Waitress Resume Example (Free Guide)

Are you looking to make your waitress resume stand out from the competition? This article provides an example of an effective resume for a waitress, along with practical tips and advice on how to create an effective resume that will get you noticed by employers. We'll show you how to highlight your experience, skills, and accomplishments so that you can land your dream job.

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
What a resume template is, and why you should use it.

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Waitress do?

A waitress is a person who works in a restaurant, cafe, or bar, and is responsible for taking orders, serving food and drinks, and generally ensuring that customers have a pleasant experience. A waitress may also be responsible for setting up and cleaning tables, providing customer service, and handling payments.

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Waitress related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Waitress?

Greet customers and present menus
Answer questions related to menu items
Offer suggestions and specials
Take orders and relay them to the kitchen staff accurately
Serve food and drinks to customers
Process payments, including cash and credit card transactions
Check on customers throughout their meal to ensure their satisfaction
Clean and reset tables between customers
Resolve any customer complaints or issues
Ensure compliance with safety and health regulations

Sample Waitress Resume for Inspiration

Name: Sophia Smith

Address: 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA

Phone: (222) 444-7777

Email: sophia.smith@email.com

Summary: Sophia is a hardworking and motivated waitress with over 5 years of experience in the hospitality industry. With her friendly and adept customer service skills, she builds strong relationships with customers and staff. She is also certified in food safety and up-to-date with all health and sanitation regulations. She is an excellent communicator in both English and Spanish.

Work Experience:

Waitress at Smith's Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA (2015 - 2020)

Greeted customers and provided excellent customer service
Took food and beverage orders, served food, and managed payments
Adhered to food safety and sanitation regulations

Server at Joe's Cafe, Los Angeles, CA (2012 - 2015)

Responsible for taking orders, serving food, and operating cash registers
Ensured all dishes were prepared according to recipes and served in a timely manner
Provided customers with information about menu items and assisted with special requests

Education:

High School Diploma, ABC High School, Los Angeles, CA (2008 - 2012)

Skills:

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Excellent customer service and communication skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills

Certifications:

Food Safety Certification (2020)

Languages: English and Spanish

Resume tips for Waitress

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Waitress resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Waitress - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight your customer service experience. As a waitress, customer service is key, so make sure you emphasize any past customer service experience on your resume.
Include any certifications or awards that you have received. This will demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the industry.
Detail your knowledge and experience with different types of food. Even if your experience is limited, discuss any exposure you have had to different types of cuisine.
Be sure to include any experience with cash handling. Many restaurants require wait staff to handle money transactions and this is a valuable skill to include on your resume.
Mention any experience that you have with team working. As a waitress, you will often be required to work with other members of the team and this is an important skill to include on your resume.

Waitress Resume Summary Examples

Waitress resumes should include either a resume summary or resume objective. These sections help draw the attention of employers by providing a concise overview of your skills and experience. A resume summary is a brief statement that outlines your experience, capabilities, and accomplishments, while a resume objective is a focused statement that outlines your career goals and how you plan to use your skills to achieve them. Both of these sections are important for highlighting your qualifications and demonstrating to employers why you are the best person for the job.

For Example:

Experienced waitress with 5+ years in the hospitality industry. Excellent customer service skills, able to handle difficult customers with ease.
Highly motivated waitress, able to effectively manage busy shifts and quickly learn new menu items.
Passionate waitress dedicated to providing excellent customer service, with experience in upselling and cross-selling.
Skilled in both front and back of house operations, with strong familiarity with POS systems and food safety regulations.
Friendly and reliable waitress, with experience in multi-tasking and providing a pleasant dining experience for customers.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Waitress Resume

Building a strong experience section for a waitress resume is important for several reasons. A well-crafted experience section can highlight your skills, demonstrate your knowledge of the restaurant industry and provide employers with an idea of the type of customer service you are capable of delivering. It can also show employers that you have the necessary skills to fulfill the job requirements and handle the daily tasks of a waitress. Finally, a strong experience section can help you stand out from other applicants by showcasing your unique qualifications and experiences.

For Example:

Provided excellent customer service to patrons in a high-volume restaurant.
Greeted customers and took orders in a timely and friendly manner.
Delivered food and beverages to customers in a timely fashion.
Assisted with the preparation of food and beverages.
Maintained a clean and organized work station.
Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner.
Collaborated with other wait staff to ensure customers received a pleasant dining experience.
Upsold food and beverages to customers.
Processed customer payments accurately and efficiently.
Adhered to all safety and sanitation policies.

Waitress resume education example

Waitresses typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers also require waitresses to have food safety certifications and experience in customer service. In addition, waitresses may need to be familiar with food preparation, food and drink menus, and restaurant operations.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Waitress resume:

High School Diploma, XYZ High School, 2020
Intensive Food and Beverage Operations Course, ABC College, 2021
Nutritional Science Certification, ABC University, 2022

Waitress Skills for a Resume

Adding skills to a Waitress Resume is important because it allows a potential employer to quickly and easily identify the abilities and qualifications of an applicant. By listing the relevant skills, the employer can determine if the applicant is a good fit for the position. Examples of key skills that could be listed on a Waitress Resume include customer service, food preparation, serving, cash handling, problem-solving, and multitasking.

Soft Skills:

Interpersonal skills
Customer service
Time management
Communication skills
Multi-tasking
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Organizational skills
Teamwork
Flexibility

Hard Skills:

Cash Handling
Food Preparation
Customer Service
POS Systems
Menu Knowledge
Food Safety
Order Taking
Teamwork
Multi-tasking
Table Busing

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Waitress Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Waitress resume

Highlight your customer service skills
Emphasize your knowledge of menu items and specials
Include any certifications or awards you have earned
Detail your experience with handling money and taking payments
Demonstrate your ability to work efficiently in a busy environment
Mention any additional skills you have, such as the ability to speak multiple languages

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next job with the help of Resumaker.ai.