Dishwasher Resume examples & templates
Copyable Dishwasher Resume examples
What's the one restaurant position that can bring an entire dining operation to a standstill if left unfilled? The dishwasher—often the unsung hero of the culinary world. Behind every spotless plate and gleaming utensil is a professional who keeps the rhythm of service flowing. While not always in the spotlight, dishwashers are experiencing a shift in workplace recognition, with many restaurants now including them in tip pools—a practice that's grown by 21% since 2019. It's a small but meaningful acknowledgment of their critical role.
The job has evolved, too. Modern dishwashing stations feature high-efficiency machines that can process up to 400 racks per hour, dramatically reducing water usage compared to older models. Many dishwashers now find themselves cross-training in food prep or learning inventory management—creating a potential springboard to other kitchen positions; For those with an eye toward growth in the hospitality industry, starting at the dish pit might just be the perfect entry point into a field that's rebuilding and reimagining itself after recent challenges.
Junior Dishwasher Resume Example
James “Jimmy” Wilson
(765) 432-9810 • jimmyw89@email.com • Lincoln, Nebraska 68504 • linkedin.com/in/jimmywilson89
Hard-working dishwasher with 1+ year experience in fast-paced restaurant environments. Quick learner who maintains kitchen cleanliness standards while supporting food prep during rush periods. Known for reliability and positive attitude even during hectic weekend shifts. Looking to grow my culinary skills while continuing to provide excellent back-of-house support.
EXPERIENCE
Dishwasher/Kitchen Assistant – Prairie House Restaurant, Lincoln, NE
April 2023 – Present
- Clean and sanitize 300+ dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment per shift following health department standards
- Maintain organized dish station during peak weekend hours serving 140+ guests
- Help prep cooks with basic food preparation tasks including washing vegetables and portioning ingredients
- Received “Employee of the Month” recognition after just 3 months for perfect attendance and willingness to pick up extra shifts
Kitchen Utility Worker (Part-time) – University Dining Hall, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
September 2022 – March 2023
- Operated industrial dishwashing machine processing approximately 1,200 dishes during 4-hour lunch rushes
- Sorted and properly disposed of food waste, reducing contamination in recycling stream by 17%
- Cleaned and sanitized dining areas during shift changes, ensuring smooth transition between meal services
Food Service Worker (Seasonal) – Summerville Water Park, Lincoln, NE
May 2022 – August 2022
- Handled cashier duties and food prep at concession stand serving 200+ customers daily
- Maintained clean work area and washed dishes between rush periods
- Assisted in closing procedures including equipment cleaning and inventory stocking
EDUCATION
High School Diploma – Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, NE
Graduated: May 2022
Food Handler’s Certification – ServSafe
Issued: June 2022, Expires: June 2025
SKILLS
- Commercial dishwashing equipment operation
- Kitchen sanitation protocols
- Basic food prep techniques
- Time management
- Teamwork under pressure
- Inventory management
- Heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs)
- Spanish (conversational)
- Kitchen organization
- Problem-solving
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Availability: Open to evenings, weekends, and holidays
Transportation: Reliable personal vehicle
Career Goals: Currently saving for culinary school while gaining kitchen experience
Mid-level Dishwasher Resume Example
ERIC RODRIGUEZ
Portland, OR 97205 • (503) 555-0187 • erodriguez@emailprovider.com • linkedin.com/in/ericrodriguez
Dependable dishwasher with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced restaurant environments. Known for efficiency in maintaining kitchen cleanliness standards while handling high-volume dinner rushes. Skilled in operating industrial washing equipment and implementing inventory management practices that reduced supply costs by 14% at current workplace.
