy, and safe food handling. Restaurant workers tend to create resumes spanning about 1.6 pages in length. 6. How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume Experience will get you 75% hired.
But you can't earn a living on "almost."
To put your restaurant resume over the top, prove you're more than just a sheet of paper.
Show your passion with "other" sections that work like marinated mozzarella.
Watch how that's well done in two more restaurant manager resume examples.
Restaurant Resume Examples [Other Sections] This first sample restaurant resume "other" section is as unwelcome as a big party 5 minutes before closing.
wrong I score very high at Pokemon GO. I love clubbing. I'm into doing cleanses.
What's the problem with clubbing, cleanses, and Pokemon?
Nothing!
But they don't make you a better restaurant worker.
But feast your eyes on this (much tastier) restaurant resume example:
right Conferences
Restaurant Leadership Conference, 2016 National Restaurant Association Conference, 2014 Additional Activities Teach yoga classes once a week.
Make and sell pottery in a local shop. Active member, American Management Association. Courses
Successfully Managing People - American Management Association. Developing Emotional Intelligence - American Management Association. Volunteer Work
Assist with organizing local blood drives 2x per year. Prep corn chowder at the Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen 2x per month.
My compliments to the chef. You've heard the saying, "If you need help, ask a busy person." The same goes for hiring one.
This resume for a restaurant worker paints a picture of someone you can depend on in a clinch.
Pro Tip: Don't have achievements like the ones above? Start some! Most don't take long. They look great on a high end restaurant resume, and who knows. You might have fun.
Feeling kind of light on content for your restaurant waiter resume "other" sections? See our guide: +20 Best Examples of Hobbies & Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips)
7. Here's the Most Common Myth About Cover Letters It's not true that nobody will read your restaurant cover letter.
What the "experts" mean is, nobody will read a boring cover letter.
So, don't be boring. Don't say, "Here's my resume. Please read it."
That's like telling customers their food will be delicious.
Instead, give them an appetizer. Like this:
Restaurant Cover Letter Example Dear Rick,
I've wanted to work at Faccibene's Grill for the last 3 years. Your commitment to creative and intriguing cuisine is well known. I've been eating here on Sundays and I love the team you've built. I think my creative cooking style and easy-going personality would mesh nicely with your business.
That example restaurant cover letter satisfies.
First, it uses the hiring manager's name.
Second, it's detailed and personal, and it proves how you can help.
Now, close it with a request. "Can we schedule some time to discuss how I can help [XYZ Restaurant] reach [XYZ goal]" works great.
Pro Tip: Follow up on your restaurant resume and cover letter. That hiring manager is busy. She'll appreciate your hustle, and the reminder will improve your chances.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Want a fully baked example for your restaurant cover letter? See our guide: Restaurant Cover Letter Example and Writing Tips
8. How to Add Contact Info to Your Resume This is not your first rodeo.
You know to add the basic contact info:
Full Name Updated Phone Number Professional Email Address Like this:
Marge Metaxas, Waitress, Manager , margemetaxas@gmail.com, 803-353-2396 But what about your LinkedIn profile? Did you know 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find applicants?
You need a great LinkedIn profile as much as you need a great restaurant resume. Then, make sure you put the address with your contact info.
Pro Tip: Your LinkedIn profile is as important as unlocking the front door. Make sure it hits the spot. Use this guide to LinkedIn profile excellence .
Want more tips to make the best restaurant resume you can? See our guide here: How to Make a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide (+30 Examples)
Key Takeaway This guide has given you the ingredients of a flawless restaurant resume. Remember these key tips:
Your restaurant resume summary or resume objective is an appetizer. Stuff it with the most mouth-watering achievements from your past. Read the job description carefully, then use it. A resume for a restaurant worker needs to brim with thirst-quenching bullet points that prove your skills. Sprinkle liberally with dedicated "other" sections. They should prove your passion for feeding the hungry masses goes beyond the quest for money. Do you have questions on how to write a great resume for a restaurant worker? Not sure how to describe your skills or achievements? Give us a shout in the comments! We love to help!
You can find other relevant resume examples here:
