A perfect waiter or waitress CV sets out the experience and skills you need to bring to a new job, like working with customers, food and beverage knowledge, managing stock, and using point-of-sale systems. It should also help you stand out amongst the fierce competition by highlighting key capabilities, including customer service, communication, and teamwork.

Outlining your work history, responsibilities, and key achievements in a clear, recruiter-friendly way doesn’t have to be complicated. Below, we’ve cherrypicked some of the most valuable tips and tricks to streamline the process. Keep reading as we break everything down step by step so you don’t have to worry about forgetting essential details.

On top of this, we recommend exploring our expert CV examples for more content and design ideas. Each document gives you an insight into what information to include and how to present it in the best possible light. Landing your dream job is easy when you use the right resources!

Interested to learn more? The following guide runs through:

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    Sample Professional waitress CV

    waitress-CV-sample

    Therese Hartington
    22 Pippington Place
    Bristol BS1 0HG
    07912345678
    Therese.Hartington@example.co.uk

    Professional summary
    Energetic and outgoing waitress with a dedication to positive guest relations. Passionate about securing new, challenging position within a fast-paced restaurant or bar. High-volume dining, customer service and cash-handling background.

    Work history

    March 2021 – Current
    Margolio’s – Bristol
    Waitress

    • Performed bar closing duties, thoroughly cleaning, sanitising and replenishing stock.
    • Regularly communicated with kitchen and bar staff to maintain smooth front of house operations, minimising potential service delays.
    • Retained in-depth bar and menu item knowledge, providing expert recommendations to suit guest taste.

    January 2019 – February 2021
    Pizza Magic – Bristol
    Waitress

    • Served meals and drinks with professionalism and skill, maintaining high presentation and quality standards.
    • Provided friendly, courteous service, maximising positive customer satisfaction ratings.
    • Kept guest tables neat and tidy by regularly clearing away dirty dishes and used glasses and wiping down surfaces.

    Skills

    • Bar cleaning and maintenance
    • Extensive wine knowledge
    • Inventory control
    • Enthusiastic communicator
    • Food service
    • Food safety understanding
    • Till balancing
    • Multidisciplinary teamwork

    Education
    2017
    Bristol College Bristol
    A-Levels Food Technology (A), Business Studies (B), and English (C)

    Waitress CV template

    Stuck for inspiration and not sure where to start? Don’t worry – you’re in the right place. We have a comprehensive library of tools and resources for your convenience, such as pre-made CV templates that give you the ultimate starting point. There’s no need to stress when professional help is only a few clicks away.

    What is the best format for your waiter CV?

    Before refining your content, you must choose between popular CV formats. These recruiter-approved structures organise your sections so they’re easy to follow, properly spaced out, and logical to read. Why does presentation matter? Busy hiring managers won’t waste time untangling messy applications. Plus, ATS software prefers neat, scannable CVs with plenty of keywords and phrases.

    There are two popular formats to consider – the reverse-chronological CV and the skills-based CV. The former outlines your employment background, starting from your current or most recent role. The latter concentrates on transferable skills instead, such as “communication”, “leadership”, and “customer service”.

    So, which is best for a waiter or waitress? We suggest using the reverse-chronological CV because hiring managers prefer candidates with relevant knowledge. If you can demonstrate proficiency in a similar role and industry, you’re more likely to receive a coveted interview invite.

    However, you don’t necessarily need experience because you’ll be trained on the job. Many organisations prioritise attitude and personality over work history, so you can absolutely use a skills-based CV if you prefer.

    What else do you need to know?

    • Your CV should only be one to two pages long maximum
    • Type in a neat font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
    • Break up text with sections, headings, and bullet point lists
    • Keep the overall tone formal and friendly
    • Send your CV as a Word or PDF file unless asked otherwise

    How to write a CV for a waitress

    Now you’ve chosen an interview-winning format, it’s time to explain how to write a CV that’ll stand out from the crowd. The following sections cover what information to include, such as your contact details, personal statement, employment background and more. Plus, we’ll answer some of your most commonly asked FAQs towards the end. What’s on the menu?

    Adding contact details to your waitress CV

    One of the biggest mistakes we see is one of the easiest to avoid – forgetting to add your most up-to-date contact details at the top of your CV. While it might sound inconsequential, it’ll prevent the employer from contacting you about the next steps. Place your information near the header in a slightly larger or bolder font for maximum visibility.

    Run through:

    • Name – full name and surname
    • Location – including county and postcode
    • Phone number – the best one to reach you on
    • Email address – keep it professional

    Example of contact section for a waiter CV

    Anthony O’Brien,
    88 Boroughbridge Road,
    Birmingham,
    West Midlands, B2 8SP
    07912345678
    anthony.obrien@example.co.uk

    OR

    Anna McDonald,
    195 Crown Street,
    Knightsbridge,
    London, W12 4WB,
    079123456789,
    a_mcdonald@example.co.uk

    How to write a personal statement for your waitress CV

    Want to grab the employer’s attention? Create a powerful personal statement summarising your top accomplishments, skills, and qualifications. Although tempting to cram in as much information as possible, you only have three to four sentences to get your main points across. We suggest using the tried and tested formula below for maximum impact.

