Restaurant Server Resume Examples and Writing Guide

Imagine your restaurant server resume as the daily specials board – it's got to be enticing enough to make hiring managers want to order. But if your resume reads like an overcooked steak, you'll be left out in the cold.

Fear not, aspiring server extraordinaire! Our guide will help you revise your resume with the perfect blend of skills and accomplishments. Ready to plate up a resume with hiring managers shouting 'bon appétit'? Grab your apron, and let's get started!

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.

Use this resume template

Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.

Want more restaurant resume examples? Here you go:

• Waitress Resume Examples
• Waiter Resume Examples
• Banquet Server Resume Examples
• Fine Dining Resume Examples
• Bar Manager Resume Examples
• Barback Resume Examples
• Barista Resume Examples
• Bartender Resume Examples
• Catering Resume Examples
• Busser Resume Examples
• Culinary Resume Examples
• Food Service Resume Examples
• Restaurant Resume Examples
• Server Resume Examples
• Job Resume Examples for All Professions

Sample Restaurant Server Resume Template

Here’s how to write your own job-getting restaurant server resume:

1. Format Your Restaurant Server Resume Correctly

To get hired by a good restaurant, you need a well-presented restaurant server resume. The right resume layout makes you look good with clean margins, headings, line spacing, and fonts. Just like the right atmosphere makes food taste better, your formatting makes your resume appealing.

For a professional resume format:

• Write a chronological resume with your last job first. It’s one of the best resume types because employers are familiar with it.
• Add personal information on a resume with a professional resume heading. It should have your name, phone number, city, and LinkedIn address.
• Using the best resume fonts like Cambria or Arial will make your resume more appetizing. Choose a font-size from 10 to 12 points.
• Start with a modern resume template so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Your resume will go faster, and look better when it’s done.
• How long should a professional resume be for restaurant server jobs? Exactly one page. If it’s too short, add more accomplishments.
• To name your resume file, use this format: “Name - Job Title - Resume.pdf”
• Save your file as a resume PDF. PDF files look better, and they’re ATS-readable.

Read more: What Are the Parts of a Resume?

2. Get Attention with a Resume Profile Statement

I’ve got some bad news. Most restaurant managers won’t read your restaurant server resume. They’re just too busy. They’ll do a quick taste-test, glancing through and moving on. Stop them and get them interested in your skills with a tempting resume introduction. That’s a short elevator pitch that makes them read your resume.

Are you writing a resume for a first job? In that case, write a career objective. In it, say what you’d like to do to help their restaurant succeed.

Have you been around since everything was cooked on open flames? If yes, write a resume summary instead. Dress it with your best food-service achievements. Add your years of experience and how you’ll help the restaurant.

Read more: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

3. Customize Your Restaurant Server Job Description

If you write a one-size-fits-all resume for restaurant server jobs, you won’t get much response. Why not? Everybody likes to feel special—even restaurant managers. Show them they’re your #1 with a custom-fitted resume. With a little tweaking, you’ll make their mouths water, and the phone will ring.

Here’s how to add work experience in resume:

• Begin with your last restaurant server job.
• Use the business titles in the job ad. (If they advertised for a restaurant server, use that as your job title.)
• Add the company name, the location, and the months and years you worked.
• Knowing how to target a resume to a job is key. Write 3–6 bullet points with resume accomplishments that speak to their job posting.
• Write with good resume words like served, maintained, and memorized. Avoid stale fare like responsible for.

Wondering what kind of paper to print a resume on? See our guide: Resume Paper: What Type of Paper Is Best for a Resume?

4. Write a Delicious Restaurant Server Resume Education Section 

Listing education on your resume can help you stand out. Give it more flavor by adding a couple of school accomplishments. The trick? Show restaurant server qualities like interpersonal skills or efficiency. For example, working in a student group can show teamwork, and volunteering can show work ethic.

Use these resume tips:

• Write the name of your school and your degree and date of graduation.
• Add groups, clubs, awards, or other accomplishments from school.
• Don’t write your GPA on a resume unless it was impressive.

5. Prove the Right Restaurant Server Skills

There’s a right way and a wrong way to show professional skills on a resume. If you add every skill on the menu, the restaurant manager won’t know which ones are your strongest. But add the wrong restaurant server skills, and they’ll think you’re a poor fit. The key? Add skills from the job ad. This approach will also help you make your resume ATS-friendly.

Here's how to add restaurant server skills to a resume:

• First choose the right skills. The job ad is your menu. List its most important skills on some scratch paper.
• List the central hard skills and soft skills in your skills section.
• Don’t stop there! To get hired, prove your skills with work history accomplishments like served 200+ entrees per busy Friday night shift.

Restaurant Server Resume Skills

• POS operation
• Order taking
• Menu memorization
• Restocking
• Cleaning
• Specials memorization
• Cheerful attitude
• Efficiency
• Physical stamina
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management skills
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Computer skills
• Teamwork skills
• Adaptability
• Stress management
• Active listening

Pro Tip: Don’t just say you’ve waited tables. If you apply to a seafood restaurant, saying you served 100+ seafood entrees per night makes a great resume keyword.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

Create my resume now

When you’re done, our easy resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

6. Add Special Sections to Your Restaurant Server Resume

Sure you’ve waited tables, but so have lots of people. The employer wants to know—are you awesome to work with? Show it with extra sections.

Here’s how to make your resume irresistible:

• Knowing how to list volunteer work on a resume can get you hired. If it’s unrelated to restaurant server skills, keep it short. If it shows teamwork and efficiency, add bullet points to it with your achievements.
• Hobbies, interests, and activities can fill out a skinny resume and show key server skills.
• List certification on a resume for restaurant server jobs. Are you certified in CPR, first aid, or ServSafe? List it.
• Showing foreign languages on a resume for servers helps if many of your clientele are ESL.

Read more: What Are the Key Sections in a Resume?

7. Write a Cover Letter for Your Restaurant Server Resume

Are cover letters important for restaurant server resumes? Yep. They can show you’re not just trolling for any ol’ server job. Use yours to show you really care about this restaurant. Also convince the manager that if she hires you, you won’t skip 3 weeks later for a better job.

Write these cover letter parts:

• Create a compelling cover letter opening that gets them on your side from the first sentence.
• Write a second paragraph stuffed with satisfying restaurant server accomplishments.
• For your cover letter closing, ask for an in-person meeting and make it clear why this restaurant would be a good place for you.

How long should cover letter be? Three to four paragraphs is perfect, because that’s long enough to cover the basics without making the manager feel queasy.

Pro Tip: A follow up email for a job is necessary if you want them to remember you. Make your follow up brief, and attach your resume and original cover letter.

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. Here's what it may look like:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

That’s it!

That’s everything you need to write a 5-star restaurant server resume!

Thanks for reading! Do you have more questions on how to write a restaurant server resume that hits the spot? Give us a shout in the comments section!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.