Waitress resume examples & templates

From drinks to dessert and everything in between, waiters and waitresses work to make sure customers enjoy their restaurant experience from the moment they walk in the door until the meal is over. So how do you show a busy restaurant manager you’ve got what it takes? 

A well-crafted waitress resume will do exactly that. And you’re in the right place for ideas, inspiration, and expert advice to help you get started.

Resume guide for a waitress resume

Resume.io is a top resource for job seekers across all industries, offering over 500 tailored resume samples and customizable templates.

This resume writing guide, along with the corresponding waitress resume example, will cover the following topics:

• How to write a waitress resume
• Choosing the best resume format for a waitress
• Including your contact information
• Crafting a compelling resume summary
• Highlighting your experience in the food service industry
• Listing relevant education and key skills
• Selecting the right resume design/layout
• An overview of the waitress job market and salary trends

How to write a waitress resume

When creating your waitress resume, there are specific sections to include. Focus on these key components:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

A waitress resume should emphasize your ability to deliver exceptional customer service and thrive in a fast-paced environment. A strong resume reflects your skill in managing multiple tables, handling guest requests efficiently, and ensuring a positive dining experience for patrons.

Focus on highlighting your most impressive achievements while tailoring your resume to fit the specific restaurant and role you're targeting. Carefully review the job description to align your qualifications with the restaurant’s priorities and demonstrate why you're the perfect fit.

Here are key tips for crafting your waitress resume:

• Highlight unique skills, certifications, or experiences that set you apart, such as knowledge of fine dining etiquette or wine pairing expertise.
• Showcase quantifiable accomplishments, like boosting customer satisfaction scores or increasing table turnover rates.
• Customize your resume to reflect the needs of the specific restaurant or hospitality venue you’re applying to.
• Ensure your resume is optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by incorporating key terms like "customer service," "order accuracy," or "menu knowledge." Use a clean and simple format to enhance readability and ATS compatibility.

Choosing the right resume format for a waitress

One important consideration is the best resume format for structuring your waitress resume, particularly the way your employment history is organized. 

If you have recent and somewhat continuous experience as a waitress, it’s probably best to list your work history in reverse chronological order, meaning last job first and first job last.

Most people start with smaller roles and gradually advance to better positions as they gain experience. Since your most recent job is often the most compelling to potential employers, it’s best to list it first and work your way backward.

The reverse chronological resume format is highly recommended because it highlights your work history by arranging your roles from most recent to oldest, allowing recruiters to evaluate your progression and responsibilities quickly.

If your experience is limited or your career path has been unconventional, you might consider a functional or hybrid resume format. A functional resume focuses on your skills rather than specific job titles, which can be beneficial if your abilities outweigh your years of experience. However, this format is less commonly accepted by employers in the restaurant industry.

Given current hiring trends, we strongly suggest using the reverse chronological format. It’s straightforward, widely recognized, and makes it easy for employers to see your experience at a glance. 

Include your contact information

Don’t let a dream waitressing job slip through your fingers because an employer can’t reach you. It’s more common than you might imagine, so double-check that your contact details are clear and complete.

Here’s what to include:

• Full name and job title. Write your first and last name, along with the role you’re applying for, such as “Waitress” or “Server.”
• Email address. Use a professional, straightforward format like firstname.lastname@email.com.
• Phone number. Provide a reliable number so potential employers can easily get in touch.
• Location. List just your city and state—there’s no need for your full address. If you’re open to relocating, you can add "Willing to Relocate."
• LinkedIn profile. Include your LinkedIn link if it’s relevant and up-to-date for the role.

What to leave out:

• Birth date. There’s no need to share this—it helps avoid any risk of age-related bias.
• Personal details. Skip unnecessary information like marital status, Social Security number, or passport details.
• Photo. Refrain from adding a picture, as it could lead to unconscious bias during the hiring process.

By ensuring your contact information is accurate and professional, you’ll make it easy for employers to connect with you and move forward with your application.

Create a strong resume summary

The summary section of your resume is your chance to serve up a snapshot of your skills, accomplishments, and what makes you a standout candidate. Think of it as your "special of the day" that entices hiring managers to learn more. Use this space to highlight your most impressive achievements and traits, focusing on what makes you a five-star addition to any team.

Incorporate dynamic action verbs to convey energy and capability. For instance, if you've consistently delivered exceptional service, handled fast-paced shifts with ease, or earned glowing customer reviews, spotlight those wins. If you hold any relevant certifications, like food safety or alcohol service permits, be sure to mention them here as well.

This is also the perfect place to sprinkle in a bit of personality. Showcase your professionalism, charm, and customer-first approach; these are all qualities that keep tables full and tips flowing. Have you been praised for turning first-time diners into loyal regulars or expertly managing high-volume seating during rush hours? Let that shine!

Avoid bland clichés like "hard worker" or "team player." Instead, share a brief example that proves it—like stepping up to train new staff during peak seasons or successfully upselling specials to boost revenue. Make your summary sizzle and leave them hungry to hire you!

You can find an example waitress resume summary below:

Outline your waitress experience: serve up a solid track record.

Your work experience is the heart of your resume, so be sure to serve it up just right. List each job in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. For each position, include the restaurant name, your title, dates worked, and location. Then, add up to five bullet points showcasing your best accomplishments.

