Many servers severely underestimate the impact of the tasks they carry out. 

Sure, mentioning on your resume that you served multiple tables is a start, but what about highlighting your menu expertise and consistently exceeding customer expectations?

The best server resumes go beyond stating basic restaurant duties—they don’t just say that they “took orders” or “refilled drinks.” Instead, they give evidence of their success by writing about how they might’ve “served 10 tables at once promptly and consistently exceeded guest satisfaction, which led to higher tips by 20%” or “ranked among the top 5 servers for exceptional customer service.”

In this guide, you’ll find:

• Examples of 20+ server resumes for almost all types of food and beverage settings.
• Insider tips about what to focus on writing about to impress organizations looking to hire a server. 
• A step-by-step guide to write a server resume that lands interviews. 

Sample Server Resumes

Here’s a compilation of well-written server resume examples across different food and beverage environments. Save the one that matches the exact role you’re applying for, and feel free to use what’s there as inspiration for your own resume.

Above each sample resume, you’ll get high-level tips for what to pay special attention to when applying for that kind of role.

Note: these examples are organized first by role type, and then by experience level. 

Server Resume

Focus on transferable skills. Prove your ability to work as part of a team and thrive in a fast-paced environment. Emphasize your knowledge in restaurant menus, as well as your experience and skills in customer service. Highlight abilities such as conflict resolution, communication, and attention to detail.  Quantify your achievements whenever possible, like exceeding sales goals or receiving positive customer reviews. Make it clear that you’re a reliable and enthusiastic team player that can cater to customer needs. 

Restaurant Server Resume

Write about achievements and duties that you fulfilled, which indicate strong customer service skills. Showcase your efficiency in handling orders and working effectively under pressure. Describe any relevant hospitality experience, including proficiency in taking accurate orders, managing multiple tables, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Plus, mention experience with cash handling, point-of-sale systems, and inventory management to demonstrate competence in handling essential restaurant operations. Emphasize key skills such as communication, teamwork, and attention to detail, and list any relevant certifications or qualifications like food safety training. 

Fine Dining Server Resume

Demonstrate a deep understanding of fine dining etiquette and menu knowledge. Highlight your ability to provide exceptional customer service with a refined and professional demeanor.  Showcase your knowledge of wine pairings and the ability to upsell menu items thoughtfully.  Emphasize your experience with tableside service and presentation, ensuring an elegant and seamless dining experience. 

To make sure you cover everything, consider adding additional sections like professional courses and extracurricular activities to showcase relevant hobbies and interests such as winemaking, culinary, or history of a specific country or region. It’s a bonus if a fine dining server is truly passionate about a particular food culture, even if it can’t be formally proved. 

Banquet Server Resume

For banquet servers, it’s all about the scale. Double down on your experience handling large events and working effectively as part of a larger team. Focus on your skills in efficiently setting up and breaking down banquet spaces. Emphasize your ability to navigate large parties, manage multiple courses, and maintain a positive and attentive presence throughout the event.  Show your experience with food safety protocols and adhering to strict timelines in a high-volume environment.

Catering Server Resume

Discuss your experience working in fast-paced, high-volume environments. Specify how you handled multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize effectively under pressure. Demonstrate strong teamwork skills and the ability to adapt to different event set-ups and guest needs.  Showcase your experience with buffet or plated service, ensuring dishes are presented flawlessly and replenished promptly.

Bar Server Resume

Focus on your beverage knowledge and proficiency in creating classic and signature cocktails. Share your experience with different types of liquors, beers, and wines. Emphasize your ability to serve customers in high-pressure and high-volume bar environments. And, don't forget to mention any flair bartending experience, certifications, or courses you completed. 

Cocktail Server Resume

Focus on highlighting exceptional customer service skills, proficiency in taking and delivering orders, and expertise in mixing and serving drinks. Emphasize your ability to handle high-pressure environments, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and maintain a friendly and professional attitude. Showcase experience with cash handling, upselling beverages, and ensuring a clean and organized service area. Include any relevant certifications, such as responsible beverage service training, and highlight teamwork, communication skills, and any previous achievements in boosting sales or improving customer satisfaction.

Hotel Server Resume

Present your experience with room service and catering to the needs of hotel guests. Describe your ability to provide prompt and friendly service in fast-paced environments. Showcase your knowledge of hotel amenities and services to assist guests with recommendations. Make it clear that you can resolve complaints professionally and handle guest requests or queries. Strong teamwork skills and collaboration is also crucial in a hotel setting. 

