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• Resume and Cover Letter

Server Job Description

3 min read · Updated on September 03, 2019

In order to ensure your professional resume will support your goals, use this server job description to inform what you should highlight on your resume.

By reviewing job description examples, you'll be able to identify what technical and soft skills , credentials and work experience matter most to an employer in your target field.

Restaurant Servers are responsible for positive Guest interactions while serving Guests in a friendly and efficient manner and play an integral role in ensuring our customers have exceptional dining experiences. At all times, servers are expected to be attentive to our Guests' needs, making them feel welcome, comfortable, important and relaxed.

The right person will be passionate about food and service and thoroughly enjoy creating excellent experiences for our customers. The ideal candidate will have a friendly, outgoing disposition and previous experience working as a Server in a bustling, fast-paced restaurant setting.

Responsibilities:

Prepare room for dining by clothing tables and setting decorations, condiments, candles, napkins, service plates and utensils

Protect establishment and patrons by adhering to sanitation, safety and alcohol beverage control policies

Help patrons select food and beverages by presenting menu; offering cocktails; suggesting courses; explaining the chef's specialties; identifying appropriate wines; answering food preparation questions

Stay updated on current menu choices, specialties and menu deviations, knowing if the kitchen staff is running out of any items, etc.

Transmit orders to bar and kitchen by recording patrons' choices; identifying patrons' special dietary needs and special requests

Keep kitchen staff informed by noting timing of meal progression

Serve orders by picking up and delivering patrons' choices from bar and kitchen; deliver accompaniments and condiments from service bars

Respond to additional patron requirements by inquiring of needs; observing dining process

Maintain table setting by removing courses as completed; replenishing utensils; refilling water glasses; being alert to patron spills or other special needs

Properly open and pour wine at the tableside

Conclude dining experience by acknowledging choice of restaurant; inviting patrons to return

Obtain revenues by totaling charges; issuing bill; accepting payment; delivering bill and payment to host; returning change or credit card and signature slip to patrons

Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed

Provide welcoming phone greeting and following Guest ordering procedures

Convey menu information over the phone to Guests and give accurate estimate of delivery time

Perform basic cleaning tasks as needed or directed by supervisor

Fill in for absent staff as needed

Assist with special events as needed

Adhere to grooming and appearance standards consistently

Promptly address customer service issues and refer customers to management when necessary

Qualifications:

Previous serving experience required

Excellent oral communication skills required

Positive interpersonal skills required

Must speak English fluently and be able to write in basic English

Food Handlers Card OLCC Certification

Good telephone speaking and listening ability

Server top skills & proficiencies:

Knowledge of Food Service Regulations

Verbal and Written Communication

Flexibility

Customer Service

Resolve Conflict

Persistence

Energy Level

Selling to Customers Needs

Thoroughness

Professionalism

• Client Relationships

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Server Resume for 2024 - Example & Full Guide

As a server, you will need to greet and seat guests, memorize allergen information as well as specials, answer questions about the menu, and accurately take orders, among other things. 

Before you can do any of those things, however, you will need to land the job.

And the only way to do that is by writing a compelling server resume. That means that your resume should be formatted the right way, look professional, and show off all your skills and experience.

Now, if it’s been ages since you updated your resume (or it’s the first time you’re writing one) you might be feeling a bit out of your game.  

Well, worry not! In this guide, we’re going to teach you all you need to know to create a job-winning server resume. 

Here’s what the guide covers:

• Job-Winning Server Resume Example
• 8-Step Guide to Create a Compelling Server Resume
• Free Server Resume Template

And more! So let’s dive right in, starting with: 

Server Resume Example

This server resume example is one to follow. Here’s exactly what it does right:

• Uses the reverse-chronological resume format. The chronological format is the most popular resume format and the best choice for a server resume.
• Includes an impactful resume summary. Through a memorable resume summary, this server resume example can successfully convince any bar or restaurant manager to keep reading.
• Impresses the manager with achievement-oriented work experience. Achievements speak louder than responsibilities. That’s why this server resume example prioritizes them over responsibilities.
• Remembers to list certifications. Certificates prove an applicant is professionally qualified, which is why this server resume example lists the certifications that are relevant to the server position.
• Keeps the education section short. To work as a server, your education comes third to your experience and skills. This server resume example keeps it short and simple.
• Lists field-relevant skills. All the skills listed on this server resume example are relevant to the position and show the applicant is right for the job.
• Includes “Languages” as an extra section. Servers mainly work with people, so speaking foreign languages is a big advantage. That’s why this server resume example has included “Languages” as a separate section.
• Takes advantage of a resume template.  Instead of spending hours dealing with the resume layout and formatting, this applicant has used a free resume template .

