Server CV Samples & 20+ Writing Tips

Almost no one writes a good server CV.

And it’s not that hard!

The key thing?

Prove you know that being a good server isn’t just about taking and bringing orders.

That you have a good knowledge of the menu and can provide exceptional experience even to the most demanding customers.

In 7 minutes, you’ll learn how to write a food server CV that lands you any job you want!

This guide will show you:

• A sample food server CV better than most.
• How to ace your server job description on a CV.
• How to write a server CV that gets the interview.
• Why picking the right few skills for your server CV is the #1 key to get hired.

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Writing a bartender or a cocktail server CV? Switch over to: Bartender CV Sample and Writing Guide. Looking for a summer job by the sea? Check out our Lifeguard CV Writing Guide

Need help with a different kind of CV? Explore our other guides:

• Customer Service CV
• Restaurant CV
• Waiter Waitress CV
• Food Service CV
• Fast Food CV 
• Hospitality CV Examples
• Retail CV

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV Examples.

Lettuce begin with a good server CV sample that ticks all the boxes:

Server CV Example You Can Copy and Use

For step-by-step guidelines on how to write a server CV, read on!

1. Use a Professional Server CV Template

There’s your server CV, on the restaurant manager’s desk, somewhere in the middle of a pile 300+ CVs deep.

The manager casts a glance on it…

Whoops!

It just landed in the trash.

What happened?

Your CV was confusing to read. The manager didn’t have the time to dig for necessary information.

How to avoid it?

Use a clear, legible server CV template and format.

Your CV should include the following sections in this order:

Server CV Template

1. Contact Information
2. Objective,  Summar, or Summary of Qualifications.
3. Work Experience
4. Skills
5. Education
6. (Optional) Additional Sections

Also, don’t forget some basic CV formatting rules:

• Pick an elegant CV font.
• Go for single or 1.15 line spacing.
• Set one-inch margins.
• Make section headings larger than the rest of the text.
• List your experience in reverse-chronological order. Current or most recent position first, then the one before it, and so on.
• White space is good. Make smart use of it. You don’t want your serving CV to feel jam-packed.

Expert Hint: Once you’re done, save your server CV in PDF. This way you’ll keep the layout intact across all devices and software. But remember to double-check with the job ad. Some employers only accept MS Word server CVs.

2. Write a Mouth-Watering Server CV Objective or Summary

Remember those 300 restaurant server CVs I mentioned?

The hiring manager won’t read all of them. Each will get an average of 6 seconds of her attention.

The good news?

You can make her read yours in full.

How?

Open your CV with a CV objective or summary. A succinct paragraph of 60 words tops that explains why you’re the right server for this gig.

Not much serving experience? Write a CV objective.

Discuss what skills you’ve learned so far and how well you’d fit in.

Already a seasoned, three-plates-in-one-arm server? Go for a professional summary of qualifications.

Show off your best achievements and outline your career.

Whichever one will be your choice, keep one thing in mind: make your heading statement personalised.

Drop the name of the restaurant you’re applying to. Show you’ve got what it takes to help them achieve their goals.

(Yes, that means you can’t just spam one general server CV around. And that’s precisely the point.)

See these examples for reference:

Server CV Examples: CV Objectives

The difference is clear, isn’t it?

The good example? Gordon Ramsay and Nigella Lawson would fight over who gets to hire this entry-level server.

Bad example, in turn, reads along the lines of “I know nothing about waiting tables but need a job, so give me one.”

Now, check out these two very different examples of server CV summaries.

Server CV Examples: CV Summaries

Expert Hint: This section comes at the top of your CV, but it’s best to write it last. It should work like a trailer for the rest of your food service CV. To make a good trailer, first have the rest of the contents ready and choose the best bits.

3. Create Server Job Descriptions That Stand Out

Now, time for the main course. The meat and potatoes of your CV.

Here’s how to make sure it’s as delicious as chateaubriand with dauphinoise.

