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12 Server Resume Examples for 2024

• Server Resumes
• Server Resumes by Experience
• Specialized Server Resumes

Writing Your Server Resume

Server resume faqs.

Good news: you’ve found a server job opening, and you can’t wait to apply!

Bad news: in response to the  server job description , you have to write a resume so you can apply.

Does this sound familiar? When  crafting your resume or making a cover letter , we know that nothing is more intimidating than staring at a blank screen. It’s why we want to help you  create a server resume that will land you a job in 2024 .

Our twelve server resume samples are proven to help servers land jobs, so they’re the perfect launching pad for your server resume!

Server Resume

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• This is also a great place to put metrics related to sales. Did your ability to cross-sell result in higher tips? List how much your tip percentage rose. How often did customers purchase high-profit margin items after your recommendations? These are just a few examples of the metrics and sales experience you can add to your server resume.
• The  skills section on your resume  should include both hard and soft skills based on the  server job description . Try to include no more than eight skills to avoid overwhelming the reader.

Restaurant Server Resume

• For example, remember that you can skip the resume objective unless you’re new to the industry. You can also consider changing formats based on your experience.
• Demonstrating your focus on customer experience (with skills like “customer service” and “verbal communication”) can increase your chances of being called for an interview.

Server Bartender Resume

• For example, if the job description mentions they want a server bartender who provides accurate service, mention you have experience doing exactly that in your objective.
• If you don’t have time to tailor your objective, leave it out to include more work experience instead.
• When applying for a dual role like a server bartender, you need to demonstrate on your resume you have expertise in both areas. If the role you’re applying for has a stronger emphasis on one of these roles, then so too, should your resume.

Server Assistant Resume

• Like Aurora flaunts a ServSafe certification as a busser, your server assistant resume can use such a genius strategy to give you an edge over other applicants.

Lead Server Resume

• Nothing damages a restaurant’s reputation like foodborne illness. Got a ServSafe certification to minimize the risk of mishandled meals? Make sure hiring managers see it on your lead server resume.

Experienced Server Resume

• For example, saying you led close-out processes and trained other servers are great ways to showcase your leadership ability.
• Formatting your resume  properly means choosing the best layout and adding some of your personality through stylistic elements (for example, your contact header is a great way to add a pop of color).

Cocktail Server Resume

• Showing that you earned a degree from a top culinary institution, like Johnson & Wales, or a service certification, like the Responsible Beverage Server (RBS), will instantly make you a more serious candidate.

Fine Dining Server Resume

• You can help create the right “resume atmosphere” by using a  resume template  to structure your experience according to industry standards.
• As such, be sure to talk about your experience working as part of a team, especially if you’ve worked with a renowned chef.

Banquet Server Resume

• Luckily, there are quite a few  resume tips  you can use to make your resume a cut above the rest, such as skipping the objective/summary and proofreading your document  multiple  times. With just a bit of research, you can make your resume much more appealing!
• For example, by mentioning your success at upselling high-margin items, you can show future employers that you care about sales and can increase their revenue.

High End Server Resume

• Your highlighted bullet points should showcase you increasing sales, bolstering customer satisfaction, and perhaps reducing waste, as evidenced by statements like “a 31% increase in positive reviews” and “boosting sales by an average of $2,652 per month.”

Bottle Server Resume

• You could talk about reducing ordering errors by particular percentage, slashing wait times by specific minutes, or bolstering sales or inventory cost savings by a certain dollar amount. Even better, include an estimate of the number of patrons you served at a specific establishment.

Event Server Resume

• Even if your accomplishments were all in the  server job description , you can demonstrate your abilities by quantifying your results with percentages and numbers. 
• Beyond serving tables, how did you go above and beyond? Did you increase revenue through successful upselling? Did you collaborate with co-workers to increase serving efficiency or develop something new?
• You can make sure your resume makes the cut by using a  resume template , or at the very least, ensuring your styling choices are consistent for each header and section.

Related resume guides

• Restaurant Manager

Servers can find employment in different types of restaurant environments, from casual eateries to fine dining establishments. Servers do more than just serve food—they can also have experience as bartenders, cashiers, hostesses, or other front-of-house positions. Many restaurant servers also have prior experience in sales roles or back-of-house positions, such as prep or line cook. 

Building a professional resume  is a surefire way to make sure employers notice you. Your resume will be ready to make its debut on your next job application when:

• You showcase relevant skills
• You adhere to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) standards
• You’ve quantified your impact across work experiences
• You’ve customized your resume for each server job you apply to (after all, a Michelin Star restaurant will look for different qualifications than a laid-back pub)

Tip 1: Showcase your server skills

Did you know that it’s not uncommon for a single job posting to get 200+ applicants? Unfortunately, this often leaves hiring managers overwhelmed and unable to spend significant time reviewing each candidate. As a result, companies turn to recruiters and applicant tracking system (ATS) software to do some of the initial work. 

Recruiters and ATS usually work hand-in-hand to sort through candidates. Recruiters are human resources (HR) workers skilled at attracting applicants, screening resumes, and conducting interviews alongside hiring managers. Recruiters configure ATS software to scan for select keywords in your resume. If there aren’t enough keyword matches, ATS will automatically remove the resume from the pool of applicants, thus reducing the overall workload for the hiring team. 

The downside to ATS is that it can overlook even the best applicants  if they don’t have enough matching keywords in their resumes . Fortunately, once you know how to beat the ATS, you can rest assured that a person will review your application. 

