Waiter Resume examples & templates

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Adam

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Copyable resume examples

Copyable Waiter Resume examples

Like actors on stage, waiters perform under bright lights with a live audience every shift—but instead of memorizing Shakespeare, they're reciting specials and navigating the complex choreography of a busy dining room. The comparison isn't just poetic; both professions demand sharp memory, physical stamina, and the ability to stay composed when things go sideways. But waiters often develop a particular skill that's gold in almost any industry: reading people. That server who remembers you prefer extra lemon with your water? They're not just being nice—they're practicing advanced customer psychology that drives the $933 billion restaurant industry.

The field is experiencing a fascinating shift post-pandemic, with many establishments moving toward a "hospitality included" model that's changing how servers are compensated. Tip pooling has increased by 38% in fine dining restaurants since 2020, creating more stable income for staff while maintaining the service quality guests expect. For those with the right temperament, waiting tables remains one of the few careers where personality and hustle can still outweigh formal education—and where tonight's shift could be the springboard to tomorrow's restaurant management position or entrepreneurial venture.

Junior Waiter Resume Example

Jason Martinez

(315) 555-8942 • jason.martinez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/jasonmartinez • Syracuse, NY 14206

Friendly and attentive server with 2 years of experience in fast-paced dining environments. Quick learner who thrives under pressure and consistently receives positive customer feedback. Strong multitasker who prioritizes excellent service while maintaining efficiency during peak hours. Looking to leverage my customer service skills and food knowledge in a more upscale restaurant setting.

EXPERIENCE

Server – Lakeside Bistro, Syracuse, NY | June 2022 – Present

  • Handle 8-12 tables simultaneously during weekend dinner rushes, maintaining 97% customer satisfaction based on feedback cards
  • Memorized extensive menu featuring 46 items and daily specials, accurately answering customer questions about ingredients and preparation methods
  • Process an average of $2,800 in sales per shift while maintaining cash drawer accuracy of 99.8%
  • Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure timely food delivery and special dietary accommodations
  • Trained 4 new servers on POS system, menu knowledge and restaurant procedures

Food Runner/Busser – Parkview Family Restaurant, Syracuse, NY | March 2022 – June 2022

  • Supported wait staff by delivering food, refilling beverages and clearing tables in 120-seat family restaurant
  • Reduced table turnover time by 4.5 minutes through efficient bussing and resetting processes
  • Maintained cleanliness of dining area during service, promptly addressing spills and other issues

Barista (Part-time) – Campus Coffee Shop, Syracuse University | September 2021 – March 2022

  • Prepared and served coffee drinks and light food items for university students and staff
  • Balanced part-time work schedule with full-time academic commitments
  • Handled morning rush periods serving 75+ customers between 7:30-9:30am

EDUCATION

Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management | In Progress (45 credits completed)
Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, NY
Expected Graduation: May 2024

High School Diploma
Liverpool High School, Liverpool, NY
Graduated: June 2021

CERTIFICATIONS

ServSafe Food Handler Certification | June 2022
TIPS Alcohol Certification | July 2022
First Aid & CPR Certified | November 2022

SKILLS

  • POS Systems (Toast, Square)
  • Menu Knowledge
  • Upselling Techniques
  • Food Safety Protocols
  • Active Listening
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Cash Handling
  • Wine Service Basics
  • Allergen Awareness
  • Multitasking
  • Basic Spanish

Mid-level Waiter Resume Example

Marcos Reyes

Phone: (415) 555-3982 • Email: marcos.reyes@email.com • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcosreyes
San Francisco, CA 94110

Personable and efficient waiter with 5+ years of experience in upscale dining environments. Known for maintaining composure during high-volume service while delivering exceptional customer experiences. Strong wine knowledge and upselling techniques that boosted average check size by 17% at current restaurant. Skilled in both traditional service methods and modern POS systems.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Server – Bella Notte Ristorante, San Francisco, CA
March 2020 – Present

  • Manage a section of 8-10 tables during peak weekend service, consistently receiving 4.8/5 customer satisfaction ratings
  • Train new servers on wine service protocol and food-wine pairing recommendations, increasing wine sales by 22%
  • Memorized 15+ daily specials including detailed ingredient information for guests with dietary restrictions
  • Coordinate with kitchen staff to time course deliveries for optimal dining experiences, reducing wait times by 4 minutes per table
  • Handle customer complaints with diplomacy, successfully resolving 93% of issues without manager intervention

