One specific CV challenge you might face when crafting a waitress CV is articulating your customer service skills to appeal across different industries. Our guide provides tailored advice on showcasing your transferable skills in a manner that resonates with varied employers, ensuring your application stands out.
Learn how to create your next waitress CV by:
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
Resume examples for waitress
Explore additional waitress cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Head Waitress
- Well-defined career progression - Harper’s CV showcases a steady growth trajectory in the hospitality industry, moving from a Senior Waiter to Assistant Manager and ultimately Head Waiter. This progression illustrates a logical career path backed by increasing responsibilities and leadership roles, which emphasize Harper's capability to adapt and excel within their field.
- Clear focus on leadership and team development - The CV highlights Harper's dedication to leadership and team enhancement, as demonstrated by multiple initiatives aimed at training and employee upliftment. This includes a 50% reduction in staff turnover and fostering an inclusive workplace atmosphere, which underscores Harper's value in managing and improving team dynamics effectively.
- Effective communication of impact through specific achievements - Harper has effectively used the CV to showcase significant accomplishments, such as improving customer satisfaction scores by 30% and increasing average spend per guest by 25%. These results not only quantify success but also highlight Harper’s ability to generate tangible benefits for the business, establishing them as a results-driven professional in hospitality.
Senior Waitress
- Structured and Clear Presentation - Elsie Murray’s CV is structured in a manner that allows for easy navigation through her career history and qualifications. Each section is distinctly demarcated, ensuring that information is accessible and comprehensible without redundancies, while also highlighting key areas of competence.
- Demonstrable Career Growth - The candidate’s career trajectory shows a clear progression, moving from roles such as Room Service Coordinator to Guest Experience Manager. This ascension within the hospitality industry demonstrates her ability to take on increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, which is crucial for her career path.
- Innovative Industry-Specific Initiatives - The CV highlights unique contributions like implementing eco-friendly initiatives to reduce energy consumption. This reflects her ability to leverage industry-specific methods that not only drive efficiency but also align with broader sustainability goals, which is increasingly important in modern hospitality.
Trainee Waitress
- Structured and Cohesive Layout - The CV is clearly organized into distinct sections such as summary, experience, education, skills, and achievements, which helps the reader quickly navigate and understand Emily's professional background. Each section is concise and to the point, ensuring clarity and ease of reading.
- Demonstrated Leadership and Team Development - Throughout her career, Emily has shown strong leadership skills, particularly in her role as a Food & Beverage Supervisor where she led a team of 10, implemented training programs, and introduced innovative changes resulting in remarkable improvements in staff performance and customer satisfaction.
- Impact Through Quantifiable Achievements - Emily's CV is bolstered by specific, quantifiable achievements that exemplify her impact in previous roles, such as a 25% increase in customer satisfaction at Hilton Hotels, a 20% rise in bar sales at The Ivy Clifton Brasserie, and organizing successful large-scale events that enhanced venue bookings.
Executive Waitress
- Chronological Career Progression - Jack Taylor's CV demonstrates a clear upward career trajectory within the hospitality industry, moving from an Assistant Waiter to more responsible roles as a Waiter across noteworthy establishments. This progression highlights his growing expertise and commitment to developing within the dining experience and customer service sectors.
- Effective Integration of Soft Skills - The CV effectively emphasizes Jack's soft skills crucial for customer service roles, including clear communication, problem-solving, and team collaboration. These skills are supported by examples of leadership, such as mentoring new staff and enhancing team efficiency, which are invaluable in high-paced service environments.
- Diverse Achievements and Impact - Highlighting specific accomplishments, such as increasing customer satisfaction scores by 20% and reducing wait times by 15%, the CV communicates Jack's tangible impact on business performance. These metrics provide a clear picture of his ability to drive improvement and efficiency in operations.
Lead Waitress
- Clear structure and concise content - The CV is well-organized with clearly defined sections, each presenting essential information concisely. This structure aids in easy readability and quick insight into Rosie Gray's qualifications and achievements, catering effectively to hiring managers looking for specific skills and experiences in the hospitality industry.
- Demonstrates adaptability and cross-functional experience - Rosie's career progression across different roles, from a Barista to Food and Beverage Assistant, then to a Waitress, showcases her adaptability and capability to thrive in various customer service contexts. She effectively utilizes her skills in diverse settings, providing value to each employer while accumulating a wealth of cross-functional expertise.