How do you do this? 

The number one way to make it through ATS screening is to include a  resume skills section . The keywords that recruiters program ATS to recognize are the most relevant skills for that specific server job. ATS scans your resume to determine whether your skillset is a match, so carefully curated skills sections help you ensure you have enough matching skills. 

The real challenge is deciding what skills to include. Luckily, the  server job description  itself should offer up key job skills you can use.

Take a look at these server-specific skills a:

• Knowledge of Food Service Regulations
• Central Reservations Systems 
• Bilingual 
• Wine/beer/cocktail Education
• Billing, Receipts, and Cash Register Operation
• Memorization
• Negotiation
• POS Systems

Possibly, your skills section could look like this: 

Tip 2: Ensure your server resume format is correct

Not to be dramatic, but resume format is  everything . If your resume isn’t formatted well, employers will have a difficult time reading it. Plus, ATS won’t be able to properly scan your resume (meaning it may never be viewed by recruiters).

The  best resume format  is one that’s easy to read, flows logically, and is ATS-friendly. We recommend you format your server resume in  reverse-chronological order  with your most recent job experience listed at the top of the page. Here are some other essential formatting tips for making sure your resume is easy to read and passes ATS software:

• Resume length:  Keep your resume to one full page as possible. Play around with appropriate header/body fonts, header/body text size, and margins to hit the bottom of the page. Put your contact information at the top so it’s easy to see.
• Bullet points:  Using bullet points makes your resume look less intimidating and dense.
• Icons and images:  Don’t use them. ATS software doesn’t handle icons and imagery well, plus there’s not much reason or need to include them on your resume when the focus should be your content.
• The title of the job position you’re seeking:  Taking steps to customize your resume for every job you apply to shows recruiters you care about the job.
• Error-free:  There’s nothing worse than listing something like “attemrion too detail.” You’re asking a potential employer to hire you, so be professional and  proofread your resume .
• Use a resume objective/summary (if needed):  You won’t always need an objective or summary, but if you do incorporate this section, you’ll want to make sure to customize it (more on this below).

In the contact header, you should list your name, your desired role, and contact information like your email address, phone number, location, and LinkedIn profile.

Server resume objective

Many applicants report confusion about what  resume objectives  are and when they’re needed.  Resume summaries  are also an option, so how are you supposed to know which to use?

Both objectives and summaries are short paragraphs that can be included to enhance some resumes. However, there are a few key differences:

Resume objectives are two-to-three-sentence paragraphs highly specific to each job for which you apply. A thoughtful objective should include:

• Your experience and the job title you’re seeking
• The name of the company you’re applying to, and 
• One to three specific skills that you bring that will contribute to operations.

A resume objective is appropriate for your resume if: 

• You’re making a significant career transition (ex: from working as a sales associate to working as a server), or
• you’re an entry-level worker with minimal restaurant work experience. 

To better understand when you’d want to include an objective, let’s go over two examples. First, here’s a generic, uninformative objective: 

Looking for a restaurant job where my skills would help advance the work environment, and I can grow my career. 

• Why this doesn’t work:  This resume objective doesn’t specify a specific job title, a restaurant, any relevant skills, or how the applicant would positively contribute to the restaurant. 

Now, compare this objective with the poor one above: 

Observant, disciplined, and energetic high school graduate seeking a restaurant server position at Red Robin. My can-do attitude and amiable personality will serve dine-in customers well, keeping happy diners returning and expanding the customer base with professional service. 

• Why this works:  This resume objective is specific. This entry-level candidate clearly articulates skills and how employment would benefit the restaurant—despite not having job experience as a server. 

Alternatively, a resume summary provides a short overview of your job history and skillset in two to three sentences. A summary is best-suited for restaurant servers who have years of industry experience because it allows them to pull from a lot of information to provide recruiters with key information and core competencies. 

However, if you write a summary like this, you’re likely to end up in the reject pile: 

With lots of years of experience, my skills make me the perfect candidate for the position.

• Why this doesn’t work:  Just like the example of the poor objective, there’s nothing specific here either. It’s vague, underwhelming, and honestly makes us wonder whether the applicant even wants a job.

This job-specific resume summary, however, is likely to snag the attention of hiring managers: 

Welcoming and thoughtful server with 12+ years of front-of-house experience at local dining establishments. Throughout my career, I have sought to ensure customers return again and again. Eager to build rapport with regulars and establish relationships with new diners with the utmost care and attention at Glenwood Eatery. 

• Why this works:  This resume summary is highly specific. It specifies a job title, the number of years of relevant experience, skills, the restaurant name, and how employment would benefit the restaurant. 

Tip 3: Use numbers to quantify your impact as a server

A great resume is not just a summary of job titles, descriptions, and responsibilities. To set yourself apart from the competition,  you’ll need to highlight  how  you bring value to the restaurant . You can do this by  showing  rather than  telling  recruiters about your achievements and value. 

By using quantifiable metrics (numbers), you can demonstrate your impact at previous jobs without rambling about your responsibilities. Furthermore, centering your work experience around numbers will help ensure that each bullet point provides recruiters with clear and concrete evidence that you’re an asset to the service industry. 