    Sentence one introduces who you are, including years of experience and career focus. Sentence two is where the magic happens – draw the reader in with a showstopping statistic. Finally, sentences three and four spotlight your unique skills and areas of expertise. For example, you might have previously worked in a Michelin-starred restaurant or hotel.

    By statistic, we mean a fact or figure that proves your capabilities. You might have won several awards, managed multiple people, or earned an exceptional customer feedback score. Whatever the achievement, be as specific as possible to wow the hiring manager.

    The below statements are brilliant examples of what you should aim for. In one, the waiter opens by highlighting their 12 years of experience. There’s an emphasis on customer service before showcasing their ability to perform well in ‘peak hours’ – a key requirement for many waiter roles. In the other, the candidate has told the recruiter she’s got excellent customer service skills, knows how to analyse and solve problems, and can handle a busy restaurant and kitchen.

    Here are a few extra tips to keep in mind:

    • Write in the third person to sound more professional
    • Stick to the word count – between 50 to 100 words is ideal
    • Only include the most relevant and impressive information
    • Sprinkle in a few keywords – you can find these hard and soft skills in the job advertisement
    • Don’t tell the employer what you want – save career ambitions for the cover letter

    Example of personal statement for a waitress CV

    Passionate waiter with over 12 years of experience in the catering industry. Consistently recieves outstanding customer feedback on TripAdvisor with a 94% satisfaction score. Highly effective at anticipating and accommodating customer needs. Friendly, punctual, and enthusiastic team leader who maintains a positive attitude during peak hours.

    OR

    Organised and detail-oriented waitress with nine years of experience in the food service industry. Won “Best Customer Service Professional” at the Hospitality Awards for three years running. Possesses extensive knowledge of booking systems and food preparation. Areas of expertise include fine dining and Michelin-star etiquette.

    Adding experience section to your waitress CV

    The work history section is one of the most fascinating for employers because it reveals more about you as a professional. The ultimate goal is to convince the reader you’re the best person for the job by underlining your core strengths, achievements, and skills.

    Start from your current or most recent role and note up to six responsibilities for each. Add more detail for relevant positions that reflect the job advertisement. Here’s what to include:

    • Job title
    • Employment start and end dates
    • Company name
    • Company location
    • List of key tasks
    • Workplace achievements

    Like the personal statement, use figures to cement your credentials. The example below shows how to do this. By using numbers to back up claims, such as the 12% increase in positive customer ratings, the candidate shows just how successful they are.

    On top of this, remember the devil is in the detail. Rather than listing three roles as “waiter”, the candidate has specified “back waiter”, “waiter”, and “front waiter”. They’re displaying how they take the role seriously as well as showing their journey up the career ladder.

    Clear responsibilities are also crucial. Our best advice? Provide precise information, from employers to service dates, so there’s no ambiguity. The waiter in the example showcased specific duties from each role, highlighting their versatility and progression from more basic tasks to taking on reservations and staffing responsibilities.

    Finally, uplift the tone with plenty of positive adjectives and action verbs. For instance, you might be “friendly”, “communicative”, and “dependable”. Action verbs are powerful alternatives to “responsible for”. Our favourites for waiters and waitresses include “upsold”, “supervised”, and “resolved”.

    Example of work experience for a waiter CV

    Front waiter | Cosy Club, Birmingham | February 2021 – Present

    • Removing plates, replacing utensils, and refilling beverages.
    • Monitoring dining rooms for seating availability and guest wellbeing.
    • Upselling restaurant specials and wine.
    • Taking reservations and answering customer queries.
    • Managing a team of 30 employees and anticipating staffing needs.
    • Using specialist booking systems.

    Head waiter | Pizza Express, Birmingham | April 2017 – January 2021

    • Improved the restaurant’s customer service rating by 12%.
    • Managed a team of 12 waiters and waitresses.
    • Oversaw the hiring process.
    • Cashed up and handled banking duties.
    • Ordered stock and equipment.

    Back waiter | Riverside Tavern, Bristol | June 2014 – April 2017

    • Assisted the kitchen staff with pot washing.
    • Folded napkins, polished cutlery, and organised condiments.
    • Cleaned the restaurant at the end of the day.

    Skills worth having on your waitress CV

    The skills you include on your waitress CV will make it clear that you can work in various dining establishments and handle customers, other members of staff, and technical issues like stock control. The easiest way to present these talents is via a built-out CV skills section. We advise noting up to 12 in total, split equally between hard skills and soft skills.

    So, what’s the difference? Hard skills are technical and learnt on the job or through education. Examples include “cash and card payment handling”, “familiarity with ordering software”, and “food preparation knowledge”. In contrast, soft skills are transferable and personality-based – think “ability to build rapport”, “active listening”, and “hard-working”.

