resume for customer service restaurant

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9 Restaurant Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

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• Restaurant Resumes
• Restaurant Resume by Experience
• Restaurant Resumes by Role
• Describe Restaurant Experience on a Resume

As a restaurant worker, you provide the foundation of success for a restaurant to survive, thrive, and nurture communities. Whether an entry-level restaurant worker or a field veteran, you’re reliable, levelheaded, and an expert at communicating. 

You shouldn’t have to become an  expert resume writer , too.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be. We’ve reviewed countless resumes from restaurant workers worldwide and have thoroughly picked them apart to decipher what did and did not help applicants land job interviews. 

We took this information and  crafted nine restaurant resume samples to help you get your next restaurant job in 2024 . At the end of each resume, you’ll find helpful tips and tricks to ensure you stand out from the crowd.

Restaurant Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• It can be difficult to think of valuable statistics. As a restaurant worker, list metrics for achieving or exceeding sales targets, where you boosted efficiency, customer reviews you received, employer reviews, the number of menu items you had command over, how much you increased revenue, health inspection ratings, reductions in staff turnover, the number of guests you cared for or the number of guests seated per night.
• Avoid vague statements, and customize it for each job to which you apply. For example, your summary might detail your 10+ years of experience, front-of-house experience, communication, customer service, and levelheadedness while also mentioning the target business by name.

Restaurant Worker Resume Example

• Also, it adds a measurable achievement of increasing the levels of repeat customers. Therefore, you need to show your long-term value to a potential employer before you can be hired.

Food Service Restaurant Resume Example

• Here’s when using our Elegant template is going to do the trick. Include the best work experience points from past jobs and use a formal color like royal blue to visually attract every hiring manager.

Entry-Level Restaurant Resume Example

• Focus on demonstrating your job skills, rather than titles, as an entry-level worker. You can even include school projects, internships, or volunteer positions.
• This is a good time to add a  resume objective .
• Your resume objective not only fills up space but offers a valuable snapshot of your best self when you take the time to customize it.
• It’s also best suited for entry-level applicants or those who are changing careers. Don’t forget to customize your objective by mentioning the target business by name.
• If you omit a skills section, your entry-level restaurant resume may pass through automated scanners and into the trash before a hiring manager ever sees it.
• Fortunately, skills sections are really easy to include.
• We recommend listing six to ten skills specific to restaurant work. You can even specialize your skills section for each job you apply to by carefully reading  job descriptions  and picking up on their valuable skills.
• Important restaurant worker skills include customer service, communication, time management, organization, sales, and flexibility.

Restaurant Supervisor Resume Example

• You don’t necessarily need to be a supervisor your entire life. Throw in other roles like shift leader or server to show employers that you’re well-versed in various departments and know what it takes to make every aspect of a restaurant successful.

Restaurant Customer Service Resume Example

• In particular, including the cashier experience elevates the value you’re bringing to a business that thrives on customer satisfaction.

Restaurant Server Resume Example

• Your restaurant server resume should keep things short and to the point. If you have a lot of information to include, make sure you quantify your experience in numbers and break it up into concise bullet points. Bullet points should all be under 200 characters.
• Undoubtedly, being a hiring manager and reviewing so many resumes is stressful. That’s why they typically only spend six seconds reviewing each one. If you want to grab their attention, you’ll need to quantify most of your bullet points.
• Numbers naturally draw the eye, making employers spend more time on your resume. 

Restaurant Manager Resume Example  

• Formatting your resume  in reverse-chronological style demonstrates this best with its natural progression of work history from most recent to oldest.
• It’s important to avoid words that take away from your ability to work independently or actively. For example, starting a bullet point with the word “helped” is much less impactful than the word “spearheaded.”
• Your resume should include great action words like calculated, collaborated, negotiated, achieved, coordinated, crafted, supervised, built, cultivated, or outperformed.
• If you’re having trouble structuring the perfect sentences, that’s okay. It’s not easy! That’s why we built our  resume checker .

Fast Food Restaurant Resume Example

• Aim to have two to four work experience sections and three to six bullet points for each work experience on your fast food restaurant resume . With so little space, include metrics and active voice while avoiding unnecessary filler words.
• This will help demonstrate growth throughout your career.
• Additionally, only 20 percent of hiring managers say they read every single work experience. Keeping your most relevant experience toward the top will ensure employers see the most important information.
• Finally, recruiters’ automated systems (ATS) are formatted to look through resumes written in the standard (reverse-chronological) order.

Related resume guides

• Restaurant Manager
• Food Service Worker

How to Describe Restaurant Experience on a Resume

No matter your experience level, whether you’re looking for your first job or have been in the restaurant industry for years, our industry-specific  resume tips  will ensure you serve up the best application to hiring managers. 

Whether you’re looking for a restaurant management position, hoping to get your first job in the industry as a server, or somewhere in between, you won’t always have past job experience that seems directly applicable. The good news is that just about any project or seemingly irrelevant job can still demonstrate the skills and abilities you’ll need at the restaurant.

Listing retail experience can show positive customer service and sales skills. Working as a bank teller can speak to your expertise in handling money accurately. Talking about childcare can attest to creative thinking and problem-solving.

Discuss your success in the restaurant (or wherever you worked). The majority of job seekers are just going to regurgitate (isn’t that an awful word?) restaurant duties they performed day in and day out on the job. But what if you went beyond that? What if you took the time to show how you actually impacted the restaurant?

For example, did your strength as a collaborator help the restaurant manager reduce scheduling miscommunication? Did you earn higher tips than your coworkers because you consistently memorized dinner specials and took the time to personally recommend wine pairings to guests? Did you identify gaps in servers’ skills and revamp customer service training?

Remember, though, that you want to keep your bullet points to a sentence each, so if you have more to say, those details are best saved for your restaurant cover letter .

Lead your restaurant resume with active verbs, and be careful to write with an active voice through each bullet point. Active verbs like “collaborated,” “delivered,” “calculated,” “suggested,” “presented,” “exceeded,” and “operated” will help you tell your career story. And writing in an active voice means you get right to the point. You’ll know right off the bat which job description bullet point uses active voice and which one is passive: ◉ Pooled and distributed tips after shifts, encouraging management to use TipMetric for tracking, saving 7+ hours a week ◉ Tips were pooled and distributed after shifts and management was encouraged by me to use TipMetric for tracking, saving 7+ hours a week

Add dollars, percentages, and other units of measurement for serving up the best restaurant resume bullet points and writing a great cover letter . Did you: ◉ Impact the bottom line by upselling wines or cross-selling side dishes or desserts? ◉ Manage and encourage servers so that you decreased employee turnover rate? ◉ Consistently serve more tables or guests than your coworkers?

Restaurant Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Restaurant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

How to write a restaurant resume, how to pick the best restaurant resume template, frequently asked questions: restaurant resume examples and advice.

• Entry-level
• Senior-level

Clark Ryan (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Philadelphia, PA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Energetic waiter with over two years of experience in a high-volume chain restaurant. Provide courteous, attentive service while driving sales of daily specials, appetizers, and desserts. Fast learner who adapts readily to new work challenges and conditions.

• Customer service and satisfaction
• Efficiency improvement
• Food and beverage service
• High-volume restaurant operations
• Lightspeed POS
• Menu and order memorization
• Payment processing
• Task prioritization
• Team collaboration
• Time management

Waiter, Applebee’s, Philadelphia, PA | October 2020 to present

• Quickly and courteously serve food and beverage orders to around 30 customers per shift
• Use Lightspeed POS system to process cash, credit, debit, and gift card payments
• Support other servers and kitchen staff by completing side work such as cleaning, restocking, and food running
• Used cross-selling methods to increase personal appetizer and dessert sales by 25%

Receptionist, LMN Incorporated, Philadelphia, PA | September 2019 to September 2020

• Consistently praised for strong efficiency and customer relations in a fast-paced environment

Candidate: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | expected May 2023

• ServSafe Food Handler, National Restaurant Association

Sarah Ortiz (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | San Diego, CA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Sous chef with five years of experience helping oversee the preparation of quality Mexican cuisine for upscale restaurants. Recognized for leading culinary teams to streamline operations and reduce waste by up to 20%.

• Cost reduction and elimination
• Executive chef support
• Food presentation
• Kitchen operations
• Latin American cuisine
• Menu design
• Process improvement
• Team leadership

Sous Chef, Spice Cocina, San Diego, CA | May 2018 to present

• Collaborate with the executive chef to create and prepare innovative Latin dishes, design menus, and enhance food presentation
• Lead a team of eight line cooks and kitchen personnel, coordinate daily kitchen operations, and ensure compliance with quality standards
• Created three dishes with Carolina Reaper and Scorpion pepper ingredients (including a carne asada meal with Scorpion chili-infused guacamole), leading to a new spice challenge that grew sales $100,000

Sous Chef, Cantina La Vida, San Diego, CA | May 2016 to May 2018

• Developed menu, prepared food, and managed inventory in coordination with the head chef
• Trained restaurant personnel on safe food storage and effective portion control
• Helped kitchen team reduce waste by over 20%, saving $40,000 per year
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Culinary Arts, San Diego Culinary Institute, San Diego, CA | 2016

ServSafe Manager, National Restaurant Association | 2016

William Adams (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Washington, DC 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Restaurant manager with more than nine years of experience driving revenue growth, reducing staff turnover, and building goodwill with customers. Draw on broad, deep knowledge of restaurant best practices and health and safety regulations. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

• Budgeting and cost accounting
• Conflict resolution
• Marketing strategy development
• Regulatory compliance
• Staff training and coaching
• Talent retention
• Team leadership and motivation

Restaurant Manager, Culinary Cafe, Washington, DC | May 2015 to present

• Helped plan and design the restaurant’s front and kitchen prior to the grand re-opening
• Increased seating capacity 20% while maintaining compliance with health codes and regulations
• Spearheaded marketing campaign that increased revenue 68% and led to six months of sold-out reservations
• Improved customer satisfaction ratings by 9% using instant reservations software that minimized wait times

Assistant Manager, Faster Food Restaurant, Alexandria, VA | October 2013 to April 2015

• Performed multiple walkthroughs daily to ensure the dining area met corporate guidelines for cleanliness and table turnover
• Reduced staff turnover by introducing more flexible time-off policies and a bidding system for p.m. shifts
• Cut costs 8% by reducing inventory waste and establishing stricter overtime controls

Bachelor of Business Management, University of Richmond, VA

Fluency in Spanish

When writing your resume for restaurant jobs, use each section to show you can help provide pleasant dining experiences to customers. The tips and examples below will help your resume display these skills — including sales, customer service, and using computer reservation systems — to get you interviews for your next restaurant job.

1. Create a profile by summarizing your restaurant qualifications

Catch hiring managers’ attention by giving the top three to five reasons you’ll excel in your target restaurant job. For instance, maybe you’re a dedicated manager who consistently finds ways to improve food quality and service. Or you might be a diligent sous chef with years of experience helping streamline kitchen operations. If you speak two or more languages, cite that in your profile to emphasize how to collaborate and engage with a diverse customer base.

Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.

Profile Example

Energetic waiter with over two years of experience in a high-volume chain restaurant. Provide courteous, attentive service while driving daily specials, appetizers, and dessert sales. Fast learner who adapts readily to new work challenges and conditions.

2. Add a compelling section featuring your restaurant experience

Use the experience section to give examples of your success in previous restaurant jobs — this helps hiring managers envision you thriving at their business. Cite times when you helped restaurants improve efficiency, food quality, sanitation, customer service, guest reservations, or the bottom line.

For instance, maybe as a waiter, you used cross-selling methods to increase orders of desserts and appetizers. Or maybe, as a restaurant manager, you updated reservation systems to help reduce guests’ average wait time. Quantify each achievement in terms of a clear percentage or dollar amount if those figures are available.

Professional Experience Example

3. list your education and certifications relevant to restaurant work.

Give basic details on any degrees you’ve earned. Also, specify your college major, minor, or coursework if it was on a relevant topic like hospitality or culinary arts. These details can give you an edge by showing employers you have a strong knowledge base in your field. For the same reason, include any training or certifications you’ve earned that may be useful in your target restaurant job.

Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and certification details. Note, optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Degree Name — [Major, Minor], School Name, [City, ST or online] | [Year]
• [Select Coursework]

Certification

• Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
• [Description]

4. List your key restaurant skills and proficiencies

Add a key skills section to show the various ways you can help a restaurant deliver positive dining experiences. Feel free to include soft skills, technical skills, point-of-sale (POS) systems, or various types of cuisine as long as each item overlaps in some way with your target restaurant job.

Below are some common skills and keywords for restaurant resumes:

As with most vocations, restaurant workers should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward. Opt for a layout that lets the hiring manager quickly spot your best career details. Select a traditional resume font , and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design. Also, ensure the template complies with applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to screen resumes.

1. What are the most in-demand skills for restaurant work that should be featured on a candidate’s resume? -

The following hard and soft skills would be in demand on most restaurant candidate’s resumes.

Hard skills:

• Knowledge of all restaurant positions (culinary manager, hospitality manager, service manager)
• Financial management and budgeting
• Understanding of health and safety regulations
• Knowledge of food and beverage operations
• Inventory management
• Sales and marketing skills
• Understanding of POS systems
• Familiarity with restaurant industry trends
• Knowledge of labor laws
• Tech-savviness
• Understanding of restaurant KPIs
• Knowledge of menu engineering
• Data analysis skills
• Understanding of supply chain management
• Knowledge of wine and spirits
• Experience with event planning
• Ability to develop and implement marketing strategies
• Proficiency in a second language (optional but beneficial)
• Experience with employee scheduling
• Understanding of local food and drink regulations
• Experience with social media marketing
• Understanding of dietary restrictions and allergies

Soft skills:

• Excellent communication skills
• Leadership abilities
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Time management abilities
• Adaptability in various situations
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Creativity in problem-solving and innovation
• Passion for food and hospitality
• Ability to handle pressure and stress
• Strong customer service skills
• Conflict resolution abilities
• Decision-making skills
• Staff recruitment and training
• Attention to detail
• Negotiation skills
• Multi-tasking abilities
• Interpersonal skills
• Cultural awareness
• Project management skills
• Ability to uphold brand standards
• Ability to foster a positive work environment
• Listening skills
• Ability to implement and manage change
• Ability to motivate staff
• Ability to create and maintain relationships with vendors
• Strong work ethic
• Ability to cultivate a loyal customer base
• Ability to handle constructive criticism and feedback

2. What work experience and other accomplishments are hiring managers looking for in a restaurant employee? -

I would look for a proven track record in a similar role is essential. This includes experience in managing daily operations of a restaurant, dealing with staff, customers, and suppliers, and making sure the restaurant meets its profitability goals.

Also, exceptional customer service skills are a must. Restaurant managers need to ensure customer satisfaction by providing excellent food and service. Understanding of financial management is crucial. This includes managing budgets, controlling costs, and ensuring the restaurant's profitability.

Strong supervisory and leadership skills are required. This includes the ability to motivate and manage a team, resolve conflicts, and make important decisions. Additionally, an understanding of state and industry regulations is necessary to ensure compliance. Depending on the role, experience in developing and implementing menu items can be a valuable skill. This includes understanding customer preferences and current food trends.

For leadership roles, the ability to hire, train, and retain staff is crucial. This includes conducting interviews, providing training, and overseeing staff development. Also, experience in marketing the restaurant through various channels, including social media, is increasingly important. As technology evolves, being comfortable using restaurant management software and digital platforms for ordering, reservations, and customer feedback is becoming more important.

With the growing demand for sustainability, knowledge, and implementation of sustainable practices in the restaurant industry could be a plus.

3. What else besides a resume should a restaurant candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers? -

Candidates should articulate their management style and how it aligns with the restaurant's culture. This could be in the form of a written statement or during an interview. Also, showcase your leadership qualities, through examples of teams they've led, successful projects you’ve spearheaded, or your approach to team development and training. Provide a detailed account of their previous management experiences, including the size of the teams you’ve managed and the volume of business you’ve overseen. If possible share metrics around employee retention at past jobs.

Highlight specific accomplishments in your career. This can include instances where they have increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, or successfully managed a busy shift. Be ready to provide references from past employers, colleagues, or even subordinates. These references can provide insights into the candidate's work ethic, reliability, and effectiveness as a manager.

4. What advice would you give a restaurant candidate about their job search? -

In your resume and cover letter, emphasize your skills that align with the demands of a restaurant manager. Key skills often include team management, customer service, budgeting, marketing, and knowledge of food safety regulations. Demonstrating proficiency in using restaurant management software will also give you an edge.

To excel as a restaurant manager, you need to be a great communicator, a problem solver, and a high degree of adaptability. Providing examples of these qualities during your interview will prove advantageous.

Attend industry events, engage with online communities, and join professional hospitality associations to build your network. These connections can provide valuable insights and potential job opportunities. Staying up-to-date with industry trends will prepare you for your role and demonstrate your passion for the industry to potential employers. To stay informed, subscribe to industry publications, attend webinars, and follow influential figures in the hospitality sector on social media.

What are common action verbs for restaurant resumes? -

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs keep the hiring manager’s attention and show the varied nature of your experience. The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your restaurant resume:

How do you align your restaurant resume with a job posting? -

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that between 2022 and 2032, jobs for food preparation and serving will increase at the average rate for all U.S. jobs, with around 2.5 million openings per year. 

You can get more interviews in this growing industry if you tailor your resume for each application. Look at the job post and highlight words that are repeated, emphasized, or otherwise seem important. These key words can tell you what details you may want to feature in your resume profile or key skills sections (as long as they’re accurate to your experience).

Another great way to tailor your resume is by adding brief descriptions of the restaurants where you’ve worked, in [brackets] right next to or below the restaurant name. Restaurant descriptions let you show any similarities between your past employers and the one who posted the job. For example, maybe you’ve worked for restaurants of a similar size or cuisine. Or you might have worked at restaurants with a similar service model, such as family style, fast-casual, or fine dining. Working these details into your descriptions makes your resume more relevant to the job opening.

What is the best restaurant resume format? -

Most restaurant workers should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section and the functional format’s profile section. (The resume examples on this page all use combination format.) 

A combination resume offers the best of both worlds by fusing these two features. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you display your career highlights at the top, regardless of whether they’re from that work history or another part of your background. As a result, you can present yourself both clearly and strategically. With this format, you give hiring managers the best view of your experience and relevant strengths, so they can make an informed decision to call you for an interview.

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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