Best Food Service Resume Examples For 2024 (Template & Guide)

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How To Write A Food Service Resume

Creating a compelling food service resume can significantly enhance your chances of securing a job in the competitive food industry.

Here’s an in-depth guide to show you how to write a resume that showcases your qualifications and makes you stand out.

Choose a Format

Selecting the right format for your resume is crucial to presenting your qualifications in the best light.

The three most common resume formats are:

Chronological

The chronological resume format lists your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. It’s ideal for those with a steady work history in the food service industry.

This format highlights your career progression and the consistency of your employment.

• • • • • Advantages: Clearly shows your career growth and stability. Preferred by employers. ATS-friendly.

• • • • • Disadvantages: Can highlight gaps in employment or frequent job changes.

Functional

The functional resume format focuses on your skills and experiences rather than your chronological work history. It’s suitable for those who are changing careers, have gaps in their employment, or are entering the job market for the first time.

• • • • • Advantages: Emphasizes your abilities and strengths. Ideal for those with less direct experience.

• • • • • Disadvantages: Can make it harder for employers to track your career progression.

Combination

The combination resume format is a hybrid of the chronological and functional formats. It highlights your skills and qualifications while also providing a detailed work history. This format is great for those with a strong work history and relevant skills.

• • • • • Advantages: Offers a comprehensive view of your skills and experience. Flexible and versatile.

• • • • • Disadvantages: Can be longer and more complex to organize.

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Contact Information

Your contact information should be clear, accurate, and professional. Include the following details:

• • • • • Full Name: Ensure your name is prominently displayed at the top of your resume.

• • • • • Phone Number: Provide a reliable contact number where potential employers can reach you.

• • • • • Email Address: Use a professional email address that includes your name.

• • • • • LinkedIn Profile: Optionally include a link to your LinkedIn profile to provide more insights into your professional background.

• • • • • Address: Including your address is optional, but you may list your city and state for context.

Here’s an example for what a contact heading on a food service resume could look like:

Jane Doe
123-456-7890
jane.doe@example.com
linkedin.com/in/janedoe
New York, NY

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Summary or Objective

The summary or objective statement is a brief introduction at the top of your resume that highlights your qualifications and career aspirations.

Resume Summary: A concise paragraph summarizing your professional background, key skills, and accomplishments. It’s best suited for experienced professionals. Here’s an example of what a resume summary on a food service resume might be:

“Experienced restaurant manager with over 10 years of expertise in overseeing daily operations, managing staff, and ensuring top-notch customer service. Proven track record of increasing sales and efficiency through effective team leadership and innovative problem-solving.”

Resume Objective: A statement that outlines your career goals and how you intend to contribute to the company. It’s ideal for entry-level candidates or those changing careers. Check out this example to get more of an idea:

“Dedicated and customer-focused individual seeking a server position at a reputable restaurant to utilize my excellent communication and problem-solving skills, while providing exceptional dining experiences.”

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Work History

Detailing your work history effectively is essential in demonstrating your experience and expertise in the food service industry. Include the following information for each position:

• • • • • Job Title: Clearly state your role.

• • • • • Company Name: Mention the name of the organization you worked for.

• • • • • Location: Include the city and state.

• • • • • Dates of Employment: Specify the duration of your employment (month and year).

• • • • • Key Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points to list your primary duties and notable accomplishments, with action verbs and quantifiable data to underscore your value. For example, “Implemented a new training program for staff, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores and a 15% reduction in order errors.”

Take a look at these examples of work history section on a food service resume to see what we mean:

Restaurant Manager
Gourmet Bistro
New York, NY
June 2018 – Present

• • • • • Managed daily operations of a high-volume restaurant, ensuring exceptional customer service and food quality.

• • • • • Supervised and trained a team of 20+ staff members, fostering a positive and efficient work environment.

• • • • • Implemented a new training program for staff, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction scores and a 15% reduction in order errors.

• • • • • Developed and executed marketing strategies, boosting sales by 25% over one year.
          Maintained inventory and ordered supplies, reducing waste and lowering costs by 10%.

Head Chef
Seafood Delight
San Francisco, CA
March 2015 – May 2018

• • • • • Oversaw kitchen operations, ensuring the preparation of high-quality dishes in line with restaurant standards.

• • • • • Designed seasonal menus, incorporating fresh, local ingredients and receiving positive reviews from customers and critics.

