If you have always dreamt of working in the food industry then the first step towards that should be prepping your food service worker resume and we are here to help you do exactly that. In this guide, we will be simmering the right ingredients to help you create the most delectable food service worker resume and help you kickstart your career in the food service industry.
The Multi-Faceted Role of a Food Service Worker
A food service worker is responsible for the preparation and service of food in a fast paced environment like restaurants, cafeterias, big food franchises, catering companies etc. Their responsibilities are dynamic and can vary depending on the job they are assigned and the workplace. According to the U.S Bureau of Labour Statistics the overall employment of food and beverage serving and related food service workers is projected to grow 2% from 2022 to 2032. The food service sector has a wide range of roles available like servers, line cooks, cashiers and dishwashers etc. Let’s take a simplified look at the roles and responsibilities of a food service worker.
Food Preparation
Food service workers aren't necessarily chefs but they are required to be a prep cook and assist with food preparation like chopping vegetables, baking, grilling or frying according to the established recipes.
Food Handling and Safety
Ensuring compliance with established standards of kitchen safety and hygiene is a crucial part of a food service worker's job. This includes following safe food handling processes, maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen and following the strict food safety regulations while serving food.
Cashier Duties
Food service workers can also be required to work the cash register which involves handling the cash and processing payments from customers.
Cleaning and Kitchen Maintenance
Food service workers are responsible for cleaning and sanitizing kitchen appliances, utensils, work surfaces and dining areas perform routine maintenance checks to ensure the smooth functioning of the kitchen.
Customer Service
Interacting with customers, taking food orders and answering any menu-related question are some of the known responsibilities of a food service worker. They play an important role in maintaining good relationships with the patrons that often result in repeat business which is what every food establishment wants.
Food Service Resume Examples
Senior Level Food Service Worker Resume
(000)-121-7134
joesmith@example.comlinkedin.com/in/joesmith
Professional Summary
Experienced food service professional with a proven track record of delivering memorable dining experiences and ultimate customer satisfaction. Skilled in performing food preparation, presentation, kitchen sanitation and committed to adhering to the highest safety standards and protocol. Seeking a senior-level management position in the food industry to utilise my expertise in restaurant operations and contribute to attaining maximum customer satisfaction.
Work ExperienceRestaurant Manager
Blossoms Restaurant
Brooklyn, New York
June 2022-Present
- Responsible for directing all restaurant operations including budgeting, staffing and maintaining high quality standards
- Oversee the hiring, training and performance of the service staff.
- Maintain a high standard of food safety and sanitation resulting in zero health code violations
- Monitor inventory and optimise stock levels to reduce waste.
Food Service Worker
LM Restaurant
Assisted the team to ensure high levels of customer satSanta Fe,New Mexico
Professional SummaryMay 2017-May 2022
- Served customers with a friendly and helpful demeanour.
- Executed premium quality food and beverage preparation.
- Maintained and sanitised all the kitchen work stations.
- Assisted the team to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management
Santa Fe University, New Mexico
Graduation Date: January 2016
Skills
- Customer Service
- Quality control
- Food Safety
- Staff training
- Restaurant management
- Budgeting
- Leadership
- Strong Communication Skills
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
- Leadership and Management Certification
- Certified Food Manager
How to Write the Perfect Resume for a Food Service Worker?
In the food service industry, where presentation and first impressions are paramount, your professional resume needs to live up to that. Serving as an initial introduction for hiring managers, your food service resume should effectively showcase your skills and qualifications and have the X factor to set you apart from the competition. Let's dive into the fundamentals of cooking up a well-balanced and professional resume.
Structure of Your Food Service Worker Resume
A food service resume needs to be well-structured and formatted. Here's a list of sections that should be included in the structure of your food service worker resume.
- Header
- Professional Summary
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Education
- Certifications
Create a Resume Header
The resume header is the top part of your resume where you list your name, occupation,address, contact number and email address and LinkedIn profile (If applicable). This is a simple enough section to complete but make sure you don't make any mistakes while filling in these crucial details as this is how your potential employer will get in touch with you.
Add a Professional Resume Summary
A concise and to the point resume summary serves as your professional introduction to a hiring manager and gives them a quick overview of your qualifications and career goals. It is highly recommended to lead with your strengths and reel in a potential employer to keep reading your food service resume. Here is an example of a food service resume summary.
ExampleExperienced food service worker with a proven track record of delivering memorable dining experiences and ultimate customer satisfaction. Skilled in performing food preparation, presentation, kitchen sanitation and committed to adhering to the highest safety standards and protocol.
