Restaurant Worker Resume examples & templates
Copyable Restaurant Worker Resume examples
The restaurant industry employs over 13.5 million people in the U.S. — that's a staggering 1 in 10 working Americans! Yet behind this massive workforce lies a fascinating paradox: while turnover rates hover at 73% annually (almost triple the national average), restaurant work remains one of the most accessible entry points to professional life for millions. From the high-school student bussing tables on weekends to the career server earning $45K+ with benefits, restaurant work spans a surprising spectrum of opportunities.
What's changing? The pandemic reshuffled the deck completely. We're seeing higher starting wages across the board, with many quick-service chains now offering $15/hour minimum plus signing bonuses — unthinkable just three years ago. Technology is transforming the field too, with digital ordering systems and tableside payment devices becoming standard equipment. For those willing to adapt and grow with these changes, restaurant careers offer something increasingly rare: a path where personality, work ethic, and people skills can still outweigh formal education requirements.
Junior Restaurant Worker Resume Example
Mia Rodriguez
Miami, FL 33142 • (305) 555-8716 • mia.rodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/miarodriguez
Friendly and detail-oriented restaurant worker with 1+ years of experience in fast-paced dining environments. Quick learner with strong multitasking abilities and a passion for creating positive customer experiences. Looking to grow my skills in the hospitality industry while contributing to a team-focused restaurant environment.
EXPERIENCE
Server – Bayside Bistro, Miami, FL
June 2023 – Present
- Provide attentive service to 15-20 tables per shift, maintaining 92% positive customer feedback
- Memorize daily specials and menu details to accurately answer customer questions about ingredients and preparation methods
- Process payments using Toast POS system, handling approximately $1,500 in sales during dinner shifts
- Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure timely food delivery and resolve order issues
Host/Busser – Bayside Bistro, Miami, FL
January 2023 – June 2023
- Greeted and seated guests while managing waitlists during peak hours (up to 45-minute waits)
- Maintained dining area cleanliness by quickly clearing and resetting tables in under 3 minutes
- Assisted servers by refilling water, delivering bread baskets, and running food when needed
- Helped train 2 new hosts on restaurant procedures and seating chart management
Cashier (Part-time) – Quick Mart, Miami, FL
August 2022 – December 2022
- Processed customer transactions accurately while maintaining friendly service
- Balanced register at end of shift with 99% accuracy
- Stocked shelves and helped with inventory management during slower periods
EDUCATION
Miami-Dade Community College – Miami, FL
Associate of Arts in Business (In Progress)
Expected Graduation: May 2025
Miami Central High School – Miami, FL
High School Diploma
Graduated: May 2022
CERTIFICATIONS
Florida Food Handler’s Certificate – Expires December 2024
Responsible Alcohol Service Certification – Expires August 2024
SKILLS
- POS Systems (Toast, Square)
- Cash handling & credit processing
- Food safety protocols
- Menu knowledge
- Customer service
- Conflict resolution
- Basic Spanish (conversational)
- Team collaboration
- Time management
- Basic wine knowledge
Mid-level Restaurant Worker Resume Example
Mia Santana
Chicago, IL • (773) 555-9824 • mia.santana@email.com • linkedin.com/in/miasantana
Restaurant professional with 5+ years of experience across casual dining and upscale establishments. Quick learner who thrives in fast-paced environments and builds genuine connections with guests. Known for consistently exceeding sales targets by suggesting appropriate wine pairings and specials. Looking to use my customer service skills and culinary knowledge in a restaurant management role.