Café Server Resume

Share your passion for creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Highlight your experience with different coffee brewing methods and knowledge of café menus, including pastries and light fare. Showcase your ability to handle a high-volume breakfast or lunch rush while providing friendly and efficient service. Demonstrate your attention to detail by sharing how you ensure orders are accurate and that customer needs are met. Write about how you manage multiple tables and tasks to emphasize your multitasking skills. 

Lounge Server Resume

Create a balance between showcasing your ability to provide attentive service in a relaxed environment and handling a fast-paced atmosphere during peak hours. Mention your wealth of knowledge in beverage menus, including cocktails, beers, and wines. Demonstrate your ability to multitask and operate in crowded settings. Include any achievements related to upskilling and maintaining a friendly, approachable demeanor. Plus, share any experience you have with handling late-night crowds or special events, if applicable.

Pub Server Resume

Clarify how you thrive in lively, fast-paced environments. Showcase your knowledge of pub fare and beverages, including a variety of beers and signature cocktails. Demonstrate your efficiency in handling a high volume of customers and orders while maintaining a positive attitude. Pubs also typically require strong multitasking skills, so emphasize your ability to handle multiple tables and tasks at once without crumbling under pressure. Highlight your friendly and outgoing personality, as creating a welcoming atmosphere is key in a pub setting. You can also mention any other relevant experience you have with handling large groups or late-night crowds.

Cruise Ship Server Resume

Detail your ability to provide exceptional service in a fast-paced, international environment. Highlight your experience working with diverse clientele and adapting to a constantly changing routine. Prioritize writing about your teamwork skills, as cruise ships require strong collaboration.  You should also prioritize strong communication skills and your ability to work effectively under pressure. Any foreign language skills are a huge plus that can help you stand out. 

Olive Garden Server Resume

Customer service skills, proficiency in taking and delivering orders accurately, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment without crumbling under pressure are essential. Emphasize experience with handling cash and processing payments, as well as any roles in managing inventory or stock. Make it clear that you can communicate and cooperate well with a team, noting any leadership roles or duties. You can also highlight your passion and commitment to maintaining a clean and welcoming dining atmosphere.

Event Server Resume

Highlight your experience working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Make it clear that you’re capable of adapting to different event formats, from galas to conferences. Show that you have top-tier teamwork and communication skills, as you’ll need to collaborate with catering staff and fellow servers. Demonstrate your attention to detail and ability to ensure a smooth flow of service throughout the event. Don't forget to mention any experience with buffet service, setting up and clearing tables efficiently, and handling large crowds professionally.

Gourmet Food Server Resume

While customer service skills are key, double down on highlighting extensive knowledge of fine dining and gourmet cuisine, as well as your experience in upscale restaurant environments. Show off your ability to pair food and beverages, attention to detail in presentation, and adaptability by clarifying that you can handle special requests and dietary restrictions. Mention any formal training or certifications in hospitality or culinary arts, as well as your proficiency in navigating high-pressure situations. Additionally, include examples of teamwork, leadership, and a commitment to providing a memorable dining experience.

Resort Server Resume

Show that you can provide exceptional customer service in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Mention your experience catering to resort guests and helping them meet their needs, such as assisting with poolside or beach service. Detail your knowledge of the resort's amenities and activities to assist guests with recommendations.  Demonstrate strong multitasking skills—you’ll likely be expected to manage multiple tables and requests. Additionally, emphasize your ability to carry out tasks and long shifts in a positive demeanor, creating a memorable experience for guests throughout their stay.

Casino Server Resume

Share how you can provide efficient and friendly service in a fast-paced and high-energy environment. Discuss your experience handling multiple things at once, like taking drink orders, delivering food, and cashing out winning tickets. Show that you’re capable of ensuring accurate transactions and customer satisfaction.  Demonstrate clear communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate crowded areas professionally. 

Theme Park Server Resume

Theme parks are full of good vibes and positive energy. Make it clear on your theme park server resume that you can match this fun energy while handling high customer volume. Showcase your experience with quick-service food and beverages. Emphasize your ability to deal with multiple orders and requests enthusiastically. Creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for guests is key. Mention any experience you have working in crowded environments, especially with families with children, which is common in theme park settings.