Now that you know why it’s important to include quantifiable metrics, let’s examine a few ways to leverage metrics on your server resume:

• Customer satisfaction:  Can you think of any regulars who came back because of the experience you provide? Did you get exceptionally large tips? Have customers specifically mentioned you in positive restaurant reviews? 
• Speed of service:  How many tables per hour have you served? How long did it take you, on average, between seating a table and taking orders during peak operation hours? How often did you check on tables?
• Memory:  Did you have the menu memorized? Could you advise guests on any number of dietary restrictions? How many orders did you take at any given table without error?
• Sales:  Were your order sizes, on average, larger than sales targets per customer? Were check sizes larger than targets? What percent of customers ordered drinks?

Check out a few concrete examples of some server bullet points that successfully incorporate some of these metrics: 

• This bullet point includes two metrics that demonstrate memory retention and attention to detail.
• This bullet point uses a percentage to back up sales performance. 
• This number emphasizes service speed and customer service skills during prime operational hours. 

Tip 4: Hand-tailor your resume for each server job

We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again:  you must customize your resume for each job application . Tailoring your resume for each job will demonstrate three things to recruiters:

1. You’re committed to the job

2. You’re serious about the application process

3. You respect employers’ time.

Fortunately, you don’t need to start from scratch each time you apply for a job. That would be both depressing and time-consuming! Instead, focus your attention on these three areas:

• Resume objective/summary:  If including this section, state the company name, the specific job title you’re applying to, and skills unique to this role.
• Skills section:  Read the  server job description . Oftentimes, recruiters will give you hints (or overtly list) on what the most critical skills are for this server position.
• Work experience bullet points:  Again, look at the job description. Is teamwork emphasized? Is the job in a fast-paced environment? Think about how you can shift your bullet points (and metrics) to meet the needs of this work environment. 

Before we examine a few types of server resumes and how they can be customized for any job, take this bonus tip:

Have a folder on your computer where you can save an expanded bulleted list of your work experience, skills, and skeletons for resume objectives/summaries. Then, pull what works from this list to  build a truly customized resume  for your next job application. 

Server resume 

• Your server resume should ideally include two to three server positions, but you can include relevant job titles like back-of-house restaurant positions, bartending, hosting, or runner/busser positions. 
• Emphasize skills like customer relations, sales performance, and multitasking. 

Restaurant server resume 

• By contrast, a server job where you’re not waiting on tables may emphasize just how quickly you get food out. A sit-down restaurant server resume should highlight building customer relationships throughout the meal service. 

Server bartender resume 

• If you’re applying to work as a server bartender, you should emphasize your drink-making knowledge (such as the number of cocktails you can prepare) and your ability to accurately dispense any type of alcohol (over or under pouring is no good when it comes to a good cocktail).
• You may also want to present knowledge about profit margins and sales (like upselling and cross-selling).

Experienced server resume 

• Format your resume  in reverse-chronological order.
• Include recent leadership experience (such as mentorship and training for junior servers or collaborating in server interviews).
• Include a tailored summary at the top of your resume.

Fine dining server resume 

• At a fine dining restaurant, most recruiters are interested in providing diners with a personalized and luxurious experience. 
• Wine pairing knowledge
• Cross-selling and up-selling abilities for high-margin items
• Memory retention concerning prix fixe menu items, such as dish origin/backstory, ingredients, and specifics on dish preparation

Think about the specific server role you’re applying for when writing your server resume. If you’re hoping to bartend, what you write in your resume should be different than what you’d write if you’re applying for a fine dining server position.

Write about specific past experiences and successes that prove you’re the right candidate for this job. So, in the event you’re applying as a server bartender, you’d want to write your resume’s job description bullet points around your knowledge of mixology as well as your attentive care and food recommendations to guests. And be sure to expound on those achievements with a story-telling approach in your server cover letter .

It’s pretty common knowledge that servers should have exceptional customer service skills and be attentive to the details, but beyond that, there are some other important skills you might consider including if applicable to the particular business you’re applying to (and if you can honestly say you rock these skills!):

◉ Math: Some customers pay in cash and lots of customers leave tips in cash. The ability to count back change is a dying skill, but it’s one that will make you quicker on your feet in peak hours! ◉ Memorization: Not only will you need a strong knowledge of the menu, but you may also need to learn weekly specials, ingredients, and—in some cases—the history and origins of the food. ◉ POS software: Jotting down diners’ orders is quite soon to be history. Most places log orders through software and if you’ve used any type of this technology before, you’ll have a leg up. ◉ Bilingual: Your ability to communicate in another language is a skill you should advertise proudly! Any restaurant, bar, or event business will be excited to see this skill.

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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

Related Articles:

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

Why a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful Resume

Software Developer Top Needed Skills

See how your resume stacks up.

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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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Click here to directly go to the complete server resume sample.

According to Study.com, approximately 2.5 million job positions were occupied by servers , in which, part-time employment was common. Server jobs are predicted to grow opto 3% in the next six years.

Creating a Server resume can be hard.

We know this because we have had hundreds of clients who had a lot of questions on what skills and achievements to showcase in their Server resume.

Thanks to our reasearch, our experts have finally nailed the art of creating the perfect server resume with details on resume sections including the objective, summary, experience, skills, achievements, etc.

Moreover, be it a fine dining server resume or a sushi server resume, we have collated all the answers in this in-depth guide along with real restaurant server resume examples.

After reading our 2022 Guide on Restaurant Server Resume, you'll be able to answer:

• What should a server put on resume?
• Identify the right skills to put in your food server resume key skills section.
• How to make a server resume with no experience?
• How to craft server resume summary section?
• How to create the professional experience section?

