As a banquet server, articulating your diverse skill set and experience in a concise manner on a resume can be a significant challenge. Our guide will provide you with tailored strategies to showcase your expertise effectively, ensuring your resume stands out to potential employers.
- Find different banquet server resume examples to serve as inspiration to your professional presentation.
- How to use the summary or objective to highlight your career achievements.
- How to create the experience section to tell your story.
- Must have certificates and what to include in the education section of your resume.
If the banquet server resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:
The importance of format and layout in your banquet server resume
Consider you're an HR professional at company X, evaluating two banquet server candidate resumes. John Smith presents a simple, traditional, and easy-to-read resume. Edward Price, however, uses a non-conventional, often illegible format. Whose resume would you spend more time on to understand their experience? This scenario underscores the importance of your banquet server resume’s design. It should be simply formatted and clearly communicate why you are the ideal candidate for the role.Achieve this balance by:
- Listing your experience, beginning with the most recent and relevant, in reverse chronological order;
- Ensuring your header contains essential information, such as contact details, a headline, and a portfolio link. Include a professional photo in the banquet server resume header if you have one;
- Including only the most important and relevant resume sections to showcase your expertise and stand out from other candidates;
- Editing your banquet server resume to be no longer than two pages if you have extensive relevant experience. Use your limited resume space judiciously.
Also, remember that your banquet server resume might initially be scanned by an Applicant Tracker System (ATS).
When it comes to ATS:
- Opt for simple and legible fonts like Raleway, Rubik, Lato, etc., making your experience easy for the ATS to scan;
- Use serif and sans-serif fonts, both of which are ATS-friendly;
- Avoid overused options like Arial and Times New Roman, which, while suitable, may lack personality.
Contrary to a common myth, our recent study shows that the ATS can effectively process both one-column and two-column resumes. Learn more about this in the ATS myths guide.
Finally, when submitting your banquet server resume, always export it as a PDF to ensure all information remains intact, making the document easier to print, read, and scan.
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Bold the names of educational institutions and certifying bodies for emphasis.
Traditional sections, appreciated by recruiters, for your banquet server resume:
- Clear and concise header with relevant links and contact details
- Summary or objective with precise snapshot of our career highlights and why you're a suitable candidate for the banquet server role
- Experience that goes into the nuts and bolts of your professional qualifications and success
- Skills section(-s) for more in-depth talent-alignment between job keywords and your own profile
- Education and certifications sections to further show your commitment for growth in the specific niche
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Experience with multi-course meal service and knowledge of formal dining etiquette.
- Efficiency in setting up, serving, and breaking down large banquet events.
- Skilled in tray carrying, plate serving, and wine pouring with professional polish and poise.
- Proven ability to handle high volume service with attention to detail and guest satisfaction.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on teamwork and guest interaction.
The experience section or the essence of your professional banquet server resume
Recruiters always have and always will appreciate well-written banquet server resume experience sections.
The experience section is perhaps the most crucial element of your professional presentation, as it needs to answer job requirements while showcasing your technical expertise and personality.
Create your best resume experience section yet by:
- Selecting only relevant experience items to the role you're applying for;
- Always ensure you've listed a metric to quantify your success alongside each experience item;
- Create a narrative that showcases your banquet server career succession: this goes to show the time and effort you've invested in the field to build your experience from the ground up;
- Within each experience bullet, consider a problem you've solved, the skills you've used, and the bigger impact this has made in the organization.
Take a look at how other real-life professionals have curated their experience with the banquet server samples below:
- Managed setup and takedown of banquet events for upwards of 300 guests at Marriott International, enhancing the customer experience and meeting tight schedule constraints.
- Provided attentive table service and guest interaction, increasing customer satisfaction ratings by 20% during my tenure.
- Coordinated with a team of 10+ servers to execute complex event plans, resulting in seamless delivery of multiple course meals and on-the-spot customer service solutions.
- Handled banquet operations at the Hyatt Regency, routinely serving VIP guests and diplomats, ensuring strict adherence to protocol and service standards.
- Led a team in successful execution of themed events, contributing to a 15% growth in banquet bookings for the season.
- Implemented a new system for inventory tracking of banquet supplies which reduced waste by 25%.
- Spearheaded a training program for new hires at Hilton Hotels & Resorts, improving overall service quality and reducing onboarding time by 30%.
- Played a key role in the plan and layout of events, contributing to an overall increase in banquet event satisfaction by 18%.
- Regularly worked with the culinary team to enhance presentation of meals, positively impacting the guest dining experience.
- Oversaw the successful delivery of technology-enhanced presentations during banquets at Sheraton Hotels, significantly improving event feedback scores.
- Coordinated with event planners to integrate custom menu options, driving a 10% increase in per-event revenue.