Applying for a different position in the customer service industry? We've got a bunch more resume examples that can help you craft your perfect resume. Check some of them out below:

• Customer Service Resume
• Waiter Resume
• Barista Resume
• Bartender Resume
• Cashier Resume
• Bar and Restaurant Manager Resume
• Event Planner Resume
• Receptionist Resume
• Flight Attendant Resume

Ace Your Server Resume in 8 Simple Steps 

Was the server resume example above enough of an inspiration? 

Great, now it’s time to create yours!

Follow the 8 steps below to write your compelling server resume, starting with: 

#1. Format Your Server Resume Right

Before you can start working on your resume’s contents, you’ve got to first deal with the resume format and layout. 

Out of the three resume formats out there (chronological, functional , and combination ), we recommend that you use the chronological format (also known as reverse-chronological). 

It’s not only the most popular among recruiters worldwide, but it also highlights your most recent work experiences by listing them first. 

Here’s what the chronological format looks like:

Once that’s taken care of, you can start working on the layout of your server resume. This includes:

• Keep your resume length one page . Managers don’t have the time to read long resumes but instead prefer a resume that only includes the most relevant information. That’s why the optimal resume length is one page. 
• Clear section headers. Section headers are a good way to distinctly separate your resume’s sections from one another. 
• Professional font style. The font you end up using can either make your resume look professional or rushed. That’s why you should go for a casual but professional font like Times New Roman or Roboto. 
• Uniform font size. Keep the font size between 11 and 12 pts and make sure it stays the same throughout the resume.

Unless it is otherwise required in the job description, save your resume as a PDF file. That way, you can be sure it will remain the way you intended it despite the device or OS that opens it.

Or Use a Server Resume Template (And Start Filling in Your Contents Right Away)

The resume layout is important regardless of the job you’re applying to. 

However, it can take hours of tweaking and fixing the layout to get an end result that looks both professional and non-generic.

Well, that’s never the case if you use resume templates. 

On the contrary, you can skip all the formatting hassle and jump straight to filling in the contents AND get your resume to look modern, unique, and professional all at the same time.

All you have to do is pick one of Novorésumé's free, plug-and-play templates to get a gorgeous, ATS-friendly resume in no time! 

And the best part? Our resumes look absolutely gorgeous: 

#2. List Your Contact Details

As you can probably imagine, this is the most straightforward section in any resume. 

For the bar or restaurant manager to get in touch with you, at the top of your resume include:

• Full name. 
• Professional title.
• Email address. 
• Phone number. 
• Location (city and state/country)

Here’s an example of a server’s contact information section:

Justin Doe Restaurant Server

[email protected] 123-123-2222 New York, NY

Remember though, before rushing to fill in the rest of your resume’s contents, double-check your contact details for typos or mistakes. 

You don’t want the restaurant/bar manager to be unable to contact you because of a typo in your phone number! 

#3. Write an Impressive Resume Summary/Objective 

The resume profile is a 2-3 sentence long paragraph that goes at the top of your resume and aims to convince the restaurant/bar manager they should consider you as an applicant from the get-go. 

Now, depending on your level of experience, your can shape up your resume profile as:

A resume summary , which includes your work experience , skills , and 1-2 of your top achievements to date. If you have years of experience to show for, you should definitely opt for the resume summary.

Positive and friendly Restaurant Server with 4+ of experience working in a fast-paced food preparation environment. Proven people skills as a successful bartender with the highest customer satisfaction among the bar’s staff. Certified food manager.

A resume objective , on the other hand, focuses on your professional goals, the reasons you want to work as a server, and how your skills and background make you the right fit. An objective is better for younger candidates lacking in work experience.

Outgoing and friendly university junior looking for a part-time job as a server. Proven time-management skills and attention to detail as a student with excellent academic results. Speaks Spanish fluently and has previous experience serving tables as a teen. 

#4. Make The Most Out of Your Work Experience Section 

At the end of the day, it’s your hands-on experience as a server that speaks best about you as a candidate and that can help you stand out from other candidates. 

That said, the first thing to do when writing this section is format it the right way, which includes:

• Start with your current/most recent work experience and go backward in time. Keep your work entries relevant though - the restaurant/bar manager won’t really care about your work in summer camp from your teenage years. 
• Build each entry by putting your professional title first, followed by the company’s/restaurant’s name and location, as well as the time period you worked there. 
• List 3-5 job responsibilities and achievements (if applicable) in bullet points. For older jobs, you can list 1-2 bullet points under each. 

Now, if you’ve worked as a server for some time now, chances are you have a couple of achievements to flaunt. 

Take some time to think it through and, if you think of any noteworthy achievements, make sure to prioritize them over your responsibilities - after all, those are the same for all applicants.

Here’s an example of an achievement-oriented work experience section as opposed to one that’s not: 

• Boosted diner’s earnings by 20% by designing decorative and welcoming window displays.
• Trained 5 new staff members and created a new hire onboarding process.
• Made window displays
• Motivated other employees

If you can’t think of any achievements, though, don’t fret! Thoroughly listing your responsibilities can also land you the job - especially if you use action verbs and power words to make them pop out. 

Are you building a resume with no work experience to apply for an entry-level position? Head over to our guide to learn how to write one effectively. 

#5. Add Your Education 

Serving at a bar or restaurant doesn’t require any formal education, but you should nonetheless include your education background on your resume. 

Here’s how to include your education history the right way: 

• List your latest (and highest) degree first. 
• Start off with the degree name, institution name, and location, and the years attended.
• Feel free to skip your high school information if you have a Bachelor’s Degree.

Here’s how the education section of your server resume should look like:

Saratoga High School Saratoga, CA 2016-2020

#6. Include In-Demand Skills

A bar or restaurant manager looking for a server will be interested in your skillset and ability to learn the ins and outs of the job as fast as possible. That’s exactly why the skills section of your server resume should shine.  

To make the most out of the section, however, you shouldn’t list every skill you have with the hopes it makes you look good. 

For sure, knowing Adobe Illustrator is great, but it won’t help you much as a server.

What you should do instead is to check the server skills listed below and include the ones that you possess in your server resume. 

Then, check the job ad and see what skills the position requires. If you’ve missed any skills that you have, add them to your resume too. 

This way, your server resume will be as relevant as it gets. 

20 Soft and Hard Skills to Include in Your Server Resume 

Server soft skills.

• Communication
• Organization
• Customer service
• Physical stamina
• Neat appearance
• Memory for patrons and their orders
• Conflict resolution
• Ability to keep up in a fast-paced environment
• Legible handwriting
• Cleanliness
• Time management

Server Hard Skills 

• Computer skills
• Point of sale systems/cash register
• Knowledge of wine pairings and alcohol in general
• Basic math skills
• Knowledge of restaurant machinery

#7. Include These Extra Sections 

If, at this point, your server resume is already one page, you can call it a day - the resume is done!

However, if you have some space left (e.g. if you’re lacking work experience), you can take advantage of these extra sections: 

• Certifications. Are you certified in food safety or customer service? Any type of certification that’s relevant to serving will help you stand out from other applicants applying for the job. 
• Languages. Foreign languages are an asset for most jobs and especially so for those that are centered around people and customer service. 
• Volunteer experience. Did you volunteer in your community’s homeless shelter or help out in your family’s diner? Your volunteering can show you are experienced (even if you haven’t worked in the past) and that you care about giving back to the community. Bonus points if your volunteering is related to serving or customer service.    
• Hobbies and interests.   Show the restaurant or bar manager who you are outside of work - it may turn out you even share similar interests and help you establish rapport. 

Here’s a concrete example of how these extra sections should look in a server resume:

Certifications

NZSFW Food Safety Certificate (2015)

• French (Intermediate)
• Italian (Fluent)

Hobbies and Interests

#8. Attach a Server Cover Letter to Your Resume 

Last but not least, you should write a cover letter and include it in your application package. 

A cover letter does the following two things: 

• Summarizes your most important skills and experiences and allows you to elaborate on them (e.g. how you achieved them, what you learned, or how they will be of help in this job). 
• Explains certain things a resume cannot (e.g. employment gaps, motivation to work in that position, etc). 

Here’s what you should do to write a cover letter that’s just as good as your server resume:

• If you know the name of the manager in the bar or restaurant you’re applying to, address the cover letter directly to them, instead of using the overly popular and impersonal “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.”
• Start your cover letter by introducing yourself and mentioning your 2 top skills or achievements. 
• In the body of your cover letter talk in detail about your skills, experiences, and achievements. This part is also where you can explain anything you didn’t have the chance to in your resume.
• End your cover letter with a call to action that will urge the manager to call you for an interview.
• Avoid any mistakes by reading our article on the most common cover letter mistakes .