When it comes to qualification for this position, a degree is not required as the employees are taught in the training process itself about the nuances of this profile. However, those who want to pursue a degree for this field can opt for a degree program in food services or restaurant operations.

Server Job Description For Server Resume

To create a professional server resume, you need to first understand the job description for a server. The server job description for the server resume includes the following:

• Answering the customer's questions related to the special item of the day, ingredients used, and food preparation in case of daily changing menus.
• Processing Payments
• Cleaning dining area and tables
• Greeting customers
• Setting tables
• Solving customers problems and complaints
• Keeping kitchen staff informed on meal progression by noting the time
• Refilling food and water glasses
• Being attentive towards special needs of the customers
• Give proper information about menu over phone orders and provide an accurate estimated delivery time

What should a Server put on Resume?

An ideal server resume should have the following sections, these can be edited based on your qualifications and job requirements.

• Personal Information
• Professional Experience
• Certifications
• Awards and Recognition

Hiration Pro-Tip: Use the reverse chronological order to write your restaurant server resume. In this format of server resume making, the most recent information in terms of date is written first. Then the second most recent and so on.

Writing Server Resume Header

So, now you must be thinking: What is a restaurant server resume header ?

The header is the very first section in the server resume. This section consists of only one thing, and that is your name. Are you wondering what is so important about this section?

It is important because it differentiates your restaurant server resume from other server resumes. The header should be the largest text in your resume. The ideal point size for writing the header is between 14-16 font size. And of the most important things in the header is the correct spacing in the name.

People with a middle name tend to make the most errors while writing the header. So, here's the correct way to write it: 'Justin R. Timberlake'. Write only the first initial of your name and then put a full-stop after it.

Server Resume Header Sample

Personal Information Section In Your Server Resume

The section of personal information comes second in the server resume. It includes your personal information like your personal mobile number, your personal e-mail ID along with the current location of residence.

Personal Mobile Number

• Write only one number which you're available on 24x7
• Add the International Subscriber Dialing (ISD) code of your country followed by a plus sign (+)
• Give a single space after the ISD code and then write your mobile number
• Then within the mobile number, give a single space after the first five digits

Personal E-mail ID

The second thing to write in your include in this section is the e-mail ID.

Do not write e-mail ID names like '[email protected]' as they are taken to be very unprofessional. So, make sure you use an e-mail ID name that is professional and at the same time ideal for writing in a server resume.

For example: '[email protected]' looks professional and is suitable to be included in a restaurant server resume.

You can also provide hyperlinks to other social media sites at this point, but only if they are relevant to your profile and are on the same page in terms of information.

They should be updated properly with the information regarding your professional experience, and this implies especially for professional social media sites like LinkedIn.

Hiration Pro-Tip: When providing links to your social media handles, do not write the whole link. Just give the hyperlink for them.

Also, if you have any portfolios and personal websites, then you can provide their hyperlink as well in the professional information section.

Current Location

The third thing to include in the personal information section is the current location.

If you're living in a city that's not your home town, then write the current location where you're living and not the city which is your home town.

Do not write the complete address as again, it will take up unnecessary space in the server resume and at the same time.

Server Resume Sample for Personal Information Section

Also Read: Things to avoid while writing the contact information section

Customizing Server Resume Profile Title

To let the recruiter know for which profile you're applying for, adding a profile title is important.

For example: Restaurant Server, Cocktail Server, Senior Restaurant Server, etc.

It is of utmost importance to write the profile title so that as soon as the recruiter sees your server resume, he's able to make the decision of whether or not to read your restaurant server resume further.

Profile Title of Server Resume

Server Resume Professional Experience Section

The server resume professional experience section exhibits the work experience that a professional has had as a server.

This section is of utmost importance for those people who have an extensive work history as a server.

Use the following steps while writing your server resume:

• STAR format
• Create one liner points starting with power verbs and cause & effect
• Grouping similar points under one subheading & highlighting important phrases

We'll display two samples, one with all of the above mentioned steps and one without and you be the judge:

Providing delightful food & beverage and responsible for taking orders. Working on versatile shifts. Adept at anticipating and delivering. Managing customer reservations. Recommending alternatives and up selling items. Training new junior servers

Customer Service

• Providing delightful food & beverage services to 100+ customers every day and responsible for taking orders from multiple tables
• Recommending alternatives for up selling while successfully up selling items worth an average of $ 1,000 per week
• Adept at anticipating and delivering on the requirements of the customers

Miscellaneous

• Managing 150+ customer reservations and bookings every week
• Working on versatile shifts including on holidays , weekends etc.
• Training new junior servers who join the restaurant and trained a total of 15 servers till date

Professional Experience Section Sample for Server Resume

Server Resume: No Experience?

If you are a fresher in the field of serving then worry no more. We're here to tell you how to make the server resume for a fresher.

In a restaurant server resume for freshers , the professional experience section will be replaced by the certifications section. They will write the certifications section instead of a professional experience section.

Writing certifications in a fresher resume for server adds value to your server resume. These certifications can be in the area of food protection management, food handling or alcohol serving.

The following needs to be mentioned in the certifications section:

• Certification Name
• Affiliating Institution
• Institution Location
• Dates of enrolling and competition of course

Use the below given format to write this section:

{Certification Name} | {Affiliating Institution} | {Location} | {Date (in mm/yy)}

For those people who have prior experience as a server, the certification section will come after the education section.

