As a server bartender, articulating your unique skills and customer service accomplishments on a resume can be a significant challenge. Our guide will provide you with tailored strategies and examples to effectively showcase your experience and stand out to potential employers.
- [Job title] resume samples that got people hired at top companies.
- How to perfect the look-and-feel of your resume layout.
- How to showcase your achievements and skills through various resume sections.
- How you could hint to recruiters why your resume is the ideal profile for the job.
If the server bartender resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:
- Hospitality Manager Resume Example
- Hotel Bartender Resume Example
- Bartender Server Resume Example
- Guest Relations Manager Resume Example
- Fine Dining Resume Example
- Head Bartender Resume Example
- Culinary Resume Example
- Cocktail Server Resume Example
- Dishwasher Resume Example
- Catering Server Resume Example
Best practices for the look and feel of your server bartender resume
Before you even start writing your server bartender resume, first you need to consider its layout and format.
What's important to keep in mind is:
- The reverse-chronological resume is the most widely used format to present your experience, starting with your latest job.
- Your server bartender resume header needs to include your correct, professional contact details. If you happen to have a professional portfolio or an updated LinkedIn profile, include a link to it.
- Ensure your resume is no longer than two pages - you don't have to include irelevant experience on your resume just to make it look longer.
- Unless specified otherwise, submit your resume in the most popular format, the PDF one, as this will ensure your server bartender resume isn't altered.
Upload & Check Your Resume
Drop your resume here or choose a file. PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.
PRO TIP
Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
The five (plus) definite sections your resume for a server bartender job should include are:
- Header with your headline, contact details, and/or a preview of your work
- Summary (or objective) to pinpoint how your success aligns with the role
- Experience with bullets of your most relevant achievements in the field
- Skills to integrate vital job requirements (both technical and personal)
- Your further dedication to the field, showcased via relevant higher education and/or certifications
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proven expertise in mixing, garnishing, and serving drinks based on customers’ needs and preferences.
- Experience in managing all aspects of bar operations, including inventory management and cost control.
- Demonstrated ability to create a welcoming atmosphere and provide outstanding customer service with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Knowledge of local liquor laws, Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certifications, and the ability to handle difficult situations effectively, such as dealing with intoxicated patrons.
- Flexibility with shifts and the ability to multitask in a high-volume, fast-paced environment, including taking food orders and serving when necessary.
Advice for your server bartender resume experience section - setting your application apart from other candidates
Your resume experience section needs to balance your tangible workplace achievements with job requirements.
The easiest way to sustain this balance between meeting candidate expectations, while standing out, is to:
- Select really impressive career highlights to detail under each experience and support those with your skills;
- Assess the job advert to define both the basic requirements (which you could answer with more junior roles) and the more advanced requirements - which could play a more prominent role through your experience section;
- Create a separate experience section, if you decide on listing irrelevant experience items. Always curate those via the people or technical skills you've attained that match the current job you're applying for;
- Don't list experience items from a decade ago - as they may no longer be relevant to the industry. That is, unless you're applying for a more senior role: where experience would go to demonstrate your character and ambitions;
- Define how your role has helped make the team, department, or company better. Support this with your skill set and the initial challenge you were able to solve.
Take a look at how real-life server bartender professionals have presented their resume experience section - always aiming to demonstrate their success.
- Expertly managed a high-volume bar at an upscale nightclub, consistently maintaining top sales performance with a monthly average of $30,000 in drink sales.
- Developed a cocktail menu that increased monthly revenue by 15% through the introduction of creative drinks made with locally sourced ingredients.
- Led bartender training initiatives for 5 new hires, fostering teamwork and a comprehensive understanding of mixology, which significantly enhanced service quality and efficiency.
- Cultivated a loyal customer base by delivering personalized service and expert drink recommendations at a popular downtown gastropub.
- Implemented inventory tracking procedures that reduced waste by 20% and optimized the use of resources.
- Orchestrated a successful wine-tasting event hosting over 100 patrons, leading to a 25% increase in wine sales over the subsequent quarter.
- Managed the complete bar operations for an elite members-only club, ensuring a consistently exclusive experience for high-profile clients.
- Partnered with local distilleries to create a bespoke spirits collection, enhancing the establishment's reputation as a leader in fine spirits selection.
- Spearheaded a sustainability initiative by transitioning to eco-friendly glassware and straws, which was well-received by clientele and increased return visits by 30%.
- Efficiently balanced a dual role in both serving and bartending, accommodating up to 200 guests nightly at a high-energy beachfront bar.