Want your cover letter to be on the same level as your resume? Use one of Novorésumé’s cover letter templates !

Key Takeaways  

By now, you should be ready to write a killer server resume and land the job. Before you leave, though, here are the main points we covered in this article:

• Use the reverse-chronological format for your server resume - it’s what managers know and love. 
• Write an appealing resume summary or objective to get the manager hooked on reading more. 
• Use action verbs and power words to highlight your achievements and responsibilities. 
• Add extra sections like “Languages” and “Certifications” to set yourself apart from the competition. 
• Attach a cover letter to your server resume. 

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• Job Descriptions
• Hospitality and Tourism Job Descriptions

Server Job Description

A restaurant server takes orders, answers questions about the menu and food, sells the restaurant's food and drinks, takes payment, communicates orders with the kitchen staff, seats customers, and helps with customer service and cleaning. Also known as a waiter or waitress.

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Server Job Description Template

We are looking for a server who will be responsible for taking orders from and serving food to customers. Duties will mostly include taking food and drink orders and writing them down on order slips, and ensuring that tables are served properly and that all payments are collected.

To succeed in this role, you will need to have a positive attitude and the ability to work well under pressure with bussers, cooks, and other staff. Previous work experience involving customer service in a fast-paced environment is greatly desired.

Server Responsibilities:

• Take food and drink orders from customers accurately and with a positive attitude.
• Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
• Engage with customers in a friendly manner.
• Knowledge of the menu, with the ability to make suggestions.
• Ensure tables are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
• Collect payments from tables.
• Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
• Help food preparation staff when necessary.

Server Requirements:

• Experience providing excellent customer service in a fast-paced environment.
• A positive attitude and ability to work well under pressure with bussers, cooks, and other staff.
• Able to perform high-quality work while unsupervised.
• Able to handle money accurately and operate a point-of-sale system.
• High school diploma.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment and deliver orders in a timely manner.

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Dishwasher job description, busboy job description, restaurant cook job description, dishwasher interview questions, busboy interview questions, barback interview questions.

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3 Server Job Description Templates & Guide for 2024

• Server Job Description
• Fine Dining Server Job Description
• Experienced Server Job Description
• Write a Server Job Description

Restaurant servers, also called waiters or waitresses, are the face of a restaurant or bar. Their job is to attend to patrons and provide high-quality, friendly service to ensure a pleasant experience. Finding the perfect server can seem like a tall order. You want someone who’s well-organized, personable, trustworthy, and hard-working, but they also need to be closely attuned to your customers’ needs. 

Sound difficult? It’s not as hard as you may think! In this guide, we’ll clue you in on everything you need to know to create the perfect restaurant server job description, starting with three sample job description templates. You’ll begin receiving high quality  server resumes  before you know it.

Server Job Description Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

Google Docs

Fine Dining Server Job Description Example

Experienced Server Job Description Example

Write a Server Job Description That Will Serve You Well 

When looking for a server, you’re probably on the hunt for someone that’s friendly, customer-oriented, and great with people. After all, they’ll be the face of your company. But in the same way your future server will represent you, your job descriptions will represent your restaurant to your future employee. So what does that mean for you? 

Basically, you want to have a job description that’s just as engaging as your future server! That means you can’t be vague or generic, and you also can’t wax poetic for two or three pages. Easier said than done, right? 

We’ve seen way too many job descriptions that just list the responsibilities with no info on the restaurant, and some that literally just say “Restaurant Server wanted” without any clear contact info! It might feel difficult to strike the line between just enough and completely overboard, so here are some tips on how to find that perfect balance.

So, why do you need a server anyway?

Here’s a golden tip on how you can start to structure your restaurant server job description: are you focusing on  why y ou’re actually hiring for the position? For example, does your cafe need better quality staff? Is your restaurant or catering business growing and becoming more than your staff can currently handle? 

Make it clear upfront why you need a new server to allow potential candidates to assess if this job could be a great fit for them.

Equally important is writing your job description in a way that reflects the values and qualities you want to see in your future hires. If you’re looking for a restaurant server, you’ll be looking for someone who’s got excellent customer service skills, a sharp memory, and is a team player. How does your job description convey that?