Server – The Waterfront Grill, Oakland, CA
June 2018 – February 2020

  • Maintained knowledge of 75+ menu items including seasonal changes and limited-time offerings
  • Processed an average of $2,300 in sales during weekend dinner shifts while managing 6-7 tables
  • Collaborated with bartenders to suggest cocktail pairings, contributing to a 14% increase in bar revenue
  • Recognized as “Server of the Month” four times for exceptional service and teamwork

Server Assistant – Bluewater Bistro, San Jose, CA
September 2017 – May 2018

  • Supported 3 servers during busy shifts by refilling water glasses, clearing plates, and running food
  • Prepped dining room before service including polishing 200+ pieces of silverware and folding napkins
  • Assisted with inventory management and restocking server stations during slower periods

EDUCATION

Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management
City College of San Francisco – 2019

Level 1 Sommelier Certification
Court of Master Sommeliers – 2021

ServSafe Alcohol Certification
National Restaurant Association – 2018 (renewed 2021)

SKILLS

  • Wine service & pairing recommendations
  • POS systems (Toast, Aloha, Square)
  • Upselling techniques
  • Food allergen knowledge
  • Conflict resolution
  • Tableside preparation
  • Multi-table management
  • Spanish (conversational)
  • Team leadership
  • Cash handling & reconciliation

Senior / Experienced Waiter Resume Example

MARCUS DAVIS

Chicago, IL 60614 • (312) 555-8976 • mdavis@email.com • linkedin.com/in/marcusdavis

Seasoned restaurant professional with 9+ years of high-volume dining experience. Known for building loyal customer relationships and training newer staff; I’ve maintained a 97% positive guest feedback rating while handling 25-30 tables per shift in fast-paced environments. Looking to bring my wine knowledge and customer service expertise to a fine dining establishment.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Server • The Grand Steakhouse • Chicago, IL • June 2018 – Present

  • Manage 8-12 tables in upscale steakhouse with $5M+ annual revenue, maintaining average check size of $172 per party
  • Train and mentor 14 new servers, developing comprehensive onboarding materials that reduced training time by 32%
  • Handle wine service for VIP guests, selling an average of $1,200 in wine sales per shift
  • Collaborate with kitchen staff to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, resulting in zero incidents during my tenure
  • Recognized as “Server of the Year” in 2020 and 2022 for consistently exceeding sales targets and guest satisfaction metrics

Lead Waiter • Bella Cucina Italian Restaurant • Chicago, IL • March 2016 – May 2018

  • Promoted from server to lead waiter after 9 months based on performance and leadership abilities
  • Served as floor captain for weekend shifts, overseeing 6 servers and coordinating with hosts to optimize seating arrangements
  • Created daily specials summary for staff, increasing special item sales by 28%
  • Managed guest complaints with 95% resolution rate without manager intervention
  • Developed expertise in Italian wines and regional cuisine, regularly conducting mini-training sessions for staff

Server • The Brewhouse • Evanston, IL • September 2014 – February 2016

  • Handled 20+ tables during peak hours in 180-seat casual dining restaurant and bar
  • Memorized 40+ rotating craft beers and food pairings to enhance guest experience
  • Consistently ranked top 3 in sales among 22 servers
  • Assisted in revamping server training program, which was adopted company-wide

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Associate Degree in Hospitality Management
Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL (2016)

Certifications:

  • Level 2 Sommelier Certification, Court of Master Sommeliers (2021)
  • ServSafe Food Handler and Alcohol Service Certification (current)
  • First Aid and CPR Certified (renewed 2023)

SKILLS

  • Point-of-Sale Systems: Toast, Aloha, Square
  • Wine Service & Pairing
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Staff Training & Development
  • Upselling Techniques
  • Food Allergen Knowledge
  • Inventory Management
  • Multi-tasking in Fast-paced Environments
  • Basic Spanish & Italian (menu terminology)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Created and manage an internal wine tasting group for restaurant staff. Flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays. Clean driving record (for catering events).

How to Write a Waiter Resume

Introduction

Let's face it: landing a good waiter job means standing out from dozens—sometimes hundreds—of other applicants. Your resume isn't just a list of places you've worked; it's your ticket to getting that interview. I've reviewed thousands of server resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get callbacks and those that don't often comes down to small but crucial details. This guide will walk you through creating a resume that showcases your service skills, personality, and professional experience in a way that catches a manager's eye.

