Waitress & Waiter CV Example & Guide for 2025

Landing a great job as a waitstaff starts with serving up the perfect CV. Think of a waitress CV as the signature dish—it needs to showcase your unique skills and leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re curious about highlighting your top waitress skills or building a waiter CV from scratch, this guide has everything you need. Let’s begin!

This guide will show you:

• A waitress CV example better than 9 out of 10 other CVs.
• How to write a waiter CV that generates more interview opportunities.
• Tips for selecting and highlighting the right waitress skills for CVs.

Want to save time and have your CV ready in 5 minutes? Try our CV builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ CV templates and create your CV here.

Create your CV now

Use this template now

Sample CV made with our builder—See more templates and create your CV here.

One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My CV is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.

Curious about CV writing advice for other professions? Read more here:

• Hospitality CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• Barista CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• Bartender CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• Shop Assistant CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• Retail CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• Receptionist CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• School Leaver CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• Student CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• Internship CV Example & Writing Guide for 2025
• CV Examples & Writing Guides for All Professions in 2025

Waitress CV example

Here’s how to write your own waiter/waitress CV:

1. Format your waitress CV template correctly

A waitress/waiter is responsible for more than just delivering food; they create memorable dining experiences by providing excellent service, handling requests with grace, and keeping everything running smoothly during a busy shift. Your CV needs to show you can handle it all while remaining approachable, efficient, and professional.

With hiring managers spending just 8 seconds skimming each CV, yours needs to serve up a five-star first impression. Here's how to plate it perfectly:

• Choose the chronological format for your waitress CV. This CV format emphasizes your recent work experience, making it easy for hiring managers to spot your key skills and accomplishments quickly. 
• Set your CV layout with one-inch margins on all sides. Align text to the left for readability, and add double-spacing between sections to create plenty of white space. 
• Stick to professional CV fonts like Calibri, Times New Roman, or Arial in a font size of 10–12 points. To make headings stand out, use slightly larger font sizes, such as 14–16 points.
• Keep the CV length concise. Aim for a one-page CV template if you’re an entry-level candidate or a two-page template if you’ve extensive experience in waitressing or related roles.
• Save your waiter CV as a PDF file. PDFs ensure your formatting stays intact no matter what device or software the employer uses. Name your file professionally, like "YourName_Waitress_CV.pdf".
• Avoid including personal information like a photo, date of birth, marital status, or religion. This information isn’t relevant to your ability to do the job and could inadvertently introduce bias.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure your waitress CV looks polished and professional. This will capture the attention of hiring managers and give you the best chance of landing that interview.

Read more: CV Layout: Everything You Should Know

2. Write a captivating waitress CV summary or CV objective

Your CV introduction is like the appetizer—it sets the tone for the rest of the meal. A strong introduction at the top of your waitress CV is your chance to hook the hiring manager in just a few seconds, convincing them to dive into the rest of your application. This concise, 3–4 sentence paragraph needs to answer three key questions:

• Who are you?
• What can you offer the employer?
• What are your career goals?

If you have a year or more of experience in hospitality, your CV summary should emphasize your professional accomplishments and how you can benefit the employer. Here's how to create a tailored and compelling summary:

• Start with your current or most recent job title and briefly mention your years of experience as a waiter.
• Highlight 2–3 key skills or achievements that align with the job description, such as increasing customer satisfaction scores, upselling menu items, or training new staff.
• Conclude with a statement that ties your skills to the employer’s needs, showing how you’ll contribute to the restaurant’s waiting staff.

If you’re new to the waitressing world, opt for a CV objective instead. This version shifts the focus from your professional history to your transferable skills, enthusiasm for the role, and alignment with the company’s values. Here’s how to write your CV objective:

• Identify skills from your education, part-time jobs, or personal projects that are relevant, such as customer service, teamwork, or multitasking.
• Demonstrate a passion for hospitality and knowledge about the company by referencing something specific from their values or mission.
• Highlight your eagerness to learn and grow in the position.

No matter what type of resume introduction you’re writing, here are some essential general tips:

• Craft this section last. It’s easier to write a strong summary or objective when you’ve already detailed your work experience, skills, and education.
• Keep it targeted. Match your statement to the specific job by incorporating keywords from the job description.
• Be concise. Aim for no more than 4 sentences—every word should add value.

By tailoring your summary or objective to the role, you’ll immediately show employers why you’re the perfect fit for their team, giving them every reason to keep reading.

Read more: Creating the Perfect CV Personal Profile: Tips and Examples for 2025

3. Customise your waitress CV job description

Your work experience section is the main course of your waitress CV. It’s where you prove to hiring managers that you’re not just a waitress—you’re a skilled professional who can step into their team and shine. A generic list of duties won’t cut it. Instead, use this section to serve up your accomplishments in a way that shows how well you performed and how your experience matches the job requirements.

Here’s how to tailor your waitress job description for maximum impact:

• Put your most recent job first and work backward from there. Use a reverse-chronological format, as it’s the most familiar and effective for recruiters.
• Include your job title, the employer's name, and dates of employment for each role. If you’re still employed, use "present" for the end date.
• Add 3–6 bullet points for each position. Focus on recent roles with more detail and keep older ones concise.
• To give your descriptions energy and professionalism, start each bullet point with a strong action verb, such as managed, facilitated, or delivered.
• Customise your bullet points to align with the job description. For example, if the job posting emphasises teamwork, mention your experience collaborating with kitchen staff to ensure smooth operations.
• Highlight measurable achievements, not just duties. Show how well you performed by including numbers, percentages, or tangible outcomes (e.g., “Increased daily sales by 20% through effective upselling techniques”).
• Use the STAR formula (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and accomplishment statements to structure your points.

