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Table of contents

Server resume examples
Choose the right resume format for your server resume
How to write a server resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your server resume
Commonly asked questions about resume writing

As a server, you’re used to juggling lots of responsibilities at once. Whether it’s delivering hot plates to hungry guests, navigating a busy restaurant or providing the best customer service around, a server’s job requires flexibility and a great work ethic.

It might seem impossible to make a resume that reflects your server skills, but rest assured it’s easier than you think! Even if you’re learning how to write a resume for the first time, writing a server resume doesn’t have to be hard.

All you have to do is follow our step-by-step guide to create a server resume that works as hard as you do to land the right job.

This guide will show you:

Server resume examples for different levels of experience.
What makes a great server resume example.
Proven strategies for writing a job-winning resume.
What to include in each section of your server resume.
How to select the ideal resume format and design for the position.

To make a server resume in a matter of minutes, check out our AI Resume Builder. With this tool, you can choose a resume design that inspires you, receive advice for a job-winning resume, and even use our auto-generated text suggestions to get the writing process started.

In the next section, we’ll review a couple of resume examples servers can use at different stages in their careers.

Server resume examples

Entry-level server resume example

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What makes this a great server resume sample?

Focuses on the applicant’s strengths
The applicant has chosen a template which is simple but has a bit of color. This makes her stand out and gives character to her resume.
It's visually appealing
This candidate focuses on the skills they honed in the classroom and with on-hands experience. These are transferable skills they can bring into a workplace.
It's full of action words
Using words like “demonstrated,” “managed” and “assisted” to describe your impact and responsibilities conveys action and competence.

Experienced server resume example

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What makes this a great server resume sample?

Showcases experience
Because this server has a long history of working in the hospitality industry, he chose a chronological resume format which gives his experience center stage.
Uses numerical data
Numbers and action-oriented language give this resume example a sense of impact.
Includes a certification section
Food safety certifications are necessary for most roles that handle food. That’s why this applicant has listed his certification in its own section.

Related resume examples

Browse other popular samples

Banquet Server Resume Example

Banquet Server Resume Example

Choose the right resume format for your server resume

Resume formats refer to the order in which you organize your resume sections. Each format emphasizes a different section to highlight different aspects of your career.. Job seekers at different stages in their careers should use the format that fits them best.

There are three different resume formats successful job seekers use:

Chronological: Emphasizes experience by focusing on your work history, making it ideal for senior-level roles.
Functional: Focuses on skills while paying less attention to work experience, making it best for job seekers with little to no experience.
Combination: Gives skills and experience equal weight, making it perfect for midcareer applicants.

Once you’ve picked the best format for you, check out our resume-formatting guide for tips on font size, spacing, margins and more.

Now that you understand resume formats, let’s work on styling your resume.

Select an appropriate server resume template

Create your resume

Templates are resume designs. All resumes are built with the same basic sections, but the template you choose gives your resume its unique character.

There are lots of resume templates to choose from and a career as a server is open-ended enough that you have the freedom to choose whichever feels right to you. If you want to convey individuality, a creative or modern template might deliver exactly what you need. On the other hand, a simple template is nice and conveys your professionalism.

Once you’ve picked a server resume template that feels like a good fit, it’s time to start writing!

How to write a server resume in 5 simple steps

Writing a server resume is as simple as following five steps. Let’s take a look!

Step 1

Study the server job description

The best place to find what you need to start writing your resume is the job listing. Read it carefully to understand the skills and experiences your potential employer is looking for in their ideal candidate. Pick out the keywords for skills and experiences the listing mentions that match your background.
Many organizations use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes for critical keywords. Adding the keywords that match your skills and experience to you resume helps you pass this first round of resume screening by addressing the specific needs of the organization.

Step 2

Write a professional summary or resume objective

Next, your resume should begin with a professional summary or resume objective to introduce yourself, your goals, achievements, experience and skills.

A professional summary offers a brief summary of your qualifications and accomplishments. It is the best resume profile choice for more experienced job seekers.

A resume objective focuses more on your goals and skills. A resume objective is great for applicants at the early stages of their careers because you can emphasize the ways that you will contribute to the role without relying on experience.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a good first impression with a professional summary or a server resume objective.

Here are some strong examples for your server resume:

Server professional summary example:

Dedicated and seasoned server with 11 years of experience in fine dining establishments. Excels at providing exceptional customer service and fostering memorable dining experiences. Skilled in menu presentation, upselling and catering to the unique preferences of a discerning clientele. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage high-volume service while maintaining composure and professionalism. Collaborative and committed to continuous learning and professional development in the hospitality industry.

Server resume objective example:

Enthusiastic and motivated professional seeking a server position to launch a career in the hospitality industry. Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a passion for providing exceptional customer service. Eager to learn and adapt quickly to new environments, while contributing to a dynamic team. Flexible and committed to creating positive dining experiences for guests by thoroughly memorizing the menu to assist customers get exactly what they want.

Step 3

Highlight your most relevant server skills

Now that your resume opening is done, it’s time to write out your server skills.

Skills are one of the most important entries on your resume. A server must have exceptional soft skills, like communication and enthusiasm, as well as hard skills, like industry knowledge and sales ability.

Here’s a handy list of hard and soft server resume skills.

Hard and soft skills for a server resume

Hard Skills

Industry knowledge
Food and beverage pairings
Food handling
Sanitation practices
Sales
Point-of-sale (POS) system operation

Soft Skills

Interpersonal skills
Teamwork
Flexibility
Organization skills
Resilience
Enthusiasm

Here is an example of a strong server skills section:

Enthusiastic people-person with a strong instinct for sales.
Well-versed in food handling and sanitation best practices.
Passionate about providing pairing recommendations to ensure the best possible dining experience.