Ice Cream Server Resume

Make it clear that you have a friendly and approachable demeanor. Don’t only showcase your skills in serving customers, but also showcase your ability to take orders and prepare food or desserts promptly. Additionally, highlight experience in managing cash transactions, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards, and working effectively as part of a team. You can also describe any specific skills related to food safety, stock management, and creating a positive customer experience.

Golf Club Server Resume

Show off your knowledge of fine dining etiquette and menus specific to a golf course setting. Highlight your ability to provide exceptional customer service in a professional and courteous manner. Write about your communication skills and how you can ensure a satisfying dining experience for golfers without disrupting their game. Prove that you can navigate through quiet environments during off-peak hours and a busier atmosphere during peak dining times. Describe any experience catering to a high-end clientele or working outdoors, if applicable to the specific golf club.

And here are some sample resumes for servers at different stages of their careers.

Bussing Server

Demonstrate your eagerness to learn and succeed in the restaurant industry. Even if you don’t have professional experience, you can still showcase transferable skills and knowledge. These could have been developed or gained from things like volunteer work where you served food for communities and helped out at school or local events. Mention specific coursework, projects, and extracurricular activities where you took on certain responsibilities. Highlight teamwork skills and strong work ethic. Emphasize your ability to learn quickly, follow instructions, and prioritize tasks effectively. You can also emphasize any personal qualities that make you a great team player, such as your punctuality, reliability, and positive attitude.

Food Runner

Detail your experience efficiently handling food delivery in a fast-paced restaurant environment. If you have prior bussing experience, mention it to make it clear that you’re familiar with restaurant settings. Emphasize your ability to multitask, navigate a busy dining room, and prioritize tasks to ensure timely food delivery. Focus on your attention to detail, ensuring orders are correct and presented well. Don't forget to mention your strong work ethic, communication skills, and ability to follow instructions precisely in a high-pressure setting.

Server Trainee

Highlight your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Showcase skills and knowledge you developed from any relevant experience or certifications in restaurants, food safety, and serving etiquette. You can also mention any projects, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or coursework from your academic background that demonstrate transferable skills. Don't forget to also detail your positive attitude, willingness to help, and teamwork skills.

Entry-Level Server 

Highlight relevant customer service and hospitality experience. Showcase strong communication skills and a positive attitude. Emphasize any teamwork or collaboration experiences, even from non-professional settings, and detail responsibilities that demonstrate reliability and a strong work ethic, such as volunteering or school projects. And list any certifications like food safety and alcohol service. 

Junior Server 

Share how you can successfully serve customers and cooperate with your team. Make it clear that you can handle high-pressure environments and communicate effectively. Mention skills in cash handling, order taking, and resolving customer complaints. You can also still list any relevant certifications that demonstrate hospitality skills and knowledge. 

Mid-Level Server

Focus writing about your experience in providing exceptional customer service in a fast-paced environment. Show that you can multitask effectively. Clarify how you managed multiple tables and prioritized tasks to ensure a smooth service. Quantify achievements whenever possible, mentioning any positive customer reviews and restaurant goals that you met or exceeded. Demonstrate your knowledge of food and beverage menus, as well as your ability to handle guest requests and resolve complaints professionally. You should also share how you successfully collaborated with colleagues to create a positive dining experience. 

Senior Server 

Establish your extensive knowledge and experience in the food service industry, emphasizing leadership roles, and advanced skills in customer service, team management, and problem-solving. Detail achievements such as successfully managing high-volume shifts, training and mentoring junior staff, optimizing service efficiency, and handling complex customer issues. Additionally, showcase your expertise in cash handling, inventory management, and adhering to health and safety regulations. A senior-level server resume should also reflect strong communication and organizational skills. 

Lead Server (or Head Server)

Showcase leadership skills and qualities. Prove that you can train and mentor new servers, ensuring they carry out their tasks effectively, deliver exceptional service, and adhere to restaurant standards. Share your ability to delegate tasks, manage a team during peak hours, and resolve server-related issues independently. You’ll also need to show strong communication and interpersonal skills to create a positive, collaborative work environment. Specify any management-related responsibilities using numbers and quantify achievements as a server to emphasize your knowledge in the restaurant industry. Mention improvements in team efficiency and any positive feedback from customers as well as servers you’ve mentored. 

