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How to Write an Entry Level Restaurant Resume

Landing your first job in the restaurant industry starts with crafting a compelling resume that highlights your relevant skills and experiences. Even if you lack formal work experience, you can still create an entry level restaurant resume that stands out to employers. This guide will walk you through the process, offering practical advice and examples to help you secure that first position.

Understanding the Restaurant Industry

What to Expect in a Restaurant Job?

Working in a restaurant can be fast-paced and demanding, requiring employees to handle various tasks simultaneously. Restaurant jobs typically involve interacting with customers, preparing food, managing transactions, and maintaining cleanliness and order in the dining area. These roles demand excellent customer service skills, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Key Skills for Restaurant Workers

Success in the restaurant industry hinges on a mix of soft and technical skills. Important skills include:

• Customer Service: Providing friendly and efficient service to customers.
• Communication: Clear verbal communication with customers and team members.
• Multitasking: Managing multiple tasks efficiently during busy periods.
• Teamwork: Collaborating with colleagues to ensure smooth operations.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring orders are accurate and the dining area is clean.

Understanding these skills will help you tailor your resume to showcase your suitability for restaurant roles.

Structuring Your Entry Level Restaurant Resume

Choosing the Right Format

For an entry level restaurant resume, a chronological format is generally the most effective. This format highlights your education and any relevant experience in reverse chronological order, making it easy for employers to see your most recent accomplishments first.

Essential Sections to Include

Your resume should include the following sections:

• Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
• Summary or Objective: A brief statement outlining your career goals and key qualifications.
• Education: Details of your academic background, including degrees, institutions, and graduation dates.
• Experience: Any relevant work experience, internships, or volunteer work.
• Skills: A list of skills relevant to the restaurant industry.
• Certifications: Any relevant certifications or training programs completed.
• Awards and Honors: Any recognitions or awards that showcase your achievements.

Crafting a Compelling Summary

The summary or objective at the top of your resume is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. For an entry level restaurant position, focus on your enthusiasm for the industry, relevant skills, and career aspirations. For example:

“Enthusiastic and customer-oriented individual seeking an entry level restaurant position. Eager to leverage strong communication and multitasking skills to provide exceptional service and contribute to team success.”

Highlighting Your Education

Detailing Your Academic Background

Since you’re applying for an entry level position, your education section is important. Include details such as:

• Degree: Type of degree (e.g., High School Diploma, Associate Degree).
• Institution: Name of the school or college.
• Graduation Date: Month and year of graduation.
• Relevant Coursework: Courses related to hospitality, customer service, or business.

Emphasizing Relevant Projects and Activities

Highlight any projects, activities, or coursework that are relevant to a restaurant career. For example:

• Hospitality Class Project: Planned and executed a mock restaurant event, managing guest services and coordinating with team members.
• Volunteer Experience: Assisted in organizing and serving at community events, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

Showcasing Your Experience

Including Internships and Part-Time Jobs

Even if you haven’t held a full-time restaurant position, internships and part-time jobs can demonstrate relevant experience. List your roles in reverse chronological order and focus on achievements that relate to restaurant skills.

Server Assistant, ABC Diner

• Assisted servers with taking orders and delivering food to tables.
• Maintained cleanliness and organization of dining areas.
• Provided excellent customer service and addressed guest inquiries.

Highlighting Transferable Skills

If your previous jobs aren’t directly related to restaurants, highlight transferable skills. For example, if you worked in retail, emphasize your customer service and multitasking abilities.

Sales Associate, XYZ Retail Store

• Assisted customers with product inquiries and purchases.
• Managed inventory and restocked shelves.
• Provided efficient and friendly service, handling multiple customer requests simultaneously.

Demonstrating Key Skills

Listing Relevant Skills

In your skills section, list skills that are directly relevant to a restaurant role. Be specific and use keywords that match the job description.

• Customer Service: Skilled in providing friendly and efficient service.
• Communication: Strong verbal communication skills.
• Multitasking: Ability to handle multiple tasks during busy periods.
• Teamwork: Experience collaborating with colleagues to achieve common goals.
• Food Safety: Knowledge of food handling and safety practices.

Providing Examples

Where possible, provide examples of how you’ve used these skills in previous roles or projects. This adds credibility and shows that you have practical experience.

Example:

• “Efficiently managed a busy dining area, ensuring tables were clean and ready for guests, and assisted with order accuracy, contributing to a positive dining experience.”

Tailoring Your Resume for Each Job Application

Customizing for Different Employers

Each job application is unique, so it’s essential to tailor your resume for each position. Use keywords from the job description and focus on the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the role.

Using Action Words

Start bullet points with strong action words to make your achievements stand out. Words like “assisted,” “managed,” “coordinated,” and “improved” add impact and show your proactive approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I include in my entry level restaurant resume?

Include your contact information, a summary or objective, education, relevant experience, skills, certifications, and any awards or honors. Tailor each section to highlight your suitability for the restaurant role.

How can I highlight my lack of experience?

Focus on transferable skills from internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. Highlight your enthusiasm for the restaurant industry and any relevant coursework or projects.

Should I include a summary or objective?

Yes, including a summary or objective can help grab the employer’s attention. For an entry level position, focus on your enthusiasm, relevant skills, and career aspirations.

How can I make my resume stand out?

Use a clean and professional format, tailor your resume for each job application, and highlight your most relevant skills and experiences. Use action words and quantifiable achievements to add impact.

What skills are important for a restaurant worker?

Key skills include customer service, communication, multitasking, teamwork, and attention to detail. Highlight any experience or training that has helped you develop these skills.

Should I include references?

It’s not necessary to include references on your resume. Instead, you can provide them upon request. Focus on showcasing your skills and experience to make a strong first impression.

Conclusion

Writing an entry level restaurant resume requires careful planning and attention to detail. By highlighting your education, relevant experience, and key skills, you can create a resume that stands out to potential employers. Remember to tailor your resume for each job application, using keywords from the job description and focusing on your most relevant qualifications. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to securing your first job in the restaurant industry.