Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure can be a daunting challenge for a waiter. Our guide provides targeted advice on how to highlight these competencies, ensuring your application stands out to hospitality recruiters.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche waiter role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
How to ensure your profile stands out with your waiter CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your waiter CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your waiter CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your waiter CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
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Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a waiter CV
- Professional Experience section demonstrates the hands-on experience you have in hospitality.
- Customer Service Skills section showcases your ability to interact with guests and provide exceptional service.
- Knowledge of Food and Beverages highlights your understanding of different cuisines and drinks.
- Multitasking and Time Management Skills reflect your efficiency and ability to handle a busy restaurant environment.
- Certifications and Training include any relevant qualifications like food safety certification or bartending license.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your customer service skills, mentioning any experience where you have successfully managed customer queries and resolved issues, showcasing your ability to maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Emphasise your ability to multitask by providing examples of busy shifts where you efficiently balanced taking orders, serving food, and managing payments, all while maintaining a friendly demeanour.
- Include any experience with Point of Sale (POS) systems or cash handling to indicate your preparedness to handle transactions and familiarity with common restaurant technology and processes.
- Detail your knowledge of food and beverages by mentioning any training or certifications in food safety, barista skills, or wine knowledge to demonstrate your capability in providing informative suggestions to guests.
- Mention any team leadership or training experience to show your potential for growth within the hospitality industry, and your ability to work collaboratively with others.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your waiter CV header
Right at the very top of your waiter CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for waiter:
- Senior Waiter | Wine Expertise | Hospitality Management Certificate | 8+ Years of Upscale Dining Experience
- Head Waitress | Team Leadership | Customer Service Excellence | Food Hygiene Cert | 10 Years’ Service
- Skilled Waiter | Barista Qualified | Efficiency & Upscale Service | 5 Years in Michelin-Starred Restaurants
- Professional Server | Multilingual | Event Catering Specialist | 7 Years Industry Experience | Commis Waiter Background
- Lead Waiting Staff | Silver Service Trained | Guest Relations Pro | Table Management | 12 Years Expertise
- Waitstaff Supervisor | Mixology Passion | Staff Training & Development | 6 Years at High-Volume Venues
Choosing your opening statement: a waiter CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a waiter job:
- Energetic waiter with over 5 years of high-volume restaurant experience at renowned London eateries, adept at memorising menus and maintaining a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Acknowledged for exemplary customer service, earning the ‘Employee of the Year’ award twice.
- Seasoned professional boasting 8 years in customer-facing roles within the bustling Edinburgh hospitality scene. Mastering pos systems and wine pairings, my career highlight includes increasing upsells by 30% through personalised recommendations.
- Former retail supervisor pivoting to the hospitality industry with a strong foundation in customer satisfaction and team management, eager to leverage extensive communication and organisational skills to excel in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
- Accomplished event coordinator transitioning into the realm of hospitality, bringing forth a wealth of experience in organising large-scale events, keen analytic abilities, and a passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences through meticulous attention to detail.
- As a recent graduate with a zeal for hospitality and gastronomy, I am committed to learning the intricacies of exceptional customer service and am eager to contribute my energetic approach and quick-learning abilities to thrive as a waiter.
- Seeking an entry-level role to embrace the challenges of the hospitality sector, my objective is to apply my enthusiasm, dedication, and adeptness at interpersonal relationships to deliver top-tier service as part of a dynamic waiting team.
Narrating the details of your waiter CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your waiter CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed a busy section of up to 10 tables, ensuring prompt and attentive service which increased customer satisfaction and repeat patronage.
- Memorised restaurant’s wine stock and the meals they best complemented, resulting in daily wine sales increases of 20%.
- Assisted in the implementation of a new point-of-sale (POS) system, leading to a 15% reduction in order processing time.
- Trained and mentored 5 new waiting staff, focusing on customer service excellence and efficiency, enhancing team performance.
- Adept at handling difficult or dissatisfied customers, resolving complaints with patience and diplomacy, maintaining a positive dining experience.
- Collaborated with the kitchen team to accurately communicate special dietary requirements, ensuring customer health and satisfaction.
- Consistently achieved top sales awards for upselling appetisers and desserts, contributing to higher average checks for the restaurant.
