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CV examples · Hospitality

Waiter CV example

Restaurant managers want to know how many tables you can carry, whether you know the menu and the wine list, and if you can be trusted with the alcohol rules. This waiter CV example shows all of it with real numbers, not "people person".

Written for New Zealand, with notes for Australia · Checked

Free. Then compare it with a real Waiter job ad.

The example

A Waiter CV, start to finish.

Camila Rojas is made up, and so are the employers. The layout and the wording are what New Zealand employers expect: no photo or date of birth, the most recent job first, and every bullet showing what was done and what came of it.

Camila Rojas

Senior Waiter, fine dining and busy bistros

Wellington · 021 555 0386 · camila.rojas@email.com

Profile

Waiter with six years in bistros and a 90-seat fine dining restaurant. Runs a five-table section calmly on a full Saturday, knows the wine list well enough to pair it, and holds the Licence Controller Qualification. Now training new floor staff and working towards a duty manager role.

Skills

Table service and running a section · Wine and beverage knowledge · Menu knowledge and allergens · Host responsibility · Point of sale and bill splitting · Handling complaints · Training new floor staff · Events and set menus

Experience

Senior Waiter, Kōwhai Dining Room

Te Aro, Wellington · 2023 to now

  • Run a five-table section of up to 22 covers on Friday and Saturday nights, with courses timed to the kitchen
  • Recommend wine by the glass and bottle, and lifted average wine spend per table by about 15% over a year
  • Take allergy and dietary orders through to the pass in writing, with no allergy incidents on my tables in three years
  • Trained six new waiters on the floor plan, the menu and the till, each working a section alone within three weeks
  • Follow host responsibility on every shift: checking ID, offering water and food, and refusing service when needed

Waiter, Harbour Lights Bistro

Napier · 2020 to 2023

  • Served up to 120 lunch covers a day in a busy waterfront bistro through the summer season
  • Set up and served weddings and set-menu functions of up to 80 guests
  • Balanced the till and tips at close and handled bill splits for large groups without errors

Education

New Zealand Certificate in Food and Beverage Service (Level 3), Café and Restaurant Services strand, EIT Hawke's Bay

2020

Other details

Alcohol
Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ)
Availability
Nights and weekends
Languages
English and Spanish

Referees

Available on request

Camila wrote a cover letter to go with it. Read the waiter cover letter

Skills and keywords

What waiter job ads look for.

Use the ad's own words where they're true of you. An ATS, and a recruiter skimming, both look for them.

  • SectionSay how many tables or covers you run on your own. It tells a manager your pace at a glance.
  • CoversA number for a busy service, lunch or function shows the volume you're used to.
  • Wine knowledgeIf you can recommend and pair, say so. Upselling well is something managers track.
  • Host responsibilityNew Zealand's alcohol law runs on it. Show you check ID and know when to stop serving.
  • Licence Controller QualificationThe LCQ is the first step to a manager's certificate. List it if you hold it.
  • AllergensKitchens rely on the floor to get dietary orders right. Show how you handle them.
  • Fine dining or casualName the style of service. Silver service and a busy bistro ask different things of you.

Bullet points

9 strong lines to borrow from.

Each says what was done, how, and what came of it. Swap in your own facts: a line is only strong if it's true.

  1. 1Ran a five-table section of up to 22 covers on Friday and Saturday nights, timing courses with the kitchen
  2. 2Lifted average wine spend per table by about 15% over a year by recommending wines to match the menu
  3. 3Took allergy and dietary orders through to the pass in writing, with no allergy incidents on my tables
  4. 4Trained six new waiters to run a section alone within three weeks
  5. 5Checked ID, offered water and food, and refused service when needed on every shift
  6. 6Served up to 120 lunch covers a day through the summer season
  7. 7Set up and served weddings and set-menu functions of up to 80 guests
  8. 8Balanced the till and tips at close and split bills for large groups without errors
  9. 9Turned a complaint about a long wait into a return booking by talking to the guest and the kitchen straight away

Common mistakes

What costs waiter CVs interviews.

  • "Excellent customer service" and nothing else.

    Show it: how many tables you run, the style of service, and what you're trusted with on a busy night.

  • Leaving the alcohol side out.

    If you hold the LCQ or a manager's certificate, put it in your details. Many restaurants need more staff who can step up as duty manager.

  • Listing every café and bar you've ever worked in.

    Keep the last two or three jobs in full and sum up the rest in a line. Managers read the most recent first.

  • No availability.

    Restaurants roster around nights and weekends. Say when you can work.

New Zealand and Australia

What changes across the Tasman.

New Zealand

Every New Zealand business holding an on-licence must appoint a manager, and a manager's certificate needs the Licence Controller Qualification first, so list the LCQ if you have it.

New Zealand CV format

Australia

In New South Wales, for example, staff who serve alcohol must complete Responsible Service of Alcohol training and hold a competency card, so list your RSA if you have one.Australian employers usually say resume rather than CV, and expect about two pages.

Australian CV format

Sources: Queenstown Lakes District Council: manager's certificates, ServiceIQ: Licence Controller Qualification, NSW Government: Responsible Service of Alcohol training.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.

Do I need a qualification to be a waiter?

No. Most restaurants hire on experience and a trial shift. A food and beverage certificate helps if you're new or aiming for a senior role.

Should I get the LCQ before applying?

If you want to move towards duty manager, yes. It's short, it's the first step to a manager's certificate, and it shows you take the alcohol rules seriously.

Should I mention the languages I speak?

Yes. In a tourist town or a busy city restaurant, a second language is a real help with guests. Put it in your details.

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