Experience
Lead Server, Vincenzo’s Italian Bistro, Chicago, IL (Jan 2021 – Present)
- Train and mentor 8 new servers annually on menu knowledge, wine service, and POS system
- Increased personal check averages by 17% through effective upselling techniques and seasonal special recommendations
- Handle customer complaints with patience and professionalism, resolving 95% without manager intervention
- Coordinate with kitchen staff to ensure timing of courses for optimal guest experience, especially during weekend rushes when handling 12+ tables per shift
- Assist manager with inventory counts and wine cellar organization twice monthly
Server, Vincenzo’s Italian Bistro, Chicago, IL (June 2019 – Dec 2020)
- Maintained detailed knowledge of 35+ menu items including ingredients, preparation methods, and potential allergens
- Processed an average of $2,800 in sales during Friday/Saturday dinner shifts
- Collaborated with bartenders to learn basic mixology, filling in occasionally during staff shortages
- Received “Server of the Month” recognition 4 times for outstanding service and teamwork
Food Runner/Busser, The Lake House Grill, Evanston, IL (Mar 2018 – May 2019)
- Supported servers during peak hours by delivering food, refilling beverages, and clearing tables
- Maintained dining room cleanliness and appearance while handling up to 24 tables during busy shifts
- Assisted with setting up and breaking down for private events (weddings, corporate functions)
- Promoted to food runner after 3 months due to reliability and attention to detail
Education
Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts (in progress, 18 credits completed)
Chicago Community College, Chicago, IL
High School Diploma
Lincoln Park High School, Chicago, IL (2017)
Certifications
ServSafe Food Handler Certification (Current)
TIPS Alcohol Server Certification (Current)
Basic First Aid & CPR (Current)
Skills
- POS Systems (Aloha, Toast)
- Wine Knowledge & Service
- Inventory Management
- Customer Conflict Resolution
- Basic Bookkeeping
- Menu Development
- Food Safety Protocols
- Spanish (Conversational)
- Team Leadership
- Shift Scheduling
Senior / Experienced Restaurant Worker Resume Example
MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ
Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8976 | m.rodriguez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/miguelrodriguez
Dedicated restaurant professional with 8+ years of experience across casual dining and fine dining establishments. Known for strong leadership, exceptional customer service, and ability to maintain high standards during peak periods. Proven track record of increasing sales, reducing costs, and creating memorable guest experiences. Bilingual (English/Spanish) with expertise in both front and back-of-house operations.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GENERAL MANAGER | Tavola Rustica | Chicago, IL | January 2020 – Present
- Oversee daily operations of a 120-seat Italian restaurant generating $2.7M in annual revenue
- Recruit, train, and manage a team of 32 staff members while reducing turnover by 37%
- Implemented new inventory management system that cut food costs from 31% to 26.5%
- Created seasonal menu collaborations with head chef that increased average check size by $8
- Developed relationships with local suppliers to improve ingredient quality while negotiating 11% cost reduction
- Managed restaurant through COVID-19 pivoting to takeout/delivery model that preserved 85% of revenue
ASSISTANT MANAGER | The Harbor Grill | Chicago, IL | March 2017 – December 2019
- Supported general manager in all aspects of front-of-house operations for busy waterfront restaurant
- Scheduled and supervised staff of 23 servers, bartenders, and hosts
- Resolved guest complaints with 98% satisfaction rate according to follow-up surveys
- Trained new hires on POS system, service standards, and alcohol compliance regulations
- Increased bar sales by 22% through implementation of craft cocktail program and staff incentives
SERVER/SHIFT LEAD | Bella Notte Restaurant | Evanston, IL | June 2015 – March 2017
- Started as server and promoted to shift lead within 8 months based on performance
- Consistently maintained highest sales average among 15 servers ($1,450/shift)
- Handled cash reconciliation and closing procedures for shifts with up to $15,000 in sales
- Trained 12 new servers on menu knowledge, wine service, and customer interaction techniques
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate Degree in Hospitality Management
Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL – 2017
Certifications:
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification (Current)
- Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education Training (BASSET) Certification
- Level 1 Sommelier Certification, Court of Master Sommeliers (2019)
- Restaurant Management Boot Camp – National Restaurant Association (2018)
SKILLS
- Restaurant P&L Management
- Staff Training & Development
- Inventory Control & Cost Reduction
- Point of Sale Systems (Toast, Aloha, Square)
- Menu Development & Food Costing
- Wine & Beverage Program Management
- Health Department Compliance
- Customer Conflict Resolution
- Scheduling & Labor Management
- Social Media Marketing
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Available for all shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Clean driving record with reliable transportation. Active member of the Illinois Restaurant Association and volunteer with Feeding Chicago’s Hungry program.