Also Read: How to add certifications to resume?

To get more clarity on how to write this section, look at the below-given restaurant server resume example.

Server Resume Education Section

The education section contains all the details related to your qualification, like the courses you did, the name of the institutions, their locations, dates of enrollment and graduation and the CGPA acquired.

{Name of the University/School} | {Location} | {Dates (in mm/yy format)} | {Name of the Degree} {CGPA}

All the information in this section needs to be true as the recruiter decides on the basis of this section whether you are qualified for the position you've applied for or not.

Education Section for Server Resume

Server Resume Awards And Recognition Section

In the awards and recognition section, you will write all the relevant and important awards that you got in your previous work engagements, college or school.

Refrain from writing awards and recognition like 'Best Handwriting' and 'Best Student'. These are not value adding awards and recognition and at the same time, they do not fit well in a professional restaurant server resume.

Use the below-given format to write the awards and recognition section.

{Name of the award}| {Award giving Institution} | {Date of getting the award}

Server Resume Languages Section

Language is another very important aspect of the working of a server. Many servers do language courses in order to cater to foreign customers.

Knowing a second language always works as a benefit for the servers as by knowing how to speak a second language they can serve and provide a better customer experience to the customers who don't know the regional language of the place.

In this section, mention all the languages that you speak and are fluent at. There is also a specific way to write this section. A bullet will come before each language name. For example:

All the languages should come in just one line and not more. This will help make your restaurant server resume stay within one page and won't take up unnecessary space.

Server Skills To Put On A Resume

This is the fourth section of the server resume but it is the second last section to be written.

Writing it at this stage will give you more skills to include in your restaurant server resume key skills section than writing it at the starting of server resume making stages.

Here is a list of skills you can add to your server resume:

• Customer Servicing
• Order Processing
• Issue Resolution
• Compliance with Industry Standards

Read On: How to add skills to your resume?

Key Skills Section Sample for Server Resume

To get a clear understanding of how to make this section, look at the below-given sample.

Personalizing Server Resume Summary Section

This section is written in the end. Writing it at the end is the best way to optimize your summary as you can go through the rest of your server resume to pick out the points that are the highlight of your career to put in the summary section.

In the summary section, write what you can do for the company by utilizing your skills and not what you expect from the company.

Look at the below-given sample to get an idea of how to optimize your summary section.

Server Resume Objective Section

The server resume objective section is for the freshers whereas a summary section is for those professionals who already have experience in this field. Just like the summary section, you will also write this section at the very end, after you're done making the rest of your server resume.

By doing so, you can scan the rest of your restaurant server resume to pick out valuable points to include in the server resume objective section. When writing these points in the server resume objective section don't write them as it is. Rephrase them a little and then write them. By doing so, your efforts of making a server resume will clearly reflect in the server resume objective section.

Hiration Pro-Tip: Your Summary/Objective section should be written in 3-4 lines and in a paragraph form. Not in bullet points.

Server Sample Resume

In order to get more clarity on how to make a server resume and how it should ideally look like, see the restaurant server resume sample given below:

• Providing delightful food & beverage services to 100+ customers every day; Responsible for taking orders from multiple tables
• Recommending alternatives for up selling ; successfully up selling items worth an average of $ 1,000 per week
• Gained a thorough knowledge of food and beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) menu
• Ensuring that the highest quality of customer service is delivered and the customer experience is made memorable
• Working on versatile shifts including on holidays, weekends etc.
• Training new junior servers who join the restaurant; trained a total of 15 servers till date
• Ensuring 100% compliance with the health and safety procedures of the steakhouse chain
• Assisting in backend kitchen operations including supply management, negotiations with vendors etc.
• Took orders from and served food, wines and beverages to 50+ customers every day
• Gained a comprehensive understanding of the exquisite food and bar menu with 500+ options
• Coordinated with the chefs to continuously improve the menu as per the feedback of the guests
• Ensured the utmost cleanliness and hygiene of the dining area
• CGPA: 3.5/4
• Successfully completed IV levels of certification in Hospitality Management and Customer Service from the International Institute of Hotel Management, NYC, ’14 – ‘16

Server Resume Tips

• Do not include full stops in your server resume except for the summary/objective section.
• Write “by deploying” or “via”, however applicable, instead of “using” in professional experience section.
• Make sure your restaurant server resume points don't exceed the limit of one line. All your points should be one-liner bullet points .
• In case any of your points exceed the limit of one line, split them into two points of make sub-points.
• Highlight all the important words, phrases and numbers throughout your server resume.
• Write a one-line description of all the restaurants where you've worked beneath the designation to give information about that restaurant to the recruiter as there are chances that the recruiter might not have heard of that restaurant before.
• Bold all the buckets that you make in your professional experience section.
• Dates should be written in mm/yy format throughout the restaurant server resume.
• Also, make sure that the font that you are using to make the server resume is consistent throughout the restaurant server resume.

Go to Hiration Online Resume Builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at [email protected] and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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How to List Experience as a Server on Your Resume

Quick Navigation:

What job details should be included in a server resume?

How to describe previous server experience on a resume, examples of server resume job experience.

As a waitress or a waiter, there are several types of details that you can include in your work experience section of your resume. The type of job descriptions you include in your resume should reflect your experience working in the hospitality industry. For instance, you might include examples of your customer service skills, how you have helped past restaurants create repeat business or other professional accomplishments that show employers your competency as a server. You can also include examples of your job responsibilities and the tasks you may perform, both regular duties and additional tasks.

