Free Restaurant Resume Templates & Examples

Restaurant Resume Template (Text)

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• City and state (ZIP code is optional)
• LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)

PRO TIP

Skip including sensitive personal information such as your Social Security number, age, or religious affiliation on your resume unless specifically requested by the employer.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile serves as a brief introduction (two to four sentences) that highlights your core qualifications and skills. It acts as a captivating pitch to hiring managers, designed to grab their attention and motivate them to explore the rest of your resume.

Typically located at the top of your resume, this section can either be a summary or an objective, each with its unique focus. Understanding the differences between these options will help you choose the best fit for your career goals:

• A resume summary highlights essential qualifications, relevant skills, and notable achievements tailored to the dining industry. This approach works well for those with prior roles or transferable skills aiming to showcase their impact in the restaurant sector.
• A resume objective highlights your career aspirations and what you aim to achieve in your next role. It’s particularly beneficial for new graduates, individuals shifting careers, or those with limited experience, such as culinary program alumni looking to enter the restaurant industry.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Restaurant resume summary example:

Restaurant resume objective example:

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is important for showcasing your skills in the restaurant industry. Employers evaluate your job history to understand not just where you’ve worked, but the impact you’ve had on customer satisfaction and team dynamics.

Your background illustrates how your previous roles qualify you for the desired position in a fast-paced dining environment.

The work experience section should contain:

• Job title
• Employer name and location
• Dates of employment (month/year)
• 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to the specific restaurant role you’re targeting. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Served,” “Managed,” “Improved”) to create a compelling statement that highlights your contributions.

Incorporate quantifiable information or metrics whenever possible. Specific numbers, such as customer satisfaction ratings or sales increases, demonstrate your impact and help distinguish you from other job seekers in the industry.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Explore more examples of work experience for restaurant professionals further down the page.

4. Skills

The skills section offers a succinct overview of professional abilities tailored for the restaurant industry. This summary assists hiring managers in evaluating qualifications quickly.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

• Soft skills are essential interpersonal abilities that influence how well individuals collaborate in a restaurant setting. Key qualities include communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork.
• Hard skills are specific, quantifiable abilities that individuals gain through education, training, or hands-on experience. For restaurant workers, examples include food preparation, customer service, and operating kitchen equipment.
• Technical skills are the practical abilities required to perform specific tasks in a profession. In restaurant management, this includes skill with point-of-sale systems, inventory management software, and scheduling tools.

In general, aim to include a diverse array of relevant skills that align with the job requirements to demonstrate your overall value in the restaurant industry. Find additional restaurant skills examples further down the page.

PRO TIP

If you’re a newer restaurant professional, consider placing your skills section higher on your resume right after your summary. For those with more experience, it’s better to position this section lower, weaving your skills into the descriptions of your work history for a cohesive presentation.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is essential to showcase your qualifications. Start with your most recent or relevant degree, clearly stating the type of degree and the institution.

If you’ve recently graduated, you might include your graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or above), any honors received, and relevant coursework to highlight your academic achievements.

Restaurant resume education section example:

PRO TIP

If you’re advancing from an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts to a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, or have earned another relevant degree, list both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume highlights a commitment to professional growth and helps balance limited experience. While not every traditional resume includes this section, it’s important for many in the restaurant industry. Employers often look for specific credentials needed for specialized roles, like food safety certifications or wine knowledge for sommeliers.

Include only those certifications that directly improve your qualifications for the job you’re pursuing. Ensure these credentials are up-to-date and presented clearly, making it easy for employers to review them.

Restaurant certification examples:

• Food Safety Manager Certification | National Registry of Food Safety Professionals | Expires: 01/2028
• ServSafe Food Handler Certification | National Restaurant Association | Expires: 07/2027
• Certified Executive Chef (CEC) | American Culinary Federation | Expires: 05/2028
• Alcohol Server Education Certification | State of California | Expires: 09/2027

Popular Resume Bullets for Restaurant Roles

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV