12 Server Resume Examples for 2025

Creating a good resume is key for server positions in the hospitality industry. This article includes proven resume samples and practical tips. Learn how to list your skills, experience, and qualifications to catch an employer’s eye. Understand the importance of clear formatting, keywords, and specific industry jargon.

  Compiled and approved by Steve Grafton
  Last updated on See history of changes

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At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best server resumes.

  • Use Numbers To Show Impact: Great resumes show the impact using numbers. Some metrics you might find include: served 100+ customers daily, increased table turnover by 20%, reduced order errors by 15%, and trained 5 new servers.

  • List Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some important ones are POS systems, food safety, menu knowledge, inventory management, and cash handling. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Highlight Experience In Busy Settings: Showing you handle busy settings well is key. Include phrases like high-volume, fast-paced, or peak hours.

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Position your education efficiently

As a hiring manager, I know how you place your academic background on your resume matters. If you are newly entering the workforce or are still studying, your education should be near the top of your resume. This lets me see your latest achievements quickly and understand your current focus.

As a server seeking employment, if you have special certifications such as a food safety handler certificate, this should be highlighted early in the education section. It shows your dedication to the role and the industry. An associate's degree in hospitality or a related field is also significant and should be placed prominently if you have one.

If you have been working for some years, place your experience first. The fact that you have been active in the industry is more telling than your academic history at this point. In such cases, your education section can follow your experience, showing that you have a good foundation to build upon.

Certifications and training

List any food safety certifications. Employers value this knowledge.

Mention any training in hospitality or customer service. This shows employers you are ready to handle guests and provide good service.

Ideal resume length

Keep your resume short and focused. If you are applying as a server, one page is the best length for your resume. This allows you to show your most relevant skills and experiences without overwhelming the reader. You need to prioritize what matters most for serving roles such as customer service skills and a quick learning ability.

When you have more experience, say more than ten years, you might go up to two pages. But remember that hiring managers often look at the first page only for a short time. Make sure your strongest points are on this first page. Use good spacing and a readable font size to keep things clear. Avoid tiny text and narrow margins. If you need more space, it's better to choose a clearer layout or cut less relevant information than to shrink everything down.

Highlight relevant skills

Show skills like multitasking and customer service. These are important in the restaurant industry.

Include details of experience with point-of-sale systems. This technology is often used in service jobs.

Make your resume ATS-friendly

When you apply for a job as a server, your resume might first be read by a computer program called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This system looks for certain words and details to decide if your resume fits the job well. To help you get past the ATS, here are some tips:

  • Use keywords from the job description. For example, if the job asks for 'customer service skills,' make sure you mention your experience with 'customer service' in your resume.
  • Keep your resume format simple. Use a standard font and avoid using tables or images that the ATS might not read correctly.

Make your skills shine

When tailoring your resume as a server, you need to show the skills that restaurants look for. Think about what you do well that helps serve food and drinks and keeps customers happy. Make sure your resume speaks about your real skills in this job.

  • Point out your ability to handle many tables or tasks at once. Use phrases like managed a busy section with 10+ tables to show you can keep up with a fast pace.
  • Show off how you make customers happy. Mention times you solved a problem or made a customer's experience good. You could write resolved guest concerns promptly, emphasizing quick and caring service.
  • Talk about how you work with others. Restaurants need people who can be part of a team. For example, you could include phrases like collaborated with kitchen staff for efficient service.

Key skills for servers

When crafting your resume, it's important to highlight the right mix of skills. You want to show that you have the practical abilities needed for serving customers well. Here are some of the top skills you should consider including:

  • Order management
  • POS systems expertise
  • Menu knowledge
  • Payment processing
  • Table setting
  • Food safety
  • Beverage service
  • Customer service
  • Inventory management
  • Time management

Don't worry about having to include every skill listed. Choose the ones that you are good at and that match the job you want. For example, if you are applying to a high-end restaurant, menu knowledge and beverage service might be particularly important. On the other hand, a fast-paced diner might require strong time management and order management skills.

Most servers include these skills in a dedicated section on their resume. This helps your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that look for specific keywords. Think about the job you're applying for and select skills that make you a strong candidate for that specific role. This approach will help you create a resume that is both relevant and appealing to hiring managers.

Quantify your serving impact

When you're looking to demonstrate your value as a server, numbers can be your best friend. They show, in concrete terms, the impact you've had in your previous roles. Think about how you can translate your experience into quantifiable achievements.

Here are some ways you can do this:

  • Include the average number of tables or customers you served per shift. This shows your ability to handle volume and maintain service quality.
  • Mention any increase in tips or sales you contributed to, which can highlight your salesmanship and customer service skills.
  • If you participated in upselling strategies, note any percentage increase in upselling items like desserts or drinks.
  • Did you implement a new system or suggestion that led to time savings? Indicate how much time was saved.
  • In case of a team environment, describe how your suggestions or actions led to a reduction in customer wait times.
  • For those who have trained others, quantify it by stating the number of new staff trained.
  • If you received any customer feedback, include the percentage of positive customer feedback.
  • Highlight any efficiency improvements, such as quicker table turnover, through average time reductions.

Remember, even if you're not sure about the exact numbers, you can estimate based on your experiences. Think about your typical shift and what you achieved. These numbers will help employers see the tangible benefits you can bring to their team.

Show leadership on your resume

If you've taken on leadership roles or been promoted, your resume should reflect that. Even in serving roles, there are chances to lead and grow. Think about times you trained new staff or managed shifts. These show that you can handle responsibility and have the trust of your managers.

  • Lead Server: Coordinated shift schedules and oversaw a team of 10 servers.
  • Assistant Manager: Stepped up to perform managerial duties on select days, improving team efficiency.

Remember, even informal leadership counts. Did you help plan the weekly staff meeting? Or maybe you were chosen to represent your team at a company event? These are examples of leadership. They show you're seen as reliable and capable of guiding others.

  • Team Lead: Organized weekly staff meetings and communicated key updates.
  • Staff Representative: Selected to present team achievements at the annual company conference.

Showcase leadership growth

If you have moved up the ranks or taken on leadership roles, it's crucial to show this on your resume. Think about times you've guided a team or managed a section. This shows that you can handle more responsibility and have strong interpersonal skills.

Here are ways to present your experience:

  • Mention any titles or roles you've held, like 'head server' or 'team leader', and the duties you had.
  • List awards or recognition you've earned for your service or leadership.

Even if you're unsure about your leadership experiences, consider times when you trained new staff or when you were asked to oversee a group task. These are good examples of leadership.

Showcase leadership in serving roles

If you have been a leader or been promoted, show this on your resume. Here are ways to do that for serving roles:

  • Include any titles you earned, like 'head server' or 'team lead.' This shows you were trusted with more responsibility.
  • List specific tasks you were given to manage, such as 'trained new staff' or 'led shift meetings.' This proves your leadership.

Think about times you helped your team or made things better at work. Even if you did not have a formal title, these actions show leadership. For instance:

  • Did you ever help make a work schedule? Say 'assisted with scheduling' on your resume.
  • If you helped your team work better together, mention 'coordinated team efforts during peak hours' to highlight your role in improving team performance.
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