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How to Format a Waitress Resume
Most waitresses will benefit the most from a chronological resume format. This format puts work experience upfront so employers can easily see each job the candidate has held, starting with their most recent one. But there are exceptions to this rule.
There’s three common resume formats available. Some job seekers in the restaurant business may find that the functional resume or the combination resume is better suited for their circumstances. Let’s use the candidates below as an example.
Candidate A is a skilled food service veteran with more than 10 years of restaurant experience. Candidate B began her career in restaurants, but took on other service sector jobs throughout her career. Each candidate would benefit from a different resume format. The experience and skills they share in common are in bold so you can see how the same information is presented in each format.
1. Candidate A - Reverse-chronological Resume
Candidate Info
- 11 years in workforce
- 3 years at current job
- HS High school diploma
Work Experience
- Checks with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and takes action to correct any problems that may arise.
- Ensures that guests are served promptly and courteously to properly reflect the environment and standards of the restaurant.
- Performs cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out the trash, and checking and cleaning the bathroom.
- Solid experience working with people from various cultures and backgrounds.
2. Candidate B - Functional Resume
Candidate Info
- 8 years in workforce
- 1 year in current role
- HS High school diploma
Summary of Qualifications
- Passionate service industry professional with over seven years’ experience ensuring guests are served promptly and courteously.
- Proven history of checking in with guests to ensure they are happy and taking action to correct any issues they may be experiencing.
- Long-time experience working with multicultural customers from a variety of backgrounds.
- Ability to perform various cleaning duties, including sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet and taking out the trash.
Waitress Resume Samples
No results found
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
High School Diploma
International Relations And Anthropology
Middle East Studies
Waitress
Excelled in a fast-paced environment and quickly adapted to the flexibility and demand of the restaurant industry by picking up extra shifts and tables
- Provided excellent customer service: worked closely with restaurant staff to ensure that orders were served in an efficient
- Trained incoming staff regarding the restaurant's procedures, culture and practices
- Collaborated directly with Quarterdeck partners and sponsors to ensure promotion and upward sales - worked with staff
- Gained immeasurable experience in multitasking, oral and verbal communication, customer satisfaction, and conflict
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Natural Science
Waitress
Strengthened overall store sales as number one associate with a weekly average of $10,000 in sales
- Accurately balanced cash drawers up to $2,000
- Promoted Fundraisers for Breast Cancer Research
- Provided customers with attentive service
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Occupational Therapy
Waitress
Assisted customers by receiving their orders dining in or out as well as phone orders.
- Communicated with the patrons the specials of the day
- Communicated with patron the cost of items, collected monies, and gave back correct change
- Organized designated room for big parties
- Assisted with cleaning dining area, restroom, and preparation area.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Health Policy And Administration
Waitress
Worked 60+ hours a week to pay off student school loans
- Ensured high customer satisfaction through greeting customers and assisting with questions.
- Awarded Lead Waitress for efficient turnover time and excellent customer service
- Skills improvement by meeting 20% standard on tip percentage across all shifts
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Waitress
Prepared hot, cold, and mixed drinks for patrons
- Explained how various menu items are prepared
- Provided fast and courteous service to patrons
- Prepared and served beverages and expedited food orders
- Greeted and escorted guests to tables, and provided menus
Candidate Info
year in workforce
month at this job
Waitress
Demonstrated excellent customer service and satisfaction by exceeding guests expectations
- Promoted the company by participating in league sports and serving the community in sponsorships
- Upsold a variety of many different food and beverage items while being knowledgeable of specials and other promotions and deals
- Acquired skills such as multi-tasking, verbal and written communication, attention to detail, recommendations, maintaining proper accountability for orders and funds while keeping up a professional appearance
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Biology And Physics
Biological Sciences Program
Waitress
Provided outstanding customer service to ensure customer satisfaction
- Acted as cashier, took orders, and served food
- Maintained supplies and inventory
- Developed conflict resolution skills
- Helped train new employees
Candidate Info
year in workforce
year at this job
Waitress
Assisted in ringing up and take out orders and making sure the restaurant ran smooth and cleaning work place and area.
- Provided great customer service to any and every customer.
- Made sure all food was nicely prepared before ran out to customers.
- Made sure that every customer was taken care of properly at the cash register.
- Made sure the environment was a clean and friendly place so that customers would want to come back.