There are several approaches you can use to highlight your serving experience on your resume. For instance, you might start with your most recent job first and provide details about the skills you developed and the positive effects you had in your past role. 

You can refer to the following steps to help you include server experience on your resume:

1. First, include your most recent serving job

Start with your most recent serving position first. Include where you worked and the duties you were responsible for. You can also give brief examples of how your customer service skills help you succeed as a server or how you were able to solve customer problems. Employers generally like to see that servers can demonstrate exceptional customer service skills.

2. Second, list your serving experiences in chronological order

Include only the jobs you have performed as a server. As an example, if you’re applying to a five-star restaurant you may want to omit your work experience if it is unrelated to the requirements of working in an upscale environment. Instead, you might include your job experiences that are relevant to working with restaurant staff, customers and the hospitality industry.

3. Third, provide clear examples

For each work experience description you list in your resume, you should provide clear examples of how you succeeded in your role. For example, maybe you were voted server of the month for your exceptional ability to create customer relationships. Or maybe you increased your past company’s customer base by succeeding as a brand ambassador. If you have an example of how you can benefit the employer you’re applying to, consider including it in your job description.

4. Fourth, highlight your customer service skills

In each role you performed, you might consider highlighting how you applied your customer service skills. For instance, if a customer received a meal they did not order and you helped solve the conflict, highlight your customer service skills to describe how effective you are at conflict resolution. Since working as a server can rely heavily on your customer service skills, you might think about including these details in your resume.

5. Fifth, include your accomplishments for the business

If you have any accomplishments in your past serving experience, you might consider including them in your resume. For instance, if you created and helped launch a fundraising event, a new product menu or a new type of food service like take-out or delivery, you can include details of these accomplishments in your work history. Employers typically like to see that potential hires value their company’s values and overall mission.

6. Sixth, describe your hard skills

You might also consider including your hard skills like handling money transactions, running a cash register or using point-of-service (POS) order input software to take and communicate customer orders. You might also include how you keep your serving sections organized or other examples of your hard skills.

When formatting your work experience, it can be a good idea to list each job description in chronological order, and you can use specific examples within the details. You might also format a bulleted list of relevant skills, responsibilities and examples of your performance. 

The following examples can help outline how you might format this section in your resume:

Server, The Farmer’s Table Restaurant, August 2015 – October 2019

• Responsible for taking customer orders and ensuring customer satisfaction
• Recommending daily specials and discounts to successfully up-sell limited-time food products
• Successfully solved customer conflict and problems when mistakes were made with orders and payments
• Processing payments and handling cash and credit transactions
• Demonstrated creativity by developing brand new menus for the restaurant
• Introduced customers to new menu items and successfully built and fostered customer relationships

Server and Restaurant Host, Grill -n- Chill Pub, January 2013 – July 2015

• Greeted and welcomed customers and seated pub patrons
• Successfully obtained a state liquor license to legally serve alcoholic beverages
• Implemented customer surveys to provide feedback on service quality
• Built and maintained customer relationships
• Responsible for taking orders and communicating with kitchen and other pub staff

This example can help you format and write your job descriptions for your resume. You might also consider adding quantifiable results if it applies to your accomplishments as a server.

• 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.

Related Articles:

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

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How to Craft a Winning Resume: Step-By-Step Guide

A standout resume showcases your fit for the role and reflects your professional narrative and brand, emphasizing your qualifications, experience and the unique value you bring to the position.

Quality Verified

Updated: April 5, 2024

On This Page:

• Why Your Resume Matters
• Step 1: Job Description
• Step 2: Format
• Step 3: Objective
• Step 4: Work Experience
• Step 5: Skills
• Step 6: Education & Credentials
• Step 7: Optional Sections
• Step 8: Proofread

Additional Resources

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

An effective resume is much more than a simple list of skills and career history. Your resume often makes the first impression on potential employers and is vital to securing an interview during a job search . When crafted correctly, it's a tool that reflects your qualifications, experiences and compatibility with the position you're applying for.

Importance of a Well-Crafted Resume

A well-crafted resume does more than state your work history — it's a strategic way to present your professional narrative in the most compelling light. Here's why a resume is vital in your job application process:

Step 1: Carefully Read the Job Description

The first step in crafting a compelling resume is a thorough understanding of the job description. It sets the direction for how you'll customize your resume to meet the specific needs and requirements of the role. Here's how to approach it:

Read Attentively

Begin by reading the job description carefully. Pay attention to the language used and the listed responsibilities and requirements. This will give you a clear idea of what the employer values most.

Highlight Key Skills and Qualifications

As you read, underline or highlight the essential skills and qualifications mentioned. These are usually listed under sections titled "Requirements," "Qualifications," or "Skills."

Match Your Skills

Compare your experiences and skills to those in the job description. Identify where your background aligns with the job requirements. This step is crucial for tailoring your resume to show you're an ideal fit.

Incorporate Keywords

Integrate keywords and phrases found in the job description throughout your resume. Use them in your summary, work experience and skills sections. This shows that your qualifications match the role and helps your resume get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which screen resumes based on specific keywords.