• • • • • Trained and mentored junior chefs, promoting skill development and consistency in food preparation.

• • • • • Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, achieving a 100% score on all health inspections.

• • • • • Managed supplier relationships and negotiated contracts, reducing food costs by 15%.

Server
Elegant Dining
Chicago, IL
January 2012 – February 2015

• • • • • Provided excellent customer service, taking orders and delivering food and beverages promptly and accurately.

• • • • • Handled customer complaints with professionalism, resolving issues to ensure a positive dining experience.

• • • • • Collaborated with kitchen and bar staff to ensure seamless service during peak hours.

• • • • • Assisted in training new servers, sharing best practices for effective service.

• • • • • Consistently received high tips and positive feedback from customers, contributing to a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

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Skills

Highlighting your skills is crucial for showcasing your qualifications for a food service role. Include both hard and soft skills relevant to the industry.

• • • • • Hard Skills: Specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets.

Examples: Food preparation, menu planning, point of sale (POS) systems, inventory management, sanitation standards, food safety procedures.

• • • • • Soft Skills: Personal attributes that enable you to interact effectively with others.

Examples: Communication, teamwork, multitasking, customer service, problem-solving, time management, adaptability.

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Education

List your educational background, focusing on degrees and certifications relevant to the food service industry.

• • • • • Degree: Specify the degree you earned.

• • • • • Institution Name: Name the educational institution.

• • • • • Location: Include the city and state of the institution.

With all that said, your education section will look something like this:

Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Culinary Academy, New York, NY.

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Additional Sections

Adding extra sections to your resume can provide a more comprehensive view of your qualifications and experiences.

Consider including:

• • • • • Certifications: List any relevant certifications that enhance your qualifications.

Examples: “ServSafe Food Handler Certification, Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM), Certified Culinarian (CC).”

• • • • • Languages Spoken: Mention any additional languages you speak, especially if applicable to the job.

Example: “Fluent in Spanish and French.”

• • • • • Volunteer Experience: Include any volunteer work related to food service or community service.

Example: “Volunteered at local food bank, assisting with meal preparation and distribution.”

• • • • • Awards and Honors: Highlight any recognitions or awards you’ve received.

Example: “Employee of the Month, XYZ Restaurant, March 2022.”

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Top Certifications For Food Service

Certifications can make your resume stand out by demonstrating your specialized knowledge and commitment to the industry.

Some top certifications to consider including:

• • • • • ServSafe Food Handler Certification: Demonstrates knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.

• • • • • Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM): Recognizes expertise in managing food safety operations.

• • • • • Certified Culinarian (CC): Validates professional culinary skills and knowledge.

• • • • • TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) Certification: Indicates proficiency in responsible alcohol service.

• • • • • Food Safety Manager Certification: Shows advanced understanding of food safety management principles.

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7 Tips For Writing A Food Service Resume

Creating a food service resume that stands out can make a significant difference in your job search. Here are seven tips to help you craft a compelling and professional resume:

1. Tailor Your Resume to the Job

Customize your resume for each position you apply for. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the specific food service job. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your resume aligns with the employer’s needs.

2. Highlight Your Soft Skills

In the food service industry, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and customer service are crucial. Make sure to emphasize these skills in your resume, providing examples of how you’ve used them effectively in past roles.

3. Quantify Your Achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers to demonstrate your accomplishments. For example, “Increased sales by 20% through upselling techniques” or “Reduced food waste by 15% through efficient inventory management.” Quantifying your achievements helps to show the tangible impact of your contributions.

4. Use Action Verbs

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to make your responsibilities and accomplishments stand out. Words like “managed,” “coordinated,” “implemented,” and “improved” convey a sense of initiative and leadership.

5. Keep It Concise

While it’s important to include relevant information, your resume should be concise and to the point. Aim for one to two pages, depending on your level of experience. Use bullet points and short paragraphs to make your resume easy to read.

6. Showcase Relevant Certifications

Include any certifications that are relevant to the food service industry, such as ServSafe or TIPS certification. These certifications demonstrate your commitment to food safety and customer service, making you a more attractive candidate.

7. Proofread Carefully

Ensure your resume is free of spelling and grammatical errors. A well-written resume reflects your attention to detail and professionalism. Consider having a friend or professional review your resume before submitting it.

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More Food Service Resume Examples

Here are a more food service resume examples to give you a better idea of what you can do when writing your next resume.