How to Write a Restaurant Worker Resume
Introduction
Landing a restaurant job can be competitive, especially at sought-after establishments. Your resume is often the first impression you'll make on a potential employer, and in the fast-paced restaurant industry, hiring managers might spend less than 30 seconds scanning it. Whether you're an experienced server looking to move up or a dishwasher trying to break into the industry, a well-crafted resume can make all the difference in getting that interview call.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your restaurant resume clean and easy to read—just like a well-organized kitchen. One page is typically enough unless you have 10+ years of diverse experience.
- Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman work well)
- Maintain consistent spacing and margins (0.5-1 inch all around)
- Include clear section headings to guide the reader's eye
- Use bullet points rather than paragraphs for experience descriptions
- Avoid fancy graphics or photos (they confuse ATS systems)
Tip from a hiring manager: "I look for resumes that get straight to the point. Show me your experience handling a Saturday night rush or managing difficult customers in the first few lines—not buried on page two."
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a brief snapshot of your restaurant experience and strongest skills. This 2-3 sentence section should highlight what makes you valuable in a restaurant setting.
For example: "Energetic server with 3 years of experience in fast-paced family restaurants. Known for handling 8-table sections efficiently while maintaining 97% customer satisfaction ratings. Trained 11 new hires on POS systems and upselling techniques."
Professional Experience
This is the meat and potatoes of your resume. List your positions in reverse chronological order (newest first). For each role, include:
- Job title, restaurant name, and dates of employment
- 4-6 bullet points describing responsibilities and achievements
- Specific numbers whenever possible (tables served per shift, sales generated, tip percentages)
Focus on the skills most relevant to your target position. If you're applying for a server position but were previously a host, emphasize customer service and multitasking abilities rather than just seating arrangements.
Education and Certifications
Restaurant work often values experience over education, but still include:
- High school diploma or GED
- Any post-secondary education (even if incomplete)
- Food handler's permit or alcohol certification (ServSafe, TIPS, etc.)
- Relevant workshops or training (POS systems, wine knowledge)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many restaurants—especially chains—use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. Include industry-specific keywords from the job posting, such as:
- Point of Sale systems you've used (Aloha, Toast, Square)
- Service styles (fine dining, counter service, tableside)
- Scheduling software (HotSchedules, 7shifts)
- Specific skills (wine service, barista training, expo experience)
Industry-specific Terms
Pepper your resume with restaurant terminology to show you speak the language:
- 86'd (when an item is out of stock)
- In the weeds (overwhelmed with orders)
- Pre-bussing (clearing plates as guests finish)
- Expo (expediting food from kitchen to servers)
- Upselling (suggesting additional items to customers)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using generic descriptors like "hard worker" instead of specific achievements
- Focusing only on duties rather than results ("Took orders" vs. "Maintained 99.3% order accuracy while handling 25-35 tables per shift")
- Listing every job you've ever had (stick to relevant experience from the past 10 years)
- Forgetting to proofread (typos suggest carelessness—a red flag in restaurant work)
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for serving customers food and drinks."
After: "Provided attentive service to 75+ guests nightly in a high-volume steakhouse, maintaining table turn times of 65 minutes while generating $1,200 in average sales per shift and earning consistent 22% tip average."
The difference? Specific numbers and achievements that show exactly what you bring to the table—literally!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Restaurant Worker resume
- Quick conflict resolution — defusing tense situations with guests while maintaining restaurant’s reputation
- Team synchronization during high-volume rushes (worked seamlessly with kitchen staff during 300+ cover nights)
- Situational awareness across dining areas, noticing subtleties in guest body language
- Memory retention for regular customers’ preferences and dietary restrictions
- Time management while juggling multiple tables in different dining phases
- Stress tolerance during understaffed shifts and unexpected challenges
Hard skills for your Restaurant Worker resume
- POS System Management (Toast, Aloha, Square)
- Inventory Control & Food Cost Analysis
- ServSafe Food Handler & Alcohol Certification
- Menu Engineering & Pricing Strategy
- Shift Scheduling with HotSchedules
- TableAgent Reservation System
- Basic Kitchen Equipment Maintenance
- Wine & Spirits Knowledge (Level 1 Sommelier)
- Cash Handling & End-of-Day Reconciliation