- Emphasis on impactful achievements - The CV highlights Rosie's tangible contributions, such as a 25% increase in customer satisfaction scores and a 12% boost in dessert sales. These achievements underscore her ability to drive business success and enhance customer experiences, reflecting her strong strategic thinking and operational skills in the hospitality sector.
Assistant Waitress
- Impressive career growth trajectory - The CV showcases a clear progression through increasingly responsible roles, moving from a waiter at the Gordon Ramsay Group to Head Waiter at The Ivy Collection. This reflects a commitment to career advancement within the luxury hospitality sector and demonstrates leadership potential.
- Effective presentation of transferable skills - Key soft skills like exceptional guest service, communication, and team leadership are consistently highlighted across different roles. This not only emphasizes their importance in the candidate's roles but also suggests applicability to a broad range of customer-facing and team management positions, enhancing the candidate's adaptability.
- Strong business impact through achievements - The CV is rich with achievements that are not merely statistical but are shaped to explain their business significance. For instance, the candidate's involvement in increasing upsell revenue and reducing table turnover times directly ties into enhanced customer satisfaction and revenue growth, showcasing practical and impactful contributions.
Junior Waitress
- Clarity and Structured Presentation - The CV is well-organized, starting with a concise personal summary that outlines core strengths and relevant experience, followed by systematically arranged sections including experience, education, skills, and achievements. This layout allows for easy navigation and quick comprehension of the candidate’s qualifications and background.
- Adaptability in Hospitality Industry - Charlie Thomas showcases adaptability by successfully transitioning from a catering intern to a full-time waiter position, demonstrating growth and willingness to take on more responsibilities within the hospitality sector. Each role emphasizes a distinct set of skills and achievements that contribute to building a comprehensive profile in guest services.
- Business-Relevant Achievements - The CV includes highly relevant accomplishments such as improving customer satisfaction scores by 20% and implementing cost-saving measures. These achievements highlight Charlie's ability to make a tangible impact on business operations, emphasizing the candidate's potential to contribute positively to service efficiency and client experience.
By Role
Cruise Ship Waitress
- Structured Career Progression - Finley Robinson's CV showcases a clear upward trajectory in the hospitality industry, marked by progressive roles from a Restaurant Assistant to Head Waiter. This path illustrates growing responsibilities, leadership development, and the ability to adapt and excel in various settings within the restaurant industry.
- Highlighted Soft Skills and Leadership - The CV effectively emphasizes Finley's soft skills, particularly in team collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Leadership capabilities are further evidenced by their role in leading a team to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction, underlining their ability to motivate and develop others in a fast-paced environment.
- Strategic Achievements with Tangible Impact - Achievements listed in the CV are not only quantitative but also impactful, such as implementing a training program that increased positive reviews by 30% and designing a promotional menu that boosted revenue by 25%. These accomplishments showcase Finley's strategic thinking and ability to drive business outcomes through innovative initiatives.
Cocktail Waitress
- Logical structure enhances clarity - The CV is structured logically, beginning with a clear header and progressing through sections such as experience, education, and skills. This layout ensures that the reader can quickly gather necessary information without getting overwhelmed, which is crucial for hiring managers who review numerous applications.
- Steady career progression and growth - Freya Richardson’s career trajectory highlights a clear path of growth within the hospitality industry, moving from Assistant Manager roles to Senior Manager positions at prestigious organizations. This upward movement not only showcases her ability to take on greater responsibilities but also reflects her adaptability and commitment to professional development.
- Focus on leadership and team dynamics - Throughout her roles, Freya consistently emphasizes her leadership abilities. She has not only led teams to achieve higher efficiency but has also implemented training programs that significantly improved employee retention. This focus on leadership is indicative of her capacity to foster a positive working environment and drive team success.
Hotel Waitress
- Impressive career trajectory with reputable brands - Evie Perry's CV details a clear progression in the hospitality industry, moving from a Bar Assistant at The Ritz London to holding a senior position at The Savoy Hotel. Each role demonstrates her advancement in responsibilities, from supporting a bar team to leading and training staff, showcasing her growth and long-term commitment to the field.
- Notable impact through leadership and innovation - Her experience as a Senior Bar Waitress is marked by tangible improvements such as a 20% increase in service efficiency and a 15% boost in bar sales due to her curated cocktail menu. Her proactive approach in managing inventory, reducing waste, and training staff underscores her ability to drive strategic initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
- Diverse skill set enriched by specialized courses - The CV highlights a well-balanced combination of skills and education. Evie not only lists practical skills like Cocktail Mixology and Inventory Management but also complements these with advanced courses in wine and spirit education and mixology. This comprehensive skill set, paired with her formal education in hospitality management, positions her as a knowledgeable and versatile professional in the bar service industry.
