Waitress CV Example & Writing Guide

As a waitress, you’re the backbone of the hospitality industry and a master multitasker with a knack for remembering even the most complicated orders and serving them up with a positive attitude. 

The health crisis and great resignation has led to a huge demand for servers and restaurant staff which means if you’re looking for a waitress job, the field is wide open. The first step to landing one of these plentiful positions is creating a CV that will wow the restaurant manager and have them ringing you up in no time.

Resume.io is here to make your job search a breeze. With dozens of occupation-specific CV examples and writing guides, we’ll help you create an application that conveys your top skills and personality traits. 

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide, along with the corresponding waitress CV example:

• What does a waitress do?
• How to write a waitress CV (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a waitress CV
• Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional CV layout and design hints.

What does a waitress do?

Waitresses and waiters are primarily responsible for communicating between customers and the kitchen in restaurants and other dining establishments. That means greeting diners, explaining daily specials, serving drinks, taking orders, bringing food and processing payments.

Waitresses may also be asked to take on other responsibilities in the restaurant such as helping at the bar, preparing tables and silverware or even aiding with light kitchen duties if needed.

Waitresses work in close collaboration with other restaurant staff including managers, hostesses, cooks, bartenders and dishwashers.

How to write a waitress CV

A waitress CV should showcase your skills and previous experience in a well-organised format. Here is the structure that most CVs will follow:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Waitresses are not only expected to have the physical skills needed to take orders and serve food, they are also asked to have a cheery and helpful disposition that will leave customers with a pleasant experience to remember.

No restaurant can survive on first-time customers, so creating an environment that diners want to return to is one of the essential functions of the wait staff. By conveying these innate qualities on your waitress CV, you can show the employer that you’re committed to the success of their business.

Although the manual tasks of running orders might be similar in many establishments, waitresses who can show an interest in the particular restaurant’s opening will be able to stand out among applicants who are looking for any old job. Make sure to mention similarities between the new employer and places you’ve worked before. You can also express your interest in the cuisine, customer base or unique style of the restaurant on your CV, most notably in the summary (more on that straightaway!)

Choosing the best CV format for a waitress

As a waitress, you have a few options when it comes to choosing a CV format. However, any candidate with previous experience will find the reverse chronological format to be their best choice. This format is preferred by hiring managers because it features an employment history section where you can list your related jobs going back until about 10 years. 

The functional CV format is another option for job seekers with limited work history. This format focuses more on skills and minimises employment history. It is best reserved for first-time job seekers and students. The combination, or hybrid, CV format can be a great happy medium for people with only one or two previous positions to show.

CV summary example

Just as a waitress’ greeting sets the tone for the entire meal, the summary of your CV is the place to add some personality and individuality to an otherwise monotone document. In these 3-5 sentences, you’ll want to call the employer’s attention to your previous experience, skills and strengths. If you have a connection to the restaurant or are a fan of their cuisine, it doesn’t hurt to mention it here. After all, a waitress who is passionate about the work makes for a better candidate. Below you’ll find the summary from our adaptable CV example.

Employment history sample

If you’ve held previous jobs, the employment history section is the place to mention them. While waitresses don’t necessarily need to have previous restaurant experience to land their first position, it helps to highlight transferable skills or work in other areas of the hospitality industry. 

You’ll want to list the job title, employer name, dates worked and location in a bold subheading format. Then, add a list of 4-5 bullet points that call attention to your responsibilities and achievements. Make sure to add concrete numbers or information wherever possible. This helps quantify your impact and prove your abilities to the prospective employer. Check out our CV sample below for more ideas on creating this section.

CV skills example

Your skills are at the heart of your job as a waitress, but the CV skills section is not alway the easiest place to showcase them. That’s because this section is often formatted as bullet points, meaning you’ll only get a word or two to describe your key competencies. Prioritise the skills requested in the job description and highlight any areas of expertise that could make you stand out from other candidates. Include a mix of hard skills – or technical abilities – along with soft skills. See our adaptable CV example below.

Waitress CV education example

While waitresses usually aren’t required to have formal education to perform their job, the education section on a CV is standard and shouldn’t be overlooked. Add your secondary school or any other degrees you possess along with the educational institution and dates attended. It’s also fine to add a degree in progress if you are still studying. Check out our education section CV sample below.

CV layout and design

The layout and design might not seem like key considerations of your waitress CV, but they play a bigger role than you might imagine. Just like a restaurant’s interior, cleanliness and menu tell the customer what their dining experience might be like, the layout and design of your CV communicate your professionalism and attention to detail.

While waitresses won’t need an elaborate layout, a simple, well-organised one can make it easier for the employer to find the information they are looking for. A pop of colour may even be acceptable depending on the restaurant’s style. Make sure to choose professional font styles and sizes and to stay consistent with your design choices throughout your CV.

Key takeaways for a waitress CV

1. Waitresses are in high demand as many workers have left the restaurant industry to find other employment – so now is the time to create that CV!
2. Craft a summary that captures your personality and more innate qualities while also sharing your motivation for applying to the particular role.
3. Opt for the reverse chronological structure whenever possible as it allows employers to quickly evaluate your previous experience.
4. Check out our waitress CV sample for more ideas on creating a great page layout.