close

Restaurant Worker Resume Examples & Templates

Looking to stand out in the food industry? Our restaurant worker resume examples showcase essential skills like customer service, teamwork, and multitasking to help you catch employers' attention.

Gabriela Hernandez
by Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer
Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Hired By:*

Endorsed by trusted media Endorsed by trusted media

Resume Template—Easy to Copy & Paste

John Singh

Miami, FL 33102
(555)555-5555
John.Singh@example.com

Professional Summary

Dynamic Restaurant Worker with 5 years of experience, renowned for improving dining experiences, optimizing operations, and delivering superior customer service in fast-paced restaurant settings.

Work History

Restaurant Worker
The Urban Fork - Miami, FL
January 2023 - October 2025

  • Managed up to 20 tables during peak hours
  • Increased customer satisfaction ratings by 15%
  • Trained 5 new staff on restaurant protocol

Kitchen Assistant
Maple Leaf Dining - Tampa, FL
January 2021 - December 2022

  • Assisted in food prep for 100+ meals daily
  • Maintained cleanliness of cooking stations
  • Optimized ingredient usage, reducing waste by 10%

Food Server
Harborview Bistro - Tampa, FL
January 2020 - December 2020

  • Handled 50+ diner orders accurately daily
  • Boosted sales by recommending specials
  • Ensured all food safety guidelines met

Languages

  • Spanish - Beginner (A1)
  • French - Beginner (A1)
  • Italian - Intermediate (B1)

Skills

  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Menu Knowledge
  • Food Safety Compliance
  • Team Collaboration
  • Time Management
  • Multitasking
  • Sales and Upselling
  • Culinary Skills

Certifications

  • Food Handler Certification - National Restaurant Association
  • Customer Service Training - Service Excellence Institute

Education

Bachelor's Hospitality Management
University of Springfield Springfield, Illinois
May 2020

High School Diploma
Springfield High School Springfield, Illinois
June 2016

Build Your Resume in Minutes

Creating a custom resume is easier than ever with our Resume Builder!

Make Your Resume

How to Write a Restaurant Worker Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first thing employers will notice, so it’s important to make a lasting impression by showcasing your strengths as a restaurant worker. This section should highlight your customer service skills, teamwork abilities, and any relevant experience in the food industry.

To guide you in crafting an effective summary, review these examples that illustrate what works well and what doesn’t. They’ll help you understand how to present yourself confidently and clearly:

Weak resume summary

I am a dedicated restaurant worker with experience in various roles. I seek a position where I can use my skills and contribute to the restaurant’s success. A friendly work environment and chances for advancement are important to me, and I believe I can be a great asset if given the chance.

Why this summary misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific details about relevant skills and experiences that define the job seeker’s capabilities
  • Relies heavily on personal wants instead of emphasizing what value they bring to the employer
  • Uses general terms like "dedicated" without providing evidence or examples of past achievements

Strong resume summary

Enthusiastic restaurant worker with 3+ years of experience in fast-paced dining environments, excelling in customer service and food safety. Increased customer satisfaction scores by 20% through personalized service and efficient order management. Proficient in point-of-sale systems, inventory control, and team collaboration to ensure smooth operations.

Why this summary works:
  • Starts with clear experience level and context within the restaurant industry
  • Highlights quantifiable achievement that shows positive impact on customer satisfaction
  • Demonstrates relevant skills that are essential in a restaurant setting, appealing to potential employers
pro-tip icon

PRO TIP

If you’re new to the workforce or changing careers, consider using a career objective on your resume. This can highlight your enthusiasm and goals effectively. There are plenty of resume objective examples available specifically for restaurant roles to guide you.

Showcasing Your Work Experience

The work experience section is important for your resume as a restaurant worker, serving as the primary content area. Good resume templates always emphasize this section to highlight your relevant experiences.

This part should be arranged in reverse-chronological order, listing your previous jobs clearly. Use bullet points to detail specific achievements and responsibilities that demonstrate your skills in the restaurant industry.

To illustrate effective ways to present your work history, we’ll provide some examples that show what works well and what you should steer clear of:

Weak work experience

Restaurant Worker

Sunny Diner – Orlando, FL

  • Served food and drinks to customers.
  • Cleaned tables and the dining area.
  • Handled cash and processed payments.
  • Assisted with kitchen tasks as needed.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
  • Lacks specific employment dates
  • Bullet points are vague and do not highlight individual contributions or skills
  • Emphasizes routine duties rather than showcasing achievements or impact on the team
Strong work experience

Restaurant Worker

The Gourmet Bistro – San Francisco, CA

June 2020 - Current

  • Deliver exceptional customer service to an average of 100 diners per shift, improving guest satisfaction scores by 15%.
  • Train and mentor new team members on menu knowledge and service protocols, leading to a 20% decrease in onboarding time.
  • Assist in inventory management and ordering processes, resulting in a 10% reduction in food waste over six months.
Why this work experience section works:
  • Uses powerful action verbs that clearly convey the job seeker's contributions to the workplace
  • Incorporates quantifiable achievements that illustrate the impact of the job seeker's actions
  • Demonstrates essential skills relevant to the restaurant industry through specific examples

While your resume summary and work experience are important components, it's essential not to overlook other sections that contribute to a well-rounded presentation. For more insights on crafting an effective resume, be sure to explore our detailed guide on how to write a resume.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

A skills section is important on a resume as it succinctly showcases your qualifications to potential employers. It helps you stand out by showing that you possess the technical skills and relevant abilities required for the restaurant worker role.