Remember to focus on how your efforts helped the business run smoothly and satisfied customers, using powerful action words to emphasize your impact on the restaurant.

Make your resume stand out by quantifying your achievements. Did you boost sales or increase tips during your shifts? Were you part of a team that improved customer service ratings? Numbers can make a huge impact.

Rather than using general statements like:

• Took orders and served food.
• Assisted customers with their needs.
• Worked as part of a team.

Try more specific and measurable statements such as:

• Increased daily sales by 15% by upselling specials and signature drinks.
• Delivered exceptional service, earning consistent 5-star ratings on customer feedback surveys.
• Streamlined seating arrangements to improve table turnover time by 20%, boosting overall efficiency.

This approach highlights how you contribute to a restaurant's success and shows potential employers just how valuable you are!

How to write a waitress resume with no experience

Waiting tables is a popular part-time gig for students and young people and experience is not always necessary. 

Local restaurant owners know this and are looking for teachable candidates who can demonstrate a great work ethic and a strong set of interpersonal skills. Once you have personality and determination on your side, you can still land a great waitress role.

Here’s how you can make a great impression, even without direct waitress experience:

• Highlight transferable skills that show your dependability and strong work ethic, such as managing busy environments, multitasking, and delivering exceptional customer service.
• Include any relevant volunteer work, internships, or personal experiences where you’ve interacted with customers, handled orders, or managed a team.
• Emphasize essential soft skills like communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork—vital for creating a positive dining experience and maintaining smooth service flow.

By showcasing these qualities, you can prove you’re ready to bring your best to the table.

Include the relevant key skills to qualify for waitress roles

The skills section of your resume is where your greatest strengths must shine through. Regardless of your experience level, showing off your communication and people skills is essential to landing your next job.

Dependable, honest, hard-working, attentive, and efficient. These characteristics are hard to train in someone who never learned them; soft skills. That’s why employers care about your soft skills even if you’ve never worked in a restaurant before. Don’t forget to mention that not only do you take feedback well, but you also actively seek it out as part of the learning process.

If you’ve been a waitress for a while now, a manager assumes you know how to treat guests with respect. Now, show them that you’ve picked up more precise industry knowledge with hard skills like POS systems, cash handling, and inventory management.

Highlight your ability to efficiently process orders, handle transactions, and ensure that the restaurant runs smoothly. Mention your familiarity with menu knowledge, food and beverage pairings, and any training you’ve received on health and safety regulations.

Be sure to sprinkle these skills throughout your resume to show practical knowledge, not just list them in the skills section. This is your chance to show that you not only provide great service but also understand the operational side of the job—making you a well-rounded and valuable asset to any restaurant team.

Here’s what the skills box looks like in our waitress resume template. 

Detail your education & relevant waitress certifications

Whether you have formal education or are just starting, the education section is about showing you’re willing to learn and improve. Waitresses often don’t need formal education in the area of hospitality since many responsibilities can be learned on the job. 

However, if you are knowledgeable in the areas of tourism, hospitality management, or food service, this can be a major bonus, especially when looking for higher-level jobs. 

Even if you don’t have a degree in a related field, it doesn’t hurt to show that you’ve studied. You can include your high school diploma or mention any certificates in bartending, restaurant service, food safety, or other related areas.  

Pick the right resume layout and design for your waitress resume

Whether you’re new to waitressing or you’ve got a few restaurants under your belt, a clean and attractive layout sends the message that you are a professional. 

It’s not necessary to include color, pictures, or more creative elements since a manager is looking for someone who can do the job efficiently and with a smile.

When employers skim your waitress resume, they’re judging its look just as much as its content. The layout, design, and formatting should complement your experience and make a great first impression.

Pay attention to font style and size, and ensure there’s a nice balance between text and white space. Clean, easy-to-read fonts like Helvetica, Arial, or Georgia are always a safe bet.

If you’re not up for a design showdown with your word processor, consider using one of our polished resume templates. For waitstaff, we recommend a sleek, professional design with clear sections and well-organized content. It’ll make your resume stand out like a top-notch server!  

Waitress text-only resume example

Waitress job market and outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for wait staff is projected to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029, on par with the average for all occupations. This translates to almost 100,000 new jobs, which means the work is there—if you know how to sell yourself. 

What type of salary you can expect in waitressing

As of May 2023, the mean hourly wage was $17.56 and $36,530 annually. Tips and gratuities play a significant role in a waiter’s or waitress’s total income, particularly in sit-down restaurants where they typically account for 15% to 20% of the bill. In high-end dining venues, the tipping potential can be even greater. Waitresses report that high-end restaurant work can pay more than six figures in tips annually. 

Key takeaways for a waitress resume

A well-written waitress resume emphasizes excellent customer service and the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments. Highlight key skills like multitasking and upselling, along with measurable achievements such as increasing sales or boosting customer satisfaction. 

Tailor your resume to the specific restaurant you're applying to, and ensure it's optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Showcase certifications or special skills like wine knowledge to set yourself apart. Lastly, present your resume with a clean, professional layout for maximum impact.

Ready to serve up a winning resume? Let’s help you dish out the perfect one for your waitress career using our builder. 

With resume.io’s 18 powerful tools, you can search for jobs, track your journey, prepare for interviews, and negotiate salaries—all with our all-inclusive career toolkit at your fingertips.