Nightclub Waitress
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV is well-organized with clearly defined sections that facilitate readability. Each job role is accompanied by concise bullet points highlighting key responsibilities and achievements, allowing for quick and efficient evaluation of experiences and skills.
- Demonstrated Career Progression and Industry Commitment - Thomas Walker's career shows a clear trajectory, moving from a Promotions Team Leader to a Sales Specialist, consistently within the sales and event promotion sectors. This progression highlights his continuous professional development and increasing responsibility within the industry.
- Emphasis on Achievements with Tangible Impact - The CV effectively uses quantifiable achievements to demonstrate business impact. Examples include boosting event participation and sales revenues by significant percentages, which not only underscore his ability to drive results but also indicate his strategic prowess in event promotion and customer engagement.
Casino Waitress
- Concise and Well-Organized Presentation - The CV is presented with a clear structure that effectively highlights key information. Each section is distinctly labeled and concise, providing an easy reading experience that captures the essential details without unnecessary information overload. It starts with an impactful summary and follows logically into experience, education, skills, courses, and more.
- Progressive Career Growth - Henry White's career trajectory showcases a clear progression within the hospitality industry, moving from a Restaurant Team Member to a Senior Waiter. This upward movement is highlighted by increased responsibilities and achievements at each stage, indicating a deliberate and successful career path centered around expertise in customer service and Japanese cuisine.
- Emphasis on Customer Satisfaction and Engagement - A standout element is the focus on customer satisfaction and engagement, as evidenced by accomplishments like a 25% increase in customer satisfaction at Wagamama. The use of specific methodologies, such as feedback mechanisms and team upskilling, points to an in-depth understanding of driving customer-centric outcomes.
Banquet Waitress
- Exceptional Career Growth and Development - James Lewis's career trajectory demonstrates a clear path of progression within the fine dining industry. He transitioned from a waiter at prestigious venues like The Ritz London to a head waiter position at Rick Stein's Seafood Bar, and now excels as a waiter at The Ivy Cardiff. This advancement highlights his ability to take on more responsibilities and exhibit leadership skills, reinforcing his dedication to improving customer service and operational efficiency.
- Utilization of Industry-Specific Methodologies - The CV showcases James’s adept use of industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as order management systems and POS software. He leveraged these systems to enhance efficiency, exemplified by his success in reducing cash handling issues by 20% at The Ritz and improving order accuracy by 98% at The Ivy Cardiff. This technical proficiency is crucial in the hospitality sector where streamlined operations greatly impact customer satisfaction and business revenue.
- Award-Winning Achievements with Quantifiable Business Impact - James has received several awards that reflect his significant contributions to business success. Notably, he was recognized as a "Customer Satisfaction Champion" for increasing scores by 20% and a "Sales Excellence Award" for boosting upselling rates by 25%. These accomplishments are not only impressive metrics but also demonstrate his ability to connect with customers and drive sales, enhancing the overall profitability of the establishments where he worked.
Club Waitress
- Insightful Structure and Clarity - The CV is clearly organized into well-defined sections, making it easy to follow Florence Knight's career path and achievements. Opening with a succinct summary, it offers a coherent and structured presentation of her skills, experience, and education without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details.
- Notable Career Progression - Florence's career trajectory illustrates her growth from a Front of House Associate to a Senior Waitress, showcasing her readiness to take on greater responsibilities and leadership roles. Her steady career advancements in renowned hospitality companies underscore her capability and dedication to the industry.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Outcomes - The CV effectively uses quantifiable metrics to highlight Florence's impact on business performance. Achievements such as a 30% reduction in service errors, a 25% increase in service speed, and a 10% increase in customer spend per visit highlight her ability to contribute to significant operational improvements and financial gains.
Resort Waitress
- Content Presentation Emphasizing Clarity and Structure - The CV makes a significant impression with its well-organized structure and concise language. Each section is outlined clearly, allowing for easy navigation through Poppy Griffiths' professional journey. Bullet points within the experience section describe accomplishments in a concise yet comprehensive manner, ensuring clarity and focus on achievements.
- Demonstrated Career Growth with Prominent Promotions - Poppy's career trajectory showcases a steady progression within the hospitality industry. Starting as a Junior Waitress and advancing to a Senior Waitress role illustrates her dedication and effectiveness in her field. This progression is further reinforced by her educational background and certifications aimed at enhancing her industry expertise.