Server Job Description for a CV Step by Step

• Read the job ad carefully.
• Jot down the most important server responsibilities and tasks.
• Use those keywords: target your CV for the job description.
• List your experience in reverse-chronological order (most recent position at the top, followed by the previous one, then the one before it, and so on).
• Add up to 5 bullet points under each job.
• Don’t just list server duties. Focus on your achievements.
• Use action verbs: “provided” or “delivered” instead of “responsible for providing and delivering.”
• At the bottom, add a “Key Achievement” subsection. Showcase your proudest professional win.
• Quantify whenever you can. Numbers pop!

Have a look at this fine dining server CV example.

The job ad calls for candidates: (1) with exceptional customer service skills, (2) experienced with cash registers, (3) knowledgeable about pairing food and wine.

Here’s a server CV job description that proves she’s (1), (2), and (3).

Banquet Server Job Description for CV: Examples

Expert Hint: Dreaming of becoming a restaurant manager or running your own trattoria in the future? You’re on the right track. A recent study has shown that 8 out of 10 restaurant owners and 9 out of 10 restaurant managers started out as food servers!

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

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Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.

4. Pepper the Right Server Skills on Your CV

When it comes to listing your skills, here’s the single most important thing:

Relevance.

Remember when I mentioned tailoring? Here it comes again!

How to Put Server Skills on a CV?

1. Start with a spreadsheet with all your professional skills.
2. Look at the job ad again. Look for skill-related keywords and mark them.
3. How many of these match the skills from your spreadsheet? Quite a few, right?
4. Voila! That’s your server skills list!

It’s better to limit yourself to 4–6 most relevant skills than to copy-paste a generic server skills list. Only for reference, check out the table below:

The Best Server CV Skills Examples

Soft Skills

• Problem Solving
• Friendliness
• Stress Tolerance
• Decision Making
• Communication
• Multitasking
• Teamwork
• Conflict Resolution
• Active Listening
• Interpersonal Skills
• Time Management
• Active Learning

Hard Skills

• Restaurant Intercom Operation
• Safety Consciousness
• Math Skills
• Physical Fitness
• POS (Point of Sale) Systems
• Cash & Credit Transactions
• Dining Room Setup & Layout
• CPR and First Aid
• Vendor Management
• Inventory
• Restocking
• Register Skills

Expert Hint: Especially on server CVs with no experience, create a good list of you soft skills. Employers want to know what skills you’ll be able to transfer into your new workplace! 

5. Turn Boring Education into a Reason to Hire You

For experienced servers, the education section is the least important on a CV, that’s true.

Does it mean you can skip it altogether?

Not at all. Most employers require at least a high school degree. So: make sure you prove you have the necessary education to take up the job.

In your education section, limit yourself to the highest degree of education obtained.

List:

• Your degree
• School name
• Graduation date

To all food service candidates with little experience:

You can elaborate on your education a bit more to show you have what it takes to be successful at the job.

See this example:

Server CV Samples: Education

Expert Hint: If you finished a semester or two of university, include it on your food server CV. If you’re currently in university, put that on a CV as well. Add a note “Expected to graduate in 20XX.”

6. Spice Up Your Server CV With These Extra Sections

You think you’ve got all you need for a standout food server CV?

Contact information, summary, work history, skills, and education—all check.

But wait—

You can still kick it up a notch.

Include extra CV sections that prove your passion for the industry.

Sample Server CV Additional Sections

• Certifications
• Volunteer Experience
• Courses Taken
• Languages

Don’t have any of the above?

Include a hobbies & interests section. As a recent report has revealed, nowadays up to 90% of employers want candidates to be a good cultural fit for the company. A compelling hobbies section can help you show just that.

And, for the final word: attach a cover letter to your CV. A lot of employers still expect them!

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

For a server CV that gets any restaurant job you want, follow these steps:

• At the top, put a server CV objective or summary.
• In your server job descriptions, focus on achievements over regular duties.
• If you don’t have much professional experience, focus on transferable skills you’ve gained through other activities.
• Personalise every CV you send to match the requirements from the job ad.

All check? Well—good luck at your big interview!

Questions? Doubts? Concerns? Drop me a line in the comments and let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to learn about writing a food service CV. I’ll do my best to help!