Catering Server Resume: Example and Tips

Catering servers are responsible for serving food at special events at banquets, halls, residences, or other off-site areas. Server duties include setting and replenishing buffets, serving food and drinks at tables and facilitating a smooth service. Though this job doesn’t demand a specialized qualification, a high school diploma and work experience are preferred.

Build a resume for your career as a catering server with the help of these simple tips and resume examples:

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Catering Server Functional Resume Sample

Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Catering Server Resume

  1. Summary In a few sentences, create a blend of skills and accomplishments to create a quick “elevator pitch.” Focus on phrases such as “delivering great hospitality,” “providing customer satisfaction” and “safe food handling” in this section.
  2. Skills Emphasize practical skills such as ability to carry heavy loads, knowledge of menu and beverage items, setting buffets or food-running skills, as well as interpersonal (or “soft”) skills such as excellent verbal communication, a positive attitude or superior customer service.
  3. Work history Mention all catering jobs you have in the past, including any volunteer work or internships that involve coordinating a large event or providing customer service. For instance, you can mention a volunteer job at a banquet serving 200+ eaters.
  4. Education Include both your highest level of education (e.g., high school diploma, college degree) as well as any related training you may have pursued, such as a mixology class, or banquet server training.

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Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume

  • DO make sure the resume isn’t too long. Keep your resume short and to the point. Putting anything other than vital information about your skills and experiences can work against you, as hiring managers usually only take a few seconds to read resumes. Limit your work history to the past 10 years at most, and only include details that address the key question: What makes you a good server?
  • DO create the right elevator pitch to grab the recruiter’s attention. Think of your summary statement as an elevator pitch. What are your best strengths and experiences that show you’re the right person for the job? For example: “Skilled catering server with three years of experience working in busy settings serving 100+ diners” or  “Hard-working dining worker well-versed in upholding safe food-handling protocols and workplace safety practices.”
  • DO customize your resume for different job applications.Most jobs require different sets of skills and experiences. Build different versions of your resume for each job you apply to, making sure you’re addressing the specific requirements of the job. For example, you would mention “event set up and breakdown” for a server position that requires plenty of mobile dining, but that skill might not be as important for a similar position at an independent living facility where meals are all served at the same location.
  • DON’T forget to incorporate industry-related keywords. Take a note of the key responsibilities and requirements mentioned in the job description (e.g., “subject matter expert on menu items”), and be sure to include these keywords in your resume, whether it’s your skills section, or an example from your banquet server,” “customer service experience,” “cleaning and organizing kitchen stations,” “restocking,” “organizational skills” and “dish preparation.”
  • DON’T submit your resume without proofing.  Just like you will be expected to keep dining areas neat and organized, you should keep your resume spic-and-span. Check your resume for errors before you submit. Run grammar and spell-checks to identify minor mistakes, and also double-check that factual data is correct.
  • DON’T hesitate to quantify your accomplishments  Applying numbers to your work history and achievements gives them a larger impact. For instance, instead of stating “served many guests and customers during each shift,” be more precise and make a quantified statement, such as “Efficiently served 30-40 meals per shift.”