Server Resume Examples in 2023

Server Resume Examples

Years of Experience

Tips for Writing a Better Server Resume

Turn unrelated jobs into an asset

Although you must outline your recent work history on your resume, you don’t have to – nor should you – give more than basic details on any job that doesn’t pertain to your current goals. Keep this tip in mind when drafting your Experience section, so you don’t type out long descriptions of jobs that won’t speak to your target employers.

Often a great resume strategy for unrelated jobs is to focus your description on the transferable “soft skills” you gained there that now complement your overall skillset. For servers, good transferable skills usually include efficiency, customer relations, adaptability, and team collaboration.

Example:

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

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

Drop the phrase “strong communication skills”

Communication skills are key to success as a server. But when you put a phrase like “strong verbal and written communications skills” on your resume, it fails to impress hiring managers. That’s because (a) countless other applicants say this on their resumes, and (b) the phrase is pretty vague by itself.

Try to get more specific. How have you applied your communication skills? What form have they taken as specific duties or focus areas in your previous roles? By answering these questions, you can generate more tangible keywords and phrases that help your resume stand out.

Example:

Key Skills

• Active Listening
• Cash Register Operation
• Customer Relations & Service
• Efficiency Improvement
• Guest Receipt Preparation
• Point-of-Sale (POS) System Entry
• Process Streamlining
• Team Collaboration

Spell out the impact of your work as a server

Every one of your duties has some positive impact or influence, helping your organization succeed in the short and long term. Speak to that broader impact in your job descriptions, and you’ll improve your resume greatly.

Even if you can’t recall examples or data to quantify a work area, that doesn’t mean you have to word it as a basic duty. You can always state the general, intended result or value of the duty in question. Try simply adding the phrase “in order to” at the end of the duty statement then jotting down whatever general purposes or outcomes you think of (and then delete “in order” from your final resume for brevity). You might be surprised how much stronger the revised statement is – just as important, it’s a more accurate account of your work’s depth and impact.

Examples:

• Deliver meals to table promptly [in order] to ensure all food is served hot
• Check salad bar temperatures, and rotate cold foods [in order] to ensure safety and compliance with health regulations

Common Key Skills for Server Resumes

One of the best ways to improve your resume is to add keywords.

That’s because most employers now use an applicant tracking system (ATS), which scans each submitted resume for keywords relevant to the job opening at hand. When the ATS finds a resume with many relevant keywords, it flags the document for the hiring manager.

To make your resume ATS-friendly, add a keyword-rich “Skills” or “Expertise” section. Here are some common keywords for server resumes:

Note: As the list below indicates, you should only use short noun phrases in this section. Reserve personal attributes and adjectives (like “highly collaborative” or “strong work ethic”) for your Profile summary. Any time you’re unsure whether a term fits, just plug it into the phrase “I’m skilled in [term].” If the term makes a correct sentence (“I’m skilled in team collaboration”), it’s an OK addition. But if it’s nonsense (“I’m skilled in highly collaborative”), leave it out.

Common Action Verbs for Server Resumes

One of the most frequent resume mistakes is using too few verbs. You may repeat the same generic verb (say, “Manage”) many times or rely on passive phrases like “Responsible for” or “Accountable for.” These tendencies can distract the hiring manager and fail to show the varied nature of your experience. The following list will help you mix up the verbs on your server resume:

How to Align Your Resume With a Job Posting

One thing unique to most job postings is the description of the hiring organization or facility. You can enhance your resume by tailoring it based on any details about the facility that resonate with you. Follow these four steps:

Step 1: Jot down a few notes on the type of work environment you like best. For instance, you may prefer an environment that’s one or more of the following:

• Collaborative
• Customer-focused
• Fast-paced
• High-pressure
• Innovative
• Quality-focused
• Systematic, process-oriented

Step 2: When you find a job posting that intrigues you, look for any details about the hiring organization or its work culture.

Step 3: Compare those details against your preferred work environment, and highlight any overlap.

Step 4: Add a line or two to your Profile emphasizing that similarity. For example, say you prefer a work environment that’s customer-focused. You find a posting that says “We are a team that places customer satisfaction at the center of everything we do.” You can then add a Profile line such as:

• “Thrive in customer-focused work environments.”
• “Drive repeat business by helping build positive relationships with customers.”

This simple exercise can make your resume more accurately show why you’re a great fit for the role as well as why the hiring manager should call you for an interview.

More Resume and Cover Letter Resources

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for food and beverage serving and related workers will increase by about nine percent between 2021 and 2031.

For more on finding opportunities in this field and related fields, check out the links below:

Resume examples

• Waiter/Waitress Resume Examples
• Bartender / Server Resume Examples
• Food Service Resume Examples

Cover letter examples

• Waiter/Waitress Cover Letter Examples
• Server Cover Letter Examples
• Bartender Cover Letter Examples

Advice on your job search

• How to Show Your Customer Service Skills on a Resume
• How Far Back a Resume Should Go?
• How to Turn Basic Duties Into Powerful Achievements on Your Resume