    Notice how there’s a full range of hard and soft skills mentioned, from point-of-sale system operation to an outgoing, positive attitude. Balancing both gives the employer a well-rounded view of your abilities. Above all else, don’t sleep on soft skills. As a waiter, you’re the face of your employer’s business. They want to know you’re knowledgeable, friendly, and in control.

    Need some more ideas? Check out the following lists:

    Essential skills for a waitress

    • Restaurant cleaning
    • Food safety awareness
    • Point of Sale (POS) system operation
    • Knowledge of special dietary requirements
    • Understanding of alcohol legislation

    Desirable aptitudes to set you apart

    • Upbeat, outgoing and positive
    • Good verbal communication
    • High fitness levels
    • Able to multi-task
    • Exceptional customer service skills

    Outlining education on a waitress CV

    Education underpins experience and gives you a competitive edge when you’re up against equally skilled candidates. You can talk about school, college and university courses, professional training, and memberships to governing bodies. Basically, anything that confirms you’ve got the brains and fundamental tools to meet expectations!

    There are a few rules to keep in mind here. Firstly, only emphasise your most relevant qualifications. For example, you don’t have to individually list GCSEs if you’ve completed an undergraduate degree. Next, avoid bad grades or incomplete courses because they don’t look particularly impressive. You’re not obligated to provide this information unless asked.

    While most waitressing jobs don’t require qualifications, the candidate in the example stands out because they hold a Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision. This means they could be a head waiter or waitress one day. So, while education isn’t essential, it definitely boosts your prospects and makes you a more attractive option to employers.

    When listing your education, here’s what to include:

    • Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
    • Study start and end dates
    • Subject title
    • Qualification level – e.g. Level 3 Certificate or GCSE
    • Qualification result

    Example of education for a waiter CV

    National Association for Catering and Events | Birmingham | October 2022 – July 2023
    Level 3 Certificate in Hospitality Supervision: Distinction

    Sussex College | September 2020 – July 2022
    3 A levels: Food Technology (A), Business Studies (B), and English (C)

    Sussex High School | September 2015 – July 2020
    10 GCSEs at grades A – C

    Top dos and don’ts for waitress CV writing

    Do

    • DO work backwards

      Notice how the candidate in the example has listed their most recent roles and qualifications first. This makes it easier for employers to see the most relevant information without getting distracted by meaningless fluff. As a rule, your CV should start with the most persuasive details, such as the personal statement and employment background sections.

    • DO mention your specialisms

      The most successful applicants have something that makes them special. This could be a unique skill like speaking another language. Or, experience in a specific environment – some waitresses and waiters serve at weddings, and others in Michelin restaurants. Either way, drawing attention to your areas of expertise will help recruiters guide your CV in the right direction.

    Don't

    • DON’T forget your cover letter

      cover letter is a short one-page document introducing who you are, expressing interest in the position, and presenting your proudest achievements, skills, and qualifications. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to jot down additional information that doesn’t belong in a CV, like your notice period and interview availability.

    • DON’T forget to spell-check

      With so many free spellcheckers online, there’s really no excuse for sloppy mistakes. Double-check your work for inconsistencies and repetitiveness. Plus, ask a loved one for some feedback. The more input you get, the more confident you’ll be!

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    Frequently asked questions about waitress CVs

    What education do you need to be a waiter?

    You don’t need any education to be a waiter. However, you’re more likely to land one of the most sought-after jobs if you show some academic achievement. Some employers want to see high school education, primarily Maths and English, as these subjects help with order taking and cash handling. Industry-specific college or training courses will also help you stand out.

    Do waiters need a food handler's card?

    Waiters don’t need a food handler’s card in the UK. This is a requirement in some US states. However, all UK food handlers, including waiters, need training in food hygiene. This is often provided in the workplace, but you’ll really stand out if you hold an up-to-date Food Hygiene Certificate.

    What are the duties of a waitress?

    Working in a restaurant is fast-paced and exciting. As such, no two days look the same. Your responsibilities will change depending on the bookings and setting, but key crossovers often include:

    • Displaying a friendly attitude to customers
    • Updating knowledge of the items on the menu
    • Understanding and implementing food hygiene standards
    • Paying close attention to the overall dining experience
    • Upselling specific products to meet targets

    What skills do waitresses have?

    All the knowledge in the world doesn’t compensate for a bad attitude. Hiring managers often prioritise friendly, approachable candidates over those with tonnes of experience. Consequently, it’s a good idea to include plenty of soft skills. A good waitress needs to demonstrate the following qualities:

    Create an attention-grabbing waitress or waiter CV today

    A high-quality waitress CV is the best way to secure your ideal role. With our CV builder, you can create an attractive and impressive application that ticks all the boxes. Simply select your preferred template, add your education and experience, and then choose from relevant content written by experts.

    We also have a library of valuable CV examples and pre-made CV templates to demystify the process. With the right tools, it’s easier than ever to create a waitress CV that’ll take your career to the next level!

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