For this profession, emphasize both technical knowledge and interpersonal strengths. For example, technical skills might include experience with point-of-sale systems or familiarity with food safety practices, while interpersonal abilities could involve teamwork and effective communication in a fast-paced environment.

Hard skills, including the ability to operate kitchen equipment, understand food safety regulations, and prepare a variety of dishes efficiently, are essential in culinary roles. Additionally, honing your hard skills can significantly improve your performance in technical tasks.

Soft skills like teamwork, communication, and adaptability play a important role in ensuring a positive dining experience and fostering collaboration among staff in a fast-paced environment.

When crafting your resume skills, it’s essential to align them with what employers expect from applicants. Many organizations use automated screening systems that filter out applicants lacking the necessary qualifications for the job.

To improve your chances of getting noticed, take the time to review job postings related to your desired position. This will help you identify key skills that both recruiters and ATS systems prioritize, ensuring your resume stands out in the selection process.

pro-tip icon

PRO TIP

Make your resume stand out and get noticed by employers. Use our ATS Resume Checker to uncover over 30 common mistakes that could prevent you from landing that restaurant job.

10 skills that appear on successful restaurant worker resumes

Elevate your application by showcasing essential skills that resonate with restaurant hiring managers. You can see how these skills shine in our resume examples, giving you the edge needed to land an interview.

Here are 10 key skills you should consider highlighting in your resume if they align with your experience and job expectations:

  • 1

    Customer service

  • 2

    Teamwork

  • 3

    Attention to detail

  • 4

    Multitasking

  • 5

    Time management

  • 6

    Food safety knowledge

  • 7

    Adaptability

  • 8

    Conflict resolution

  • 9

    Cash handling

  • 10

    Menu knowledge

Based on analysis of 5,000+ food service professional resumes from 2023-2024

Resume Format Examples

Choosing the right resume format is key for restaurant workers because it highlights your relevant skills, experience, and career growth in a clear and appealing manner.

Entry-Level 0 - 2 years

Functional

Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs

Functional

Best for:

Recent graduates and career changers with little to no experience

Mid-Career 3 - 7 years

Combination

Balances skills and work history equally

Combination

Best for:

Mid-career professionals focused on advancing their skills and career opportunities

Experienced 8+ years

Chronological

Emphasizes work history in reverse order

Chronological

Best for:

Experienced leaders in fast-paced dining environments

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely, including a cover letter is a great way to improve your application. It allows you to showcase your personality and explain how your skills match the job. If you're not sure how to write a cover letter, explore our guide for tips or use our Cover Letter Generator for quick assistance.

When applying for jobs outside the U.S., use a CV instead of a resume, as many countries prefer this format. To assist you in crafting a professional CV, explore our CV examples and guides that highlight essential formatting and content details for various international markets. Learn more about how to write a CV to ensure your application stands out effectively.

Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are essential for restaurant workers. These interpersonal skills foster positive interactions with customers and colleagues, ensuring a smooth dining experience and a collaborative work environment that improves service quality.

Highlight transferable skills like customer service, multitasking, and teamwork from your past roles. These skills translate well to a restaurant setting, emphasizing your ability to handle fast-paced environments and collaborate effectively. Use specific examples to link your experiences to key responsibilities in the restaurant industry.

If you’re applying for a restaurant worker position with limited experience, highlight any relevant skills such as customer service, teamwork, and adaptability. In your resume with no experience, mention volunteer work or school projects that demonstrate your ability to work in fast-paced environments. Employers appreciate enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, so convey your passion for the role confidently.

To improve your resume's visibility on LinkedIn, add your resume to LinkedIn by uploading it to your profile or highlighting essential skills and experiences in the "About" and "Experience" sections. This approach helps restaurant managers and recruiters easily find qualified applicants who match their hiring needs.

About the Author

Gabriela Hernandez large profile photo

Gabriela Hernandez CPRW, Career Advice Writer

Gabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Gabriela holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico and offers more than four years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation.

Get Hired Faster

Join millions who’ve built resumes that land the job!

Make Your Resume

Featured in:*

Media features graphic LiveCareer

*The names and logos of the companies referred to in this page are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with LiveCareer.

Build Your Resume

Build a resume with LiveCareer

Build My Resume
Build My Cover Letter

Craft a Winning Cover Letter

Build My Cover Letter