Candidate Info
year in workforce
year at this job
Waitress
Seated and Waited on guests
- Guided guests through the menu and specials, maintained thorough knowledge of all menu items, beverages and Drink specials
- Bussed and reset tables and kept dining room and work areas clean
- Maintained clean and presentable tables with tableware, glassware, silverware, and linens.
- Provided friendly and attentive service to all customers.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Waitress
Greeted guests
- Explain various dishes on the menu to costumers and make menu recommendations if desired
- Take orders and relayed the same
- Ensured preparation of all orders for a single table and serve in professional manner
- Total the meal costs and add taxes for final bill calculation
- Assisted in kitchen when needed
- Prepared and mixed beverages as required
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Waitress, Hostess
Checking customers' identification in order to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Checking with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
- Escorting customers to their tables, explaining how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods, informing customers of daily specials, preparing checks, presenting menus to customers and answering questions, making recommendations upon request.
- Warmly greet guest.
- Make sure all food is correctly ordered.
- Cleaning
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Human Relations
Waitress
Proven track record in providing excellent customer service with outstanding efforts
- Ability to Maintain tip average between 18%-25%
- Great analytical thinking in analyzing problems and creating effective solutions
- Productive multi-tasking skills that thrives in a fast-pace environment
- Experience in a sales oriented position where sales goals were productively achieved
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
High School Diploma
Waitress and Hostess
Greeted guests in a pleasant and courteous manner.
- Delivered exceptional service by greeting and serving customers in a timely, friendly manner.
- Assisted guests in making menu choices in an informative and helpful fashion.
- Skillfully anticipated and addressed guests' service needs.
- Recieved and processed with accuracy various forms of payments
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
High School Diploma
Nursing
Head Bartender/waitress
Created and maintained a cohesive and productive work environment.
- While delivering great customer service in a nice timely manner.
- Balanced money/ register, and inventory weekly.
- Provided clients with reassurance and encouragement.
- Bookkeeping, and help keep up with their daily improvements.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
High School Diploma
Waitress
Served both food and drinks to guests.
- Served and hosted downstairs at dueling piano bar.
- Cocktailed upstairs during the club hours, serving alcoholic beverages.
- Cleaned and completed side work, rolling silverware, stocking wait stations, wiping tables.
Candidate Info
months in workforce
months at this job
High School Diploma
Waitress
Cleaned and organized eating, service, and kitchen areas
- Filled beverage and ice dispensers
- Greeted each customer with friendly eye contact
- Inspected restrooms for cleanliness and availability of supplies and cleaned restrooms when necessary
- Inspected and cleaned food preparation areas to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices
- Kept ice bins filled
Candidate Info
months in workforce
months at this job
Waitress
Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
- Collect payments from customers.
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- Fill salt, pepper, sugar, cream, condiment, and napkin containers.
- Escort Customers to their tables.
- Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Waitress
Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
- Serve food and beverages to customers, and serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
- Answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Clean tables after customer have finished dining.
- Roll silverware, set up food stations, side work and set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties.
- Explain how various menu items are prepared, describing ingredients and cooking methods.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Waitress
Serves patrons at banquets, special functions, or during normal daily dining room operations
- Takes food and beverage orders from patrons, answers questions regarding prices, substitutions, quality or quantity of menu items, and availability of menu items
- Delivers food and beverages to tables; waits on tables to insure that patrons are supplied with beverage refills or clean utensils when desired
- Removes dishes and utensils; cleans and dusts tables and chairs; fills sugar, salt, and pepper containers; sweeps
- Assists in setting up and taking down tables and chairs; places clean utensils and napkins on table
- Assists in setting up for banquets or special functions
- Performs related work as required
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Biology
Management
Waitress
Assist hostess by answering phones to take reservations and to-go orders, and by greeting, seating, and thanking guests
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips for transmittal to kitchen staff
- Serve food and beverages to patrons
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems
- Prepare checks and collect payments from customers
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Bartender & Waitress
Served as a bartender and waitress providing quality and timely service upon customers' requests
- Responded promptly and answered/resolved customer inquiries and complaints
- Executed daily operations while maintaining a clean restaurant and bar, waiting on customers and responsible for closing my shift
- Familiar with making a variety of cocktails/shots
- Recommended service improvements for the food/drink menu and food presentation
- Resolved customer complaints by any necessary means; such as a complementary drink or appetizer and in some cases made entire refunds
- Ensured customer satisfaction by responding timely to their orders and entertainment requests
- Solicited sale of new drinks and or food specials
- Responsible for verifying ID's to ensure legal age and safety of our customers
- Restocked products/merchandise for the following bartender
- Reconciled cash drawer, prepared daily deposit, secured money in the safe, set night alarms
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
College Preparatory
Waitress
Greeted customers with a warm and pleasant reception
- Provide excellent customer service
- Take and deliver orders ensuring orders are correct properly prepared
- Used the computer system to enter in all orders
- Provide accurate tickets to customers and offer any additional assistance to ensure a pleasant dining experience
- Collected cash, credit card, and gift certificate payments from customers and made change for cash transactions
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Medical Insurance
Waitress
Solid experience working proactively within teams and leading teams, ensuring optimized and timely service.
