As a waiter, articulating your unique skill set on a resume can be challenging when you have diverse and often underappreciated expertise. Our guide offers targeted strategies and examples to help you effectively highlight your customer service prowess, multitasking abilities, and adaptability to future employers.
- Waiter resumes that are tailored to the role are more likely to catch recruiters' attention.
- Most sought-out waiter skills that should make your resume.
- Styling the layout of your professional resume: take a page from waiter resume examples.
How to write about your waiter achievements in various resume sections (e.g. summary, experience, and education).
Designing your waiter resume format to catch recruiters' eyes
Your waiter resume will be assessed on a couple of criteria, one of which is the actual presentation.
Is your resume legible and organized? Does it follow a smooth flow?
Or have you presented recruiters with a chaotic document that includes everything you've ever done in your career?
Unless specified otherwise, there are four best practices to help maintain your resume format consistency.
- The top one third of your waiter resume should definitely include a header, so that recruiters can easily contact you and scan your professional portfolio (or LinkedIn profile).
- Within the experience section, list your most recent (and relevant) role first, followed up with the rest of your career history in a reverse-chronological resume format .
- Always submit your resume as a PDF file to sustain its layout. There are some rare exceptions where companies may ask you to forward your resume in Word or another format.
- If you are applying for a more senior role and have over a decade of applicable work experience (that will impress recruiters), then your waiter resume can be two pages long. Otherwise, your resume shouldn't be longer than a single page.
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Bold the names of educational institutions and certifying bodies for emphasis.
Essential sections that should make up your waiter resume include:
- The header - with your contact details (e.g. email and telephone number), link to your portfolio, and headline
- The summary (or objective) - to spotlight the peaks of your professional career, so far
- The experience section - with up to six bullets per role to detail specific outcomes
- The skills list - to provide a healthy mix between your personal and professional talents
- The education and certification - showing your most relevant degrees and certificates to the waiter role
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Experience in providing excellent customer service in a restaurant or hospitality setting.
- Knowledge of point of sale (POS) systems and cash handling.
- Ability to memorize menu items and make recommendations based on customer preferences.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, for taking orders accurately and interacting with customers.
- Physical stamina and agility to carry trays, stand for long periods, and work in a fast-paced environment.
Quick guide to your waiter resume experience section
After deciding on the format of your resume, it's time to organize your experience within the dedicated section.
It's common for waiter professionals to be confused in this part of the process, as they may have too much or little expertise.
Follow the general rules of thumb to be successful when writing this part of your resume:
- The perfect number of bullets you should have under each experience item is no more than six;
- Select not merely your responsibilities, but the most noteworthy achievements for each role that match the job requirements;
- List any certificates or technical expertise you've gained on the job and how they've helped you progress as a professional;
- Carefully select the power verbs to go along with each bullet to avoid generic ones like "managed" and instead substitute those with the actuality of your particular responsibility;
- Integrate valuable keywords from the job advert in the form of achievements under each role you list.
If you're on the search for further advice on how to write your waiter experience section, get some ideas from real-world professional resumes:
- Implemented a unique personal rapport-building strategy with guests that increased average table turnover by 20%.
- Commanded a team-based initiative to streamline the table setup process, achieving a 15% decrease in customer wait times.
- Orchestrated a weekly wine pairing event that boosted wine sales by an impressive 30% and enhanced customer dining experiences.
- Spearheaded a customer feedback program that identified key areas for service improvement, leading to a 10% rise in satisfaction ratings.
- Managed and resolved over 150 dining-related mishaps, maintaining composure and professionalism which preserved customer loyalty.
- Educated new staff on the intricacies of a fine dining etiquette, thereby enhancing the overall team's performance and service delivery.
- Streamlined the restaurant's reservation system by integrating new software, leading to a 25% improvement in seating efficiency and reducing overbooking incidents.
- Collaborated closely with kitchen staff to develop a special gluten-free menu that catered to a growing customer base, resulting in a 10% increase in sales.
- Managed inventory and ordering of supplies, reducing waste by 20% through meticulous tracking and ordering processes.
- Revamped the approach to upselling desserts and appetizers to guests, which saw a consistent 15% upsurge in average order value.
- Played a crucial role in the planning and execution of a major restaurant renovation, ensuring minimal disruption to service and preserving 90% of the regular clientele.
- Acted as the point of contact for VIP guests and high-profile events, tailoring services to exceed expectations and uphold the establishment's prestigious reputation.
- Designed a training manual adopted by the waitstaff that improved service consistency and guest satisfaction across the board.
- Coordinated a seasonal menu launch each quarter, offering training and taste-testing sessions for staff, increasing knowledge and enthusiasm for selling new items.
- Reduced order inaccuracies by 40% by implementing a new order taking protocol that emphasized active listening and confirmation techniques.
