Server Resume: Example, Skills and Certifications
Updated
A server resume should show the kind of restaurant you worked in, how many tables or covers you handled, and results such as upselling, check averages or guest reviews. List the POS systems you know, your menu and wine knowledge, and food handler or responsible alcohol service certifications, such as ServSafe or TIPS, where required.
What to include on a server resume
- Contact details: name, phone, professional email, city and state, and a LinkedIn URL if it is up to date. No photo, date of birth or other personal details: US employers don’t expect them.
- A professional summary of two or three sentences.
- Work experience, most recent first, with bullet points that show results, not just duties.
- Type of restaurant for each job (fine dining, casual, high-volume, banquets, bar) and your section size or covers per shift.
- Certifications: food handler card, ServSafe Alcohol, TIPS or a state-required server permit.
- POS and reservation systems you have used.
- Availability for nights, weekends and holidays, if it is a strength.
Fine dining managers want menu knowledge, wine pairing and polish; high-volume restaurants want speed and teamwork. Reorder your bullets to match the restaurant you are applying to.
Sample professional summary
Server with 5 years in high-volume casual and upscale dining, comfortable with 6–8 table sections and 150+ covers on weekend nights. Strong menu and wine knowledge, consistent upselling and calm under pressure. ServSafe Food Handler and TIPS certified; proficient in Toast and OpenTable.
Swap in your restaurant types, section size, certifications and systems. If you are moving from casual to fine dining, mention any wine training or tasting experience you have.
How to describe your experience
Under each job, write three to five bullets that start with an action verb and say what changed because of your work. The numbers below are examples: use your own.
WeakTook orders and served food.
BetterRan 6–8 table sections on Friday and Saturday nights, averaging 120 covers per shift with accurate orders.
WeakSold drinks and desserts.
BetterRaised my average check by 15% by suggesting wine pairings and seasonal desserts.
WeakGot good reviews.
BetterMentioned by name in 30+ positive online reviews in one year and chosen Server of the Month three times.
WeakTrained new servers.
BetterTrained 10 new servers on the menu, POS and steps of service, and led pre-shift tastings of specials.
If you don’t have exact figures, describe the result without one, or use a range you could explain in an interview.
Skills to list on a server resume
- Steps of service, table maintenance and course timing
- Menu, wine, beer and cocktail knowledge
- Suggestive selling and upselling
- POS: Toast, Square, Aloha, Micros; reservations: OpenTable, Resy
- Allergy awareness and clear communication with the kitchen
- Cash handling, split checks and closing out
- Teamwork with hosts, bussers, bartenders and kitchen staff
Education and certifications
- Food handler card: some states and counties require one for anyone who handles food, including servers. ServSafe Food Handler is a common course; check with your local health department.
- Responsible alcohol service: ServSafe Alcohol, TIPS or a state-approved server permit. Some states require it to serve alcohol; check your state’s alcohol control agency.
- Allergen awareness training, if you have it.
- High school diploma or GED; hospitality coursework if you have it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I list every restaurant I have worked at?
If you have many short jobs, keep the three or four most relevant and summarize the rest in one line, such as “Additional server roles, 2017–2019”. Show stability where you can.
Do I need a food handler card to be a server?
It depends on your state and county: some require one for servers, others only for kitchen staff, and many employers ask for it anyway. Check the local health department and the job posting.
How do I show sales results without mentioning tips?
Use averages and percentages: covers per shift, check average increase, wine sales ranking. You don’t need to say how much you earned in tips.
Can I use a server resume to apply for bartender jobs?
Yes, but move bar experience to the top: drinks you can make, barback shifts, volume and alcohol certifications.