- Strong attention for detail with proven ability to quickly learn all aspects of new menus and specialties.
- Reputation for putting guests at ease and maintaining composure in stressful situations.
- Solid experience working with people from all cultures and backgrounds.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills-at all levels.
- The ability to work in a group towards and obtain a common goal.
- Detail oriented, with a proven ability to identify, analyze and solve problems.
Candidate Info
months in workforce
months at this job
Business Marketing
Waitress
Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems
- Assist with transactions using cash register and giving correct amount of change
- Maintain a strong sense of urgency throughout long shifts in a fast-paced environment
- Provide a positive, friendly attitude to coworkers and customers on a daily basis
- Flexible to work on weekends and holidays
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Cna
Waitress
Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems.
- Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Perform food preparation duties such as preparing salads, appetizers, and cold dishes, portioning desserts, and brewing coffee
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
High School Diploma
Waitress
I enthusiastically greeted guest at the door, and sat them according to their personal preferences.
- I took the guest orders according to their appetite preferences; and entered them into a database.
- I made sure that when the guests' food was ready, that it was delivered to them in a timely manner; with all needed condiments.
- I engaged in conversation with guest to be sure that their occasional visit was going to turn into a regular visit.
- I handled money transactions; cash and credit.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Integrated Marking
Dental Hygiene
Waitress
Assist in preparing, setting up, and executing various events including weddings, meetings, and conventions
- Assist and support chef and other banquet staff in preparing foods and serving all guests
- Participate as part of the team to ensure that the breakdown and cleanup is handled properly and in a timely manner
- Ensure that guests are served in a prompt and courteous manner to properly reflect the environment and standards of the restaurant
- Continue to work as part of the team with willingness to pick up shifts as needed
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Some College
Waitress
Verify patrons' identification to make sure that they meet min age needs for use of alcoholic beverages.
- Confirm with customers to make sure that they are enjoying food and take action to correct any troubles.
- Attend customers to their tables.
- Explain neatly how different menu items are made, describing the cooking methods and ingredients.
- Tell customers of daily special items.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Special Education
Waitress
Performed customer service duties assisting and seating customers for best restaurant flow.
- Accurately processed customer's orders to meet customer satisfaction and limit reorder cost.
- Inventoried stock to assure proper levels and no shortages.
- Trained new employees that were entering the company.
- Traveled to newly opened company stores to assist with openings and training all employees.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Nursing Program
Waitress
Provide excellent customer service including customer conflict resolution; language barrier resolution
- Delivery of food & beverages to tables; check identification to ensure age requirement for alcoholic beverage
- Collect payments from customers/cash handling; bill totaling and addition of sales tax
- Data entry of orders into computer
- Preparation of food orders; clearing of tables
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Biology / Pre
Waitress
Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals and take action to correct any problems
- Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
- Roll silverware, set up food stations or set up dining areas to prepare for the next shift or for large parties
- Prepare tables for meals, including setting up items such as linens, silverware, and glassware.
- Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpet, tidying up server station, taking out trash, or checking and cleaning bathroom.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Tourism And Hospitality
Waitress
- Responsible for training new waiters and waitresses in food handling, hygiene, and safety
- Assisted kitchen staff with food preparation.
- Ensured that all guests received exceptional service.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Critical Thinking Skills
Criminal Justice
Waitress
Deliver exceptionally, friendly and fast service
- Consistently achieve the highest guest check averages through suggestively selling items
- Assist colleagues during rush periods in order to promote teamwork
- Skillfully anticipate and address guest service needs
- Total meal cost for customer final bill calculation
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
College Prep
Waitress
- Was entrusted to open and close the restaurant.
- Consistently provided friendly service and heartfelt hospitality.
- Promptly and sympathetically handled guest concerns and complaints.