- Orchestrated smooth service during high-profile events, banquets, and busy weekends, often serving upwards of 100 guests per shift.
- Conducted daily inventory checks of supplies and tableware, leading to a more efficient restocking system and reducing wastage by 10%.
- Effectively managed a section of 10 tables in a high-volume Italian restaurant, consistently achieving top sales figures among the team by upselling premium dishes and wines.
- Implemented a customer feedback system that led to a 20% improvement in guest satisfaction scores and a significant reduction in wait times.
- Trained and mentored 5 new staff members, ensuring they adhered to restaurant protocol and maintained the establishment's high standards of service.
- Developed an innovative tablet-based ordering system that cut order processing time by 35%, contributing to smoother operations during peak periods.
- Enhanced wine sales by 25% through targeted recommendations based on customer behavior analysis and attentive listening to preferences.
- Actively managed inventory control, reducing waste by 15% through diligent monitoring and strategic order placement.
- Collaborated with the management team to organize weekly themed dining events, driving a 40% increase in mid-week bookings.
- Personalised guest experiences with attentive service and detailed knowledge of menu items, leading to a 50% repeat customer rate.
- Championed the restaurant's commitment to sustainability by suggesting locally-sourced produce, cutting down on carbon footprint and engaging with eco-conscious clientele.
- Boosted dessert sales by enthusiastically describing the chef's special creations, resulting in a weekly average increase of 30% dessert orders.
- Coordinated with the kitchen staff on a special diet menu which catered to specific nutritional needs and allergies, facilitating an inclusive dining experience.
- Managed cash and payment transactions for dining customers, maintaining accurate financial records and demonstrating trustworthiness and efficiency.
- Introduced a tableside cocktail preparation service which added an interactive element to dining and increased beverage sales by 20%.
- Assisted in the planning and execution of private dining events for up to 100 guests, delivering impeccable service and detailed attention to customer needs.
- Facilitated staff training workshops focused on speed and efficiency, elevating the team’s performance and reducing customer waiting time by an average of 10 minutes.
- Mastered a rotating seasonal menu, providing guests with detailed explanations and recommendations that highlighted the chef's specialties and locally sourced ingredients.
- Piloted a customer loyalty program that grew a regular patron base by 35% over two years, contributing to consistent restaurant revenues.
- Directed a workflow improvement initiative that reallocated staff duties based on peak times, optimizing efficiency and reducing customer wait time.
- Orchestrated a daily setup routine for outdoor dining which accommodated an additional 40 guests, expanding seating capacity and increasing overall revenue by 15%.
- Spearheaded a cross-training program for waitstaff to handle barista duties, diversifying staff skills and improving service flow during breakfast and brunch services.
- Managed a wine-pairing initiative, which involved in-depth staff training on pairing principles and boosted wine orders by an average of 15% per shift.
- Provided a consistently exemplary level of service in a prestigious Michelin-starred establishment, contributing to its reputation for excellence in customer care.
- Regularly communicated with high-profile guests to ensure their dining experiences exceeded expectations, fostering positive relationships and securing high-value repeat business.
- Led a VIP service training for staff to handle celebrity and influencer visits, ensuring privacy, discretion, and an exclusive dining experience.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your waiter CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your waiter CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your waiter CV:
Menu Knowledge
POS System Operation
Food Safety Understanding
Table Setting Etiquette
Beverage Service
Order Memorization
Cash Handling
Wine Pairing Basics
Food Preparation Basics
Multi-tasking
Customer Service Excellence
Communication
Active Listening
Teamwork
Patience
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Stress Management
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Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Listing your university education and certificates on your waiter CV
The best proof of your technical capabilities would be your education and certifications sections. Your education should list all of your relevant university degrees, followed up by their start and completion dates. Make sure to also include the name of the university/-ies you graduated from. If you happen to have less professional experience (or you deem it would be impressive and relevant to your application), spotlight in the education section:
- that you were awarded a "First" degree;
- industry-specific coursework and projects;
- extracurricular clubs, societies, and activities.
When selecting your certificates, first ask yourself how applicable they'd be to the role. Ater your initial assessment, write the certificate and institution name. Don't miss out on including the completion date. In the below panel, we've curated relevant examples of industry-leading certificates.
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your waiter CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
