Waitresses and waiters, also known as servers or wait staff, work directly with customers in the food industry. To procure a job in this field, a server resume is required.
Should a resume for a server differ from a standard resume? In this article, we demonstrate the difference between the two. Those looking for a server job should contact their local job agency for assistance in finding a job in the restaurant industry.
Tips for Composing Server Resume
Contact Information
The contact information section for a server skills resume should include your full name, phone number, and email address. Including your full address on this type of resume is unnecessary. In most cases, the town in which you reside is enough information.
Summary Section
Every resume contains a summary of your relevant job skills, education, and other details highlighting you as a server. The hiring manager uses the summary section to determine whether they will pursue your resume. Keep the summary section short but detailed, including only information relevant to the job in question.
List Only Relevant Server Experience
For a server resume, only include those skills pertaining to the job. For the most part, a formal degree is not required for a server job. However, some employers require that their servers possess a current food and alcohol service certification. As well, some will request that you obtain these certifications once hired. In order to stand out from other candidates, ideally, already possessing these certifications is preferable. Include all relevant server experience as well as any contributions and special achievements. Those with no server experience should list any customer service skills or experience.
Include Soft Skills
Soft skills include those behaviors and/or aptitudes which concise with how you work. These include skills such as listening skills, verbal skills, and time management. In other words, these skills show how you interact with others. Servers require great patience, the ability to read people, and conflict resolution. Include these on your resume for a job in the food industry.
List Hard Skills
Hard skills include those acquired through training. For a server, they will include the ability to operate a POS system (Point of Sales). Also included are food safety and alcoholic beverages serving and licensing courses. If you possess any management training or experience, include it in this section.
Quantify Your Experience
To improve the impact of your server resume, include data such as quantifying numbers. This highlights your achievements and sets you apart from other candidates for the job.
Example: Managed a team of 15 waitstaff employees
Use Keywords Related to the Job
Employers often have to sift through hundreds of resumes in today’s workforce. Using keywords helps your resume stand out from the rest. Some keywords that will help a resume for a server include the following:
- Waitress
- Waiter
- Hostess
- Hospitality Industry
- Server
- Head Waiter/Waitress
- Shift Manager
- Customer Services
- POS experience
- Restaurant Management
- And so on
Incorporating these terms help make you sever resume stand out from the dozens of others applying for the same position. Use keywords associated with the job in question, which means tweaking your resume slightly for each job. While it seems tedious, this works in your favor. Employers look for those who pay close attention to detail and that take the time to tailor their resume to the job in question.
Contact Team Global / MSM should you require more help with your server resume. We work hard to find you the right job and work with you every step of the way.