Cocktail Server Resume Guide
Cocktail servers serve drinks to customers at bars and restaurants. They must be knowledgeable about the menu, prepare mixed drinks accurately, ensure that all customer orders are fulfilled quickly and efficiently, and provide excellent service with a friendly attitude.
Your mixology and customer service skills make you the perfect fit for any bar or restaurant. But hiring managers won’t know what an asset to their team you’d be unless they see your resume first. Writing a standout one is essential to get noticed.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Cocktail Server Resume Sample
Sophia Rohan
Cocktail Server
[email protected]
273-315-9006
linkedin.com/in/sophia-rohan
Summary
Hard-working and enthusiastic cocktail server with 3+ years of experience in hospitality and customer service. Seeking to join ABC Bar & Grill as a part-time team member, utilizing excellent interpersonal skills and extensive knowledge of beverages to provide an outstanding dining experience for customers. Earned the highest tips in all shifts at XYZ Restaurant due to exceptional attention towards guests’ needs.
Experience
Cocktail Server, Employer A
Irving, Jan 2018 – Present
- Demonstrated knowledge of over 100 cocktails and alcoholic beverages to customers, recommending pairings for various food items; upsold specialty drinks to 80% of guests.
- Utilized POS system accurately and efficiently when taking orders from 50+ tables per shift; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 15%.
- Spearheaded new training program for servers, resulting in improved order accuracy rates by 10%.
- Reliably served 600+ drinks nightly while simultaneously providing top-notch customer service that resulted in a 20% increase in tips earned on average per night.
- Revised menu options twice a year based on seasonal ingredients and customer feedback, increasing revenue generated from cocktail sales by $1,500 monthly on average.
Cocktail Server, Employer B
Aurora, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Optimized customer service and satisfaction by taking and delivering orders accurately to over 200 tables in an efficient manner, resulting in a 15% increase in tip revenue.
- Meticulously memorized the bar menu of 50+ cocktails and drinks, including ingredients used for each beverage; provided detailed descriptions to customers while upselling daily specials.
- Represented the establishment professionally at all times through courteousness towards guests, clear communication with colleagues & management staff on tasks assigned, as well as strict adherence to hygiene protocols during shift hours.
- Mentored new server recruits on how to take orders properly from patrons according to established procedures; trained 10 employees successfully within 3 months of starting employment here.
- Formulated creative cocktail recipes based on current trends that attracted more than 100 regulars looking for unique drink experiences every week; raised overall sales figures by $8K monthly due this initiative alone.
Skills
- Time Management
- Food and Beverage
- Hospitality
- Teamwork
- Hospitality Industry
- Customer Satisfaction
- Event Management
- Communication
- Restaurants
Education
High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
ServSafe Alcohol Certification
National Restaurant Association
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary or objective should be a brief yet powerful statement that captures the essence of your skills and experience as a cocktail server. Here is where you can highlight your best qualities; for example, you could mention how many years of experience in hospitality service you have, the number of customers served daily at your current job, and any awards or recognition received from past employers.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Driven cocktail server with over three years of experience in hospitality. Served customers at ABC Cocktail Bar and XYZ Club, consistently receiving the highest customer service ratings. Known for being able to memorize orders quickly and accurately while keeping track of multiple tables simultaneously. Experienced in upselling cocktails, beer & wine selections, as well as suggesting food items from a menu.
Well-rounded cocktail server with 5+ years of experience in high-end restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs. Skilled at delivering exceptional customer service while efficiently managing multiple tasks simultaneously. At ABC Restaurant achieved a 35% increase in tips by providing impeccable service to customers. Seeking to join the team at XYZ Bar & Grill as the top-tier bartender for their clientele.
Detail-oriented cocktail server with 5+ years of experience in the hospitality industry. Proven success providing quality customer service, taking orders and serving drinks to customers while adhering to safety protocols. Seeking a position at ABC Bar & Grill where I can use my energetic personality, multitasking abilities and knowledge of cocktails to ensure guests have an enjoyable experience.
Accomplished cocktail server with 5+ years of experience in hospitality and customer service. Possesses a comprehensive knowledge of various drink recipes, as well as the ability to provide excellent customer service while working under pressure. At XYZ Bar & Grill, consistently achieved over $3,000/night in sales by upselling drinks and creating an inviting atmosphere for customers.
Seasoned cocktail server with 4+ years of experience providing excellent service in high-end establishments. Met and exceeded sales goals by upselling drinks, maintaining accurate customer orders, and anticipating needs while exhibiting a friendly attitude to guests at ABC Bar & Grill. Passionate about delivering the ultimate guest experience through outstanding hospitality skills.
Professional cocktail server with 5+ years of experience in high-end, fast-paced environments. Skilled at providing exceptional service to customers and building relationships through positive interactions. At XYZ Restaurant, increased customer satisfaction ratings by 25%, resulting in an increase in average sales from $3K per night to $4K per night.