Step 4

Write a strong server work experience section

Unless you’re applying for your very first job, the work history section of your resume is crucial. You need to convey your experience and competencies in a format that is easy to digest.

The best way to do this is to include a bulleted list under each role detailing your accomplishments and responsibilities. Remember to include experiences that match exactly what they’re asking for in the job ad to improve your chances of landing the interview.

Here’s a sample server resume experience section:

Server, Safari Grille – Orange County, CA
November 2020 – November 2022

Facilitated unique and excellent guest experiences through enthusiastic customer service and intimate menu knowledge.
Managed guest complaints with empathy and professionalism, working proactively to resolve issues and ensure a positive dining experience.
Maintained a clean, organized and well-stocked dining area, including setting tables, refilling water glasses and promptly addressing any guest requests.
Efficiently took orders and communicated them to the kitchen staff, while closely monitoring food preparation to ensure timely and accurate delivery.
Processed payments accurately and efficiently, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free conclusion to each guest’s visit.

Pro tip

Use action words to give your work experience section more impact. Active verbs convey a sense of confidence and momentum.

Step 5

Showcase your education and training on your server resume

Your education and training are a part of your career journey. Use the education section of your resume to share your credentials with potential employers.

The hospitality industry is accessible without a formal education, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include any diplomas, degrees or certifications if you have them. Completed or in-progress educational programs show an interest in learning and a willingness to achieve. Showcase your educational credentials if you have them, as well as any other relevant training.

How to list your server education:

Education

Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
University of California, Irvine, CA
Expected in: May 2025

Relevant coursework:

Hospitality services
Business administration
Financial Accounting

Certifications:

California Food Handler Card

Pro tip

Certifications give your resume extra credibility. Include what you have under education unless it feels significant enough to warrant its own section.

Optional sections for your server resume

Awards and certifications

The achievements that you’ve earned show employers the depth of your expertise and potential contribution. If you have awards or certifications, showcase them on your resume to help you stand out as a competitive candidate.

How to list awards on your nursing student resume:

California Food Handler Card: Earned for completing comprehensive training in food safety and handling best practices.

Projects

Projects might not sound like a relevant section for servers, but there are ways that projects can contribute to your server resume. Training new hires, rolling out a new seasonal menu or taking on an expediting role in the back of the house can all qualify as projects.

How to list projects on your server resume:

Played a leading role in training new hires and keeping the entire team up to date on changes to the point-of-sale system.
Implemented a new sales strategy which used beverage upsales to increase ticket totals by 15%.
Oversaw inventory management changes to promote a safe, sanitary and organized back of house.

Languages

Being a server is all about customer service and communication. Speaking more than one language means that your communication skills go above and beyond. Include any other languages you speak to show employers that you can engage with a diverse group of guests, customers, vendors and team members.

How to list languages on your server resume:

English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Japanese: Proficient

Interests and hobbies

Hobbies give your resume extra character. A hobbies and interest section can be distracting to the content of your resume if it isn’t relevant, but it can be an asset when it is relevant. Highlight hobbies which demonstrate your server soft skills. Your hobbies might impress employers more than you think!

How to list interests and hobbies on your server resume:

Passionate about personal nutrition and physical fitness.
Loves to bake new and challenging recipes.
Regularly volunteers at local soup kitchen.

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

So your resume is finished, what’s next? If the idea of more writing makes you groan, you might wonder if you can skip writing a cover letter. It’s more important than you think. But don’t worry, writing a cover letter can be simple and painless.

Cover letters give you the chance to tie together everything that you’ve written in your resume. In it, you get to show employers that you’re the best fit for the job in your own words by explaining your strengths and accomplishments.

Make sure to format your cover letter so that it is professional and easy to read, though. Start by reviewing cover letter examples and our formatting guide to learn the basics about spacing, font and more.

If all that writing still seems like a pain, try using our Cover Letter Builder which simplifies the process with auto-generated text suggestions based on the work experience that you enter. These suggestions can be customized until you are satisfied. Then all you have to do is download your complete cover letter. It’s that simple!

Key takeaways for your server resume

Make your resume ATS-friendly

Making use of the job listing isn’t cheating. Whether or not the organization uses applicant tracking systems, a resume that is customized for the listing is a good choice. Using keywords from the listing helps make your resume ATS-proof.
Organize your sections effectively

Choose the format that best suits your career history. Experienced candidates are best-served by the chronological format, but less experienced candidates may choose a functional or combination resume format.
Select a suitable design

Choose a template that matches your industry. This is fairly open-ended for servers, but be sure to choose something that is professional and appropriate.
Show off a range of skills

Servers need a healthy mix of hard and soft skills. Make sure to pay special attention to skills that showcase your ability to provide a fantastic customer service experience.
Personalize your application

Resume filler doesn’t help get you ahead. Make sure to customize your resume to the role and pack each section full of valuable, relevant information.
Highlight your impact

Action verbs and numerical data give impact to your achievements. The work experience section of your resume is an especially smart place to use these tools.
Go above and beyond

A cover letter is an opportunity that you don’t want to waste. Include a persuasive cover letter with your resume and the results will speak for themselves.

Commonly asked questions about resume writing

How do I list references on my resume?

What are core competencies and how do I list them on a resume?

How do I list technical skills on my resume?

How important is font size on my resume?

What are computer skills and why are they important?

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.