- Managed high-profile wedding events with precision, which boosted referral rates by 22% due to exceeding client expectations.
- Facilitated efficient room turnovers and setups at Four Seasons Hotels, consistently meeting the 1-hour window between events.
- Cultivated a guest-first service approach that contributed to a notable 35% repeat business rate for banquet events.
- Implemented and enforced strict food safety protocols during service, ensuring zero incidents of health code violations.
- Directly contributed to a 25% increase in year-over-year banquet service revenue at The Ritz-Carlton by upselling premium services and enhancing guest experiences.
- Introduced real-time feedback collection during events, allowing for immediate service adjustments and an average guest satisfaction improvement of 30%.
- Managed simultaneous events thereby honing multitasking capabilities, ensuring operational efficiency without compromising on service quality.
- Championed a customer experience initiative at Loews Hotels, leading to a 40% boost in positive online reviews and repeat patronage.
- Integrated digital ordering and feedback systems for banquet services, significantly cutting down wait times and enhancing guest satisfaction.
- Fostered a culture of proactive guest engagement which decreased service-related complaints by 50%.
- Served as a banquet server at MGM Resorts International, delivering high-quality customer service that aligned with the brand’s luxury standards.
- Contributed to a project that revamped the banquet menu offerings, resulting in a 20% increase in customer selection of premium options.
- Demonstrated ability to handle unexpected guest needs swiftly, keeping satisfaction levels high and event schedules on track.
The following content includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top responsibilities present on the task lists for banquet server professionals.
Top Responsibilities for Banquet Server:
- Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.
- Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.
- Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Collect payments from customers.
- Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.
- Prepare checks that itemize and total meal costs and sales taxes.
- Present menus to patrons and answer questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Remove dishes and glasses from tables or counters, and take them to kitchen for cleaning.
- Serve food or beverages to patrons, and prepare or serve specialty dishes at tables as required.
- Clean tables or counters after patrons have finished dining.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Mention the number of guests you have effectively served at large-scale banquets to demonstrate your capability to handle volume.
- Include the types of events you have worked (e.g., weddings, corporate functions), giving a number to showcase your wide range of experience.
- Specify the size of the largest event you’ve worked on to indicate your ability to perform under pressure.
- State the number of different banquet setups you are proficient with to emphasize your versatility.
- List any training courses or certifications you possess, with a count, to validate your professionalism and dedication to the role.
- Quote the average number of tables or guests you manage per event to show efficiency and organizational skills.
- Highlight the percentage increase in guest satisfaction or feedback scores, if available, to prove your commitment to service excellence.
- Document any leadership roles, like leading a team of servers, stating the number of people you’ve led to denote leadership capabilities.
Action verbs for your banquet server resume
Banquet server resume without experience: a walk-through guide
If you don't happen to have any relevant experience yet, you can substitute this with:
- Short-term gigs and stunts - like month-long internships, that you have done during your university days
- Contract work - be specific about the relevance and outcomes of each role you include
- Resume format that prioritizes your skills - the functional-skill-based format or hybrid format could work
- Research roles - feature those especially prominently if you've participated in a noteworthy project or your role was of utmost importance to the project's success.
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Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.
The right balance between hard skills and soft skills for your banquet server resume
Wondering what the perfect banquet server resume looks like? The candidate's profile meets job requirements by balancing both hard skills and soft skills across their resume.
- Hard skills are all the technologies you're apt at using . Prove you have the right technical background by listing key industry hardware/software in your banquet server resume skills section and noteworthy certifications.
- Soft skills are both your personal, mindset, communication, analytical, and problem-solving talents . Use your banquet server resume achievements section to show how you've used a particular soft skill to reach a tangible outcome.
When writing about your unique skill set, always make sure to refer back to the job advert to see what are the key requirements. This ensures you've tailored your resume so that it matches closer to what the ideal candidate profile is.
Top skills for your banquet server resume:
Food Safety Certification
POS Systems
Table Setting Techniques
Catering Equipment Operation
Beverage Service
Event Setup and Breakdown
Menu Knowledge
Silverware Handling
Buffet Service Techniques
Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures
Communication
Teamwork
Customer Service
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Multitasking
Interpersonal Skills
Conflict Resolution
Next, you will find information on the top technologies for banquet server professonals from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Top technologies for Banquet Server’s resume:
- Blink
- Hospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Sale
- Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
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If you happen to have plenty of certificates, select the ones that are most applicable and sought-after across the industry. Organize them by relevance to the role you're applying for.
Certifications and education: in-demand sections for your banquet server resume
Your academic background in the form of certifications on your resume and your higher degree education is important to your application.
The certifications and education sections pinpoint a variety of hard and soft skills you possess, as well as your dedication to the industry.
