In the competitive world of food service, a well-crafted server resume can make all the difference. At Resume Professional Writers, we understand the unique challenges faced by those seeking server positions in various dining establishments.
This guide will walk you through the essential elements of a standout server resume, helping you showcase your skills and experience effectively. Whether you’re aiming for fine dining or casual eateries, we’ll provide tailored advice to elevate your application above the rest.
What Makes a Server Resume Stand Out?
1. Craft an Attention-Grabbing Header
Your resume’s header is prime real estate. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location. Use a professional email address (not your childhood nickname). If you have a LinkedIn profile, add it here too. This shows you’re tech-savvy and serious about your career.
2. Summarize Your Server Superpowers
Create a punchy professional summary. This is your elevator pitch. In 2-3 sentences, highlight your years of experience, key skills, and biggest accomplishments. For example: “Energetic server with 5 years of experience in fast-paced restaurants. Known for upselling techniques that increased average check size by 15%. Skilled in POS systems and fluent in Spanish.”
3. Showcase Your Server Skills
Your skills section should mix hard and soft skills. Hard skills might include knowledge of POS systems, food safety certifications, or wine pairing expertise. Soft skills could be teamwork, multitasking, or conflict resolution. Tailor this section to the job description, but be honest. If a skill is listed as “required” and you don’t have it, focus on your willingness to learn instead of fabricating experience.
4. Detail Your Work History
List your work experience, starting with your most recent job and working backwards. For each position, include the restaurant name, your job title, dates of employment, and 3-5 bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments where possible. For instance: “Maintained a 98% customer satisfaction rate” or “Trained 5 new hires on restaurant procedures and menu items.”
5. Highlight Your Education and Certifications
While formal education isn’t always required for server positions, including your highest level of education shows commitment. If you have a degree in hospitality or a related field, definitely showcase it. More importantly, list any relevant certifications. ServSafe, alcohol service certifications, or first aid training can set you apart from other candidates.
Your resume is your first impression. It should be error-free, easy to read, and tailored to the specific restaurant you’re applying to. If you’re struggling to make your resume stand out, consider professional help. Resume Professional Writers specializes in crafting resumes that get noticed (helping you land that coveted server position).
Now that we’ve covered the essential elements of a standout server resume, let’s explore how to tailor your resume for different types of dining establishments. Each restaurant type has unique requirements and expectations, and your resume should reflect these nuances.
How to Tailor Your Server Resume for Different Restaurant Types
1. Fine Dining Establishments
For fine dining restaurants, emphasize your knowledge of wine and food pairings, formal service etiquette, and experience with high-end clientele. Highlight any training in French service or other upscale serving techniques. Include specific examples of how you’ve enhanced the dining experience for guests. For instance, “Recommended wine pairings that increased beverage sales by 20%.”
2. Casual Dining Restaurants
When applying to casual dining establishments, focus on your ability to handle high-volume service efficiently while maintaining a friendly demeanor. Showcase your multitasking skills and experience with popular POS systems. Mention any instances where you’ve improved customer satisfaction scores or reduced wait times. For example, “Implemented a new table management system that decreased average wait times by 15 minutes during peak hours.”
3. Fast-Casual Eateries
Fast-casual restaurants value speed and accuracy. Highlight your ability to work in a fast-paced environment, your knowledge of food safety practices, and any experience with counter service or assembly line setups. Quantify your achievements with concrete numbers. Try to include statements like, “Maintained a 99% order accuracy rate while serving an average of 200 customers per shift.”
4. Bars and Lounges
For bar and lounge positions, emphasize your mixology skills, knowledge of spirits, and ability to create a welcoming atmosphere. Include any certifications like TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) or local alcohol service permits. Highlight your experience in managing busy bar environments and your ability to upsell premium spirits. You could mention, “Increased bar sales by 25% through effective product recommendations and creation of signature cocktails.”