Step 2: Choose the Best Resume Format

Choosing the right resume format ensures that your application captures the attention of hiring managers by presenting your background in the most effective and relevant way. Below are the three most commonly used resume formats, along with guidance on who should use each and why:

Chronological Resume

This format arranges your work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent job at the top. It's ideal for individuals with a solid and steady work history. The chronological resume highlights career progression and is particularly effective for those looking to advance in the same field.

Best for: Seasoned professionals with consistent employment in their field.

Example: A marketing manager with 10 years of experience seeking to become a marketing director.

Functional Resume

This format emphasizes your skills and abilities rather than the chronological chronology of your professional experience. It's beneficial for those with career gaps in their employment, newcomers to the workforce or career changers, as it allows them to highlight how their skills transfer to the position they're applying for.

Best for: Career changers, individuals with employment gaps or those with diverse skill sets not tied to specific roles.

Example: A professional transitioning from a teaching career to a corporate training position, emphasizing skills in curriculum development, presentation and educational technology.

Combination Resume

A hybrid of the chronological and functional formats, this style allows you to showcase your relevant skills and work history. It's perfect for those with a solid employment record who also want to highlight specific skills that are particularly relevant to the job they're applying for.

Best for: Professionals with a robust work history and specific, transferable skills directly applicable to the job opening.

Example: A software developer with extensive experience in project management looking to focus on agile project management roles.

Step 3: Write a Compelling Resume Summary or Objective

Your summary or objective should introduce your resume and encapsulate your professional identity and value proposition, making a compelling case for why you're the ideal candidate for the position. Here's how to differentiate between the two and write them effectively:

Resume Summary

Ideal for experienced professionals, a summary provides a concise overview of your career achievements and key strengths. It highlights your experience, major accomplishments and the value you bring to a potential employer.

Example: "Customer Service Manager with over seven years of experience specializing in improving customer satisfaction and team performance. Achieved a 30% increase in customer satisfaction at XYZ Co., demonstrating proficiency in CRM software and effective team leadership."

Resume Objective

Best suited for those at the entry level, career changers or applicants with gaps in employment, an objective focuses on your career goals and how they align with the company's needs, emphasizing your enthusiasm and potential contributions.

Example: "Recent Computer Science graduate passionate about software development and problem-solving. Aiming to apply academic knowledge and innovative thinking in a Junior Developer role. Awarded university prize for excellence in project development, showcasing strong technical skills and creative solutions."

• Be Concise: Keep your summary or objective brief, targeting three to five lines.
• Showcase Your Value: Mention specific skills and experiences that align with the job description, indicating how you can solve problems or add value to the team.
• Use Active Language: Start sentences with action verbs and use the active voice to convey dynamism and proactivity.

Step 4: Detail Your Work Experience

The work experience section of your resume is where you showcase your professional journey and demonstrate your value to potential employers. Here's how you can effectively list your work experience:

Chronological Order

Begin with your most recent position and proceed backward in time. This format allows employers to quickly understand your current level of responsibility and track your career progression.

Dynamic Action Verbs

Initiate each bullet point with a strong action verb (e.g., led, developed, increased, optimized) to capture attention and actively convey your role in each achievement.

Quantify Achievements

Wherever possible, use numbers, percentages and specific outcomes to quantify your achievements. This approach provides tangible evidence of your contributions and impact on your roles.

Beyond Duties

Focus on your achievements in each position rather than simply listing job duties. Describe how you added value, solved problems or improved processes. This distinction helps employers gauge your potential impact on their organization.

Tailor to the Job

Select experiences and accomplishments most relevant to the position you're applying for. Tailoring this section to the job description ensures you highlight the skills and experiences that align closely with what the employer is seeking.

Step 5: Highlight Your Skills

The skills section can be an opportunity to respond directly to the job description's call for specific competencies. Follow these steps to make your skills section stand out:

Inventory Your Skills

Compile a comprehensive list of your skills, including technical skills and interpersonal skills. No skill is too small to consider.

Prioritize Relevant Skills

From your inventory, select the skills that most closely match the job description. These are the ones you should highlight in your resume.

Balancing Hard and Soft Skills

A well-rounded candidate possesses hard and soft skills . Hard skills demonstrate your specific qualifications for the job, while soft skills illustrate how you interact with others and approach your work.

Presenting Your Skills

When listing your skills, consider using bullet points for clarity and ease of reading. Provide brief examples of how you've applied each skill in a professional setting, either within the skills section itself or elsewhere in your resume.

Integrating Soft Skills Throughout

While it's important to list soft skills, you can also integrate them into your work experience and achievements.

Step 6: Include Your Education and Credentials

This section should highlight your academic achievements and underscore your commitment to professional development. Consider the following tips to showcase your education and credentials effectively:

List Your Highest Education First

Begin with the most advanced degree you've earned, followed by others in reverse chronological order. For each, include the degree type, your major, the name of the institution and your graduation year (or expected graduation year if you're currently enrolled).

Certifications and Licenses

List any professional certifications or licenses you hold, especially those directly relevant to the job. Include the name of the certification, the issuing organization and the date of attainment or expiration, if applicable.

Relevant Coursework, Honors and Awards

Mention any courses, honors or awards directly relevant to the job or that showcase exceptional achievement. Place these details under the appropriate educational entry, keeping the descriptions brief yet descriptive.

Formatting for Clarity

Use bullet points for each element to ensure the section is easily scannable. This helps potential employers quickly grasp your academic and professional learning achievements.

