Cocktail Waitress Resume Guide

Cocktail waitresses greet and serve customers in bars, restaurants, and other establishments. They take orders for drinks from patrons, mix and serve alcoholic beverages, collect payments from customers, and answer questions about the menu items or specials of the day.

You’ve got the perfect personality and customer service skills to be a great cocktail waitress. But bar managers aren’t aware of your potential yet, so you need to write an eye-catching resume that captures their attention.

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.

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.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Cocktail Waitress Resume Sample

Callie McGlynn
Cocktail Waitress

[email protected]
480-934-0739
linkedin.com/in/callie-mcglynn

Summary

Determined cocktail waitress with 5+ years of experience in a fast-paced, high-volume bar and lounge setting. Skilled at memorizing orders and delivering drinks quickly, efficiently, and accurately. At XYZ Bar & Lounge consistently received positive feedback from customers for outstanding service while maintaining an organized work environment. Adept at managing tables to maximize tips while providing friendly customer service on the floor.

Experience

Cocktail Waitress, Employer A
Austin, Jan 2018 – Present

Trained over 40 new cocktail waitresses in the use of POS systems, efficient order-taking procedures and bar menu knowledge; reduced customer wait time by 10%.
Streamlined operations at a busy nightclub serving over 500 customers daily with 6 bartenders and 8 servers on staff; increased overall efficiency by 17%.
Coordinated between kitchen staff, other waitstaff & management to ensure accuracy when taking orders, delivering drinks/food items promptly and handling payment transactions for guests.
Reliably exceeded set sales goals every month by upselling drink specials to customers which resulted in an additional $1,500 revenue per week on average.
Achieved positive reviews from patrons 98% of the time due to friendly service provided consistently throughout each shift; boosted tip earnings significantly as well as referrals for future employment opportunities.

Cocktail Waitress, Employer B
Fort Collins, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Monitored and maintained the bar area, ensuring that all tables were clean, stocked with appropriate beverages and condiments; increased beverage sales by 10% through upselling customers on drinks.
Assessed customer needs quickly to provide prompt service in a high-volume environment; served over 100 guests an hour during peak times without compromising quality of care or attention to detail.
Confidently communicated product knowledge when answering questions about available cocktails and beers as well as food items from the menu; resulting in 5 additional orders per table on average each night.
Utilized cash register system for accurate transaction record keeping while also handling payment transactions with utmost discretion and integrity; processed $6,000+ nightly from various credit cards & cash payments accurately every shift.
Optimized operational efficiency by restocking supplies such as napkins, straws, stirrers etc., between shifts which reduced wastage costs by 20%.

Skills

Time Management
Teamwork
Hospitality
Social Networking
Food and Beverage
Restaurants
Communication
Event Management
Hospitality Industry

Education

High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

ServSafe Alcohol Certification
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

A resume summary/objective is like a movie trailer – it provides the hiring manager with essential information and should compel them to read on. In your summary, you can highlight your years of experience as a cocktail waitress, any awards or recognition you have received for outstanding customer service, and how well-versed you are in mixology techniques. This is where you get to show off what makes you stand out from other applicants!

Below are some resume summary examples:

Dependable and motivated cocktail waitress with 4+ years of experience in a high-volume restaurant setting. Seeking to join ABC Bar & Grill as the next talented server, where I can put my knowledge and skill set towards providing exceptional customer service. Proven track record for increasing sales by 10% from previous year through suggestive selling techniques and friendly interactions with customers.

Skilled cocktail waitress with 5+ years of experience in the hospitality industry. Adept at providing excellent customer service while maintaining a high level of organization and efficiency. Seeking to join ABC Restaurant as their next cocktail server, where I can utilize my skills to help create an enjoyable dining experience for guests and ensure that all orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately.

Seasoned cocktail waitress with 3+ years of experience providing excellent customer service and creating memorable experiences in upscale establishments. Skilled at taking orders, accurately tabulating bills, and delivering drinks quickly without compromising quality or safety standards. Seeking to leverage exceptional communication skills at ABC Bar & Grill to help guests have an enjoyable night out.

Committed and reliable cocktail waitress with five years of experience in providing excellent hospitality services. Proven ability to take accurate orders, serve customers efficiently and professionally, maintain a clean working environment and remain calm under pressure. At XYZ Bar & Grill achieved highest customer service ratings for 4 consecutive months while managing up to 500 guests per night.

Professional cocktail waitress with 5+ years of experience providing high-level customer service in a busy bar setting. Achieved an average rating of 4.8/5 on guest feedback surveys and received multiple awards for excellent service. Seeking to join ABC Nightclub as the lead cocktail server where I can use my expertise to ensure smooth operations and exceptional customer experiences.

