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A key aspect of any server job application is a CV that displays the applicant’s relevant expertise and skills. However, a CV can be just as effective if you have even a little bit of serving experience. This is because most bars and restaurants prefer to hire those who already have existing hospitality experience.
As such, creating a server CV is one of the quickest and perhaps even most critical parts of speeding up your job search. Our server CV template, shown below, is one of several that can help with this. Below, our step-by-step guide takes you through the main format and tips on crafting a professional CV. We cover:
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Server CV sample
David Dunne
8 Holgate Rd, Bristol BS2 9NF
07912345678
David.Dunne@example-example.co.uk
Professional summary
Energetic and outgoing professional with dedication to positive guest relations. Passionate about securing new, challenging position as server or hostess within a fast-paced restaurant or bar. High-volume dining, customer service and cash-handling background.
Work history
March 2018 – Current
Master Steak House – Bristol
Server
- Promptly cleared away dirty dishes, wiped down surfaces and refreshed glasses or beverages.
- Confirmed legal drinking ages and discontinued service to intoxicated guests.
- Ensured guests left with a positive impression of the restaurant, helping to promote repeat business.
January 2014 – February 2018
Vivino Restaurant – Bristol
Server
- Developed customer and employee loyalty by building strong, positive rapport.
- Prepared buffet and salad bar, replenishing food items, condiments and cutlery throughout dinner service.
- Prevented serving errors by recording orders accurately and communicating clearly with kitchen staff.
Skills
- Efficient under pressure
- Cash handling
- Cleaning requirements
- Interpersonal skills
- Table clearing
- Food safety understanding
Education
2014
Bristol College
NVQ Level 2 Hospitality
What is the best format for your server CV?
An essential part of writing your server CV well is choosing the best format to showcase your information correctly. You’ll find numerous examples of the best CV formats, but you should almost always use the reverse-chronological order, as this is what recruiters prefer.
It allows you to highlight your experience and qualifications in a concise manner for improved job success, starting with contact details and a personal statement before outlining your career history to date. You can then move onto your skills and education – listing everything in reverse-chronological order so the most recent, relevant information comes first.
Naturally, some servers will be entry-level applicants. In this case, a skills-based CV can work well. This comprises a skills section after the personal statement with more detail for each skill type.
How to write a CV for a server
When writing a server CV, you need to include relevant experience, skills, and qualifications suited to the job. But it’s not just what you have on your CV. It’s how you write your CV that makes the most impact. So, knowing how to write a CV when applying for a server job is vital to ensure you make the best impression.
Below, our step-by-step guide shows you how to do this and includes tips on making the process easy. We include:
- How to add contact details to your server CV
- Server CV personal statement
- How to present your work history on a server CV
- Top skills for your server CV
- Get education right on your server’s CV
How to add contact details to your server CV
The first thing that goes on your CV is your contact details. This information is vital to include as recruiters will get hold of you for interviews and job information. Fortunately, it’s easy to get right, but there are a few things to include to ensure employers have the correct details.
This includes:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your phone number
- And your email address
Example of contact section for a server
Lena Cateye
60 Central Basilica Avenue
Barcelona
Spain
+34 934 4961296
maamcateye@sendmail.com
Server CV personal statement
The personal statement section is a short paragraph explaining your background, skills, and capabilities. It is a great way to give recruiters an insight into how you’ll fit into the server job role. But there are a few tips to make sure it reels recruiters in rather than putting them off.
The key to writing a personal statement is:
- Write in the third person – this focuses on what you are offering
- Keep it concise with 3-4 sentences at most
- Use positive words such as “team player”, “motivated”, and “flexible.”
- Include skills and achievements if necessary
- Highlight expertise if relevant such as “silver service experience”.
Example of personal statement for a server CV
A server with three years of experience throughout Spain’s Catalonia region. Highly focused and motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility on the job. Understands the temperament and mood of customers, and provides them with the level of service required.
OR
Friendly, energetic server familiar with busy restaurant environments. Balances a customer-focussed approach with an understanding of time constraints and profitability for restaurants. Offers specialist knowledge of Thai and Chinese cuisines.
How to present your work history on a server CV
Displaying your work history is an important step in CV writing. These details need to showcase your experience, and this should be written in reverse-chronological order. For example, beginning your most recent job, include details such as duties and responsibilities to highlight your competencies.
The work history section should include the following:
- Start and end date
- Job title, employer and location
- Detail 3-6 duties for each job
When listing your work information, past and present, it’s helpful not to overlap information in the job roles. This ensures you give the recruiter a greater overview of your server skills and experience. For example, if you handled customer complaints in one position, perhaps mention your silver service training in another.
Example of work experience for a server CV
Serving Manager | Le Monde Bar & Pepper House, November 2006 | February 2007
- Organized fellow serving employees in an effective fashion seven days a week.
- Handled customer complaints related to other servers in the bar manager’s place.