Prioritizing Information

Your educational background will be particularly important if you're starting your career or a recent graduate. In this case, consider placing your education section above your work experience. For those more advanced in their careers, education can follow the work experience section, focusing more on degrees and certifications than on coursework or honors.

• Master of Science in Data Analytics – XYZ University, 2023
• Specialization: Big Data Processing and Visualization Technique
• Honors: Received the Dean's Award for Outstanding Graduate Research

Certifications

• Certified Data Analyst – Data Science Institute, 2022

Step 7: Consider Optional Resume Sections

In addition to the essential components of your resume — such as your career summary, skills, work experience and education — consider including optional sections to further develop your brand, showcase a comprehensive skill set and stand out from other candidates. Select optional sections that add value and are relevant to the position you're applying for. Here are some possibilities:

Volunteer Work

Highlight significant volunteer roles and community service activities. These experiences can illustrate your commitment to social causes, leadership abilities and application of professional skills in a volunteer setting.

Detailing relevant certifications underscores your dedication to professional development and expertise in your field.

Share hobbies that reflect positively on your personality and offer insights into your soft skills, such as teamwork, creativity or leadership. Choose hobbies that are relevant or could contribute uniquely to the job.

Awards and Honors

Include professional or academic recognitions to emphasize your commitment to excellence and achievement in your career or field of study.

Listing language proficiencies can demonstrate your ability to communicate in diverse environments, an essential skill in many global or multicultural roles.

Professional Affiliations

Show your engagement with the professional community through memberships in associations, which can indicate a broader network and up-to-date industry knowledge

Step 8: Proofread and Format Your Resume

Errors, typos and inconsistencies in formatting can significantly detract from your professionalism and attention to detail. Here are some strategies to ensure your resume is polished and professional:

Be Consistent

Use a consistent format for headings, bullet points and fonts throughout your resume. This uniformity helps maintain a clean, professional look.

Choose a Professional Font

Use a professional, easy-to-read font such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman. Maintain a font size of 10 to 12 points for body text and slightly larger for headings.

Bullet Points

Use bullet points to list achievements and responsibilities, improving the document's readability and making it easier for employers to scan.

Margins and Spacing

Set your margins to 1" on all sides to create a balanced, uncluttered layout. Adequate spacing between sections further enhances readability.

Multiple Rounds of Proofreading

Go beyond a cursory spell check. Read your resume several times, each focusing on different elements — first for typos and grammar, then for consistency in formatting and finally for overall flow and persuasiveness.

Get a Second Opinion

Having someone else review your resume can provide valuable insights and catch errors you might have missed.

Use Digital Tools

Leverage grammar and spell-check tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word's Review features for an additional layer of error checking.

Here's a list of valuable resources for crafting a standout resume that effectively navigates modern job application processes. Each offers unique insights and guidance tailored to different aspects of resume writing and job search strategies:

• GCFLearnFree.org : Features a wide range of guides, including formatting resumes for Applicant Tracking Systems and tailoring resumes to specific job applications​​.
• U.S. Department of Labor : Shares tips for writing a federal resume, including tailoring your resume to the job's requirements and selecting the right format​​.
• Workshops for Warriors : Provides targeted advice for veterans transitioning to civilian work, focusing on showcasing military training, certifications and soft skills​​.

About Nathan Paulus

Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.

Server – food and beverage services

Travelodge LaSalle Hotel Kingston based in Kingston, ON is inviting applications from suitable candidates for the position of Server – food and beverage services who are self-motivated and have good interpersonal skills. The candidate who got selected will be required to start work as soon as possible. The vacancies refer to Permanent employment or Part time leading to full time job. The shift timings include Evening, Weekend, Shift and Morning.

Employer Name : Travelodge LaSalle Hotel Kingston Position : Server – food and beverage services No. of vacancies : 3 Salary : $16.55 to $17.00 hourly (To be negotiated) / 24 to 32 hours per week Employment type : Permanent employment, Part time leading to full time Location : Kingston, ON

Job Description

• The candidate must be of legal drinking age to mix and serve alcoholic beverages.
• The candidate must present bills to customers and accept payment in cash, credit or debit cards, travellers cheques, or room billings.
• The candidate will be responsible for advising on menu selection.
• The candidate must balance cash and keep sales records.
• The candidate must clear and clean tables, trays, and chairs.
• The candidate must greet customers, present menus, make recommendations, and answer questions about food and beverages.
• The candidate must be able to serve food and beverages.
• The candidate must provide excellent customer service.

Job Requirements

• The candidate should be fluent in English language.
• There are no standard education requirements such as a bachelor’s degree, a certificate, or a diploma.
• The ideal candidate will have at least 2 to 3 years of experience in a related industry.
• The candidate must have a Smart Serve Certificate.
• The candidate must have excellent oral communication skills.
• The candidate must be flexible.
• The candidate must be capable of acting on their own initiative.
• The candidate should be reliable.
• The candidate should be a good team player.

Work setting

• The candidate must work in a restaurant, hotel, motel, or resort.

Experience and specialization

Computer and technology knowledge.

• The candidate must be familiar with the point of sale system.

Additional information

Work conditions and physical capabilities.

• The candidate should be able to work in fast-paced busy environment.
• The candidate must be willing to work in a standing position for extended periods of time.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying, apply through the given options.

[email protected]

2360 Princess St Kingston, ON K7M 3G4 Between 09:00 a.m. and 03:30 p.m.

Please include the following while sending the application

• Cover letter

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