Amicable and outgoing cocktail waitress with three years of experience in upmarket bars. Proven ability to develop relationships with customers, build a client base, and increase sales by 10%. Experienced at taking orders accurately and quickly responding to customer needs. Recognized for consistently providing exceptional service that creates a positive atmosphere for all guests.

Enthusiastic and outgoing cocktail waitress with 5+ years of experience in a high-volume restaurant. Possesses excellent customer service skills and the ability to work well under pressure. Achieved highest customer satisfaction ratings throughout employment at XYZ Restaurant, receiving commendations from multiple customers on excellent service and knowledge of menu items.

Detail-oriented cocktail waitress with 5+ years of experience in a fast-paced environment. Possesses excellent customer service and communication skills, as well as an extensive knowledge of popular cocktails and spirits. Seeking to leverage these abilities to provide outstanding experiences at ABC Bar & Grill while helping the establishment reach its goals.

2. Experience / Employment

For the experience section, you should list your employment history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first. Stick to bullet points and provide detail about what you did and any results or achievements that were obtained.

For example, instead of saying “Served drinks,” you could say, “Delivered high-quality service while serving cocktails to guests at a busy bar; achieved an average customer satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Served
Greeted
Monitored
Assisted
Delivered
Upsold
Checked
Bussed
Stocked
Balanced
Resolved
Processed
Trained
Prepared
Restocked

Other general verbs you can use are:

Achieved
Advised
Assessed
Compiled
Coordinated
Demonstrated
Developed
Expedited
Facilitated
Formulated
Improved
Introduced
Mentored
Optimized
Participated
Presented
Reduced
Reorganized
Represented
Revised
Spearheaded
Streamlined
Structured
Utilized

Below are some example bullet points:

Developed and maintained knowledge of all restaurant menu items, cocktails and wines to assist over 160 customers per night; improved customer satisfaction scores by 12%.
Improved existing cocktail recipes upon request, reducing drink preparation time from 8 minutes to 4 minutes on average.
Revised processes for serving drinks promptly and efficiently while providing exceptional customer service, resulting in a 10% increase in tips earned each shift.
Assisted bartenders with mixing ingredients, stocking shelves and organizing the bar area; reduced restocking times by 30%.
Actively communicated between kitchen staff and servers to ensure that orders were fulfilled within an acceptable timeframe; positive feedback increased by 15%.

Structured and implemented efficient cocktail service procedures for a high-volume restaurant, resulting in a 15% increase in customer satisfaction.
Mentored and trained new employees on proper beverage handling and table etiquette, ensuring that all staff members were knowledgeable about menu items and drink recipes; assisted in the onboarding of 8+ new hires.
Checked IDs to verify customers’ legal drinking age before serving alcoholic beverages; monitored guests’ consumption to prevent over-intoxication while maintaining excellent customer service standards at all times.
Consistently balanced cash drawer accurately when making transactions or closing out shifts, with no discrepancies reported throughout entire tenure as Cocktail Waitress/Server Assistant (averaging $1K daily).
Maintained cleanliness of bar area by restocking supplies, wiping counters down after use & sweeping floors during shift changes; reduced overall cleaning time by 25%.

Stocked bar with liquor, mixers and garnishes on a daily basis as well as restocked shelves in order to accommodate customer requests; reduced beverage wastage by 10%.
Accurately processed orders for over 50 customers per shift across all areas of the restaurant including bar and lounge seating; increased table turnover time by 15 minutes on average.
Processed payments quickly and accurately using POS systems, providing change when necessary; decreased transaction errors from 7% to 2%.
Advised customers regarding menu items such as cocktails, wines & beers based on their preferences while providing excellent service throughout each shift; generated $500+ in additional tips earned monthly through exceptional customer care.
Reorganized bar area which improved efficiency of bartenders during rush hours resulting in an increase of 25% more drinks served within one hour compared to before reorganization efforts were made.

Resourcefully greeted and served 600+ customers at the bar while providing attentive service to ensure they had a pleasant experience; achieved an average score of 4.5/5 in customer satisfaction surveys.
Delivered drinks, snacks, appetizers and desserts to tables with speed and accuracy; reduced wait times for customers by 15%.
Reduced food waste costs by 25% through proper portion control when prepping orders as well as ensuring that all returned items were handled correctly according to health regulations.
Introduced two new promotional happy hour drink specials each week which increased sales revenue by $2,000 over the course of 3 months period.
Served alcoholic beverages responsibly in accordance with state laws; completed 12 hours of alcohol awareness training courses plus 8 additional certifications.