Add relevant certificates to your banquet server resume by:
- Add special achievements or recognitions you've received during your education or certification, only if they're really noteworthy and/or applicable to the role
- Be concise - don't list every and any certificate you've obtained through your career, but instead, select the ones that would be most impressive to the role
- Include the name of the certificate or degree, institution, graduation dates, and certificate license numbers (if possible)
- Organize your education in reverse chronological format, starting with the latest degree you have that's most applicable for the role
Think of the education and certification sections as the further credibility your banquet server resume needs to pinpoint your success.
Now, if you're stuck on these resume sections, we've curated a list of the most popular technical certificates across the industry.
Have a look, below:
The top 5 certifications for your banquet server resume:
- Certified Food Handler (CFH) - National Restaurant Association
- Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) - National Association for Catering and Events
- TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) Certification - TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures)
- Certified banquet server (CBS) - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
- ServSafe Alcohol Certification - National Restaurant Association
The content below includes information from "O*NET OnLine" by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. The data represents the top associations for banquet server professionals.
Top US associations for a Banquet Server professional
- Court of Master Sommeliers
- Federation of Dining Room Professionals
- International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education
- National Restaurant Association
- UNITE HERE
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Highlight any significant extracurricular activities that demonstrate valuable skills or leadership.
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Writing the banquet server resume summary or objective: achievements, keywords, dreams, and more
Deciding on whether to include a resume summary or resume objective should entirely depend on your career situation.
If you have:
- Plenty of relevant achievements you'd like to bring recruiters' focus to, make use of the resume summary. Ensure each of your achievements is quantified with concrete proof (e.g. % of cases solved).
- Less applicable experience, utilize the resume objective. Within the objective include a few noteworthy, past successes, followed up by your professional dreams.
As a bonus, you could define in either your banquet server resume summary or objective what makes you the perfect candidate for the role.
Think about your unique hard and soft skills that would make your expertise even more important to the job.
These banquet server professionals have completely covered the formula for the ideal resume introduction:
Resume summaries for a banquet server job
- With over 5 years of dedicated experience as a banquet server, I have honed exceptional multitasking abilities and a flawless service etiquette. Successfully handled banquet events for up to 300 guests, consistently receiving commendations for efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Detail-oriented former hospitality manager transitioning to banquet serving, bringing 10 years of experience in orchestrating high-profile events and a keen understanding of upscale guest expectations, seeking to leverage people-management skills and event coordination expertise.
- Accomplished retail manager with a decade of customer service excellence, pursuing a new challenge in the banquet serving arena. Known for superb team leadership and capacity to create memorable customer experiences, eager to transfer these skills to deliver impeccable event service.
- Energetically pursuing a first step into the hospitality sector as a banquet server. Bringing a passion for service excellence and a commitment to learning quickly, aiming to contribute positively to high-standard banquet experiences and ensure guest satisfaction.
- Seeking to apply 7 years of experience in food service and hospitality as a hardworking banquet server. Known for meticulous attention to detail, exceptional service delivery, and a strong record of going above and beyond to create an extraordinary dining atmosphere.
- Fresh and eager to embark on a professional journey within the hospitality industry, aspiring to excel as a banquet server. Anticipating the chance to develop keen customer service acumen, while enthusiastically adapting to a fast-paced environment and contributing to successful events.
Average salary info by state in the US for Banquet Server professionals
Local salary info for Banquet Server.” Source: My Next Move, National Center for O*NET Development. Accessed 10/15/2024
| State | Average Salary (in USD) |
|---|---|
| US National Average | $31,940 |
| California (CA) | $34,780 |
| Texas (TX) | $27,030 |
| Florida (FL) | $29,940 |
| New York (NY) | $41,540 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | $29,710 |
| Illinois (IL) | $28,030 |
| Ohio (OH) | $28,950 |
| Georgia (GA) | $23,030 |
| North Carolina (NC) | $21,060 |
| Michigan (MI) | $35,400 |
More relevant sections for your banquet server resume
Perhaps you feel that your current resume could make use of a few more details that could put your expertise and personality in the spotlight.
We recommend you add some of these sections for a memorable first impression on recruiters:
- Projects - you could also feature noteworthy ones you've done in your free time;
- Awards - showcasing the impact and recognition your work has across the industry;
- Volunteering - the social causes you care the most about and the soft skills they've helped you sustain and grow;
- Personality resume section - hobbies, interests, favorite quote/books, etc. could help recruiters gain an even better understanding of who you are.
Key takeaways
- The format and layout of your banquet server resume should reflect on both your career and what matters most to the job you're applying for;
- Use the resume summary and objective to hint at your most prominent accomplishments;
- Always be specific about your experience and consider what value each bullet you curate adds to your banquet server application;
- Consider how your academic background and technical capabilities could further showcase your alignment to the role;
- Your soft skills should contribute to your overall banquet server profile - aligning your personality with skills and results.