- Emphasis on Achievements and Their Business Impact - The CV is particularly notable for highlighting achievements with significant business relevance. Poppy has been credited with increasing revenue and enhancing customer satisfaction, as evidenced by reported increases in sales percentages and the successful launch of new initiatives. This focus on quantifiable impact reinforces her value as a strategic contributor to her teams.
Cafeteria Waitress
- Strong career growth and leadership development - Freddie Hughes’ CV illustrates a clear path of career progression, demonstrating the transition from a Senior Waiter to a Hospitality Manager within well-regarded establishments such as The Ivy and Marriott Hotels. His leadership skills are highlighted through his ability to manage staff effectively and implement successful training programs.
- Demonstrates adaptability and cross-functional experience - The CV showcases Freddie's ability to adapt and thrive across various roles within the hospitality industry. His experience with event planning, team management, and technology integration exemplifies versatility, highlighting his capacity to handle a range of tasks and responsibilities simultaneously.
- Impactful achievements with quantifiable results - Freddie Hughes’ CV stands out by providing specific metrics and accomplishments, such as a 25% increase in positive guest feedback and a 30% reduction in booking errors. These achievements underscore his capability to make meaningful improvements in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency within the hospitality sector.
Fine Dining Waitress
- Cohesive Structure With Clear Sections - The CV of Theodore Green is well-organized, with distinct sections for each key area such as achievements, experience, education, and skills. This structure provides clarity, allowing each area of expertise to be highlighted effectively and making it easy for readers to locate relevant information quickly.
- Progression in Culinary Career - Theodore has shown a steady career progression from a Restaurant Supervisor to a Lead Sommelier, reflecting a clear trajectory of growth and increasing responsibilities. This demonstrates not only advancement within the culinary field but also a deepening of expertise, particularly in wine pairing and guest service excellence.
- Focus on Sustainability and Local Sourcing - An outstanding element of Theodore’s industry-specific approach is his commitment to sustainability, as seen in his efforts to achieve 100% locally sourced produce and partnering with local farmers. This not only highlights environmental consciousness but also supports local communities and enhances the dining experience with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Catering Waitress
- Clear career progression with leadership roles - Isabelle Reed’s career trajectory is marked by her growth from a Junior Waitress to a Senior Waitress, showcasing not only her experience in the field but her ability to take on leadership responsibilities and manage teams effectively within the fine dining and Thai cuisine sectors.
- Strong emphasis on tangible achievements - The CV highlights significant achievements, such as increasing customer satisfaction by 20% and boosting revenue by 25% through a successful menu launch. These metrics provide evidence of Isabelle's ability to contribute to business growth and efficiency, demonstrating her effectiveness in operational improvements in the restaurant industry.
- Comprehensive skill set tailored to the industry - Isabelle’s skills are a blend of soft and technical abilities essential for the hospitality sector. Key skills such as team leadership, customer service, inventory management, and Thai cuisine knowledge are coupled with technical proficiency in POS Systems and Microsoft Office, illustrating her versatility and readiness for complex job roles.
Event Waitress
- Exceptional Structure and Clarity - The CV is meticulously organized with well-labeled sections, making it easy to navigate. Each segment—from work experience to education and skills—flows smoothly, with bullet points ensuring succinctness and clarity. This design ensures that potential employers can quickly and efficiently assess the candidate's qualifications.
- Impressive Career Progression - Oscar Evans's CV clearly outlines a successful career trajectory within the luxury hospitality sector. He has advanced from a waiter to a head waiter, demonstrating significant professional growth and the ability to take on leadership roles. This progression highlights his dedication and adaptability within the industry.
- Leadership and Team Management - Within the described roles, Oscar has consistently showcased strong leadership skills, evidenced by his effective team management and staff training initiatives. By fostering team morale and reducing turnover, he indicates a great capacity to lead and inspire, which are crucial traits for his role as Head Waiter.
Room Service Waitress
- Structured Presentation for Readability - The CV is neatly structured into sections such as experience, education, achievements, and skills, making it easy for employers to navigate and identify key information. Each section uses concise bullet points to quickly convey critical details, ensuring clarity and effectiveness in delivering the candidate’s credentials.
- Impressive Career Progression - Leo Brown’s career trajectory shows a steady progression from Assistant Waiter to Head Waiter, reflecting his growth and increasing responsibilities within the hospitality industry. His promotions indicate strong performance and the acquisition of valuable leadership skills, demonstrating a successful career development path in the sector.