Resume Structure and Format

First impressions matter, especially in the service industry. Keep your resume clean and scannable:

  • Length: Stick to one page. Busy restaurant managers spend about 7.4 seconds scanning each resume.
  • Font: Use something readable like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia at 10-12pt.
  • Margins: 0.5-1 inch all around—maximize space without making it look cramped.
  • Sections: Clear headings with consistent formatting.
  • File format: Save as PDF (unless the job posting specifically requests something else).
Always tailor your resume for each position! A neighborhood bistro values different skills than a fine dining establishment or high-volume sports bar. Read the job description carefully and adjust accordingly.

Profile/Summary Section

This 2-3 sentence opener should grab attention fast. Think of it as your "tableside introduction" to potential employers:

  • Include your years of experience and restaurant types (fine dining, casual, high-volume)
  • Mention 1-2 standout skills (wine knowledge, POS expertise, upselling ability)
  • Add a personality trait that makes you valuable (attentive to detail, team-oriented)

Example: "Personable server with 4+ years in fast-paced Italian restaurants. Known for memorizing nightly specials perfectly and maintaining $872 average check totals. Certified in food safety with extensive wine pairing knowledge."

Professional Experience

This is the meat of your resume. For each position, include:

  • Restaurant name, location, and dates employed
  • Your title (Server, Head Waiter, etc.)
  • 3-5 bullet points highlighting accomplishments, not just duties
  • Numbers whenever possible (tables served, sales figures, tip percentages)

Turn boring responsibilities into impressive achievements:

Instead of: "Took orders and served food"
Write: "Managed 8-table sections during weekend rushes while maintaining 97% customer satisfaction scores"

Education and Certifications

In food service, relevant certifications often matter more than formal education:

  • Food Handler's Permit/ServSafe Certification (with expiration date)
  • Alcohol service certification (TIPS, TAM, etc.)
  • Wine certifications (if applicable)
  • High school diploma or college degree (brief mention is fine)
  • Relevant coursework or training (hospitality programs, culinary knowledge)

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many restaurants, especially chains, use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them:

  • Include terms from the job posting (POS systems like Aloha or Toast, "customer service," "food knowledge")
  • Don't use tables or text boxes that might confuse the ATS
  • Spell out acronyms at least once
  • Use standard section headings (Experience, Skills, Education)

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle these throughout to show you speak the language:

  • POS systems you've used (Aloha, Toast, Square, Micros)
  • Service styles (French service, Russian service, American service)
  • Upselling techniques
  • Pre-bussing
  • Table management
  • Wine presentation/service

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Typos and grammatical errors (they suggest you might miss details on the floor)
  • Generic descriptions without specifics
  • Including irrelevant jobs (your summer lifeguarding gig probably doesn't help)
  • Unprofessional email address (create a simple firstname.lastname@email.com)
  • Photos (unless specifically requested, which is rare in the US)

Before/After Example

Before: "Waited tables at Joe's Restaurant. Took orders, served food, and cleaned tables."

After: "Maintained 5-minute average greeting times while handling 12-table sections at Joe's Restaurant ($2.5M annual revenue). Memorized 15+ daily specials, contributing to 31% increase in appetizer sales. Trained 7 new servers on wine service protocols."

Your resume is your foot in the door. Make every word count, focus on results over duties, and show managers you understand what makes restaurants run smoothly. Good luck!

Soft skills for your Waiter resume

  • Active listening and conflict resolution (diffused tense situations with unhappy customers while maintaining 91% satisfaction scores)
  • Quick decision-making under pressure, particularly during Friday night rushes when juggling 8-10 tables simultaneously
  • Team coordination – seamlessly collaborated with kitchen staff to manage special requests and timing modifications
  • Memory retention for customer preferences (remembered regulars’ usual orders and allergies without prompting)
  • Stress management and emotional control when faced with demanding situations or difficult patrons
  • Suggestive selling techniques that boosted average check size by $7-12 per table

Hard skills for your Waiter resume

  • POS System Proficiency (Aloha, Toast, Micros 3700)
  • Wine Service & Bottle Presentation
  • ServSafe Food Handler Certification
  • Table-side Food Preparation Techniques
  • Allergen Awareness & Dietary Restriction Accommodation
  • Inventory Management & Stock Rotation
  • Multi-course Timing & Service Coordination
  • Cash Handling & End-of-shift Reconciliation
  • Banquet Service (50+ guest events)