- Implemented a dynamic pricing strategy during sports events which led to a 40% increase in sales of premium beer and liquor products.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to develop a series of food-pairing menus that boosted overall sales by facilitating cross-selling opportunities.
- Directed a team of 10 bartenders at a trending new cocktail bar in the arts district, setting record highs for customer satisfaction and return business.
- Initiated a series of mixology workshops for the public, which generated an additional revenue stream and significantly increased brand visibility.
- Collaborated with event planners to deliver upscale bar services for private events, typically servicing 300+ guests, resulting in a 35% year-over-year growth in event sales.
- Pioneered an interactive bar experience with digital ordering systems, enhancing customer engagement and reducing order processing time by 50%.
- Achieved recognition for my mixology skills in regional competitions, heightening the profile of the bar and driving an influx of cocktail enthusiasts.
- Regularly managed inventory and supply orders for a stock of over 100 types of spirits, ensuring optimal selection and availability for patrons.
- Oversee the cocktail program at a boutique hotel bar, launching a signature cocktail that became the best-selling drink accounting for 25% of total beverage sales.
- Streamlined bar processes and redesigned the layout for improved functionality, resulting in a 15% reduction in service times during peak hours.
- Facilitated a workshop series for local bartenders on the use of infused liquors and bitters, fostering a community of innovative mixology talent.
- Reinvented the cocktail menu with a focus on seasonal ingredients at a historic downtown bar, leading to a 20% sales hike each season.
- Initiated and nurtured vendor relationships that afforded specialty pricing, allowing the business to improve profit margins by 15%.
- Crafted a custom beverage package for weddings and special events that became highly recommended by event coordinators, contributing to a 30% increase in special event bookings.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Reduced average cocktail preparation time by 15% through efficient organization and multitasking skills.
- Managed inventory of over 300 different beverage items, maintaining optimal stock levels with less than 5% waste.
- Increased sales of featured cocktails by 25% with strategic upselling techniques.
- Achieved a customer satisfaction rate of 95% based on feedback and reviews.
- Handled cash and credit transactions totaling over $10,000 weekly with 100% accuracy.
- Trained and mentored 10 new staff members, improving overall team efficiency by 20%.
- Implemented a new drink menu that boosted overall bar revenue by 30%.
- Orchestrated successful events catering to groups of 100+ patrons.
Action verbs for your server bartender resume
No experience, no problem: writing your server bartender resume
You're quite set on the server bartender role of your dreams and think your application may add further value to your potential employers. Yet, you have no work experience . Here's how you can curate your resume to substitute your lack of experience:
- Don't list every single role you've had so far, but focus on ones that would align with the job you're applying for
- Include any valid experience in the field - whether it's at research or intern level
- Highlight the soft skills you'd bring about - those personality traits that have an added value to your application
- Focus on your education and certifications, if they make sense for the role.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
The right balance between hard skills and soft skills for your server bartender resume
Wondering what the perfect server bartender resume looks like? The candidate's profile meets job requirements by balancing both hard skills and soft skills across their resume.
- Hard skills are all the technologies you're apt at using . Prove you have the right technical background by listing key industry hardware/software in your server bartender resume skills section and noteworthy certifications.
- Soft skills are both your personal, mindset, communication, analytical, and problem-solving talents . Use your server bartender resume achievements section to show how you've used a particular soft skill to reach a tangible outcome.
When writing about your unique skill set, always make sure to refer back to the job advert to see what are the key requirements. This ensures you've tailored your resume so that it matches closer to what the ideal candidate profile is.
Top skills for your server bartender resume:
Mixology
Knowledge of Alcoholic Beverages
Beer Drafting
POS Systems Proficiency
Inventory Control
Cocktail Preparation
Food Service
Glassware Knowledge
Health and Safety Compliance
Liquor Law Awareness
Customer Service
Communication
Multitasking
Teamwork
Adaptability
Stress Management
Active Listening
Professionalism
Problem Solving
Attention to Detail
PRO TIP
Mention specific courses or projects that are pertinent to the job you're applying for.
Server Bartender-specific certifications and education for your resume
Place emphasis on your resume education section . It can suggest a plethora of skills and experiences that are apt for the role.
- Feature only higher-level qualifications, with details about the institution and tenure.
- If your degree is in progress, state your projected graduation date.
- Think about excluding degrees that don't fit the job's context.
- Elaborate on your education if it accentuates your accomplishments in a research-driven setting.
On the other hand, showcasing your unique and applicable industry know-how can be a literal walk in the park, even if you don't have a lot of work experience.
