Waiter/Waitress Resume Example

As the economy recovers after COVID-19, restaurants are reopening and posting new waiter/waitress job openings.

If you’re applying for one of those new waitstaff jobs, you need a resume that stands out. Here are three tips for crafting an eye-catching waiter/waitress resume so you can start collecting tips from customers:

1. Highlight your relevant hard and soft skills

To get an interview, show relevant skills on your resume. Waitress/waiter resumes should highlight relevant server skills, including both hard skills, such as memorization, and soft skills, like people skills.

Here are some hard and soft skills to showcase on your waiter or waitress resume:

Hard skills:

• Upselling
• Basic math
• Computer skills
• POS terminals
• Management skills
• Language skills

Soft skills:

• Problem-solving skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Critical thinking
• Teamwork
• Customer service skills
• Positive attitude
• Communication skills

The skills you list let the employer know how much training you’ll need. If you already have the skills necessary for waitressing, the employer knows that hiring you saves their resources and energy.

2. Start with an eye-catching resume objective

Summarize your top selling points in a 2–3 sentence resume objective at the top of your resume (under your resume’s header). Think of your objective as an elevator pitch for hiring managers who don’t have time to read your full resume.

Each sentence of this example resume objective has information the hiring manager is looking for, including prior experience, skills, and the target position:

Waitress with 5+ years of experience providing excellent service to diners at quality establishments. Familiar with POS terminals and common restaurant machinery, and possess a proven ability to upsell alcohol, desserts, and appetizers to customers. Looking to leverage my knowledge and experience into a waitressing role at Jimi’s Steakhouse.

A well-written resume objective captures the attention of your future employer and immediately tells them whether you’ll fit their vision for their restaurant.

3. Make your serving experience stand out with hard numbers

Restaurant hiring managers dedicate minimal time to reading each resume they receive — often as little as 6 seconds per resume. So it’s important to describe your restaurant experience with eye-catching numbers.

For example, notice how this applicant uses numbers in their resume’s work experience section:

• Lead a 15-member waitstaff, handling all scheduling and approving/denying time-off requests
• Memorize restaurant’s wine stock and appropriate entrée pairings, leading to daily wine sales averaging $180, 15% higher than company average

Including your server stats helps your future employer accurately gauge your abilities. Also, a resume that features specific details is stronger than one that’s vague and seems to be written to hide a lack of qualifications.