Customer Service, Retail and Operations resume example

Restaurant Server Resume Example

A server resume that shows how many tables you handle, how you look after guests and what you add to each check.

By CVCraftHub · Published · Updated

Restaurant managers hire servers who stay calm in a full section, know the menu well enough to answer any question and make guests want to come back. A good server resume gives the type and size of each restaurant, the number of tables you handle, the POS system you use, the certifications your area requires and signs that guests and managers trust you, such as a trainer role or recognition.

This example is for a server with five years of experience in casual and upscale full-service restaurants who started as a host and busser. It also works for banquet servers, bartenders moving to the floor and servers moving into a lead or trainer role. Food handler and alcohol service rules vary by state, county and city, so list the cards and certifications that apply where you work.

Use This ExampleBrowse Templates

Reverse-chronological, one page. Keep it to one page. Put your strongest serving job first, with the restaurant type, seat count and your usual section size, and place certifications where managers can find them quickly. State your availability, including nights, weekends and holidays, if the posting asks. The resume with no experience guide helps if this is your first restaurant job.

Restaurant server resume example

This example is fictional: the name, employers and numbers are invented to show structure and wording. It uses the Minimal template, one of the ATS-friendly designs. Replace every detail with your own, truthful information.

Preview of the restaurant server example in the Minimal template.
Restaurant Server resume text
Luis Herrera
Restaurant Server
luis.herrera@example.com | (555) 040-6718 | San Diego, CA

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Restaurant server with 5 years of experience in full-service casual and upscale dining, after 2 years as a host and busser. Handles sections of 5 to 7 tables on busy weekend services, knows the menu and wine list in detail and grows check averages through honest recommendations. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

SKILLS
Service: Table service, Menu knowledge, Wine and cocktail recommendations, Upselling, Large party service
Operations: Toast POS, Cash handling, Food safety, Opening and closing side work

WORK EXPERIENCE
Server | May 2023 – Present
Mission Bay Kitchen | San Diego, CA
- Serve sections of 5 to 7 tables in a 180-seat seafood restaurant, including patio service and private dining events for up to 40 guests.
- Grew average check per guest by about 12% over 6 months by learning wine pairings and recommending starters and desserts that suit each table.
- Trained 6 new servers on the menu, allergy procedures and steps of service as a designated server trainer.

Server | Jun 2021 – Apr 2023
Via Fiore Trattoria | La Mesa, CA
- Served weekend sections of 6 tables in a 90-seat family-owned Italian restaurant.
- Named server of the month 4 times based on guest comments and manager feedback.

Host and Busser | Jun 2019 – May 2021
Sunrise Pancake House | Chula Vista, CA
- Managed the weekend waitlist and seating chart during brunch rushes with waits of up to 45 minutes.

CERTIFICATIONS
California Food Handler Card | Feb 2024
ServSafe

Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification | Mar 2024
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

EDUCATION
High School Diploma | 2019
Sweetwater High School | National City, CA

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Restaurant server resume summary examples

Give your years of serving experience, the type of restaurant, your section size or volume and one strength such as wine knowledge, large parties or training others. Add a second language if you use it with guests.

  • Casual and upscale diningRestaurant server with 5 years in full-service casual and upscale dining. Handles sections of 5 to 7 tables, knows wine pairings and trains new servers. Bilingual in English and Spanish.
  • Fine diningFine dining server with 4 years in a tasting-menu restaurant, experienced in coursed service, wine presentation and detailed allergy communication with the kitchen.
  • Banquets and eventsBanquet server experienced in plated and buffet service for weddings and corporate events of up to 300 guests, working closely with event captains and kitchen staff.
  • First serving jobReliable host with 1 year of experience in a busy family restaurant, ready to move into a server role. Knows the menu and POS system and has helped cover sections during staff shortages.

More ideas: resume summary examples.