- Diverse Skillset Relevant to Hospitality - The CV emphasizes a range of skills pertinent to the hospitality industry, such as customer service, team leadership, and compliance with health and safety regulations. These skills are complemented by advanced certifications and awards, showcasing his competence in maintaining high service standards and managing operational efficiency.
How to ensure your profile stands out with your waitress CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your waitress 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 waitress 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 waitress 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.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a waitress CV
- Work experience showcases your previous roles and relevance to serving.
- Key skills section demonstrates expertise in customer service and multitasking.
- Educational background provides insight into your level of training and qualifications.
- Awards and Certifications highlight exceptional service or industry-specific recognitions.
- Languages spoken can be a valuable asset in diverse dining environments.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your customer service skills by detailing experiences where you have successfully managed customer enquiries, handled complaints, and delivered exceptional dining experiences.
- Emphasise your multitasking abilities, as a waitress often has to manage multiple tables, remember complex orders, and deliver prompt service without errors.
- Detail any knowledge of food and beverage that you possess, such as familiarity with various cuisines, dietary restrictions, or wine pairings, to show that you can enhance the dining experience.
- Include any relevant training, such as food hygiene certificates, or mention experience with point-of-sale systems and other relevant technology to demonstrate your readiness to start with minimal training.
- Note down examples of working in high-pressure environments or busy periods like Christmas or Valentine's Day to show that you can maintain composure and efficiency during peak times.
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What information should you include in your waitress CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their waitress CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for waitress:
- Senior Waitress | Exceptional Customer Service | Wine Expertise Certification | 10+ Years in Fine Dining
- Head Waitress | Team Leadership | NVQ Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision | Health & Safety Focused
- Waitress | Customer Satisfaction Champion | Experienced in High-Volume Settings | 5 Years' Service Excellence
- Professional Waitress | Silver Service Trained | Barista Certified | Multilingual | 8 Years Hospitality Industry
- Waitress & Team Mentor | Food Safety Level 2 | Passion for Culinary Trends | 7 Years Progressive Experience
- Junior Waitress | Entry-Level | Outstanding Interpersonal Skills | Enthusiastic Learner | Commitment to Quality Service
What's the difference between a waitress CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your waitress CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a waitress job:
- Seasoned waitress with over 7 years of experience in high-volume restaurants, demonstrating advanced skills in customer service and order management. Recipient of 'Employee of the Month' award thrice for enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty through attentive service and problem-solving abilities.
- Dynamic professional with 5 years of expertise in event coordination, now seeking to transfer strong organisational and interpersonal skills to the hospitality industry. Proven track record in managing complex logistics and creating memorable experiences for clients and guests alike.
- Former retail manager with a decade of experience in fast-paced customer-centric environments, aiming to apply a strong work ethic, exceptional leadership, and proven ability to increase sales to a new career as a waitress, with a focus on contributing positively to the dining experience.
- Dedicated individual with a passion for providing excellent service and a history of fostering a positive dining atmosphere. With over 8 years in the industry, I've honed my ability to work efficiently under pressure and have been acknowledged for increasing repeat business by ensuring customer delight.
- Enthusiastic and quick-learner eager to embark on a career in hospitality as a waitress. Keen to use my excellent communication skills and positive attitude to create an inviting atmosphere for guests. Committed to developing my abilities and contributing to team success.
- Aspiring to join the hospitality sector, I am determined to leverage my interpersonal skills and capacity for swift learning. Through my experience as a volunteer coordinator, I have cultivated a dedication to service and am excited about the opportunity to grow and excel in a dynamic restaurant environment.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your waitress CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Maintained a comprehensive knowledge of menu items and daily specials to provide accurate information to customers, ensuring dietary needs and preferences were accommodated.
- Developed strong rapport with regular patrons by remembering personal preferences and greeting them by name, enhancing their dining experience and fostering loyalty.
- Efficiently managed multiple tables in a high-volume environment, prioritising tasks and delivering prompt service to maintain customer satisfaction and swift table turnover.
- Handled payments and transactions with accuracy and integrity, ensuring all financial procedures were followed in line with company policies.
- Demonstrated up-selling techniques by recommending premium dishes and beverages, contributing to an increase in average sales per table.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to communicate special requests or dietary restrictions, ensuring food was prepared to customer specifications and satisfaction.
- Resolved customer complaints with discretion and professionalism, taking swift action to correct any issues and preserve the establishment's reputation.
- Assisted in maintaining cleanliness and organisation throughout the dining area, adhering to health and safety regulations to provide a pleasant environment for patrons.
- Participated in team meetings and training sessions to continuously improve service standards and stay updated on restaurant promotions or menu changes.
Work Experience
Senior Waitress
The Gilded Fork
03/2016-02/2018
- Provided exceptional table service to an average of 50+ customers per shift in a high-volume, fine dining environment, elevating guest satisfaction through personalised attention and swift issue resolution.
- Successfully upsold food and beverage pairings, contributing to a 15% increase in monthly sales for premium wine selections.
- Assisted in organising and executing themed dining events, which saw a customer turnout increase of 30%, fostering repeat business and heightened brand loyalty.
Work Experience
Head Waitress
Culinary Canvas
06/2012-08/2014
- Led a team of wait staff during busy shifts, efficiently coordinating dining room activities and contributing to a 10% increase in service efficiency.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to streamline order processing, reducing average customer wait times by 5 minutes.
- Designed a staff training manual, enhancing new waitresses' onboarding process resulting in faster deployment to the dining floor.
Work Experience
Waitress Team Leader
Farmhouse Feast
01/2020-Ongoing
- Implemented a customer feedback system using digital platforms which increased positive online reviews by 40% within the first six months.
- Expertly maneuvered between diverse dining sections, managing workload for 20+ tables while maintaining high service standards.
- Orchestrated a 'Local Produce Week' to showcase regional dishes, driving a 25% surge in reservations and strengthening community relations.
Work Experience
Restaurant Service Specialist
Sip and Savour Lounge
11/2017-12/2019
- Introduced a cocktail tasting event to the drink menu that became a monthly highlight, doubling beverage revenue on event nights.
- Trained over 30 new staff members in providing elite customer service which subsequently increased the overall customer satisfaction rate by 20%.
- Managed inventory and performed weekly stock assessments to prevent shortages, maintaining optimal levels and reducing waste by 12%.
Work Experience
Waitress
Ambrosia Bistro
05/2010-04/2013
- Leveraged strong organisational skills to manage simultaneous customer orders without errors, maintaining a 98% accuracy rate throughout tenure.
- Pioneered a new service protocol that enhanced service delivery, cutting table turnover times by 15% and increasing evening dinner service capacity.
- Championed a customer loyalty program that increased repeat customer visits by 18% over a one-year period.
Work Experience
Lead Waitress
The Hopping Brew
02/2014-05/2016
- Mastered a complex, ever-changing craft beer menu, becoming the go-to waitress for beer recommendations and pairing advice, spiking craft beer sales by 20%.
- Participated in the launch of a new seasonal menu, working closely with the chefs for tastings and feedback, which resulted in a 30% increase in menu item sales.
- Organised after-hours team-building events that boosted staff morale, markedly enhancing team cooperation during peak service hours.
Work Experience
Food Service Attendant
EcoEats Café
08/2015-11/2017
- Sourced and introduced eco-friendly disposable serveware, aligning with company sustainability goals and cutting down costs by 5% due to bulk purchasing.
- Adeptly handled the introduction of a new point-of-sale system, training colleagues to use the technology, which reduced order times by an average of 2 minutes.
- Developed daily sales reports that highlighted best-selling items, aiding the management team in strategic menu planning and inventory control.
Work Experience
Waitress and Menu Consultant
Brunch & Munch
07/2009-10/2011
- Boosted weekend brunch sales by 25% through social media promotion and local food blogger engagements.
- Implemented table management strategies that handled customer flow during peak periods, markedly reducing customer wait times by 20%.
- Curated a special event menu for private parties, which became a profitable avenue accounting for 15% of quarterly revenue.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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PRO TIP
Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your waitress 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 waitress CV:
HARD SKILLS
Food service management
POS operation
Cash handling
Order taking
Table setting
Food preparation knowledge
Health and safety compliance
Beverage serving
Menu memorisation
Inventory management
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Customer service
Multitasking
Time management
Active listening
Patience
Adaptability
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
PRO TIP
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.
Further professional qualifications for your waitress CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your waitress CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Write your professional waitress CV by studying and understanding what the role expectations are. You should next:
- Focus on tailoring your content to answer specific requirements by integrating advert keywords through various CV sections;
- Balance your technical know-how with your personal skills to showcase what the unique value would be of working with you;
- Ensure your CV grammar and spelling (especially of your key information and contact details) is correct;
- Write a CV summary, if your experience is relevant, and an objective, if your career ambitions are more impressive;
- Use active language by including strong, action verbs across your experience, summary/objective, achievements sections.
