Waiter or Waitress CV Example
A polished CV for front-of-house professionals delivering exceptional dining experiences. Highlights your customer service excellence, menu knowledge, and ability to work efficiently in fast-paced restaurant environments.
Recommended template: Modern
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Mention the style and size of restaurants you have worked in to give employers context about your experience level.
- Highlight any specific service styles you are trained in, such as silver service, family style, or fine dining.
- Include quantifiable achievements like average covers per shift or customer satisfaction scores.
- List any food hygiene, allergen awareness, or personal licence certifications you hold.
Ready to build your CV?
Start with the Modern template and customise it for your hospitality role.
How to Write Your Waiter or Waitress CV
A waiter or waitress CV should demonstrate your ability to deliver excellent guest experiences in a fast-paced environment. Employers are looking for candidates who combine friendly, professional service with efficiency and attention to detail. Whether you work in fine dining, casual chains, or independent eateries, your CV should show that you understand the hospitality industry and can contribute to a positive dining atmosphere.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format beginning with a brief personal profile, followed by work experience, skills, and education. For each role, include the restaurant name, style, and cover count to give context. List four to five responsibilities and two to three achievements per role. If you have certifications such as food hygiene or a personal licence, create a dedicated section for these near the top of the CV.
CV Format
Choose a clean, easy-to-read template that allows your experience to stand out. Avoid overly decorative designs — hospitality managers scan CVs quickly and prefer clarity. Use bullet points for responsibilities and keep the document to one or two pages depending on your experience level.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Waiter
Attentive and personable waiter with five years of experience in busy fine-dining and casual restaurants across London. Skilled in silver service, wine pairing recommendations, and managing sections of up to 40 covers per sitting. Consistently praised by management for upselling performance, contributing an average 18% increase in dessert and beverage revenue per shift.
Part-Time Waitress
Enthusiastic and reliable waitress combining university studies with three years of part-time front-of-house experience in independent bistros and chain restaurants. Confident handling POS systems, processing card payments, and managing table turnover during peak service. Holds a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and a personal licence for alcohol service.
Career-Change Waiter
Customer-focused professional transitioning into hospitality from a retail background, bringing strong communication skills and experience handling high-volume customer interactions. Completed barista and wine appreciation courses to support the move into food service. Eager to apply transferable skills in a fast-paced restaurant environment where excellent guest experiences are the priority.
Write a three-sentence summary covering your experience level, the types of venues you have worked in, and one standout achievement or skill. Mention any relevant certifications to establish credibility immediately.
Key Skills for Your Waiter or Waitress CV
Table Service
Delivering professional food and drink service to guests, including greeting, order-taking, course timing, and bill presentation.
Menu Knowledge
Understanding menu items, ingredients, preparation methods, and allergen information to advise guests confidently.
Upselling Techniques
Recommending starters, sides, desserts, and premium drinks to increase average spend per table.
POS Systems
Operating electronic point-of-sale systems such as Tevalis, Zonal, or Square to process orders and payments.
Customer Complaint Resolution
Handling guest concerns calmly and professionally to turn negative experiences into positive outcomes.
Wine & Beverage Service
Presenting, opening, and serving wine and other beverages following correct etiquette and service standards.
Team Collaboration
Working closely with kitchen staff, bar team, and fellow servers to deliver a seamless dining experience.
Cash Handling
Processing cash and card transactions accurately and reconciling till floats at the end of each shift.
Allergen Awareness
Identifying and communicating allergen information to guests and kitchen staff to ensure safe food service.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, provide a brief outline of the restaurant style and size before listing your duties. Focus on service standards, upselling success, and any recognition received. Use numbers where possible — covers per shift, upselling figures, or complaint resolution rates — to give recruiters a tangible sense of your performance.
Waiter
The Ivy Brasserie, Manchester
Provided front-of-house service in a 120-cover fine-dining brasserie known for high-profile clientele and exacting presentation standards.
Responsibilities
- Managed a section of eight tables, greeting guests, presenting menus, and delivering food and drinks to the correct service standards.
- Advised diners on menu selections, daily specials, and wine pairings using detailed product knowledge.
- Operated the Tevalis POS system to place orders, split bills, and process cash and card payments accurately.
- Set up and broke down the restaurant floor before and after each service, including linen, cutlery, and glassware checks.
- Coordinated with the kitchen to communicate dietary requirements and manage timing for multi-course meals.
Achievements
- Achieved the highest upselling figures in the team for three consecutive months, averaging £320 in additional spend per shift.
- Received six written compliments from guests on TripAdvisor specifically naming the quality of table service provided.
- Trained four new starters on service standards and POS operation during their induction period.
Waitress
Carluccio's, Leeds
Delivered friendly and efficient table service in a 90-cover Italian casual dining restaurant with a focus on family-friendly service.
Responsibilities
- Took food and drink orders, served courses in the correct sequence, and cleared tables promptly between sittings.
- Handled customer complaints regarding wait times or order errors with patience and professionalism.
- Processed end-of-day till reconciliations and reported any discrepancies to the duty manager.
- Assisted with stock checks on beverages and front-of-house supplies at the end of each shift.
Achievements
- Maintained a 98% order accuracy rate across an average of 60 covers per shift.
- Recognised as Employee of the Month twice within a twelve-month period for outstanding customer feedback.
Education & Qualifications
List any hospitality qualifications, food hygiene certificates, or personal licences first. Follow with GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. If you have completed any wine, cocktail, or barista courses, include these as they add relevant value.
Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate
Essential certification demonstrating knowledge of food safety practices required for anyone handling food in a commercial setting.
Personal Licence (APLH)
Licence authorising the holder to sell or supervise the sale of alcohol in licensed premises.
WSET Level 2 in Wines
Intermediate wine qualification covering grape varieties, regions, and tasting technique, valued in fine-dining environments.
Level 2 Diploma in Food & Beverage Service
Vocational qualification covering professional food and drink service skills in hospitality settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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