Server Resume Example
Professional Server resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase your guest service skills, efficiency, and sales ability to land serving positions at top restaurants.
Last Updated: 2026-02-08 | Reading Time: 8-10 minutes
Quick Stats
Server Resume Example
Maya Thompson
maya.thompson@email.com
(555) 841-2267
Nashville, TN
linkedin.com/in/mayathompson
Skills
Certifications
Education
Profile
Personable and efficient Server with 3+ years of experience in fast-paced full-service dining. Consistently ranked in the top 10% for average check and guest satisfaction scores. Adept at managing 6-table sections during 200+ cover services while delivering warm, knowledgeable hospitality.
Professional Experience
- —Provide tableside service for a 90-seat James Beard Award-winning restaurant, managing a 6-table section during 200+ cover dinner services
- —Maintain an average check of $92 per guest, 18% above the restaurant average, through knowledgeable wine pairings and menu recommendations
- —Earned a 96% guest satisfaction rating based on post-meal survey feedback across 1,200+ covers
- —Collaborate with sommelier and kitchen team to communicate dietary restrictions and deliver seamless coursed dining experiences
- —Served 40-60 guests per shift in a high-volume, 250-seat casual dining restaurant with a 200+ item menu
- —Mastered full menu knowledge within 3 weeks, including allergen information and modification options for all items
- —Processed average daily sales of $2,800 per shift with zero POS discrepancies over 14-month tenure
Why This Resume Works:
- Quantified achievements with specific metrics
- Keywords match common job descriptions
- Clean, ATS-compatible formatting
- Strong action verbs throughout
How to Write a Server Resume
Professional Summary
Mention the type and pace of dining (fine dining, casual, high-volume), your section size, and your strongest metric -- such as average check, guest satisfaction score, or sales ranking among peers.
Work Experience
Include covers per service, average check, sales per shift, and guest satisfaction data. Mention menu knowledge, wine pairing ability, and how you handled special dietary requests or VIP guests.
Skills Section
Name specific POS systems, reservation platforms, and any beverage certifications. Show both technical serving skills and interpersonal abilities like upselling and guest engagement.
Action Verbs for Servers
Server Resume Keywords
These keywords appear most frequently in Server job descriptions. Include relevant ones in your resume:
Technical Keywords
Table ServiceFood & BeverageOrder AccuracyUpsellingWine ServiceMenu KnowledgeGuest SatisfactionCovers Per ServiceAverage CheckAllergen ProtocolsIndustry Keywords
Full-Service RestaurantFine DiningCasual DiningHospitalityFood & BeverageHigh-Volume ServiceFarm-to-TableTools & Technologies
Toast POSAloha POSMicros POSOpenTableResySquareTray Service EquipmentWine Service ToolsHandheld Ordering DevicesReservation BooksCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Simply writing "took orders and served food"
Reframe serving as a sales and hospitality role: "Managed a 6-table section, maintaining a $92 average check through expert wine and menu recommendations"
Not including any sales or revenue metrics
Include your average check, daily sales volume, and upsell performance. Serving is a sales job, and managers want to see revenue impact.
Leaving out guest satisfaction data
If your restaurant tracks guest feedback, include your rating or ranking. If not, mention repeat guests, manager commendations, or online review mentions.
Server Resume FAQs
How do I make a server resume stand out?
Use numbers: average check, covers per shift, sales per shift, guest satisfaction scores, and your ranking among peers. Mention the restaurant style (fine dining, high-volume casual) and any special skills like wine knowledge or tableside service.
Should I list serving experience from years ago?
Include your most recent and relevant 2-3 positions. Older serving experience can be summarized briefly if it adds value, but prioritize recent roles where you have specific metrics and achievements to share.
Is a server resume different from other food service resumes?
Yes. A server resume should emphasize guest-facing skills, sales ability, and menu knowledge more than kitchen or management resumes. Focus on upselling, guest satisfaction, and the dining experience you created.
What format is best for a server resume?
Use reverse chronological format. Start with a concise summary, then list experience with quantified bullets, followed by skills, certifications, and education. Keep it to one page.
Do I need to include my education on a server resume?
Include your highest level of education, even if unrelated to hospitality. A degree shows commitment and can be relevant for fine dining or management-track positions. Current students should note their expected graduation date.
Ready to Optimize Your Server Resume?
Our AI-powered resume analyzer will score your resume against ATS systems, find missing keywords for Server roles, and give you specific improvement suggestions.
Related Resume Examples
Restaurant Manager Resume Example
Professional Restaurant Manager resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to showcase your leadership, revenue growth, and operational expertise to land top hospitality management roles.
Chef Resume Example
Professional Chef resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to present your culinary expertise, kitchen leadership, and menu development skills to land top chef positions.
Bartender Resume Example
Professional Bartender resume example with ATS-optimized template. Learn how to highlight your mixology skills, speed, and guest engagement to land bartending jobs at top bars and restaurants.
Last updated: 2026-02-08 | Written by JobJourney Career Experts