Server Resume examples & templates

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Adam

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Copyable resume examples

Copyable Server Resume examples

Servers aren't just food deliverers—they're the heartbeat of the restaurant industry, shaping dining experiences one table at a time. In an era where personal connection has become a luxury, servers stand at the frontline of genuine human interaction, transforming ordinary meals into memorable occasions. The profession has evolved dramatically since the pandemic, with 61% of restaurants reporting they've expanded server responsibilities to include digital order management alongside traditional tableside service. This shift reflects the growing technological integration in hospitality without sacrificing the personal touch that defines great service.

Today's servers juggle multiple skills—from sales psychology and conflict resolution to wine expertise and dietary knowledge—often in fast-paced environments where split-second decisions impact both customer satisfaction and business success. As restaurants continue to recover and reinvent themselves, servers with versatile skill sets who can balance efficiency with authentic hospitality will find themselves increasingly valued in an industry that's rediscovering its foundations while embracing necessary change.

Junior Server Resume Example

Taylor Martinez

Phone: (555) 812-3945 • Email: t.martinez@emailprovider.com • San Diego, CA 92101 • linkedin.com/in/taylormartinez

Dedicated server with 1+ year of experience in fast-paced dining environments. Known for maintaining composure during peak hours while providing attentive customer service. Strong multitasker with excellent menu knowledge and food safety awareness. Looking to grow into a senior server role while pursuing hospitality management coursework.

Experience

Server – Shoreline Grill & Bar, San Diego, CA
February 2023 – Present

  • Manage 8-10 tables simultaneously during weekend dinner rushes, maintaining 94% positive feedback on customer comment cards
  • Memorized extensive menu including 27 main dishes and 14 rotating seasonal items, accurately answering customer questions about ingredients and preparation methods
  • Process an average of $1,800 in sales per shift using Toast POS system with 99.7% transaction accuracy
  • Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure timely food delivery and resolve order discrepancies (cut ticket errors by 17% in first 3 months)
  • Upsell appetizers, desserts, and premium beverages, increasing average check value by $6.75

Food Runner/Busser – Shoreline Grill & Bar, San Diego, CA
July 2022 – February 2023

  • Reset and sanitized tables within 2.5 minutes of guest departure, maintaining restaurant flow during busy periods
  • Delivered food promptly while assisting servers with drink refills and pre-bussing tables
  • Learned menu items and ingredients to accurately answer basic customer questions
  • Maintained cleanliness standards throughout dining area, restocking napkins and silverware as needed

Barista (Part-time) – Campus Coffee House, San Diego State University
September 2021 – May 2022

  • Prepared and served coffee beverages and light food items for university students and faculty
  • Operated cash register and balanced drawer with zero discrepancies
  • Maintained clean work environment while adhering to food safety protocols

Education

Associate of Science, Hospitality Management (In Progress)
San Diego Community College, San Diego, CA
Expected Graduation: December 2024

High School Diploma
Mission Bay High School, San Diego, CA
Graduated: June 2021

Certifications

California Food Handler Card – Expires April 2024
TIPS Alcohol Certification – Expires January 2025
CPR & First Aid Certified – American Red Cross, June 2023

Skills

  • POS Systems: Toast, Square
  • Payment Processing
  • Menu Knowledge
  • Food & Beverage Pairing
  • Customer Service
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Time Management
  • Team Collaboration
  • Basic Spanish Language
  • Cash Handling

Mid-level Server Resume Example

Liam Rodriguez

Phone: (415) 555-8763 | Email: l.rodriguez@emaildomain.com | Portland, OR 97211
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/liamrodriguez

Hospitality professional with 5+ years of server experience in upscale dining environments. Known for juggling multiple tables while maintaining personalized service standards. Consistently ranked in top 3 for monthly sales (averaged $42,000/month in 2022) and received 94% positive customer feedback. Looking to leverage my wine knowledge and guest relations skills in a fine dining establishment.