Include your accreditation in the certification and education sections as so:
- Important industry certificates should be listed towards the top of your resume in a separate section
- If your accreditation is really noteworthy, you could include it in the top one-third of your resume following your name or in the header, summary, or objective
- Potentially include details about your certificates or degrees (within the description) to show further alignment to the role with the skills you've attained
- The more recent your professional certificate is, the more prominence it should have within your certification sections. This shows recruiters you have recent knowledge and expertise
At the end of the day, both the education and certification sections hint at the initial and continuous progress you've made in the field.
And, honestly - that's important for any company.
Below, discover some of the most recent and popular Server Bartender certificates to make your resume even more prominent in the applicant pool:
The top 5 certifications for your server bartender resume:
- TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) - Health Communications, Inc.
- ServSafe Alcohol - National Restaurant Association
- LEAD (Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs) - California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
- BASSET (Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training) - Illinois Liquor Control Commission
- Cicerone Certification Program - Craft Beer Institute
PRO TIP
If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your server bartender resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.
Recommended reads:
The ideal server bartender candidate resume summary or objective
You may have heard that your resume top one-third plays an important part in your application.
It basically needs to show strong alignment with the job advert, your unique skill set, and your expertise.
Both the resume summary and resume objective could be used to ensure you've shown why you're the best candidate for the role.
Use the:
- Resume objective to pinpoint your current successes, that are applicable to the field, and your vision for your career. Remember to state how you see yourself growing within this new career opportunity.
- Resume summary as an instrument to pinpoint what is most applicable and noteworthy form your professional profile. Keep your summary to be no more than five sentences long.
At the end of the day, the resume summary or objective is your golden opportunity to shine a light on your personality as a professional and the unique value of what it's like to work with you.
Get inspired with these server bartender resume examples:
Resume summaries for a server bartender job
- With over 5 years of experience as a server bartender at high-volume establishments in New York City, I’ve honed the art of mixology and customer service. Skills include masterful cocktail design, seamless multitasking, and a track record of increasing customer retention by 30%. Seeking to leverage expansive beverage knowledge and vibrant personality to enhance the guest experience.
- A dedicated professional with 8 years of experience in luxury hospitality management, seeking to transition into bartending and server roles. Possesses a WSET Level 2 certification in Wines and Spirits, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a passion for creating unforgettable guest interactions, complemented by a solid foundation in the management of top-tier dining environments.
- Experienced front-end developer with a decade of expertise now pursuing my passion in the hospitality industry. With strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to excellence, I seek to apply my dedication to customer satisfaction and teamwork in a fast-paced bartending and serving environment. Ready to bring tech-enhanced efficiency and a fresh perspective to the service industry.
- Accomplished sales executive with proven success in the technology sector, acquiring proficiency in client relations and persuasive communication. Eager to bring 15 years of experience to a new challenge in the server and bartending industry, with a focus on building customer rapport and utilizing strategic selling skills in a dynamic and sociable setting.
- Seeking an entry-level server bartender position that will allow me to develop my interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for crafting cocktails while growing with an establishment that prides itself on providing exceptional customer service. Eager to learn and contribute to a team dedicated to creating memorable dining and drinking experiences.
- As an aspiring server bartender with no professional experience but a strong interest in mixology and customer service, I aim to join a team where I can utilize my extensive knowledge of spirits gained from personal study and my natural communicative abilities to enhance patrons' dining experience.
Taking your server bartender resume to the next level with these four additional resume sections
Your server bartender resume can feature a variety of skills (both hard and soft) in diverse sections. Choose those that align best with the job requirements and reflect your suitability for the company culture.
Consider these four additional resume sections recommended by our experts:
- Languages - State any languages you are proficient in and your level of proficiency. This demonstrates your commitment to communication and potential for international growth.
- Projects - Highlight up to three significant projects you've completed outside of work, showcasing skill development. Include a link to your project portfolio in the server bartender resume header, if applicable.
- My Time - How you allocate your time outside work can indicate your organizational skills and cultural fit within the company.
- Volunteering - Detail causes you're passionate about, roles you've held, and achievements in volunteering. Such experiences likely have honed a range of soft skills crucial for your dream job.
Key takeaways
- The format and layout of your server bartender resume should reflect on both your career and what matters most to the job you're applying for;
- Use the resume summary and objective to hint at your most prominent accomplishments;
- Always be specific about your experience and consider what value each bullet you curate adds to your server bartender application;
- Consider how your academic background and technical capabilities could further showcase your alignment to the role;
- Your soft skills should contribute to your overall server bartender profile - aligning your personality with skills and results.