Participated in daily beer, wine and cocktail tastings to develop product knowledge; increased sales of alcoholic beverages by 25% over 3 months.
Facilitated orders for customers, responding promptly to inquiries and requests while providing excellent customer service at all times.
Greeted guests upon arrival in the dining area and assisted them with selecting drinks from the menu; upsold specialty cocktails on 20+ occasions per shift resulting in an average increase of $1,200 a week in revenue.
Spearheaded weekly team meetings amongst wait staff where topics such as food safety regulations and alcohol laws were discussed among other important matters regarding restaurant operations and client satisfaction goals.
Efficiently served 4-6 tables simultaneously during busy hours without compromising quality or speed of service; consistently maintained favorable feedback ratings from customers based on surveys conducted after each visit to the establishment.

Bussed tables, collected dishes and delivered food orders to over 500 customers daily; restocked all condiments and glassware in the bar area at the end of each shift.
Compiled accurate customer bills by quickly entering order details into POS systems, helping management increase weekly revenue by $4,000.
Prepared cocktails for up to 150 patrons per hour while consistently adhering to safety protocols such as monitoring alcohol consumption levels and refusing service where necessary.
Meticulously balanced cash drawers on a nightly basis with 100% accuracy; maintained records of transactions & tips received throughout shifts for accounting purposes.
Provided friendly yet professional assistance when introducing specialty drinks or responding to requests from guests at various events including weddings, corporate dinners etc., leading to positive reviews from clients that drove additional bookings by 10%.

Represented the restaurant in a professional and courteous manner by providing an exceptional level of service to over 500+ customers per shift.
Presented cocktails, drinks & appetizers to guests in a timely fashion; successfully expedited beverage orders for up to 20 tables at once while ensuring accuracy of each order.
Effectively managed the bar area, introducing patrons to new liquors and specialty drinks as well as refilling glasses with minimal interruptions during peak hours.
Upsold additional food items such as entrées or desserts from the menu when appropriate; increased sales revenue by $7000 last quarter through successful promotions and customer engagement techniques used behind the bar counter.
Demonstrated outstanding multitasking abilities throughout shifts, juggling multiple tasks such as taking orders, serving food/drinks efficiently, handling payment transactions and clearing tables promptly without compromising quality of service provided.

Formulated 10+ unique bar menus, featuring classic and specialty cocktails that increased weekly sales by 35%.
Demonstrated outstanding customer service skills when taking orders from over 100 customers per shift; achieved a 95% positive rating from customers for promptness and accuracy of order delivery.
Resolved any complaints or disputes with tact, diplomacy and understanding; lowered client dissatisfaction rate to 0%.
Competently operated the POS system to process payment transactions quickly and accurately during peak hours; reduced wait times at the bar by 25 minutes averagely each night.

3. Skills

Skill requirements will differ from employer to employer – this can easily be determined via the job advert. Organization ABC may require waitresses to have experience in customer service, whereas Organization XYZ might prioritize knowledge of wine and spirits.

Therefore, you want to tailor the skills section of your resume for each job that you are applying for. This is important because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days; they scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.

Once listed here, it’s also beneficial if you can elaborate further on your skill set in other areas such as the summary or experience sections.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

Bartending
Catering
Communication
Customer Satisfaction
Event Management
Facebook
Food
Food and Beverage
Hospitality
Hospitality Industry
Restaurants
Social Media Marketing
Social Networking
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 work experience, include a brief mention of your educational background below the resume objective. However, if you have significant work experience to showcase, omitting an education section altogether is perfectly fine.

If including an education section is necessary for the job application, try to list courses and subjects related to hospitality or customer service that can be beneficial as a cocktail waitress.

High School Diploma
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in a particular field. They show potential employers that you have taken the time to invest in yourself and are committed to staying up-to-date with industry standards.

When listing certifications on your resume, make sure they are relevant to the job you’re applying for – this will give hiring managers an indication of how well suited you are for the role.

ServSafe Alcohol Certification
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
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 Callie McGlynn, this would be Callie-McGlynn-resume.pdf or Callie-McGlynn-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

A cover letter is a great way to make an impression on potential employers. It is typically composed of 2-4 paragraphs and should be tailored to the role you are applying for. The purpose of this document is to give recruiters more information about yourself, beyond what can be seen in your resume.

Cover letters aren’t mandatory when applying for jobs, but they are highly recommended as it gives you an opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences relevant to the job in question. They also help demonstrate that you have read through the job description carefully and understand what’s required from this particular position.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Selmer,

I am writing to apply for the cocktail waitress position at your bar. I have two years of experience as a waitress, and I know how to provide excellent customer service. I am outgoing and friendly, and I work well under pressure. I am confident that I would be an asset to your team.

In my current job, I am responsible for taking orders, serving food and drinks, and cleaning tables. I always go above and beyond to make sure that my customers are happy. I have a strong work ethic and I am always punctual. In addition, I have experience in bartending, so I can make most cocktails that your customers will request.

I would love the opportunity to put my skills to use in your bar. Cocktail waitressing is something that I’m passionate about, and it would be an honor to work for you. Please contact me if you need any further information from me; thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Callie