- Demonstrated integrity and honesty while interacting with guests, team members and managers.
- Greeted customers and provided excellent customer service via telephone and in person.
- Pleasantly and courteously interacted with customers.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Education
Psychology, Kinesiology Statistics
Nursing
Hostess/waitress
Examined trays to ensure that they contained required items
- Greeted customers in the restaurant, took and rang up orders, handled payment and thanked customers
- Sat guests at tables or in waiting areas
- Inspected dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
- Located items requested by customers
- Performed dishwasher duties
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
High School Diploma
Psychology
Medical Assisting Program
Waitress
Tending to the elderly in a fine dining service restaurant.
- Required to move at a fast pace while maintain order.
- Serving a full course meal with a greeting personality and hospitality.
- Practice hand washing techniques between every task in serving and cleaning.
- Putting meal trays together to be sent to rooms
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Global Studies
Nursing
Waitress
Greet customers at time of arrival and show them to their tables.
- Always make sure guests have everything they need.
- Take customers orders.
- Give undivided attention even when there is a high volume of customers.
- Make sure dining rooms are set up before time of guests' arrival.
- Make sure kitchen duties are finished before the end of every shift.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Medical Assisting
Waitress
Warmly greets and acknowledges guests upon arrival.
- Effectively merchandise food and beverage menus in an informative, friendly and enthusiastic manner.
- Polishes all silverware and glassware used for service.
- Cleans, stocks, and maintains the workstation throughout shift.
- Follows all safety and sanitation policies.
- Correctly and precisely calculates each guests check.
- Performs additional responsibilities, although not detailed, as requested by manager.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Waitress
Answering telephone calls, returning voicemails, and responding promptly and proficiently
- Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to table rotation
- Cleaning and organizing eating, service, and kitchen area
- Training kitchen staff
- Ensuring freshness of food
- Working with Aloha POS system
- Being proficient with Microsoft word
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Integrative Studies: Business, Economics, Journalism
Marketing
Waitress
- Provided customers with food and beverage upon request.
- Assisted with closing duties and dish clean-up at night.
- Handled cash with care and responsibility.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
months at this job
Waitress
Working with Others
- Multiple jobs have required me to learn how to multitask and to keep a cool head
- Working with other people is not always easy and if one thing has been learned through my experiences it is how to deal with customers when they are not exactly pleasant
- I am very good at making other people around me feel comfortable, I was born with the gift of gab and it has been very useful in my work life
- Very organized
- I have plenty of ideas but I have learned not to over step and let other people speak as well
- Great team player
- Personally I am good at being a leader, I am okay if I am not everyone's favorite person. I prefer to get the job done and to get it done well. I do not like to jump into the leadership role.
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Criminal Justice
Waitress
Provide superior guest service, friendliness, and restaurant cleanliness using the restaurant's proven systems and routines.
- Assures the highest standards of service and quality.
- Monitors food prep methods, portion sizes, and presentation
- Develop repeat business by establishing close and lasting relations with customers
Candidate Info
years in workforce
years at this job
Waitress
Confirm with customers to make sure that they are enjoying food and take action to correct any troubles
- Attend to customers and their needs
- Explain neatly how different menu items are made, describing the cooking methods and ingredients
- Tell customers of special items
More Waitress
Resumes
Waitress Resume Success Stories
Waitress Resume FAQ
How do you describe a waitress role on a resume?
Waitresses provide excellent customer service to guests from a variety of backgrounds. Essential tasks may include describing menu items, memorizing orders, following up on guests’ needs, handling payment methods, bringing food to tables and staying energetic while maintaining courteousness and good communication.
What are good skills to put on a resume for a waitress?
Waitresses use a variety of skills to perform their day-to-day duties.
Top hard skills for waitresses to put on their resume include:
- Serving food and drinks
- Refilling glasses
- Taking orders
- Operating the cash register
- Describing menu items
- Stocking supplies
- Food safety
- Depth perception
Top soft skills that would make a waitress resume more impressive include:
- Customer service
- Verbal communication
- Teamwork
- Courteousness
- Conflict resolution
- Stamina
- Persistence
- Active listening
What are the duties and responsibilities of a waitress?
Waitresses are primarily responsible for providing excellent customer service, which includes diligently taking orders, bringing food and drinks to tables and keeping the dining areas clean. Their work history may also include operating the cash register or point-of-sale (POS) system and explaining menu items to customers.