Committed cocktail server with 4+ years of experience in fast-paced bar and lounge environments. Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional customer service, consistently exceeding expectations in both quality and speed of service. Awarded “Employee of the Month” at XYZ Bar & Lounge for three consecutive months due to excellence in performance.
Talented cocktail server with 5+ years of experience in high-end venues. Demonstrated mastery of upselling techniques and excellent customer service skills that have consistently exceeded sales targets by 15%. Committed to providing an enjoyable dining experience while maintaining a safe and sanitary environment at XYZ restaurant.
2. Experience / Employment
Next comes the work history section, which should be written in reverse chronological order. Stick to bullet points when writing this section; it makes the information easier for the reader to digest quickly.
When stating what you did, provide detail and explain any quantifiable results achieved. For example, instead of saying “Provided excellent customer service,” you could say, “Delivered exemplary customer service on a daily basis that resulted in an average rating of 4+ stars from customers.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Served
- Greeted
- Upsold
- Bussed
- Balanced
- Stocked
- Mixed
- Monitored
- Resolved
- Processed
- Delivered
- Checked
- Trained
- Assisted
- Communicated
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Presented drinks and cocktails to over 100 customers a night confidently and accurately, increasing customer satisfaction by 10%.
- Confidently mixed classic cocktails such as mojitos, margaritas and daiquiris for guests; created 3 new specialty drinks per week which were well-received among patrons.
- Mixed alcoholic beverages within state laws of alcohol dispensation while maintaining friendly & professional table service at all times; reduced complaints from bar patrons by 16%.
- Bussed tables efficiently after each patron’s visit without fail, cleaning up debris & spills quickly to maintain standards of cleanliness in the dining area; improved overall health rating score by 20%.
- Facilitated smooth communication between kitchen staff and waiters/waitresses during peak hours when orders needed expediting; cut down on order waiting time by 15 minutes on average.
- Compiled daily orders for up to 100+ customers, successfully delivering drinks in a timely and efficient manner while adhering to all safety regulations.
- Delivered top-notch customer service by promptly taking drink orders and suggesting appetizers or specials; increased sales revenue by $3,000 during the last quarter.
- Streamlined bar operations with improved efficiency such as stock rotation & inventory tracking that reduced spoilage rates by 15%.
- Trained two new cocktail servers on how to mix drinks safely and effectively within 6 weeks of their onboarding date; 50% of trainees received perfect scores on final assessment tests conducted at end of training period.
- Competently handled customer complaints related to food/beverages quality, resolving issues quickly with utmost professionalism which resulted in an overall satisfaction rate increase from 75% to 82%.
- Reduced customer wait time by 20% by quickly and efficiently taking orders, delivering beverages to tables and ensuring all customers were served in a timely manner.
- Served up to 500 cocktails each shift with an excellent level of customer service; consistently achieved high ratings on customer feedback surveys for attitude, appearance and speed of service.
- Resourcefully managed bar inventory including liquor bottles, mixers & garnishes while staying within budget requirements; decreased beverage costs by 15%.
- Improved the overall atmosphere at the restaurant/bar through friendly interactions with guests and coworkers as well as proactive problem solving; resulted in increased repeat business from both regular clients and new patrons alike.
- Monitored alcohol consumption levels amongst guests to ensure compliance with state laws regarding safe drinking practices; successfully prevented any violations or incidents caused due to excessive alcohol use over the course of employment tenure.
- Assessed customer needs and preferences to recommend appropriate drinks and cocktails; successfully upsold over 120 customers daily, resulting in a 15% increase in overall beverage sales.
- Balanced customer orders with accuracy by correctly entering drink selections into the point of sale system; processed payments quickly and efficiently while always maintaining high standards of service excellence.
- Accurately prepared more than 500 alcoholic beverages each shift according to recipes, including special requests from guests; served all drinks promptly without compromising safety or quality standards at any time.
- Expedited food delivery times for customers by pre-ordering meals based on guest seating location, improving table turnover rates by 20%.
- Collected payment for all orders accurately using the POS system while providing excellent customer service throughout the entire dining experience; received positive feedback from 100+ patrons per month regarding exemplary attention to detail & friendly mannerism.
- Introduced over 250 customers to new and creative cocktail recipes, increasing total beverage sales by 20% in the last quarter.
- Participated in weekly bartender training sessions to learn about alcohol safety guidelines and how to properly mix drinks for customer satisfaction; successfully resolved 5 customer complaints with swift action during peak hours.
- Structured service around customer needs, engaging guests with friendly conversation while upselling additional items; increased average check per table from $50-$70 within 4 months on the job.
- Resolved cash handling discrepancies quickly and accurately while maintaining a clean work environment at all times; ensured that food/beverage orders were delivered promptly without any delays or errors throughout shifts of 8-10+ hours daily.
- Efficiently served an average of 50 tables every shift through multi-tasking duties such as taking orders, refilling drinks & clearing plates efficiently – reducing overall wait time per order by 35%.
- Actively served over 200 guests per shift, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of beverages in an upscale restaurant environment.
- Advised customers on food and cocktail pairings while upselling bar items; increased drink revenue by $7,000+ last month.
- Upsold bottle service packages to VIP clients; sold 50+ bottles during peak hours for a total increase in sales of 15%.
- Prepared more than 150 cocktails each night according to recipe standards; maintained a high level of customer satisfaction with 95% positive feedback from patrons regarding the taste & presentation of drinks served.
- Developed strong relationships with returning customers through excellent communication skills that resulted in 25% repeat business within 3 months’ time frame.
- Assisted in the preparation and serving of over 150 cocktails, as well as an extensive range of alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks per night; raised bar revenue by 15% within one month.
- Coordinated with chefs to create a special menu for customers, which included exotic dishes such as molecular gastronomy desserts & craft beers; increased customer satisfaction ratings from 80% to 90%.
- Achieved 10+ times the monthly sales goal in the last quarter by promoting new drinks and upselling premium spirits; bartenders’ tips grew from $200 to $800 on average each shift.
- Reorganized liquor storage system at bar area according to FIFO policy (first-in-first out); minimized expired products returning unsold by 25%, resulting in cost savings of $1,000 annually.
- Consistently provided friendly service and timely drink orders while monitoring guests’ consumption habits; supported management’s decision making process when dealing with intoxicated patrons without incident or issue reported.
- Communicated effectively with over 150 customers per shift, taking orders and providing up-to-date information on drink specials while ensuring prompt service.
- Successfully served more than 500 cocktails, beers and wines during each shift; increased sales by 15% within the first month of work.
- Checked IDs for all guests in accordance with state laws to ensure legal drinking age; provided personalized customer care that resulted in a 10% increase in repeat business from regular patrons.
- Stocked bar inventory in preparation for busy nights as well as regularly checked stock levels throughout shifts to prevent shortages or discrepancies between actual supply versus demand needs; reduced waste costs by 20%.
- Greeted new arrivals warmly at the door and seated them quickly when necessary; maintained high standards of cleanliness & sanitation according to restaurant regulations at all times during serving hours.
3. Skills
Skill requirements will differ from one employer to the next; this can easily be ascertained from the job posting. Organization A may be looking for someone with experience in fine dining, while Organization B may be seeking a candidate who is knowledgeable about craft cocktails.
It is important to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job you are applying for because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days. These computer programs scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
Once listed here, you can further elaborate on your skillset by discussing it in more detail in other areas such as the summary or experience section.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Advertising
- Bartending
- Cashiering
- Catering
- Cocktails
- Communication
- Customer Satisfaction
- Event Management
- Food
- Food and Beverage
- Hospitality
- Hospitality Industry
- Hospitality Management
- Hotels
- MICROS
- Restaurants
- Social Media Marketing
- Social Networking
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork
- Time Management
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no prior experience, mention your education below the resume objective. However, if you have been working as a cocktail server for many years with plenty of different responsibilities to showcase, omitting the education section is perfectly fine.
If an education section is included, try to highlight courses or subjects related to serving food and drinks that could be beneficial for this job role.
High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a certain field. They show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to become certified, which is an indication of dedication and commitment.
If you are applying for jobs that require specific certifications, make sure to include them on your resume so hiring managers can see what qualifications you possess. This will help give them confidence in your abilities as well as increase the chances of getting hired.
ServSafe Alcohol Certification
National Restaurant Association
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Sophia Rohan, this would be Sophia-Rohan-resume.pdf or Sophia-Rohan-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
A cover letter is an essential part of any job application process. It is a document which gives you the opportunity to explain why you are the best candidate for the role and provide more detail about your skills, qualifications and experience.
Cover letters should be around 2-4 paragraphs long, with each paragraph focusing on different aspects that make you suitable for the position. Although not always required by recruiters, writing one can give them a better impression of who you are as an applicant and help set yourself apart from other candidates applying for the same job.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Gilbert,
I am writing to apply for the Cocktail Server position at your restaurant. I have three years of experience as a cocktail server, and I know that I would be a valuable asset to your team.
In my previous role as a cocktail server at [restaurant name], I provided outstanding customer service while consistently achieving high sales numbers. I have a strong knowledge of different types of cocktails and wine, and I am confident in my ability to upsell customers on higher-priced items. In addition, I am efficient in taking orders and inputting them into the POS system, which helps to ensure that food is delivered promptly and accurately.
I would love the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to your restaurant. With my positive attitude and dedication to providing excellent customer service, I am confident that I will be an asset to your team. Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need any additional information.
Sincerely,
Sophia