EXPERIENCE

Lead Server | Westside Bistro | Portland, OR | June 2021 – Present

  • Oversee service for 15-table section during peak dinner shifts, delegating support tasks to 2 bussers and 1 food runner
  • Train new servers on POS system (Toast), wine presentations, and restaurant-specific service protocols
  • Built relationships with regulars, increasing repeat customer visits by 27% in my section
  • Memorized nightly specials and allergen information for complex seasonal menu that changes weekly
  • Upsold wine pairings and premium spirits, boosting average check size from $76 to $89

Server | Harborview Restaurant | Seattle, WA | March 2019 – May 2021

  • Managed 8-10 tables simultaneously in fast-paced seafood restaurant serving 300+ covers nightly
  • Achieved highest wine sales among staff for 7 consecutive months (avg $3,400/month)
  • Collaborated with kitchen to accommodate dietary restrictions and special requests
  • Maintained detailed knowledge of 120+ item menu including rotating specials and 85+ wine selections

Server/Bartender | The Rustic Fork | Seattle, WA | August 2018 – February 2019

  • Handled dual responsibilities of serving tables and preparing complex craft cocktails during understaffed shifts
  • Processed payments and balanced register with 100% accuracy
  • Assisted in updating cocktail menu seasonally, creating 3 signature drinks that became top sellers

EDUCATION

Associate Degree in Hospitality Management
Seattle Central College, Seattle, WA (2018)

Certifications:

  • Level 1 Sommelier Certification, Court of Master Sommeliers (2020)
  • Food Handler’s Permit & Alcohol Service Certification (current)
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager (2019)

SKILLS

  • POS Systems: Toast, Aloha, Square
  • Wine Knowledge & Food Pairing
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Multitasking & Time Management
  • Cash Handling & Reconciliation
  • Upselling Techniques
  • Basic Spanish Conversation
  • Menu Memorization
  • Tableside Service Presentation
  • Team Leadership

Senior / Experienced Server Resume Example

Marco Ramirez

Seattle, WA • (206) 555-7142 • m.ramirez82@email.com • linkedin.com/in/marcoramirez

Professional Summary

Dedicated server with over 9 years of progressive experience in upscale dining establishments. Known for exceptional guest service, extensive wine knowledge and ability to increase check averages by 18-22%. Strong team player who’s trained 15+ new staff members while maintaining consistent 5-star reviews from customers.

Professional Experience

Lead Server | The Harbor Grille | Seattle, WA | May 2019 – Present

  • Oversee service operations for 120-seat fine dining restaurant grossing $3.2M annually, ensuring seamless guest experiences during peak hours
  • Coordinate with kitchen staff to manage timing for 8-12 tables per shift while maintaining food quality standards
  • Increased wine sales by 27% through personalized pairing recommendations and staff training on new menu items
  • Assist management with scheduling, inventory and training new servers on POS system and service protocols
  • Recognized as “Server of the Year” in 2021 after receiving consistent guest compliments and maintaining 94% tip average

Server | Cask & Barrel | Seattle, WA | September 2016 – April 2019

  • Provided attentive table service in fast-paced gastropub environment serving 150-200 guests per shift
  • Memorized 35+ rotating craft beer selections and food menu to offer knowledgeable recommendations
  • Handled cash and credit transactions averaging $4,500 nightly with zero discrepancies
  • Collaborated with bar staff to create seasonal food and drink pairing specials that increased check averages by 14%

Server/Bartender | Trattoria Milano | Portland, OR | June 2014 – August 2016

  • Managed dual responsibilities as server during peak hours and bartender during slower periods
  • Developed extensive knowledge of Italian wines and spirits to enhance guest experience
  • Created 6 signature cocktails that became menu staples and increased bar revenue by 22%
  • Maintained accurate tabs and inventory while serving up to 75 customers during busy weekend shifts

Education & Certifications

Associate of Arts, Culinary Management
Seattle Central College, Seattle, WA | 2014

Certifications:

  • Level 2 Sommelier Certification, Court of Master Sommeliers (2018)
  • ServSafe Food Handler Certification (Current)
  • Cicerone® Certified Beer Server (2017)
  • CPR & First Aid Certified (Current)

Skills

  • POS Systems: Toast, Aloha, Square
  • Menu Development & Food Pairing
  • Conflict Resolution & Problem-solving
  • Wine & Spirits Knowledge
  • Upselling Techniques
  • Inventory Management
  • Team Leadership & Training
  • Fine Dining Service Standards
  • Cash Handling & Reconciliation
  • Fluent in Spanish, Conversational Italian

How to Write a Server Resume

Introduction

Landing a good server job means competing with dozens—sometimes hundreds—of other applicants. Your resume is often your only shot at making a first impression, and trust me, it matters more than you might think. I've helped countless servers land positions at everything from neighborhood diners to Michelin-starred restaurants, and I've noticed the difference between resumes that get interviews and those that don't isn't just experience—it's presentation.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your server resume clean and organized—just like a well-set table. Restaurant managers are typically scanning resumes quickly between shifts, so your information needs to be easy to find.