5. Tailoring Tips for All Restaurant Types
Regardless of the restaurant type, always tailor your resume to the specific job description. Use keywords from the posting and align your experiences with the establishment’s values and service style. Customize your skills section to match the unique requirements of each restaurant (e.g., wine knowledge for fine dining, speed for fast-casual).
As we move forward, let’s explore the key skills and qualities that can make your server resume truly stand out, regardless of the restaurant type you’re targeting.
What Skills Make a Server Stand Out?
1. Master the Art of Customer Service
Customer service forms the foundation of a server’s role. It extends beyond taking orders and delivering food; it involves creating memorable experiences. Exceptional servers anticipate needs, handle complaints gracefully, and transform first-time diners into regulars. On your resume, highlight specific instances of going above and beyond for customers. For example, “Resolved a complex customer complaint, resulting in a 5-star review and return visit (recognized by management for outstanding service).”
2. Become a Menu Expert
Comprehensive menu knowledge sets top servers apart in the restaurant industry. Understanding flavor profiles, cooking methods, and potential allergens allows for informed recommendations and confident answers to questions. Your resume might note, “Conducted weekly menu tastings with kitchen staff, increasing successful food recommendations by 30% and boosting customer satisfaction scores by 15%.”
3. Perfect the Juggling Act
In a busy restaurant, multitasking is essential. The ability to juggle multiple tasks efficiently proves invaluable. Time management complements multitasking skills. Efficient servers prioritize tasks and minimize wait times. Demonstrate this on your resume with concrete examples: “Managed a section of 8 tables during peak hours while maintaining 98% order accuracy and 20-minute average table turnover time.”
4. Sell More Than Just Food
Sales skills significantly impact a server’s success. Upselling enhances the dining experience while boosting the restaurant’s bottom line. Skilled servers suggest appetizers, recommend wine pairings, or tempt diners with dessert in a helpful manner. Quantify your sales skills on your resume: “Implemented personalized upselling techniques, increasing average check size by 18% and contributing to 10% growth in overall restaurant revenue.”
5. Embrace Technological Proficiency
Modern restaurants often use Point of Sale (POS) systems and other technologies. Servers who quickly adapt to new systems and use them efficiently stand out. Include any experience with popular POS systems or restaurant management software on your resume. For instance, “Proficient in TouchBistro and Toast POS systems, reducing order processing time by 25%.”
Elements to Include in a Standout Server Resume
A standout server resume effectively showcases your unique skills and experiences in the competitive restaurant industry. It emphasizes your excellence in customer service, menu expertise, multitasking abilities, and sales prowess, supported by quantified achievements and specific examples.
Given the dynamic nature of the restaurant industry, your resume should also reflect your commitment to continuous growth and staying current with trends. Highlighting your adoption of new technologies, additional certifications, and dedication to exceptional service underscores your professional development.
Moreover, an impressive server resume should illustrate your adaptability and capacity to thrive under pressure. By providing examples of managing high volumes of orders, resolving customer issues, and swiftly learning new procedures, you demonstrate your resilience and readiness to excel in a fast-paced environment. This seamless integration of skills and experiences underscores your value as a proactive and capable team member.
Elevate Your Server Resume with Expert Help
Crafting a standout server resume involves highlighting your key skills, work experience, and achievements in a way that resonates with different types of dining establishments. From fine dining to fast-casual eateries, tailoring your resume to showcase your unique strengths and experiences can set you apart in a competitive job market. By emphasizing exceptional customer service, multitasking abilities, and technical proficiency, you can present yourself as a top candidate for any server position.
If you’re ready to take your resume to the next level, Resume Professional Writers is here to help. Our team specializes in creating impactful resumes that capture your strengths and experiences, ensuring your application stands out to potential employers. Whether you’re applying to upscale restaurants or bustling casual dining spots, we’ll work with you to craft a resume that highlights your qualifications and makes a memorable impression.
What are your waiting for? Let our top-tier resume writing services help you land your dream server position — contact us today to get started!
