5 Food Service Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

The food service industry is as diverse as the flavors it serves, encompassing a wide range of roles that vary significantly in responsibilities and expectations. For job seekers, this variety can make it challenging to present relevant experience effectively. For example, skills gained in a fast-food environment may not immediately resonate with hiring managers at upscale dining establishments.

Those working in food service need to understand their unique experiences well, so they can fit them to the specific demands of different sectors within the industry. Predictions emphasize the importance of adaptability: “By 2030, the food service industry will be defined by its ability to innovate and respond to changing consumer preferences.” This guide will provide strategies to create a compelling food service resume that aligns with the evolving landscape of the field.

Hungry for more? Let’s dig into a savory sample of a food service resume that’ll whet any employer’s appetite.

Food service resume sample

Jackson’s resume is something to look up to. You can directly copy it and fill in your information, or use the quick and easy Enhancv resume builder to make one from scratch.

Now let's plate it up with the perfect resume format to suit your style.

How to format a food service resume

Making your resume stand out when working in the food service industry is crucial as there are hundreds—if not thousands—of candidates for the same position. Just like chefs decorate their plates in a visually appealing way, try to choose a resume layout that grabs attention from the get-go.

Top sections on a resume

These resume sections are the best ingredients for your document:

• Work experience
• Relevant skills
• Certifications and training
• Customer service record
• Physical stamina and schedule flexibility

We’ll review each of them below.

Resume format

Depending on your experience level, you might opt for different resume formats. The most common one, and the one that’ll get the green light quickly is the reverse-chronological one. It’s a comprehensive list of your career moves, starting with the most recent for clarity.

Resume designs

• Keep it crisp and concise, much like a well-plated dish—a single-page resume highlights your top achievements and is easy to digest.
• Opt for a two-column layout that's as clean and structured as a well-organized kitchen, making it simple for hiring managers to find and savor the best bits of your career.
• Set your margins between 0.5” and 1” to mirror the meticulous detail of a perfectly set table, ensuring your document's format is as neat as your mise en place.
• Add a splash of color to your resume as subtly as garnishing a dish, pairing it with a legible font like Lato, Bitter, or Rubik to maintain a presentation that’s as polished as your service.
• Incorporate clear dividing lines between sections, making this resume for food service as easy to scan as a well-crafted menu.

Contact information

• Your resume header should direct recruiters to the essential details of your contact information. Ensure your name, job title, professional email, and phone number are prominently and neatly displayed.
• While photos can introduce bias and are usually best left out, if your role in the industry is related to catering to people in any way, then a photo might be a good idea.

File formatting

• Use a clear title for your document, for example, Jackson_Thompson_Server_Resume.pdf
• Keep all the elements of your resume in place with a PDF.

Optimize your resume with our intuitive AI-powered resume checker for free!

After arranging our format, it’s time to sprinkle in your rich resume experience. Let's get cooking!

How to write your food service resume experience

food service is an umbrella term. It covers many professions—waiters, baristas, chefs, etc. For an effective food service worker resume, particularly in the experience section, emphasize your comprehensive role and proactive approach. Point out to potential employers that you ensured a smooth experience from start to finish.

Here’s how you can refine your background:

• Describe the specific experience and environments you worked in. What area(s) of the food service industry did you work in? What were your responsibilities?
• Structure each work entry by including the company name, the dates you worked there, your position, and responsibilities listed in bullets.
• Use strong action verbs to begin each bullet point, such as managed, coordinated, developed, led, and delivered, to make your achievements more dynamic and impactful.
• Integrate soft skills through examples—it’s the quickest way to illustrate how well you work with others, which is paramount to the industry.

Let’s explore a real job posting, so we can see which parts of it can be targeted in an experience section. We've highlighted the parts we're going to target:

Let’s see how we’ll target this job ad in an experience entry.

Create a targeted experience section

Tailoring your resume to the job posting will always be a winning strategy. Why? Recruiters only have a limited amount of time to look at your resume. The quicker they’re able to spot keywords they’re searching for, the quicker they’ll deem you a good fit and put your application in the “Yes” pile.

Here’s what makes it work:

• Highlighted expertise in operating a high-volume POS system, which is directly in line with the job requirement to operate the restaurant point of sale system as the cashier.
• Emphasized maintaining a clean and organized workstation, fulfilling the job's emphasis on cleanliness of public areas and equipment maintenance.
• Demonstrated efficient preparation and delivery of customer orders, addressing the job's core functions related to serving food efficiently.

Now, let’s spice things up! Learn how to quantify your experience and make your resume sizzle.

How to quantify your experience on a resume

You’ve probably heard how important people skills are to the success of your career in food service a million times. And while the saying goes the most important things can’t be measured, your achievements can, and should. It’s great if you can tie in your talents to measurable outcomes. Employers are hiring for potential results, so give specific examples.