How to Write a Server Resume (For Full-Time and Part-Time Positions)

Short answer:

Focus on customer service skills, hospitality experience, and list measurable achievements if possible. Create a professional header with your name and contact details, followed by a 2–3 sentence resume summary of your relevant skills key accomplishments. List previous jobs in reverse chronological order, showcasing success in hospitality, and highlighting multitasking, teamwork, and communication skills. Specify responsibilities, mention positive recognition, and quantify achievements. Include education and relevant certifications like food safety. List key skills and menu knowledge in the skills section, and add additional sections like languages, volunteer work, and side projects to show any further relevant skills and experience.

Firstly, choose the right format. 

For almost all servers, the reverse-chronological format is your best option. Even if you have a lack of direct experience, you can still use the same structure as the reverse-chronological format but emphasize your skills and academic background. 

For the layout and formatting of your resume, keep it professional. Stick to a font like Arial, use bullet points for easy readability, and make sure spacing and margins are consistent. Avoid excessive graphics or colors, and use clear section headings. And unless you have extensive work experience to showcase, keep your resume one page long. 

Create a professional resume header

Here’s what to put for your resume header:

• First and last name
• Location (city, country)
• Professional email address
• Phone number
• LinkedIn profile URL (optional)
• Portfolio website URL (optional)

Right below your name, you can also state your professional title (e.g, Fine Dining Server) to immediately make your position clear. 

Describe relevant experience in the work experience section

Double down on your work history in restaurants. If you lack experience working directly as a server, focus on other relevant roles in retail, hospitality, and any other customer-facing positions where customer satisfaction is a top priority. 

• List jobs in reverse chronological order. Start with your current or most recent job position. Go backwards from there, but only include the most relevant roles. 
• Each job position entry should include the following details: job title, company name, location, start and end dates of employment. 
• Write no less than three and no more than seven bullet points under each position. Use more bullet points for recent roles. Detail restaurant, hospitality and customer service responsibilities and achievements. 
• Begin every bullet point with a clear action verb. Next, describe the responsibility or task you carried out, followed by the result achieved. To make it more impactful, specify tasks by using numbers and quantify achievements using metrics (e.g., “Managed an average of 15 tables per shift, maintaining a 95% customer satisfaction rate”). 

List academic qualifications in the education section

Include your educational background. You can also mention any relevant courses or projects that demonstrate transferable skills and knowledge to a server role. 

• List your education in reverse chronological order. Start with your highest qualification earned.
• Add the following details for every entry: qualification title, institution name, location, and graduation date. 
• If you have taken specific courses related to hospitality, food safety, or customer service, include them here.
• If you are currently pursuing a degree or certification, mention the expected graduation date.
• Highlight any relevant coursework or honors that demonstrate skills applicable to a server role (e.g., “Completed a course in Food Safety Management”).

Mention your core competencies in the skills section

In other words, add key resume skills for a server job position. Mention the abilities that you’re most proficient in that make you a strong candidate. 

• List skills relevant to a servant role. Include both hard skills and soft skills. 

• Organize your skills into categories if you have multiple related skills (e.g., “Customer Service Skills,” “Technical Skills”).
• Prioritize specific skills from the company’s job description that you excel in.
• Highlight any language proficiency, especially if relevant to the job location or clientele.
• Mention any relevant fields of interest and additional training or certifications that reinforce your credentials as a server.

Not sure where to start? I don’t blame you—there are a bunch of skills you could possibly mention. See below for some examples. 

Customer service skills for server resumes:

• Active listening
• Building rapport
• Problem-solving
• Empathy
• Patience
• Conflict resolution
• Customer engagement
• Attention to detail
• Hospitality etiquette

Hard skills for servers:

• Order accuracy
• Cash handling
• Point of Sale (POS) systems
• Foreign languages
• Multitasking
• Inventory management
• Menu knowledge
• Health and safety compliance

Soft and interpersonal skills for servers:

• Communication
• Team coordination
• Adaptability
• Reliability
• Work ethic
• Professionalism
• Emotional intelligence
• Stress management
• Time management

Examples of “fields of interest” for a server resume:

• Wine and beverage knowledge
• Culinary arts
• Nutrition and dietary needs
• Event planning

Include additional sections that reinforce your credentials

Additional resume sections act as further proof of your skills, knowledge, and experience. These are twice as important when writing a server resume with little to no experience. 