- Leveraged strong multitasking skills to manage up to 15 tables simultaneously while maintaining high-quality service standards.
- Played a pivotal role in the adaptation to a contactless payment system which streamlined billing, reducing table closure time by an average of 10 minutes.
- Facilitated a cross-training program that allowed waitstaff to proficiently assist with bartending duties, increasing operational flexibility and staff utilization.
- Initiated a weekly live music program that attracted an average of 50 more customers per night, translating to a significant boost in beverage sales.
- Negotiated with local vendors to secure premium ingredients at a reduced cost, thus improving menu quality without sacrificing profit margins.
- Launched a successful loyalty program that incentivized repeat business and increased the customer return rate by 25% within the first year.
- Introduced an effective communication channel between the kitchen and the front-of-house teams, resulting in a 35% reduction in order preparation time.
- Facilitated the establishment's participation in a city-wide restaurant festival, which garnered the business prestigious culinary awards and a surge in patronage.
- Developed a guest profile system that tracked preferences and allergies, personalizing the dining experience and resulting in high praise on review platforms.
- Instrumental in transitioning the eating establishment to a farm-to-table concept, enhancing the freshness of dishes and customer trust in the brand.
- Conducted in-depth training sessions on wine characteristics and pairing suggestions, empowering staff to increase wine sales by 18%.
- Pioneered a volunteer program allowing staff to engage with the community, enhancing the restaurant's image and fostering goodwill.
- Orchestrated the implementation of a digital ordering system, significantly expediting order processing time and reducing errors by 22%.
- Curated special event nights that drew in crowds and amplified sales—a Taco Tuesday night became a local favorite, increasing midweek profits by 35%.
- Championed the introduction of an organic cocktail menu that catered to health-conscious patrons, successfully contributing to a 20% uplift in bar revenue.
The following content includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top responsibilities present on the task lists for waiter professionals.
Top Responsibilities for Waiter:
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
- Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Collect payments from customers.
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
- Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
- Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Include the number of tables you manage per shift to demonstrate your ability to handle volume and multi-task efficiently.
- State the average customer satisfaction score you received if available, showcasing your commitment to service excellence.
- Report the percentage of up-selling success you achieve with menu items and specials to highlight your sales skills.
- Mention the number of repeat customers you typically serve to underline your ability to create a loyal customer base.
- Specify the size of the largest party you have successfully served, indicating your capability to manage high-pressure situations.
- Detail the amount of daily sales you are responsible for to show your contribution to the restaurant's revenue.
- Quantify any improvements you contributed to service efficiency or cost reduction, such as reduced table turnover time.
- Include the number of new staff you trained, underscoring your leadership skills and ability to mentor others.
Action verbs for your waiter resume
Waiter resume without experience: a walk-through guide
If you don't happen to have any relevant experience yet, you can substitute this with:
- Short-term gigs and stunts - like month-long internships, that you have done during your university days
- Contract work - be specific about the relevance and outcomes of each role you include
- Resume format that prioritizes your skills - the functional-skill-based format or hybrid format could work
- Research roles - feature those especially prominently if you've participated in a noteworthy project or your role was of utmost importance to the project's success.
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PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
Waiter resume skills: the essential hard skills and soft skills checklist
Ultimately, your waiter resume should hint to recruiters that you possess an array of talents that are indispensable to the role.
For example, listing the technologies and software you're apt at using (or your hard skills) and how you apply them in your day-to-day responsibilities would ensure you meet the technical requirements of the role.
But is this enough to ensure that you make a good impression on recruiters?
Go a step further by detailing the soft skills or personality traits you've attained thanks to your work and life experience.
The best way to balance hard skills and soft skills on your waiter resume is by:
- Highlighting up to three of your most noteworthy career accomplishments in a separate section.
- Listing at least one hard skill and one soft skill you've used to solve a particular challenge or problem.
- Feature niche skills and technologies that would help you stand out amongst candidates.
- Think back on the social impact your efforts have had towards improving the work environment - were you able to always maintain a professional ethic, while enhancing the team culture? Write about your contribution to the role, department, or organization itself as a metric of success.
The skills section of your resume provides you with plenty of opportunities to detail your technical and personal traits.
All you have to do is select the talents that best fit your application and expertise. Make note of some of the most prominent hard and soft skills across the industry from our list:
Top skills for your waiter resume:
Point of Sale (POS) Systems
Menu Knowledge
Food Safety Standards
Beverage Pairing
Table Setting Techniques
Order Management Software
Basic Cooking Skills
Cash Handling
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools
Cleaning and Sanitization Procedures
Communication
Teamwork
Time Management
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Multitasking
Customer Service
Adaptability
Empathy
Positive Attitude
Next, you will find information on the top technologies for waiter professonals from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Top technologies for Waiter’s resume:
- Blink
- Hospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Sale
- Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
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If you're in the process of obtaining your certificate or degree, list the expected date you're supposed to graduate or be certified.
