Waiter / Waitress (Server) Job Description & Resume Tips

A waiter or waitress (server) takes care of guests from the moment they sit down until they pay. Typical duties include:

Exact duties vary by restaurant, so always read the job posting.

• Greet guests and present menus
• Explain menu items, daily specials and drinks
• Take food and drink orders accurately and enter them in the point-of-sale (POS) system
• Ask about food allergies and pass them on to the kitchen
• Serve food and drinks promptly and check back with guests
• Clear and reset tables
• Present the check and process cash and card payments
• Check IDs before serving alcohol, where required
• Help with opening and closing tasks such as stocking and cleaning
• Work as a team with hosts, bussers, bartenders and kitchen staff

• Friendly, polite customer service
• Clear communication with guests and the kitchen
• Good memory and accuracy with orders
• Basic math for checks and payments
• Ability to stay calm and work quickly during busy times
• Ability to stand and walk for a full shift and carry trays
• Availability for evenings, weekends and holidays
• A food handler card or alcohol server training where your state or city requires it

Servers work in restaurants, hotels, bars, cafeterias and catering companies. Shifts often include evenings, weekends and holidays, and many jobs are part-time. Busy service times can be fast-paced and physically demanding.

The median hourly wage for waiters and waitresses was $16.94 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS notes that these wage data include tips. Your pay depends on your state, the type of restaurant, your shifts and your tips.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Waiters and Waitresses, median pay May 2025 (bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/waiters-and-waitresses.htm).

Copy the bullets that match your real experience, and add numbers only if they are true:

• Served guests in a [type of restaurant], handling a section of [number] tables per shift
• Took accurate food and drink orders and entered them in the POS system
• Explained menu items and specials and recommended dishes and drinks
• Passed allergy information and special requests to the kitchen clearly
• Processed cash and card payments and closed out checks at the end of the shift
• Checked IDs and served alcohol responsibly
• Worked closely with hosts, bussers and kitchen staff during busy service

• Can I become a server without experience? Yes. Many restaurants train new servers, and some start new staff as hosts or bussers first.
• Is a server the same as a waiter or waitress? Yes. Many U.S. restaurants use the title server for everyone in this job.
• What should I check before applying? Read the schedule, pay and tip policy, location and any certificate the job requires.

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