Detail Your Work History
Treat this section as the main course of your food service resume. List your previous jobs and the positions you held in a reverse chronological order starting with the most recent place you worked. List your job title, the company where you worked, location and the start and end date of your employment. Use bullet points to elaborate on your role and use specific metrics wherever possible. In case you have limited experience dont worry as you can apply for an entry level job and highlight any prior internship or volunteer experience you may have. Here is an example of the work history section in a food service worker resume.
ExampleServer Bailey Restaurant San Francisco, California September 2022-April 2023
- Greeted and seated guests in a friendly and efficient manner contributing to excellent customer service.
- Provided detailed information of the menu items and made recommendations based on the customer’s input
- Served food and beverages accurately and promptly maintaining a seamless dining experience for the customers
- Trained and mentored new servers upholding the high standards of the restaurant
Highlight Your Food Service Skills
As you may have gathered, to work in the food industry you need a versatile skill set. Food service workers require an in-depth knowledge of food preparation, sanitation, customer service to name a few. Here are some of the skills that you can mention in your food service resume.
- Food preparation
- Waiting tables
- Point of sales system
- Operating kitchen equipment
- Sanitizing procedures
- Customer service
- Food safety
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Strong customer service
Fill in Your Education Qualifications
As a food service professional, your education section will not be heavily scrutinized. You may not even need a minimum educational requirement for the position you are applying for but you should mention your highest level of education and especially mention any degree you may have relevant to the food service industry. Here’s an example of how to list your educational background
ExampleHigh School Diploma Alaska High School, Alaska January 2011-January 2015
Mention Certifications You Have Received
It is always a good idea to mention any extra credentials you have related to the food industry. Mention any certifications relevant to the position you are applying for. Some of the common food service certifications you can get to further your career are as follows.
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
- Certified Service Manager
- Certified Food Manager
Tips to Get Your Food Service Resume Noticed
Now that you have the technical knowledge to craft a compelling food service resume, let’s focus on how to get the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. Here are some tips and tricks to get your food service resume the attention it deserves.
Customise Your Resume
Customise your resume for each job application and ensure that it is perfectly tailored to the job description mentioned in the job posting. Hiring managers and recruiters are on the lookout for the candidate that fits their criteria and requirements and by specifically highlighting the skills and experience that they have mentioned, gets you one step closer to getting shortlisted as their potential hire.
Showcase Relevant Skills and Accomplishments
The trick to effectively showcase your skills and achievements is by using action verbs and bullet points while describing your previous jobs in detail. While mentioning your past work achievements, make sure to quantify them wherever possible. For example, instead of just saying “Provided exceptional service” you can rather word it like “Provided exceptional customer service to around 50 patrons daily”.
Use the Keywords
Many hiring companies have adopted the usage of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out the large number of resumes they receive on a daily basis. To ensure, your resume isn't getting filtered out before it reaches an actual human,incorporate all the relevant keywords from the job posting into your food service resume.
Add a Cover Letter
A food service cover letter is the perfect seasoning to get a potential employer's attention. It helps you to further showcase your unique skill set and abilities and helps you market yourself as the most suitable candidate for the job. Adding a cover letter to your food service resume can give you the opportunity to tie in your skills and qualifications with the needs of the employer giving you a considerable shot to land the job.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the multi-faceted role of a food service job in the culinary industry.
- Structure and format your food service resume in a reverse chronological order.
- Add an impactful resume summary highlighting your expertise in the food service industry.
- Highlight all your key skills in your food service resume.
- Add a mention of any certifications you have received.
- Customise your food service resume as per the job description for each application.
- Use relevant keywords in your resume to bypass the ATS software.
- Add a food service cover letter to your resume showcasing your strengths.
Conclusion
Making a mark with food service jobs can seem daunting, but all you need to begin your culinary career is a well crafted resume. By getting a keen understanding of the hospitality industry, customising your resume to fit the job description and paying attention to the structure and format, you will soon be on your way to securing your place as an established food service worker. You can also check out our resume builder and a library of readymade resume templates and resume examples to fine tune your resume further.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What skills do food service workers have?
Here are some of the key skills you are expected to have as a food service worker.
- Safe food preparation
- Serving customers
- Point of sales system
- Operating kitchen equipment
- Sanitary measures and cleaning procedures
- Proper safety precautions
- Customer service
- Food safety
- Time management
- Attention to detail
What is an example of a resume objective for food service?
Experienced food service worker with a proven track record of leadership and culinary excellence. Skilled in performing approved procedures such as food preparation, presentation, kitchen sanitation and committed to adhering to the safety protocols. Seeking a senior-level management position in the food industry to utilise my expertise in restaurant operations and contribute to attaining maximum customer satisfaction.
What should a food service worker put on a resume?
A food service worker resume should have the following structure:
- Header
- Professional Summary
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Education
- Certifications
