How to Make a Serving Job Sound Good on a Resume

When it comes to crafting an engaging resume, transforming a serving job into a standout experience can make a significant difference. The key lies in emphasizing the skills and achievements that highlight your value. Here’s how you can make a serving job sound impressive on your resume:

1. Showcase Relevant Skills:

Customer Service Expertise: Serving jobs hone your ability to handle various customer needs, resolve conflicts, and provide exceptional service. Highlight instances where you managed challenging situations with poise and efficiency.

Team Collaboration: Emphasize your role in working with diverse teams to ensure smooth operations. Detail how you coordinated with kitchen staff, fellow servers, and management to create a positive dining experience.

Multitasking Abilities: Serving requires juggling multiple tasks simultaneously, from taking orders to managing payments. Showcase your proficiency in handling busy periods and maintaining high standards of service.

Sales Skills: Many serving roles involve upselling and promoting specials. Highlight any sales achievements or initiatives you led that boosted restaurant revenue or customer satisfaction.

2. Quantify Your Achievements:

Customer Satisfaction Scores: If applicable, mention any customer satisfaction scores or feedback ratings that demonstrate your commitment to providing an excellent dining experience.

Revenue Generation: Include specific figures on how your upselling techniques or exceptional service contributed to increased sales or average check amounts.

Efficiency Improvements: Highlight any changes you implemented that improved the efficiency of service, reduced wait times, or streamlined operations.

3. Use Action-Oriented Language:

Instead of generic job descriptions, use strong action verbs and specific examples to convey your impact. For instance:

• "Enhanced customer satisfaction by 20% through personalized service and prompt issue resolution."
• "Increased average check size by 15% by successfully upselling menu specials and promotions."
• "Streamlined order processing, reducing wait times by 25% during peak hours."

4. Highlight Transferable Skills:

Communication: Serving jobs refine your ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals. Mention how these skills translate to other professional settings, such as managing client relationships or leading team projects.

Problem-Solving: Serving often requires quick thinking and problem-solving. Illustrate how these abilities can benefit roles requiring critical thinking and adaptability.

Attention to Detail: Emphasize your meticulousness in handling orders, ensuring accuracy, and maintaining a clean and organized workspace.

5. Tailor to the Job Description:

Align your serving experience with the requirements of the job you’re applying for. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your serving background makes you a strong candidate.

For instance, if applying for a customer service role, emphasize your ability to handle difficult situations, resolve conflicts, and exceed customer expectations. If the role involves teamwork, focus on your experience collaborating with others in a fast-paced environment.

By framing your serving job experience in terms of skills, achievements, and relevant attributes, you can effectively showcase its value on your resume. This approach not only highlights your qualifications but also demonstrates your ability to bring significant benefits to potential employers.