Savvy Success

Customer service is the backbone of the restaurant industry. Whether you’re serving guests, coordinating orders, or simply ensuring a welcoming atmosphere, strong customer service skills set exceptional employees apart from the rest. When it comes to landing your next Role in a restaurant, it’s crucial to highlight your customer service expertise on your resume. This can help restaurant employers immediately take note of your ability to deliver outstanding guest experiences—a top priority for any successful eatery.  

Here’s how you can showcase your customer service skills effectively and make your resume stand out in the restaurant industry job market.  

Why Customer Service Skills Are Essential in the Job Market  

Customer service isn’t just a skill—it’s a game changer, especially in the restaurant industry. Restaurants thrive on creating exceptional dining experiences, and this starts and ends with excellent service. From efficiently managing reservations to resolving customer complaints with grace, your ability to serve guests with professionalism and care directly impacts a restaurant’s reputation and bottom line.  

For restaurant employers, hiring someone with polished customer service skills can mean the difference between a one-time guest and a loyal regular. Therefore, highlighting your expertise in this area is your ticket to securing a new opportunity in the industry.  

What Customer Service Skills Do Employers Value Most?  

To tailor your resume for a position in the restaurant industry, focus on the specific customer service skills that are most valued by employers, like these top examples:

• Communication Skills: Clear and friendly communication—whether in person, over the phone, or with colleagues—is key to ensuring guests feel welcome and cared for.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Guests may request special accommodations or experience issues with their orders. Your ability to handle situations quickly and calmly can prove invaluable.
• Time Management: Restaurants operate in high-pressure environments, and managing tasks efficiently ensures seamless service during even the busiest shifts.  
• Teamwork: The kitchen, servers, and supervisors often find success by relying on each other. Strong team collaboration means smoother operations and happier guests.  
• Empathy and Patience: Excellent hospitality involves treating guests with understanding and respect, even in challenging situations.  

These skills align with what restaurant employers are looking for in candidates—and demonstrating them on your resume can give you a significant advantage.  

Tips to Showcase Customer Service Skills on Your Resume  

Here’s how you can effectively highlight your customer service expertise on your resume and make it irresistible to hiring managers in the restaurant industry.

1. Detail Relevant Experience  

When listing past job roles, don’t just state your responsibilities. Instead, focus on how you contributed to the guest experience or improved service quality. For example:

• Instead of “Handled customer complaints.”  
• Try “Resolved guest concerns with empathy, increasing customer satisfaction scores by 15%.”  

Showcase experiences that demonstrate your direct contributions to improving service, efficiency, or team success.  

2. Focus on Achievements  

Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible. Numbers and data can help paint a vivid picture of your impact. For example:

• “Delivered outstanding service to 200+ guests per night in a fast-paced, high-volume restaurant.”  
• “Achieved a 4.9/5 customer satisfaction rating across 150 online reviews.”  

Achievements like these highlight your ability to perform under pressure while keeping guests happy.  

3. Use Industry Keywords  

Many restaurants use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. Make sure your resume passes the ATS filters by including job-specific keywords common in the restaurant sector, such as “guest relations,” “hospitality,” “table management,” and “point-of-sale (POS) experience.”  

4. Tailor Your Resume to the Role  

If the job description mentions specific traits or responsibilities (e.g., “proficient in POS systems” or “exceptional conflict resolution skills”), reflect these in your resume. Remember to customize your resume for each Role to show that you’re the perfect fit for their specific needs.  

5. Highlight Soft Skills in a Summary Section  

Include a short, attention-grabbing summary at the top of your resume, such as:

“Enthusiastic restaurant professional with 5+ years of experience in fast-paced dining environments. Skilled at delivering exceptional customer experiences, resolving guest concerns, and fostering collaborative team dynamics to ensure smooth restaurant operations.”  

This immediately signals to employers what makes you unique.  

How to Improve Your Customer Service Skills  

If you feel your customer service skills could use a tune-up—or if restaurant work is new to you—don’t worry. Here are some tips for leveling up and showcasing your improvement.  

1. Take Online Courses  

Many platforms offer inexpensive courses to refine hospitality and customer service skills. Look for programs focused on communication, conflict resolution, or leadership in the restaurant industry.  

2. Volunteer or Shadow in Restaurants  

Volunteering or shadowing in a restaurant can help you learn how to handle real-life customer interactions. It’s also a great way to gain practical experience, which you can add to your resume.  

3. Ask for Feedback  

If you’re already working in a customer-centered role (even outside of restaurants), ask your manager or colleagues for feedback. Honest insights can help you identify the areas where you excel and those where you can improve.  

4. Practice Active Listening  

Being a great listener is one of the most underrated customer service skills. To develop this critical skill, start by making small changes in your everyday life—paying closer attention to conversations or taking notes during team meetings.  

Why Strong Customer Service Skills Make You Stand Out  

When applying for a restaurant role, a resume highlighting your customer service skills can be the deciding factor in landing an interview. Employers understand the importance of hiring team members who prioritize guests, solve problems efficiently, and keep their cool during high-pressure shifts.  

By effectively showcasing your skills, relevant experience, and tangible achievements, you’ll stand out as a candidate who fits the Role and adds value to your business.  

Are you ready to craft a winning resume? Start highlighting your customer service skills today, and you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job in the restaurant industry. Good luck!