What skills should I put on a server resume?
The short answer
Example resume lines
Each row takes a duty or quality from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and turns it into a resume line. The lines are illustrative; write your own true ones.
| BLS duty or quality | Example resume line |
|---|---|
| Take food and drink orders; detail oriented | Took orders for a 5-table section on weekend dinners, reading back modifiers and allergy notes |
| Explain specials and answer menu questions | Learned a 40-item menu and nightly specials; answered guest questions on ingredients and pairings |
| Relay orders through a point-of-sale system | Entered orders and split checks in the POS (name the system you used) |
| Prepare checks, take payment, return change | Closed out checks and balanced a cash drawer at end of shift |
| Customer service; communication | Handled guest complaints by fixing the issue first and looping in the manager |
| Set up dining areas, stock service areas | Ran opening and closing side work: stocking, roll-ups, resetting tables |
| Physical stamina and strength | Worked 8-hour doubles on my feet; carried full trays |
Not tax or legal advice. This is resume advice. Don’t list a skill or tool you haven’t used.
Plain English
A skills section that works
- Order accuracy and modifiers
- Menu and specials knowledge (add wine or cocktails if you know them)
- POS systems you’ve used, by name
- Cash handling and check splitting
- Allergen awareness
- Upselling appetizers, drinks, and desserts
- Working with the kitchen and bar during a rush
- Opening and closing side work
What goes near the top
BLS says part-time work is common for servers and schedules may include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. A hiring manager wants to know fast whether you fit the schedule, so put your availability right under your name.
No serving experience?
Use the same qualities from other work. Retail: cash handling, customer questions, standing all shift. Fast food or coffee: speed, ticket accuracy, a rush. Call center: calm with upset customers. BLS says servers typically need no related work experience, so your job is to show the qualities, not the title. See How do I get a serving job with no experience?
Certificates
BLS says some states, counties, and cities require alcohol-service training for servers, and some states require food-safety training. If you’ve completed one, list it with the date. Don’t list one you haven’t finished.
Numbers
Specific beats vague. Section size, covers on a busy night, or a sales contest you won are all good lines, if they’re true and you can explain them. Don’t make up numbers; a manager may ask.
Common mistakes
- A skills list of adjectives (“hardworking, friendly”) with no examples.
- Leaving off availability.
- Listing a POS or certificate you haven’t actually used or finished.
- A two-page resume for a serving job.
Official sources
Last verified:
Checked the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook page for waiters and waitresses (last modified August 27, 2026). The resume lines and layout are our advice, not from a government source.