For example:

But what if your spice rack is bare? No worries, even without experience, you can still cook up an impressive resume.

How do I write a food service resume with no experience

The food service industry is usually beginner-friendly, which is great news if you’re just starting out. Do keep in mind that beginner-friendly doesn’t mean there are no requirements or challenges. When crafting a resume with no prior experience, it’s essential to focus on the food service skills you’ve developed in other areas.

Here are some steps to help you outline a compelling resume:

• Highlight transferable skills, such as stress management, communication, and teamwork.
• List relevant courses and certifications, like food safety.
• Include any public interaction or event organization roles.
• Use a skills-based resume to weigh in on your abilities rather than experience.
• State your career goal clearly, such as aiming to become a skilled waiter.
• Focus on duties and achievements that apply to food service roles.
• Add recommendations from past employers or leaders who know your work ethic.

For someone with little to no experience, a resume objective highlights your strengths and goals for the specific workplace you’re applying to. It’s shorter than a resume summary—up to three sentences. Here’s a well-written food service employee resume objective:

With the basics down, let's review what hard and soft skills show you're fully prepped.

Food service skills on your resume

food service employee skills encompass a wide range of responsibilities that professionals handle on a daily basis. So, you’ll have no problem filling in your skills section. Just make sure you choose the areas you excel at and are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.

The skills you put on your resume can be divided into two categories—hard and soft.

Hard skills are industry-specific skills, such as working with different types of software. These can be easily tested and measured, so don’t exaggerate your abilities.

Here’s a list to choose from:

Demonstrate your soft skills on your resume for food service by providing specific examples in the experience section. These skills enhance team dynamics and customer satisfaction, key factors in the food service industry. Include these competencies in your summary to underscore their importance.

Here are our top picks:

Next, let's create an education and certifications section that gives a flavor to your profile.

How to list your certifications and education on your resume

You might ask yourself, should an education section even be on the menu for my resume? Well, of course! Education provides context to future employers and gives them an idea of your personal development. Combined with your experience, it gives a well-rounded story.

For a position in food service, a high school diploma or a GED are usually enough. However, if you have a higher degree, you don’t need to describe your high school education.

Make sure you include these essential elements in your education entry:

• List your degree, especially if it’s in culinary arts, hospitality management, nutrition, or food science. Mention any relevant minors, like business.
• Specify the school you attended, highlighting any well-known culinary or hospitality programs.
• Note key courses and any significant academic honors.

What if you’re still not finished with your degree? That’s OK–you can list an incomplete degree on your resume, as long as you add your expected graduation date.

Here’s a successful education entry targeting the job posting we discussed:

This education section stands out because it lists a culinary degree from a top school, along with high grades and special courses related to the job. It shows the candidate is well-trained and serious about their work in food service. Include GPA only if you’re at the beginning of your career. Later, you’ll have bigger achievements to fill your resume with.

Regardless of your education level, certifications are always welcome on a resume for food service. They can blend into your education section or you can dedicate a separate section just for them. Certifications show you’re ready to put in the extra effort to raise your expertise. One way to find out what employers are looking for is to browse through some food service jobs.

Here are our suggestions:

It’s time to dish out a compelling resume summary to top off your presentation.

How to write your food service resume summary

Catch the hiring manager's eye by giving them a quick snapshot of your food service experience in just three to four sentences. Talk about your customer service and hospitality skills using a lively, active voice. Make it clear how you can make dining at their restaurant even better, focusing on what you specifically bring to the table that fits right in with their team.

Here’s a good food service resume summary example targeting the job ad from above:

The provided resume summary is effective because it directly aligns with the job requirements by highlighting relevant experience, certifications, and skills in operating POS systems and managing food service tasks. It also underscores the candidate's ability to handle multiple responsibilities efficiently, positioning them as a strong fit for the dynamic demands of the role.

Lastly, let’s garnish with some additional sections that add that extra zest to your resume recipe.

Additional sections for a food service resume

Including optional sections on a food service worker resume can reveal the depth of your personality and show how your unique skills, experiences, and qualifications align with the specific demands of the hospitality industry.

Here are some beneficial sections to consider adding to a food service worker resume:

• Underlining language skills can be a significant asset in diverse environments, enhancing communication with customers and team members.
• If you've received awards like “Employee of the Month” or recognition for customer service excellence, listing these can underscore your dedication and skill.
• Membership in professional groups like the American Culinary Federation can indicate a deep commitment to the food service profession.
• Volunteer roles, especially those related to food service (like working in community kitchens), demonstrate your passion and commitment to the industry.
• Sharing personal interests related to cuisine or customer service can offer a more rounded picture of who you are outside of work.

In conclusion

Crafting a food service resume is like seasoning a gourmet dish: it requires a blend of diverse experiences and skills to tantalize the taste buds of hiring managers. Ensure every ingredient shines by carefully tailoring your achievements and qualifications to the menu of the job description.