Not sure where to start? Check out these sample waitress CV duties you can take inspiration from when writing your job application:

Waiter CV examples: responsibilities

Remember to use action verbs that convey your responsibilities and achievements effectively. Here are some action verbs for waitress CVs:

Waitress CV examples: action verbs

Pro Tip: When customising your waiter CV job description, review the job posting carefully and mirror the language used in the requirements. This not only demonstrates that you’ve tailored your CV for the role but also helps it pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) by aligning your keywords with the employer's preferences. For example, if the job ad highlights “exceptional customer service,” be sure to showcase examples of how you provided outstanding guest experiences.

4. Make your education section count

The education section may not need to shine brightly on a waitress's CV, but it’s still an essential menu component. Here’s how to make it work for you:

• School leavers: List your school’s name, location, and attendance dates. Include Maths and English for GCSEs, as these are often minimum requirements.
• University graduates: Include the university name, degree title, and years attended. If you are still studying, add your expected graduation date. Mention relevant coursework like customer service or hospitality operations.

For recent graduates or those with limited experience, place this section before work experience. Add academic awards or extracurricular achievements demonstrating transferable skills like teamwork or communication.

Read more: Essential Components to Include in Your CV

When making a CV in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional CV template here for free.

Create my CV now

When you’re done, Zety’s CV builder will score your CV and tell you exactly how to make it better.

5. Prove your relevant waitress CV skills

Being a waitress takes more than just taking orders—it requires technical know-how, interpersonal finesse, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. To make your CV for waitress jobs stand out, focus on the skills that matter most to the hiring manager.

Here’s how to effectively showcase your waitress skills on a CV:

• Review the job ad and identify the key skills the employer is looking for. These are often listed as requirements or desired qualifications.
• Make a list of your professional skills, using your work experience and education as a reference.
• Compare the two lists and choose 5–10 skills that match the job description. Ensure these skills align with your experience and education sections for consistency.
• Include both hard skills (e.g., Point of Sale systems, food safety knowledge) and soft skills (e.g., communication, adaptability).
• Where possible, demonstrate your skills with a brief example, such as:
  “Teamwork: Collaborated with kitchen staff and fellow servers to ensure smooth operations during peak hours.”

Here are some hard skills for a CV specifically for waitresses, with soft skills included:

Sample waitress skills for CVs

• Point of Sale (POS) Systems
• Customer service skills
• Menu knowledge
• Multitasking
• Order accuracy
• Food safety knowledge
• Upselling techniques
• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Teamwork skills
• Adaptability
• Stress management

Read more: Interpersonal Skills: Definition, Examples, and Tips for Success

6. Add other sections to improve your waitress CV

Being a great waitress is all about bringing extra value to the dining experience. Similarly, adding relevant extra sections to your CV can show employers that you bring more than just the basics to the table. Here’s how to tailor these sections to highlight your strengths:

• Certifications: Include any relevant credentials, such as a food safety certificate, hospitality training, or first aid certification. These highlight your professionalism and preparedness.
• Languages: If you speak additional languages, create a dedicated section to list them. Multilingual skills are a major asset in diverse dining environments, helping you communicate with international guests.
• Volunteer experience: Volunteer work, especially in customer-facing roles, showcases your initiative and people skills. For instance, volunteering at community events or charity dinners can reinforce your ability to handle diverse audiences and high-pressure situations.
• Awards and achievements: Mention any awards that highlight your excellence, such as "Employee of the Month" or recognition for outstanding customer service. These demonstrate your commitment and ability to exceed expectations.
• Hobbies and interests: Include hobbies sparingly and only if they’re relevant. For example, interests like cooking, wine tasting, or team sports can emphasize skills such as creativity, knowledge of the industry, or teamwork.

By including these targeted sections, your waiter CV will demonstrate the unique value you bring to a waitress role, giving employers every reason to pick you over other candidates.

Pro Tip: When adding extra sections to your waitress CV, prioritise the ones most relevant to the job you're applying for. Tailor each section to align with the restaurant’s values and the job requirements. For instance, if the venue emphasises fine dining, highlight wine-tasting skills or certifications in hospitality. This strategic customisation makes your CV more compelling and positions you as the perfect candidate for the role.

7. Write a cover letter for your waitress CV

A short cover letter lets you add a personal touch to your application and show why you’re the right choice for the waitress role. In a competitive market, it’s your chance to stand out.

Here’s how to write a cover letter:

• For consistency, when formatting your cover letter, use the same header as your waitress CV and include your contact details, the employer’s information, and the date.
• In the cover letter introduction, mention the job title and show enthusiasm for the role. Include a key achievement, such as boosting customer satisfaction or handling busy shifts effectively.
• Focus on qualifications like multitasking, teamwork, or resolving customer concerns. Share specific accomplishments, like upselling specials or receiving positive guest feedback.
• Reiterate your interest in the role and invite the employer to meet or discuss how you can contribute. Finish with a professional cover letter sign-off, such as “Best regards.”

A concise, targeted cover letter can make a strong impression and help you secure an interview.

Read more: How Long Should Your Cover Letter Be in 2025?

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Your journey to creating the perfect waitress CV starts with using the right strategies and highlighting your skills effectively. Follow the tips in this guide, and you’ll be on your way to landing your dream role.

Thank you for reading this guide on writing an outstanding waitress CV. If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to ask in the comments below—I’m here to help!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• National Careers Service, “The STAR method”
• Yale University, "Learn and Grow: What is adaptability in the workplace?"