Server | Le Monde Bar & Pepper House, September 2006 | November 2006
- Ensured that all customers were happy with their meals as provided.
- Kept other servers motivated during the busiest hours of work.
- Also assisted with the last-minute preparation of meals.
Assistant Server | Le Monde Bar & Pepper House, March 2006 | September 2006
- Learned advanced serving techniques in order to better deal with more discerning customers.
- Provided other assistant servers with the help needed to fill larger and more difficult orders.
- Worked carefully under the direction of senior servers and the bar’s serving manager, as well as the bar’s owner.
Server | Grenadia Trues Restaurant, June 2005 – March 2006
- Took and delivered orders exactly to the specification of customers.
- Dealt with many long custom orders, according to the restaurants own selling points.
- Aided customers in making selections from the menu according to preferences and intuition.
Top skills for your server CV
The job of a server is varied, so candidates must show a diverse range of skills to be successful in this role. The CV skills section is where you can highlight your transferable skills and include those relevant to the job.
There are a number of valuable skills to include on a server CV, including…
Essential skills for a server
- Excellent communication skills
- Able to handle pressure
- Customer service skills
- Organised
- Knowledge of restaurant POS systems
Desirable aptitudes to set you apart
- Team player
- Motivated
- Health and safety knowledge
- Knowledge of food prep and hygiene
- Flexible
Get education right on your server’s CV
Employers are typically looking for individuals with a good standard of education, such as GSCEs in English and Maths. However, depending on the position, some may also require a diploma in hospitality or a related area.
When detailing your qualifications, use the reverse-chronological format and include the following:
- School, college, university or training provider
- Year of qualification
- Level of qualification, for example, GCSEs, NVQs
- Subject or course title – you don’t need this for high school courses
Example education section for a server
Gran Lossa College | 2005-2006
Certificate of Hospitality
Gran Lossa School | 2000-2005
Exceptional Graduate Certificate
Get your server CV right with our proven tips
Include a cover letter if required
For some server roles, recruiters request a cover letter alongside your server CV. This is the opportune time to show a bit more personality, which is important to a server’s duties. You can also detail your work history and experience, using real-world examples to highlight your capabilities. When writing a cover letter, the best advice is to link everything back to the specific job you’re applying for.
Include work achievements or certifications
If you have completed relevant training related to the job, such as food hygiene or customer service courses, don't forget to add it to your CV. Other aspects of your career history, such as working in an award-winning restaurant or the ability to perform silver service, may also be relevant to the job role.
Proofread your CV and cover letter
To make the best impression on recruiters, it's essential to avoid spelling and grammar mistakes in your CV and cover letter. Minor errors can lead to a CV being rejected, so take time to read through everything and correct any issues. It's also essential to use the correct format for your server CV. Make sure the work history and education sections are in reverse-chronological order, so it's quick and easy to see your recent experience and qualifications.
Tailor your server CV to the job role
Before applying and writing your server CV, it's essential to read the job description properly. This will give you insight into the company and the type of work you'll be doing. Using this information enables you to tailor the content to the position. For example, if you've only worked in small cafes before, focus on your skills that transfer well if the position is in a fast-paced restaurant. While most server jobs require general experience, it helps to create your CV based on the role you're applying for to give recruiters insight into how you'll fit in.
Your server questions answered
What is a service job description?
Servers are required to carry out numerous duties and responsibilities during the working day. Most tasks are interchangeable between different environments, but some require specialist skills such as silver service in a high-end hotel restaurant. The primary duties include:
- Taking food and drink orders
- Delivering food to customers in a professional manner
- Knowledge of the latest menus and specials
- Taking payments
- Handling queries and customer complaints
- Providing a friendly service
What are good qualities of a server?
Servers handle a range of situations and customers every day, so it’s crucial to be able to adapt to the work environment. To help you do this, servers should possess numerous qualities such as:
- Good memory skills
- Multi-tasking abilities
- Flexibility
- Positive attitude and high energy
- Friendly nature
- Excellent communication skills
Can you work as a server with no qualifications?
Yes, it is possible to work as a server without formal qualifications. However, most employers require staff to have a basic level of education, such as GCSEs in English and Maths. This ensures individuals can grasp numeracy and communication for using the POS system and dealing with customers. In some cases, employers may also ask for a diploma in customer services or food-related areas.
Is it hard to be a server?
The job of a server is a physically and mentally demanding position. However, it’s also extremely rewarding and fun when working with colleagues and customers. This job also means you’ll be on your feet most of the day, and shifts can vary depending on your work environment. For example, some restaurants will require late nights and weekend work.
Serve up a great server CV
Applying for a server job has never been easier with our handy CV examples to help you write your application. In addition, we have a range of pre-made CV templates with tailored content in our CV builder, specifically for server positions. So, there’s nothing stopping you delighting recruiters with your attributes, experience, and qualifications.
*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with myperfectCV.