Restaurant server resume: prompt and full sample
Restaurant managers often decide on a server in the first ten seconds of reading. They want to know how big your sections were, the kind of restaurant you worked in, and whether you can sell. This prompt has your agent write a server resume around covers, check averages and the food and wine you know.
The prompt
- Write my restaurant server resume for [RESTAURANT NAME OR JOB POSTING LINK]. I'm [YOUR NAME] in [CITY]. My serving history: [RESTAURANTS, DATES, TYPE (CASUAL, FINE DINING, BANQUETS), SECTION SIZE, COVERS PER SHIFT, ANY UPSELL RESULTS]. Certifications: [E.G. FOOD HANDLER, ALCOHOL SERVICE, WINE COURSES]. Match the style of the restaurant, show volume and sales with numbers, include POS systems and menu knowledge, keep it one page and ATS-friendly, and send it as a Word file and PDF.
What to change
- [RESTAURANT NAME OR JOB POSTING LINK]: The restaurant you're applying to, or the job ad link. Your agent checks the menu and style.
- [YOUR NAME]: Your full name.
- [CITY]: Your city.
- [RESTAURANTS, DATES, TYPE (CASUAL, FINE DINING, BANQUETS), SECTION SIZE, COVERS PER SHIFT, ANY UPSELL RESULTS]: e.g. "Olive & Vine, 2022–now, upscale Italian, 5-table section, 60 covers on Fridays, top wine seller".
- [E.G. FOOD HANDLER, ALCOHOL SERVICE, WINE COURSES]: Food handler card, ServSafe Food Handler or Alcohol, TIPS, WSET Level 1 or 2, Court of Master Sommeliers intro.
Example result
- Lena Novak
- Chicago, IL · lena.novak@email.com · (312) 555-0134
- Summary
- Restaurant server with 4 years in upscale-casual and fine dining. Handles 5–6 table sections and 60+ covers on busy nights, knows the wine list by heart and turns tables without rushing guests.
- Experience
- Server, Olive & Vine Trattoria · Chicago, IL · 2022 – today
- • Serve 50–65 covers per Friday and Saturday shift in a 160-seat dining room
- • Keep a check average about 15% above the house average by suggesting wine pairings and desserts
- • Sold the most bottles of wine on the team for 7 of 12 months in 2024
- • Guide guests through allergens and dietary needs with the kitchen, with zero allergy incidents
- • Train new servers on steps of service, the Toast POS and table numbering
- Server and Banquet Staff, Lakeside Hotel · Chicago, IL · 2020 – 2022
- • Worked weddings and corporate dinners of up to 250 guests, plated and family-style service
- • Covered host stand and bar back on short-staffed nights
- Certifications
- • Illinois Food Handler and BASSET alcohol server certification
- • WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
- Skills
- Steps of service · Fine dining etiquette · Wine and cocktail pairing · Upselling · Allergen awareness · Large-party and banquet service · Toast and Aloha POS · Cash and tip-out handling · Teamwork with kitchen and bar
- Availability
- Nights, weekends and holidays
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in your [bracketed] details.
- Paste it into todo.is on the Today screen or send it to your agent on WhatsApp.
- Your agent can look at the restaurant's site and menu, then writes a resume that fits the room. You get Word and PDF.
- Dropping off resumes in person? Ask for 3 versions with different summaries for different restaurants.
Tips for a better result
- Say what kind of restaurant each job was (fast casual, upscale, fine dining, banquets). Managers hire for the same pace.
- Covers per shift and section size tell a manager how much volume you can handle.
- Check average or upsell results show you raise revenue, not only carry plates.
- List wine, cocktail and allergen knowledge. Fine dining rooms screen for it.
- Put your availability on the resume, especially weekends and holidays.
restaurant server resume: FAQ
- What skills should a server put on a resume? Guest service, steps of service, menu and wine knowledge, upselling, multitasking in a busy section, POS systems, cash handling and teamwork with the kitchen.
- Do servers need certifications? Many places require a food handler card and an alcohol service certificate like ServSafe Alcohol or TIPS, depending on your state or city.
- How do I write a server resume with no restaurant experience? Highlight customer service jobs, cash handling, working under pressure and any host, busser or barista work. Get a food handler card to show you're ready.
- Is a one-page resume enough for a server? Yes. One page with your recent restaurants, numbers and certifications is what managers expect.
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