  • Stick to 1 page (seriously, nobody's reading page 2)
  • Use a clean, readable font like Arial or Calibri in 10-12pt size
  • Include clear section headings with subtle formatting (bold is fine)
  • Use bullet points rather than dense paragraphs
  • Leave reasonable white space—cramming everything together makes it hard to read
Quick Tip: Save your resume as a PDF before submitting. This preserves your formatting no matter what device or program opens it. Nothing screams "unprofessional" like a resume with misaligned text and weird spacing.

Profile/Summary Section

Your profile should be 2-4 sentences that capture who you are as a server. This isn't a generic

objective statement—it's your chance to highlight your service style and strongest skills.

For example: "Attentive server with 3+ years of experience in fast-paced family restaurants. Known for accurate order memory, efficient table turns, and maintaining 97% customer satisfaction. Comfortable handling 8-table sections while maintaining quality service standards."

Professional Experience

This is where you shine! List your work history in reverse chronological order (newest first). For each position, include:

  • Restaurant name and location
  • Your job title
  • Dates of employment (month/year to month/year)
  • 4-6 bullet points highlighting achievements and responsibilities

Make your bullets count by focusing on specifics like:

  • Average sales numbers ("Maintained $1,250 average nightly sales")
  • Table counts ("Managed sections of up to 10 tables simultaneously")
  • Upselling successes ("Increased wine sales by 23% through targeted pairing suggestions")
  • Training experience ("Trained 14 new servers on POS system and restaurant procedures")

Education and Certifications

Even if your education isn't directly related to food service, include it! For servers, relevant certifications often carry more weight than degrees:

  • Food Handler's Certificate/Card
  • Alcohol service certification (TIPS, ServSafe Alcohol, etc.)
  • CPR/First Aid certification
  • Wine or beverage certifications

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many restaurants—especially chains and larger establishments—use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before a human sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers:

  • Include key terms from the job posting (POS systems, reservation software, etc.)
  • Mention specific service styles you're familiar with (French service, family-style, etc.)
  • List relevant skills like "cash handling," "conflict resolution," and "inventory management"
  • Name-drop specific POS systems you've used (Aloha, Toast, Square)

Industry-specific Terminology

Pepper your resume with relevant server lingo to show you know the business:

  • Pre-bussing
  • Table turns/turnover rate
  • Upselling
  • Side work
  • Opening/closing duties
  • Check averages
  • POS systems

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I see these errors constantly, and they can sink your chances:

  • Typos and grammar errors (have someone proofread!)
  • Generic descriptions that could apply to any job
  • Focusing only on duties instead of accomplishments
  • Including irrelevant personal information
  • Using an unprofessional email address (looking at you, partydude94@email.com)

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for taking orders and serving food. Cleaned tables and did side work."

After: "Managed 8-table sections during weekend rushes, maintaining 32-minute average table turn time while ensuring 98% order accuracy. Consistently ranked in top 3 servers for wine and dessert sales, averaging $237 in nightly upsells."

A great server resume doesn't just list where you've worked—it shows how well you did the job. Focus on what makes you stand out, be specific with your achievements, and keep it clean and professional. Good luck out there!

Soft skills for your Server resume

  • Conflict resolution – smoothing over issues between kitchen staff and front-of-house during peak rushes
  • Multitasking under pressure (juggling 7-8 tables while maintaining food quality standards)
  • Non-verbal communication skills to read guest satisfaction and anticipate needs
  • On-the-fly problem solving when reservations get double-booked or kitchen falls behind
  • Adaptability to different management styles (worked under 5 different GMs in 4 years)
  • Guest memory recall – remembering regulars’ preferences without prompting

Hard skills for your Server resume

  • POS Systems (Aloha, Toast, Micros)
  • Wine Service & Pairing
  • Food Allergen Knowledge
  • Inventory Management
  • ServSafe Certification
  • Cash Handling & Reconciliation
  • Tableside Preparation Techniques
  • Beverage Cost Control
  • TIPS Alcohol Certification