Essential Resume Skills: Examples for Any Job
Food Service Skills for a Resume (Examples & Tips)
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STEP 1
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for food and beverage workers are projected to grow 2% by 2032.
Craft a job-winning food service resume with our expert tips and examples of essential food service skills that employers are seeking.
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What are food service skills?
Food service worker skills encompass a diverse set of abilities and knowledge crucial for success in the food industry.
These skills include proficiency in food safety and hygiene practices to ensure customers' well-being and excellent customer service skills to provide a positive dining experience.
Basic cooking and food preparation skills, coupled with time management and teamwork abilities, enable seamless coordination in fast-paced kitchen environments.
Effective communication, problem-solving skills and attention to detail are also essential for resolving issues promptly and maintaining high service standards.
Use our Resume Builder for job-specific skills and ready-made content suggestions from Certified Professional Resume Writers.
Examples of food service skills
Discover essential skills for food service roles from our career advice experts. Check out expertly crafted food service specialist resumes for additional examples and guidance.
Hard skills
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that are typically gained through education, training or hands-on experience.
Here are a few examples of hard skills for food service to include on your resume:
- Food safety and sanitation
- Food preparation
- Knife skills
- Menu knowledge
- Order-taking and point-of-sale (POS) systems
- Beverage preparation
- Inventory management
- Cash handling
- Table setting and presentation
- Cleaning and maintenance
Soft skills
Soft skills are personal attributes and interpersonal abilities that enable individuals to interact effectively and harmoniously with others.
Here are some examples of soft skills for food service workers:
- Communication
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Stress management
- Empathy
- Conflict resolution
Food preparation skills
Food preparation technical skills are essential for back-of-house food service staff and other professionals in the food service industry.
Take a look at these examples of food service worker skills related to food preparation:
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Temperature control
- Ingredient preparation
- Food seasoning and flavoring
- Food presentation
- Menu item preparation
- Food safety practices
- Allergen management
- Speed and efficiency
Customer service skills
Customer service and interpersonal skills are critical for maintaining professionalism and keeping customers happy.
Explore examples of customer service skills for a food service resume:
- Positive attitude
- Active listening
- Patience
- Empathy
- Product knowledge
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Attention to detail
- Flexibility
- Follow up
Transferable skills
Transferable skills are abilities and qualities that can be applied and utilized across various jobs, industries and contexts.
Some common transferable skills learned in food service include:
- Customer service
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Stress management
- Leadership
- Sales and upselling
Browse 800+ resume examples for expertly crafted samples to inspire you while you create your food service resume.
How to improve food service skills
Improving food service skills requires training, practice and ongoing development. Here are some tips to enhance your food service skills:
- Seek training opportunities: Take advantage of training programs, workshops and courses offered by employers, culinary schools or industry organizations.
- Practice regularly: Experiment with new recipes, techniques and ingredients to expand your repertoire and refine your abilities.
- Observe others: Pay attention to how they interact with customers, handle challenging situations and maintain high standards of quality and service.
- Cross-train: To increase your versatility, take advantage of opportunities to cross-train in different roles or departments within the food service establishment.
- Attend workshops and seminars: These events provide valuable insights, networking opportunities and hands-on learning experiences.
Explore our guide on how to write a resume for examples of how to effectively showcase food service skills and qualifications on your resume.
How to highlight food service skills on a resume
- Create a dedicated skills section: Dedicate a section of your resume specifically to your food service skills. Your resume skills section should be prominently placed near the top of your resume and formatted with bullet points for easy scanning.
- Use relevant keywords: Use keywords and industry-specific terminology in your skills section to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and impress hiring managers.
- Add skills to your resume summary: In your resume summary, feature two or three skills that are highly relevant to the job description, such as excellent customer service and efficient food preparation.
- Quantify your skills: Whenever possible, use quantifiable achievements to provide concrete examples of your skills. For example, “Implemented a new upselling strategy for appetizers, resulting in a 15% increase in appetizer sales over a three-month period."
- Provide concrete examples: In your resume work history section, provide examples or achievements that demonstrate your skills in action. If you've completed any relevant training programs or certifications related to food service, mention them in your resume.
- Use action verbs: Start each bullet point under your work experience with strong action verbs to convey your achievements effectively. For example, "Prepared and plated gourmet dishes according to established recipes and presentation standards."
Common tools and technologies used in food service
In food service roles, various tools and technologies are used to facilitate operations, streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Here are some common ones:
- Point-of-sale (POS) systems: POS systems process orders, manage transactions and track sales data.
- Kitchen equipment: This includes a wide range of tools and appliances used for food preparation, such as ovens, stovetops, grills, fryers, mixers and food processors.
- Food safety tools: Thermometers, temperature probes and sanitizing equipment are essential for ensuring food safety and compliance with health regulations.
- Cutlery and kitchen utensils: Knives, spatulas, tongs, ladles, whisks and other utensils are used for cutting, flipping, stirring and serving food.
- Cookware and bakeware: Pots, pans, baking sheets and other cookware are necessary for cooking and baking a variety of dishes.
- Cleaning equipment: Brushes, sponges, scrubbers, mops and cleaning chemicals are essential for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen and dining areas.
- Menu display boards: Digital menu boards or chalkboards display menu items, specials and promotions to customers.