EXPERIENCE
Lead Dishwasher – Riverfront Bistro, Portland, OR
May 2021 – Present
- Oversee dishwashing operations during dinner service, managing 2 part-time staff members on busy weekend shifts
- Reduced dish breakage by 23% by implementing new handling and storage procedures
- Train new kitchen staff on proper sanitization techniques and chemical safety protocols
- Coordinate with head chef to ensure timely availability of clean cookware during peak hours
- Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies and place weekly orders, staying under budget for 17 consecutive months
Dishwasher – The Hungry Pelican, Portland, OR
August 2019 – April 2021
- Processed approximately 1,500 dishes per shift in high-volume seafood restaurant
- Assisted prep cooks during slow periods, learning basic knife skills and food prep techniques
- Organized dish storage area that improved workflow efficiency by 18%
- Maintained perfect attendance record for entire employment period
Dishwasher (Part-time) – Tony’s Pizza & Pasta, Salem, OR
June 2018 – July 2019
- Handled washing and sanitation duties for family-owned Italian restaurant
- Assisted with bussing tables during busy weekend dinner rushes
- Helped with basic food prep tasks including vegetable washing and cheese grating
EDUCATION
Oregon Culinary Institute – Portland, OR
Food Safety and Sanitation Certificate, 2020
Salem Community High School – Salem, OR
High School Diploma, 2017
CERTIFICATIONS
ServSafe Food Handler Certification (Current)
OSHA Workplace Safety Certification, 2022
SKILLS
- Commercial dishwashing equipment operation
- Chemical safety & proper dilution ratios
- Kitchen sanitation procedures
- Inventory management
- Basic food preparation
- Team coordination
- Time management
- Spanish (conversational)
- Basic equipment maintenance
- Heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Availability: Open to all shifts, including weekends and holidays
Transportation: Reliable personal vehicle
Senior / Experienced Dishwasher Resume Example
Michael “Mike” Torres
(312) 555-8942 • miketorres@email.com • Chicago, IL 60609 • linkedin.com/in/miketorres-culinary
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Seasoned dishwasher with 9+ years of experience in high-volume restaurants and hotel kitchens. Known for exceptional cleanliness standards and ability to maintain smooth kitchen operations during peak hours. Skilled at inventory management and implementing efficiency systems that reduced dish breakage by 27% at current establishment. Dependable team player who has trained 15+ new hires and consistently receives positive feedback from kitchen management.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Lead Dishwasher | Riverview Grand Hotel & Resort | Chicago, IL | June 2019 – Present
- Oversee dishwashing operations for 4-star hotel serving 400+ covers daily across 3 restaurants and banquet facilities
- Manage chemical inventory and equipment maintenance, extending machine life by 2+ years beyond manufacturer expectations
- Train and mentor 3-4 supporting dishwashers per shift, creating detailed cleaning schedules that improved health inspection scores from 92 to 98
- Coordinate with Executive Chef to manage special events requiring rapid turnaround of specialized serviceware
- Implemented new organization system for pot storage that cut retrieval time in half during dinner rush
Dishwasher/Kitchen Utility | Trattoria Milano | Chicago, IL | March 2016 – May 2019
- Maintained cleanliness of dishes, utensils, and kitchen equipment for busy Italian restaurant serving 200+ customers nightly
- Assisted prep cooks during peak periods, developing basic knife skills and food prep abilities
- Reduced water usage by 14% through more efficient pre-rinse techniques
- Recognized as Employee of the Month twice for perfect attendance and willingness to cover shifts
- Promoted to closing shift leader after 18 months, responsible for final kitchen inspection and securing premises
Dishwasher | Cornerstone Diner | Oak Park, IL | August 2014 – February 2016
- Managed dishwashing operations for family-owned diner with heavy breakfast and lunch service
- Maintained clean workstation in tight kitchen space while processing 1,500+ items daily
- Helped develop cleaning rotation for hood vents and difficult-to-reach equipment
- Filled in as busser during staff shortages, gaining front-of-house experience
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
High School Diploma | Roosevelt High School | Chicago, IL | 2013
ServSafe Food Handler Certification | National Restaurant Association | Renewed 2023
First Aid & CPR Certification | American Red Cross | 2022
Basic Culinary Skills Workshop | Chicago Community Culinary Program | 2018
SKILLS
- Commercial dishwashing equipment (Hobart, Jackson, Champion)
- Kitchen sanitation protocols & health code requirements
- Chemical safety & OSHA compliance
- Inventory management & supply ordering
- Basic food preparation
- Preventative equipment maintenance
- Time management in high-pressure environments
- Spanish (conversational)
- Team leadership & training
- Kitchen organization systems
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Available for all shifts including weekends and holidays. Personal vehicle for reliable transportation. Perfect attendance record for last 3 years.
How to Write a Dishwasher Resume
Introduction
Landing a dishwasher job might seem straightforward, but in today's competitive market, a well-crafted resume can make all the difference. I've seen firsthand how a good resume helps dishwashers stand out—even for positions that might seem "entry-level" on the surface. Restaurant managers are looking for reliability, efficiency, and team players who can handle the pressure of a busy kitchen. Your resume is your chance to show them you're that person before they even meet you.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your dishwasher resume clean and organized—just like you'd keep your workstation! Aim for a single page with clear sections and plenty of white space. Nothing turns off hiring managers faster than a cluttered, hard-to-read document.
- Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12pt size
- Use consistent formatting for section headers (bold, slightly larger)
- Include clear contact info at the top (phone, email, city/state)
- Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting
- Name your file professionally: "John_Smith_Dishwasher_Resume.pdf"
Profile/Summary Section
Your profile should be 2-4 sentences that highlight your relevant experience, work ethic, and key skills. For dishwashing positions, emphasize efficiency, attention to detail, and ability to work in fast-paced environments.
For example: "Hardworking dishwasher with 2+ years of experience in high-volume restaurants. Known for maintaining sanitization
standards while processing up to 1,500 items per shift. Dependable team player with perfect attendance record who thrives under pressure."
Pro Tip: If you're applying to a specific restaurant, mention something about their particular style of cuisine or service in your summary. It shows you've done your homework and aren't just mass-applying everywhere.
Professional Experience
Even if dishwashing wasn't your exact title before, think about related experience. Did you clean at another job? Work in food service? Handle inventory? List your most recent jobs first, including:
- Job title, company name, location, and dates (month/year)
- 3-5 bullet points describing responsibilities and accomplishments
- Specific numbers when possible (dishes processed per hour, reduced breakage by 17%)
- Action verbs like "maintained," "processed," "sanitized," "organized"
If this is your first job, include volunteer experience, relevant school activities, or helping with family businesses.
Education and Certifications
For dishwashing positions, formal education requirements are typically minimal, but still include:
- High school diploma or GED (with graduation year)
- Any food handler permits or safety certifications
- Relevant workshops (like kitchen safety or sanitation classes)
If you're still in school, list your expected graduation date and any relevant coursework.
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many restaurants, especially chains, use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Include these keywords throughout your resume:
- Sanitation standards
- Commercial dishwasher operation
- Health department regulations
- Kitchen maintenance
- Inventory management
- Food safety
- FIFO (First In, First Out)
Industry-specific Terms
Showing familiarity with kitchen terminology demonstrates that you'll integrate quickly. Consider including terms like:
- Three-compartment sink
- Low-temp/high-temp machines
- Chemical sanitizers (quaternary, chlorine)
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- Temperature logging
- Dish pit organization
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've reviewed thousands of dishwasher resumes, and these mistakes pop up constantly:
- Typos and grammar errors (have someone proofread!)
- Vague descriptions ("worked hard" instead of specific accomplishments)
- Missing contact information (double-check your phone number!)
- Too much personal information (hobbies unrelated to work)
- Leaving off availability (crucial for restaurant scheduling)
Before/After Example
Before: "Washed dishes at Joe's Diner. Did a good job and was always on time."
After: "Maintained cleanliness and organization of dish station at Joe's Diner (62-seat restaurant), processing 300+ place settings during peak dinner rushes while consistently meeting 15-minute ticket turnaround times. Reduced dish breakage by 23% through implementing improved storage system."
Remember—dishwashing is the backbone of restaurant operations! A great dishwasher keeps the kitchen running smoothly, and your resume should reflect the importance and skill involved in the role. Good luck with your application!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Dishwasher resume
- Team coordination under high-pressure dinner rushes – able to sync with prep cooks and servers without conflict
- Problem-solving when equipment fails (fixed broken sprayer arm twice before maintenance could arrive)
- Mentoring new kitchen staff on efficient cleaning workflows without micromanaging
- Time management – consistently beating standard cleanup times by 15+ minutes while maintaining quality
- Cross-functional communication with both BOH and FOH staff during chaotic shifts
- Adaptability to changing priorities when short-staffed or during unexpected rushes
Hard skills for your Dishwasher resume
- Multi-compartment sink operation (scrape, wash, rinse, sanitize)
- Commercial dishwasher maintenance (Hobart AM15, Jackson Conserver XL)
- FIFO inventory rotation techniques
- Chemical safety handling (quaternary sanitizers, alkaline detergents)
- Kitchen equipment sterilization procedures
- Health department compliance (ServSafe sanitation)
- Preventative maintenance for water softening systems
- High-temperature vs. low-temperature dishwashing methods
- Back-of-house POS systems for inventory tracking