• If you’re looking for someone with great customer service skills, do you mention the need for a customer-first mindset in the job description? Do you clearly emphasize that your organization offers a great customer experience? 
• If you need someone with a sharp memory, do you make it clear that active listening is required? Do you highlight the importance of taking orders accurately? 
• Should you need a team player, have you included needed soft skills like great communication? Does your About Us section showcase that your restaurant is a team? Do you offer any benefits that show how you care about your team?

If you spend a few extra minutes to really infuse your company’s unique perspective and tone of voice, you’ll be well on your way to writing a server job description that connects with your audience.

Edit for a job description that hits the spot

The first draft of your job description rarely hits all the right notes; it’s editing that really takes your job description to the next level.

Once you’ve included the minimum requirements like your about us section, requirements, and qualifications (more on that later), make sure that only what’s essential is there. A good rule of thumb is to keep it to around 500 words (after all,  concise writing  keeps the reader’s attention and sticks in their brain longer).

After you’ve cut out the fluff, check it for grammar and spelling. Also, keep an eye on the overall flow and tone: does each paragraph stick to one main idea? Does the whole server job description read smoothly? If it doesn’t, make changes until it sounds natural.

Finally, have a second pair of eyes check the text (ideally someone within the food service industry). Once that’s done, check for any formatting issues and then publish it online. Let the server resumes start rolling in!

A Server Job Description Outline to Stir You

Feel like you know what needs to go into your job description, but no idea how to structure it or get started? Follow our tried-and-true outline, and you’ll be done in a jiffy!

Job details

First off, provide a quick intro about your restaurant or bar. Don’t give too many details, but provide just enough to entice readers to give the job a chance. Try to answer questions like why you’re hiring, who they’ll be working with, and when are you looking for a server to start.

About the company

Last but not least, include a “behind the curtains” peek into your organization. Don’t give them your entire history, though. Simply explain a bit about who you are and what’s important to you, like your values, mission, and vision.

What you’ll be doing

While many server tasks are common within the field, it’s still important to list the most important ones your future server will be doing on a daily basis. Alternatively, use this section to highlight what’s unique about the role. 

We’d recommend using bullet points (like we did below) so it’s easier for readers to quickly skim through this section.

• Provide excellent table service and meet all guests’ expectations, answering any questions needed 
• Perform side work and close-out duties on a rotating basis
• Understand the menu (pairings, preparation, cooking, methods, etc) to guide clientele

Qualifications

Candidates use this section to determine if they have a shot at getting the server position. While it’s important to list the necessary qualifications, avoid the urge to include every possible hard or soft skill the ideal candidate should have. 

Many skills can be learned on the job, so only include what’s absolutely necessary to have from the get-go.

• 3-5 years experience in fine dining 
• Strong communication skills (French, German, or Russian a plus)
• Can carry up to 50 pounds
• Retail Food Program Service certification required

It’s important to reward and recognize the hard work of your employees, but don’t make promises you can’t keep. Be honest about the benefits you offer, like insurance or PTO, and include a salary range so potential candidates can quickly determine if it’s a good match for their needs. Add any other benefits that will make you stand out from the competition, too, like gym memberships or paid company trips.

What Are Servers in Charge of Anyway?

Most servers will need to juggle many hats as they perform various tasks at a restaurant, cafe, or bar. While servers won’t hold every role listed below in one given day, you can use the below examples to include some potential roles for your restaurant server job description. 

Customer service

• Receive and greet guests, checking tables to ensure guest satisfaction and maintaining all sanitary standards, while also resolving any guest issues and answering questions
• This role requires strong interpersonal skills, a customer-first mindset, great verbal communication skills, and a friendly demeanor.

Salesperson

• Take orders and serve food and beverages to guests, upselling when possible
• This role requires a deep understanding of our menu and products, excellent negotiation tactics, strong verbal communication skills, and an attentive eye for detail to determine what customers might like.

Conflict resolver/problem solver

• Resolve any issues that may arise with customers and find a satisfactory outcome, transferring to the manager on duty if necessary
• This position requires excellent conflict resolution skills, patience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Administration/bookkeeping

• Perform additional duties on a rotating basis as needed, including but not limited to attending company meetings and checking inventory
• The role requires strong attention to detail, math skills, and excellent written communication skills.

Food & wine expert

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the menu (pairings, preparation, allergens, etc.) to answer customer questions and provide recommendations
• The role requires a strong passion for food and drink, some wine knowledge, and excellent verbal communication and sales skills.