Do I Need a Resume for a Restaurant Job?
Because the restaurant industry allows employees to work in a social and casual atmosphere, applicants may wonder whether they need a resume to land a restaurant job. Working in a restaurant requires focus, concentration and professionalism that comes with proper training and experience. Whether you need a resume when applying for a restaurant job likely will depend on the position and type of establishment to which you apply.
Other People Are Reading
-
Fast-Food Restaurants
-
Whether you are a youngster just starting out in the workforce or an adult applying for an entry-level position, you typically will not be required to bring a resume when applying to a fast-food restaurant. Fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell generally pay minimum wage and are staffed by high school students or young adults with little prior experience in the fast-food or restaurant industry. Thoroughly completing the application should suffice. If you have considerable experience in fast food and are applying for a management position, a resume is recommended and usually required.
Maintenance Positions
-
In most instances, back of the house restaurant workers are not required to provide a resume during the application process. Such positions generally include dishwashers, bus boys, delivery drivers, maintenance and telephone personnel. In some high-end union-backed restaurants -- such as those found in airports, resorts and five-star hotels -- resumes for BOH positions may be required or preferred.
-
Cooks and Chefs
-
In most instances, cooks and chefs must provide potential employers with a descriptive resume, outlining each detail of their training, culinary accomplishments and prior experience. Only on rare occasions -- typically in "greasy spoons" and diners -- are cooks not required to have any training, experience or background in restaurant cooking. You may sometimes also be able to land a job as a cook in small, independently owned restaurants without a resume, depending upon your references. Seasoned chefs applying to five-star gourmet restaurants and hotels are required to provide an extensive resume of accomplishments, recognitions and recommendations.
Restaurant Servers
-
When it comes to restaurant servers, flexible guidelines exist for waiters and waitresses regarding resume use in job interviews. A resume outlines your experience and ability, which you can use to attract a potential employer. On the other hand, sometimes a stellar fine dining resume offered to a casual diner may deem you "over-qualified." The key for servers applying for restaurant jobs is to gauge the caliber of the establishment before offering your resume. When applying to a high-end fine dining establishment -- such as formal five-star and specialty restaurants -- you must provide a resume. For lower end -- casual and lower priced -- eateries, a thoroughly completed application with solid experience and references may work in your favor.
Bartenders and General Managers
-
Bartenders and general managers hold more authoritative positions in the restaurant industry and are almost always required to provide a resume for employment consideration. Franchise corporations and restaurant owners rely on having solid and verifiable background on these position-holders as well guaranteed assurance that the individuals hired can competently perform their jobs. The only commonly known instances in which restaurants hire managers and bartenders without resumes are internal promotions of longtime employees promoted from lower positions or family members and business partners.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit The waiter image by doraemon from Fotolia.com