Here are some of the best extra sections to add for a server resume:

• Certifications. Including relevant certifications such as ServSafe, TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures), or any hospitality-related certifications can demonstrate your dedication to professional standards.
• Training programs. Highlight any specialized training programs you’ve completed, such as customer service training, food handling courses, or wine and beverage courses.
• Awards and recognitions. If you’ve received any awards or recognitions for your server skills, such as “Employee of the Month” or other accolades, list them in a dedicated section to emphasize your excellence.
• Professional associations. Membership in industry organizations (e.g., National Restaurant Association) can showcase your commitment to the field.
• Volunteer work. Include any experience you have working in a hospitality setting. This can include local charity and community events. 
• Languages. Mention any languages you’re proficient in. These are impressive to put on a resume and can help you stand out from other server candidates. 

Provide a concise overview of what you have to offer in the summary or objectives section

This section is often easier to write last after completing all the other sections because it allows you to reflect on the most important points from your resume.

If you have relevant experience, include a summary section to provide an overview of your career and professional strengths. If you’re applying for your first server job, write an objective section to showcase your career goals in alignment with the job description. 

How to write the summary section for a server resume:

• Mention your career highlights and areas of expertise in 3–4 sentences. Match the company’s job description by emphasizing specific skills and experiences that employers are looking for. 
• Use clear action verbs that illustrate how you’re going to help your target organization reach their goals. Include quantifiable achievements you’ve delivered in the past, and directly show how your skill set can help the organization you’re applying to achieve the same.

How to write the objectives section for a server resume: 

• Write up to 2–3 sentences. Emphasize relevant skills and knowledge. In your last sentence, state your career objectives in alignment with the job requirements. 
• Show enthusiasm by using action verbs that portray your eagerness to learn, adapt, and contribute to the organization’s success. 

Struggling to write a concise overview? You can use Rezi AI Resume Summary Generator to help you write a summary or objectives section that’s tailored to the job description. Simply the job position and skills you want to highlight. The AI writer will do the rest. Here’s a sneak peek of how it works:

Double-check your writing and formatting 

Lastly, make sure your resume is technically correct in both writing and formatting. This means having a resume that’s clear, concise, and free from error. 

• A clean resume format is everything. Choose a professional font. Maintain consistent sizing and spacing, and have clear section headings. Avoid dense text and over-the-top design elements that make your resume less readable. 
• Prioritize precision. Keep your resume as concise as possible and up to one page long. The only exception for extending to two pages is when you have extensive experience and relevant skills or achievements to showcase. 
• Put all resume sections in the right order: header, summary or objectives, work experience, education, additional sections, and skills. 
• If you realize that there’s a section that’s unrelated to the job requirements and doesn’t really highlight transferable skills, cut it out from your resume.  
• Make sure you’ve included keywords from the job description and that you’ve tailored your resume to meet the company’s hiring criteria. 
• Proofread everything. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. 

How to Make Your Server Work Experience Look Good on a Resume When Applying for a Different Role

Server work experience can still be valuable to include, especially when you’re a new graduate or have no professional experience in the field you’re applying for. This allows you to highlight transferable skills, customer service expertise (which is valuable to have when your target role will involve direct client interactions), and teamwork or leadership abilities. You can also emphasize how you effectively handled cash and organized stock or inventory. This is a great way to show potential employers that you’re capable of carrying out your responsibilities in a professional setting. 

However, the key is in describing your work experience as a server in a way that’s relevant to the company’s job description.

Here’s how: 

• Prioritize tasks that match the job requirements. Don’t just write about all the things you did as a server. Only write about what’s relevant to the job description. If it doesn’t showcase any transferable skills, leave it out. 
• Focus on achievements and positive recognition. Mention specific accomplishments, such as high customer satisfaction ratings, handling high-volume shifts, or training new staff. These should emphasize skills applicable to the job you’re applying for.
• Quantify your experience. Same as previously mentioned, use numbers to specify tasks and outcomes, e.g., “handled an average of 50+ customers per shift.”
• Showcase professional growth. If possible, highlight any promotions or increased responsibilities related to the skills required for your target role. This demonstrates your ability to grow and take on more complex tasks.
• Tailor to the job description. Use keywords from the job description to describe duties, skills, and knowledge that align with the new role. For example, highlight “customer interaction” instead of “waiting tables.” Also, be sure to use relevant keywords. 

What Makes Server Resumes Different

In short: the emphasis on hospitality experience and customer service skills. 

Server resumes stand out by prioritizing transferable skills like multitasking and adaptability for fast-paced environments. Make it clear that you can serve customers under pressure by highlighting relevant hospitality experience and customer service skills. Demonstrate a deep understanding of food and beverage knowledge related to the specific type of work environment you’re applying for.

And beyond experience, employers want to see your impact.  

Highlight both qualitative (e.g., positive reviews) and quantitative (e.g., increased sales) achievements from past hospitality roles. Quantify your accomplishments and responsibilities using numbers to prove you're a capable candidate who can make a positive contribution to their team.

Prioritize transferable skills

Server jobs aren’t just all about bringing food from a tray to customers. It requires a unique blend of abilities that go beyond simply taking orders and delivering food. Performing effectively under pressure, working well in a team, and maintaining composure are all transferable skills that are the recipe for success in a server role.

What this means for you:

• Give specific examples of how you applied transferable skills successfully in a similar hospitality setting. Quantify the outcome to showcase your impact and reiterate your capabilities.
• Focus on skills and knowledge that the employer cares about the most, not just the abilities that seem applicable to all server roles. And again, highlight how you applied these skills. Don’t just list them in the skills section. 

Highlight customer service skills

Customer service is at the heart of every server role. Your ability to create an exceptional dining experience directly impacts customer satisfaction and repeat business. Demonstrating exceptional customer service skills on your resume shows potential employers that you have what it takes to keep their patrons happy and coming back.

What it means for you:

• Emphasize positive customer interactions by writing about how you handled customer inquiries, resolved complaints, or went above and beyond to improve the dining experience. 
• Tailor your examples to the restaurant type. Fine dining requires different customer service skills than a casual sports bar. Highlight relevant examples specific to the type of restaurant you're applying for.

Focus on relevant hospitality work experience

Like all other resumes, you’ll be checked for hands-on experience. This means seeing whether you have any background in dining establishments and specific duties like taking orders and food delivery. 

What it means for you:

• From working as a bartender and barista to a volunteer food runner, all experience as a server is valuable. So, include details that give context to your experience, such as the size of the establishment, average number of customers served per shift, or the complexity of the menu. For example, “Successfully managed service for up to 200 customers per shift in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant.”
• Emphasize key achievements related to your target role. For instance, when applying for a fine dining server position, highlight your track record in successfully upselling customers due to your expertise in food and beverage pairings.

Make it clear that you have strong food and beverage knowledge

Employers want candidates who can confidently answer customer questions, make recommendations, and help ensure all standards are met. Not knowing your stuff can lead to dissatisfied customers, mistakes in orders, and a lack of trust.

What it means for you:

• Showcase your familiarity with various menus, including ingredients, preparation methods, and potential dietary restrictions. You could write something like, “Memorized a diverse menu featuring over 50 items to guide guests with special dietary needs, accommodating gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan requests with ease.”
• Share examples of how you gave recommendations to customers. This makes it clear that you have in-depth knowledge of the menu and can enhance the dining experience by providing personalized suggestions that meet customer preferences.
• Highlight any training and certifications you've received that demonstrate your expertise in food safety, alcohol service, handling special diets, and knowledge of seasonal menus or specials.

Prove that you can work effectively with a team

You’ll be expected to cooperate with kitchen staff, fellow servers, and management. Therefore, showing that you’re a team player is vital. 

What this means for you:

• Describe how you worked with others to achieve common goals and overcome certain problems. 
• Emphasize instances where clear and effective communication with team members led to improved service. 
• Mention any leadership or management responsibilities that you carried out. An example of this could be leading a team meeting. 

Bonus Resources for Servers

If you’ve been having trouble securing a server job position even after following all the steps, chances are that the competition is tough. Keep applying and tailoring your resume to the organization’s hiring requirements, and it’ll only be a matter of time until you land an opportunity. 

But if you want to spice up your future resume by going the extra mile to develop your skills, check out some of the resources below.

Professional associations and networks

National Restaurant Association (NRA)

The NRA is a well-known and reputable organization that offers resources, certifications, and networking opportunities for restaurant professionals, including servers.

American Culinary Federation (ACF)

Although this is geared towards chefs, the ACF still offers helpful resources and certifications that are relevant to servers. This includes food preparation methods and ingredients.

Barista Hustle

This is most relevant to those of you applying for roles in cafés. You’ll not only find some pretty insightful blog posts here, but you’ll also find online coffee courses from experts. 

