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Server Resume Guide

Write a server resume that highlights key skills, certifications, and experience. Free examples, templates, and ATS tips.

A 5-step guide to writing a server resume that highlights serving experience, sales metrics, POS skills, customer service, and food safety certifications.

TL;DR

Write a server resume that highlights key skills, certifications, and experience. Free examples, templates, and ATS tips.

How to Write a Server Resume That Gets Hired Fast

A 5-step guide to writing a server resume that highlights serving experience, sales metrics, POS skills, customer service, and food safety certifications.

  1. 1. Lead with serving experience and restaurant type. Start with years of serving experience, restaurant type (fine dining, casual, fast-casual, hotel, banquet), and section size. Example: "Served 50+ guests per shift in a 150-seat upscale casual restaurant, averaging $1,200 in nightly sales."
  2. 2. Quantify sales and guest metrics. Specify guests per shift, average sales per night, upsell rate, and tip percentage. Example: "Consistently ranked top 3 in monthly sales among 12 servers, averaging $1,500 per shift with 22% tip average through upselling wine and appetizers."
  3. 3. Highlight POS and order accuracy. Detail experience with POS systems (Toast, Square, Aloha, Micros), order accuracy rate, and split-check handling. Mention any training of new staff on POS or opening/closing register duties.
  4. 4. Showcase customer service and teamwork. Describe conflict resolution, teamwork with kitchen and bar staff, handling large parties, and adapting to dietary restrictions. Example: "Managed 20+ top tables per shift with 98% guest satisfaction score and zero complaints over 6 months."
  5. 5. Add certifications and food safety. List ServSafe Food Handler, TIPS/Alcohol Service, Allergen Awareness, and CPR/First Aid. Even basic certifications signal professionalism and reduce employer training costs.

Frequently asked questions

What should a server resume include?

A server resume should include your serving experience, restaurant type, guest volume, sales metrics, POS proficiency, customer service skills, teamwork examples, and any food safety or alcohol service certifications.

How do I write a server resume with no experience?

Focus on transferable skills like customer service, cash handling, multitasking, and communication. Highlight volunteer work, retail experience, or banquet serving. List any food handler or TIPS certifications.

What skills should a server list on a resume?

Key skills include POS systems (Toast, Square, Aloha), order accuracy, upselling, table management, conflict resolution, teamwork, food safety knowledge, alcohol service, and handling dietary restrictions.

How do I make serving sound professional on a resume?

Use action verbs and numbers: "Served 50+ guests per shift," "Averaged $1,500 in nightly sales," "Maintained 98% order accuracy," "Upsold wine and appetizers increasing check average by 18%." Quantify everything.

About Resumity

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