Skills for a restaurant server resume

Restaurant postings look for guest service skills, menu and beverage knowledge, POS experience and food safety. Name the POS systems you know and add certifications by their exact names.

Guest service

  • Greeting and table service
  • Menu and allergen knowledge
  • Guest recommendations
  • Handling complaints
  • Large party service

Beverage

  • Wine pairing
  • Cocktail basics
  • Responsible alcohol service
  • Checking IDs

Systems

  • Toast
  • Square for Restaurants
  • OpenTable
  • Resy
  • Cash handling

Teamwork and safety

  • Food safety
  • Opening and closing side work
  • Running food
  • Training new servers

See the resume skills guide for how to choose and present skills.

Restaurant server experience bullet point examples

Server bullets can use numbers too: tables per section, covers per shift, check averages, sales contests, guest comments and the people you trained. Show that you are fast, accurate and good with guests.

  • Handled sections of up to 8 tables during Friday and Saturday dinner services averaging 300 covers.
  • Led the team in dessert sales for 3 straight months during a restaurant sales contest.
  • Handled guest concerns calmly at the table and brought in a manager when needed, earning repeat requests from regular guests.
  • Followed the allergy procedure on every order, confirming allergens with the kitchen and delivering those dishes personally.
  • Served private events of up to 40 guests with set menus, coordinating course timing with the kitchen.
  • Closed out an average of $2,500 in sales per shift with accurate cash and card totals.

Education section guidance

A high school diploma or equivalent is the usual requirement, and many restaurants hire servers who are still in school. List your diploma, school and graduation year, or leave the year off if you prefer.

Hospitality or culinary classes, wine courses and bartending training are worth adding when they relate to the job.

Certifications and licenses for a restaurant server resume

Many states, counties and cities require food handler cards for restaurant workers, and some require responsible alcohol service training for anyone who serves drinks. The rules depend on where you work, so check the requirements for your area and list current cards with the issuing organization and date.

  • Food handler card, from a provider approved in your state or county
  • Responsible alcohol service training, such as California RBS certification, TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, for servers moving into a supervisor or manager role
  • Wine credentials such as the WSET Level 1 or Level 2 Award in Wines or the Court of Master Sommeliers Introductory Sommelier Certificate, for fine dining roles

Common restaurant server resume mistakes

  • A generic duties list. "Took orders and served food" applies to every server. Add section size, volume, check averages or recognition.
  • Leaving out the restaurant type. Fast casual, family dining and fine dining are different jobs. Say what kind of restaurant it was and how busy it got.
  • Expired cards. Food handler and alcohol service certifications often expire. List only current ones, or note when you will renew.
  • Unprofessional contact details. Use a simple email address based on your name and make sure your voicemail greeting is set up.

ATS tips for a restaurant server resume

  • Use the title from the posting, such as "Server", "Food Server" or "Waiter", when it matches your job.
  • Name the POS systems you use, such as "Toast" or "Square for Restaurants".
  • Write certification names in full, such as "Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification".
  • State your availability in plain text, such as "Available nights, weekends and holidays".
  • Many restaurant groups hire through online applications, so keep the layout simple and the headings standard.

Check your draft with the free ATS Resume Checker, which shows your resume completeness and the plain text an applicant tracking system reads.

Helpful resume guides

Restaurant server resume FAQ

What should I put on a server resume?

Your serving experience with the restaurant type and section size, the POS systems you use, food handler and alcohol service certifications, any training or recognition and your availability.

Should I include check averages or sales results?

Yes, when you know them. Check averages, sales contests and upselling results are useful. Leave out personal tip income, which depends on many factors outside your control.

How do I get a server job with no serving experience?

Start with host, busser or food runner experience, or customer service from retail or other jobs. Show that you are reliable, quick to learn and good with people.

Should I list a second language?

Yes, if you use it with guests. Being able to help guests in another language is useful in many restaurants. Put it in your summary and say how well you speak it, as this example does with "Bilingual in English and Spanish".

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