These tools and technologies play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations of food service establishments, helping to ensure smooth and efficient service delivery while maintaining quality and compliance with health and safety standards.
Best food service certifications for your resume
The certifications you include on your food service resume depend on your role in the industry.
For instance, a barback resume and a barista resume will feature different certifications.
However, there are several food service certifications that can enhance your resume and demonstrate your expertise and commitment to excellence in the industry, such as:
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification
- ServSafe Manager Certification
- Food Protection Manager Certification
- Allergen Awareness Certification
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) Certification
- Culinary Arts Certification
- Bartending Certification (e.g., TIPS Certification)
- Barista Certification
- Wine and Spirits Certification (e.g., WSET or CMS)
- Nutrition Certification (e.g., NASM-CNC or Precision Nutrition)
When selecting certifications to include on your resume, consider the requirements of the job you're applying for and choose certifications that align with the role and demonstrate your relevant skills and expertise.
We recommend using one of our professional resume templates to take the guesswork out of formatting and designing your food service resume.
Key takeaways
- Food service workers have a wide range of skills, from customer service and problem-solving to food preparation and cash handling.
- You can feature your food service skills throughout various sections of your resume, providing concrete examples of how you’ve developed and demonstrated those skills.
- You can improve your food service skills by attending relevant workshops and seminars, practicing regularly and observing others in similar roles.
FAQ
What skills do you need to work in food service?
Working in food service requires a combination of technical skills, interpersonal abilities and personal qualities to provide excellent service and ensure customer satisfaction.
The ability to interact with customers in a friendly, courteous and professional manner, addressing their needs and concerns to provide a positive dining experience.
Clear and effective communication skills are also essential for conveying orders, listening to customer preferences and collaborating with coworkers in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of food safety regulations, proper food handling, storage and sanitation practices to prevent contamination and ensure the safety of customers and staff.
What are examples of food service skills?
Food service skills encompass a wide range of abilities required to work effectively in the food industry. Here are some examples:
- Teamwork: Collaborating with coworkers to coordinate food preparation, service and cleanup activities fosters a harmonious work environment and ensures smooth operations.
- Attention to customer preferences: Ability to understand and accommodate customer preferences, dietary restrictions and special requests, providing personalized service and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Salesmanship: Skills in suggestive selling and upselling to promote menu items, specials or promotions, increasing revenue and enhancing the overall dining experience for customers.
These skills are essential for various roles in the food service industry, including servers, cooks, chefs, bartenders and managers.
How do you describe food service skills on a resume?
When describing food service skills on a resume, it’s important to be clear, concise and specific. Here’s how you can effectively communicate your food service skills:
- Be specific: Provide specific examples of how you applied your food service skills in previous roles. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, “Increased sales by 20% through effective upselling techniques.”
- Tailor to the job description: Customize your ATS-friendly resume to the job you’re applying for by highlighting the food service skills that are most relevant to the position. Use keywords from the job description to ensure your resume gets noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers.
- Use bullet points: Format your skills and achievements using bullet points, making them easy to read and scan. Keep each bullet point concise and focused on a specific skill or accomplishment.
By effectively describing your food service skills on your resume, you can showcase your qualifications and suitability for roles in the food service industry and increase your chances of landing interviews.
How do you put food handling on a resume?
When putting food handling skills on a resume, it’s important to highlight your knowledge of food safety principles and your experience in handling food safely.
Include a dedicated “Skills” or “Core Competencies” section on your resume, and list “Food Handling” as one of your skills. This signals to employers that you have expertise in this area.
Provide specific examples of your experience in food handling, such as preparing ingredients, storing food properly and following sanitation procedures.
See our busser resume and catering server resume examples of how to effectively include food handling skills on your resume.
What are the main skills needed in food preparation?
In food preparation, several key skills are essential to ensure dishes are cooked safely, accurately and to high standards of quality. Here are the main skills needed in food preparation:
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Temperature control
- Flavoring and seasoning
- Food safety and hygiene
- Recipe adherence
- Attention to detail
Mastering these skills enables professionals to consistently produce high-quality dishes that meet customer expectations and contribute to the success of the culinary operation.
What skills do you need to be a food service manager?
To be a successful food service manager, you need a diverse set of skills encompassing both technical expertise and strong leadership abilities.
Here are a few food service manager skills examples:
- Team management: Ability to manage and coordinate a team of kitchen staff, servers and other employees, including scheduling, training and performance management.
- Menu planning and cost control: Skill in developing menus, pricing strategies and cost-control measures to maximize profitability while maintaining quality.
- Strategic planning: Ability to develop long-term goals and strategies to drive business growth, expand customer base and enhance overall performance.
- Regulatory compliance: Knowledge of labor laws, health and safety regulations and licensing requirements to ensure compliance and minimize legal risks.
See our food and beverage manager resume examples for additional guidance.
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor Blog. Article. Data Spotlight: Growing Food Service Jobs
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers
- 7Shifts Blog. Article. Beltis, AJ. 20 Restaurant Skills You’ll Quickly Learn on the Job
- Lewis & Clark College. Templeton Campus Center. How to Describe Food Service Experience on a Resume
- National Restaurant Association. Article. Restaurant Industry Job Descriptions
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Food Service Skills for a Resume (Examples & Tips)
Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
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