Listing your education and certifications on your waiter resume
Don't underestimate the importance of your resume education section . As it may hint at various skills (and experience) that are relevant to the job. When writing your education section:
- Include only higher education degrees with information about the institution and start/end dates
- If you're in the process of obtaining your degree, include your expected graduation date
- Consider leaving off degrees that aren't relevant to the job or industry
- Write a description of your education if it presents you with an opportunity to further showcase your achievements in a more research-focused environment
When describing your certifications on your resume, always consider their relevancy to the role. Use the same format to describe them as you would for your education. If you're wondering what the best certificates out there are for waiter roles, check out the list below.
The top 5 certifications for your waiter resume:
- Food Handler's Certificate (FHC) - National Restaurant Association
- Tips Alcohol Certification (TIPS) - Training for Intervention Procedures
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification (ServSafe FP) - National Restaurant Association
- Certified Restaurant Server (CRS) - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
- First Aid & CPR Certification (FA/CPR) - American Red Cross or American Heart Association
The content below includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top associations for waiter professionals.
Top US associations for a Waiter professional
- Court of Master Sommeliers
- Federation of Dining Room Professionals
- International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education
- National Restaurant Association
- UNITE HERE
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If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
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Practical guide to your waiter resume summary or objective
First off, should you include a summary or objective on your waiter resume?
We definitely recommend you choose the:
- Resume summary to match job requirements with most noteworthy accomplishments.
- Resume objective as a snapshot of career dreams
Both the resume summary and objective should set expectations for recruiters as to what your career highlights are.
These introductory paragraphs (that are no more than five sentences long) should help you answer why you're the best candidate for the job.
Industry-wide best practices pinpoint that the waiter resume summaries and objectives follow the structures of these samples:
Resume summaries for a waiter job
- Dedicated server with over 6 years of experience in fast-paced, high-end restaurant environments, proficient in POS systems and wine pairings. Recognized for consistently surpassing sales targets by 20% and awarded ‘Employee of the Month’ four times for exceptional customer service and teamwork.
- Energetic career switcher with a decade in customer service management, seeking to bring transferable skills to the food service industry. Excelled in building customer relations and staff leadership, aiming to apply strong communication and organizational abilities to enhance guest dining experiences.
- Former retail supervisor eager to leverage 5 years of customer-centric service, inventory management, and team leadership into the hospitality sector. Adept at handling high-pressure situations and committed to creating memorable dining experiences through attention to detail and a warm, engaging manner.
- With 8 years of experience as a bistro waiter, adept in menu presentation and bespoke customer service, having increased customer retention by 30%. Recognized for a keen ability to upsell specials and wine selections, contributing significantly to the restaurant’s revenue growth.
- As an enthusiastic individual with a passion for hospitality and customer engagement, my objective is to deliver exceptional dining experiences by utilizing strong interpersonal skills and a quick-learning aptitude in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
- Seeking to begin a career in hospitality as a waiter, with a focus on developing expert-level knowledge in customer service, fine dining etiquette, and beverage service to contribute to memorable meal experiences and enhance the establishment’s reputation.
Average salary info by state in the US for Waiter professionals
Local salary info for Waiter.” Source: My Next Move, National Center for O*NET Development. Accessed 10/15/2024
| State | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| US National Average | $31,940 |
| California (CA) | $34,780 |
| Texas (TX) | $27,030 |
| Florida (FL) | $29,940 |
| New York (NY) | $41,540 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $29,710 |
| Illinois (IL) | $28,030 |
| Ohio (OH) | $28,950 |
| Georgia (GA) | $23,030 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $21,060 |
| Michigan (MI) | $35,400 |
Showcasing your personality with these four waiter resume sections
Enhance your waiter expertise with additional resume sections that spotlight both your professional skills and personal traits. Choose options that not only present you in a professional light but also reveal why colleagues enjoy working with you:
- My time - a pie chart infographic detailing your daily personal and professional priorities, showcasing a blend of hard and soft skills;
- Hobbies and interests - share your engagement in sports, fandoms, or other interests, whether in your local community or during personal time;
- Quotes - what motivates and inspires you as a professional;
- Books - indicating your reading and comprehension skills, a definite plus for employers, particularly when your reading interests align with your professional field.
Key takeaways
- Pay special attention to the tiny details that make up your waiter resume formatting: the more tailored your application to the role is, the better your chances at success would be;
- Select the sections you include (summary or objective, etc.) and formatting (reverse-chronological, hybrid, etc.) based on your experience level;
- Select experience items and, consequently, achievements that showcase you in the best light and are relevant to the job;
- Your profile will be assessed both based on your technical capabilities and personality skills - curate those through your resume;
- Certifications and education showcase your dedication to the particular industry.