Online learning platforms

ServSafe

Looking for accredited food and beverage safety training and courses? ServSafe is your go-to. 

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

This is a specific foundation within the NRA that focuses on education and workforce development. They provide online courses and programs to prepare you to work in the restaurant and hospitality field.

Coursera & edX

Explore online courses on food, beverage, and nutrition. You can also find courses on relevant skills like communication and management. These can help prepare you for your new role as a server and make your resume look good. 

LinkedIn Learning

I’d suggest checking out courses on soft skills like communication and leadership. These are beneficial for lots of different job positions, not just servers. 

Publications

Restaurant Hospitality

This provides industry magazines and articles on trends, best practices, and tips relevant to restaurant professionals. 

Restaurant Business

Here’s another publication that offers industry news. 

Fine Dining Lovers

This is a resource for foodies in general and not just aspiring servers. But heads up—reading a few pieces might make you feel hungry. 

Social media and blogs

Serverlife Subreddit

Never feel like you’re in this alone—use this Subreddit to connect with other servers, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Summary

Here’s a summary of how to write a server resume: 

• Add your contact information to the resume header. The essential details here are your name, location, email address, and phone number. 
• List jobs in reverse chronological order in your work experience section. Add the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Underneath, write bullet points describing key responsibilities and achievements that demonstrate your level of skills and knowledge as a server. Use action verbs and quantify tasks and results using metrics.
• Put your academic achievements in the education section. Start with your highest qualification first, working your way down. You can also mention any specific courses completed and certificates earned here. 
• Make a concise, organized list of essential skills for a server role that also matches the job description in the skills section.
• Add other resume sections to showcase relevant skills and knowledge. 
• Either write a resume objective or summary section. For a resume objectives section, establish how your goals align with the organization’s mission and how you can add value. For a resume summary section, outline your professional background and immediately make it clear that you have the skill set and experience employers are looking for in a candidate. 
• Finally, proofread your resume and make sure the formatting is consistent and professional. 

Follow all the steps discussed in this guide, and your server resume is good to go! 

Above all, hiring managers check your resume to see if you have experience in hospitality. So, double down on emphasizing customer service and teamwork skills.

FAQ

What keywords should I use on my server resume?

The best keywords for your resume depends on the job description. Use the words and phrases from the job description labeled as key requirements. Mention the skills, experiences, and qualifications that hiring managers are looking for. Examples of such terms might include “customer service,” “multitasking,” “team collaboration,” “food and beverage knowledge,” “menu recommendations,” “conflict resolution,” “POS systems,” “order accuracy,” “table management,” “up-selling,” “sanitation standards,” and “fast-paced environment.” 

How to tailor my server resume to the job description?

Tailor your resume for a server position by highlighting specific skills, experiences, and accomplishments that match the job description. Write about these in the context of previous roles. Quantify tasks and achievements to show measurable impact. For example, let’s say the job description states that they’re looking for someone with excellent customer service skills and the ability to handle high-volume shifts. You could write, “Provided exceptional customer service in a busy restaurant, managing up to 20 tables during peak hours and consistently receiving positive feedback, resulting in a 20% increase in repeat customers.” This makes it clear as day that your resume aligns with the employer’s needs and positions you as a strong candidate. 

What’s the most common mistake on server resumes?

Failing to quantify achievements and contributions is the most common mistake for server resumes. Most candidates in this field have experience as a server, but never write about tangible results they’ve helped an organization achieve. 

What skills do I need to get a server job that pays more?

Focus on developing exceptional customer service skills. Communication, leadership, and management skills will also give you a competitive advantage. You should also deepen your knowledge of food and beverage pairings. Plus, aim to obtain more relevant certificates and qualifications. Additionally, consider applying for server positions in high-end environments. A luxury restaurant and hotel, for example, would likely pay more than a fast food restaurant. 

Which resume format is the best for server resumes?

The best format for server resumes is the reverse-chronological format. This allows you to put your most relevant experience as a server first. It also helps emphasize your career progression into the hospitality industry, making it easy for employers to get an overview of your accomplishments in previous positions and the skills developed. 

How do I write about my work experience as a server on a resume for a career change? 

Describe key achievements during your time as a server that highlight transferable skills and the impact you made on a previous organization. Begin with an action verb to describe a task, followed by the results achieved. Quantify your successes and duties carried out. Tailor your description to align with the target job description. Showcase how your background as a server has prepared you for the transition.