Top 12 Restaurant Worker Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the dynamic and fast-paced restaurant industry, showcasing the right mix of skills on your resume can significantly enhance your job prospects. This article delves into the top 12 skills that restaurant workers should highlight to stand out to potential employers and excel in their roles.

Restaurant Worker Skills

1. POS Systems
2. OpenTable
3. Time Management
4. Customer Service
5. Food Safety
6. Multitasking
7. Teamwork
8. Conflict Resolution
9. Inventory Management
10. Cash Handling
11. Bilingual Communication
12. Tableau (for data analysis/reporting in management roles)

1. POS Systems

A POS (Point of Sale) system for a restaurant is a digital platform that enables staff to manage orders, payments, and track sales, essentially serving as a combined cash register and order management tool.

Why It's Important

POS systems streamline operations by managing orders, payments, and inventory in real-time, enhancing efficiency and customer service for restaurant workers.

How to Improve POS Systems Skills

Improving POS systems for restaurant workers involves enhancing efficiency, user-friendliness, and integration capabilities. Here are concise strategies:

1. Streamline Ordering Process: Simplify the user interface for quicker order entry and fewer errors. Toast offers customizable menus and smart modifiers to speed up this process.

2. Integrate Payment Solutions: Incorporate flexible payment options including contactless and mobile payments to improve customer experience. Square supports a range of payment methods, making transactions seamless.

3. Enhance Inventory Management: Use a POS system with real-time inventory tracking to help staff manage stock levels efficiently. Lightspeed provides detailed inventory management features.

4. Improve Customer Management: Implement a system with a built-in CRM to personalize customer service, track preferences, and manage loyalty programs. Revel Systems offers robust CRM capabilities.

5. Offer Comprehensive Training: Ensure staff are fully trained on the POS system to maximize its benefits. Companies like Shopify provide extensive support and training resources.

6. Ensure Hardware Reliability: Invest in durable and reliable hardware to minimize downtime. TouchBistro is known for its sturdy hardware tailored for restaurant environments.

Implementing these improvements can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of POS systems for restaurant workers, leading to better customer service and operational success.

How to Display POS Systems Skills on Your Resume

2. OpenTable

OpenTable is an online reservation platform that allows customers to book tables at restaurants, helping restaurant workers manage reservations and guest seating efficiently.

Why It's Important

OpenTable is important for a restaurant worker because it streamlines reservation management, improves customer service efficiency, and helps fill more seats by connecting the restaurant to a larger pool of potential diners online.

How to Improve OpenTable Skills

To improve OpenTable from a restaurant worker's perspective, consider the following concise strategies:

1. User Interface Simplification: Streamline the reservation management interface for quicker, more intuitive navigation. OpenTable Interface Guide.
2. Customizable Features: Allow workers to customize notifications, seating preferences, and guest management options. Customization Tips.
3. Training Resources: Enhance access to training modules and tutorials for new features or best practices. Training Modules.
4. Feedback Loop: Create a direct channel for workers to submit feedback or suggestions for system improvements. Feedback System.
5. Integration Options: Improve integration with POS systems and other restaurant management software. Integration Solutions.

Implementing these strategies can lead to a more efficient and user-friendly experience for restaurant workers using OpenTable.

How to Display OpenTable Skills on Your Resume

3. Time Management

Time management for a restaurant worker involves effectively prioritizing and organizing tasks to ensure efficient service, timely food preparation, and customer satisfaction within the fast-paced environment of a restaurant.

Why It's Important

Time management is crucial for a restaurant worker because it ensures efficient service delivery, customer satisfaction, and smooth operation, maximizing productivity and minimizing stress in a fast-paced environment.

How to Improve Time Management Skills

Improving time management as a restaurant worker involves prioritizing tasks, planning ahead, and staying organized. Here are concise tips:

1. Prioritize Tasks: Identify high-priority tasks (e.g., serving customers, preparing for rush hours) and tackle them first. MindTools offers strategies for prioritizing effectively.

2. Plan Ahead: Use work downtime to prepare for upcoming tasks. Planning tools and apps like Trello can help organize tasks and schedules.

3. Stay Organized: Keep your workspace tidy and tools/materials ready to use. This reduces time spent searching for items. The Organised Housewife shares tips on keeping spaces organized.

4. Effective Communication: Communicate clearly with your team to coordinate tasks efficiently and avoid redoing work. Tools like Slack can facilitate better team communication.

5. Take Breaks: Short breaks can boost productivity by preventing burnout. Science Daily highlights the importance of breaks for efficiency.

Adapting these strategies to your specific role and work environment can lead to significant improvements in time management.

How to Display Time Management Skills on Your Resume

4. Customer Service

Customer service in a restaurant context involves ensuring guests have a satisfying dining experience by providing friendly, attentive, and efficient service from arrival to departure.

Why It's Important

Customer service is crucial in a restaurant setting as it directly influences customer satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat business, thereby impacting the restaurant's reputation and financial success. Positive interactions can enhance the dining experience, encouraging patrons to return and recommend the establishment to others.

How to Improve Customer Service Skills

Improving customer service in a restaurant involves enhancing the overall dining experience by being attentive, responsive, and personable. Here are concise strategies for restaurant workers:

1. Greet Customers Warmly: Welcome each guest with a smile and friendly greeting. First impressions matter. Learn more about greeting customers.

2. Know the Menu: Be familiar with your restaurant's menu, including daily specials, to make informed recommendations. Menu knowledge tips.

3. Listen Actively: Pay close attention to customers' requests and preferences, ensuring their needs are met promptly. Active listening in customer service.

4. Handle Complaints Gracefully: Address any issues with empathy and a positive attitude, offering prompt resolutions. Dealing with complaints.

5. Follow Up: Check back after serving meals to ensure satisfaction, and thank guests as they leave, inviting them to return. Effective follow-up techniques.

By applying these strategies, restaurant workers can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.

How to Display Customer Service Skills on Your Resume

5. Food Safety

Food safety refers to the practices and protocols a restaurant worker follows to prevent foodborne illnesses by ensuring food is handled, prepared, and stored in ways that maintain its quality and safety for consumption.

Why It's Important

Food safety is crucial for restaurant workers to prevent foodborne illnesses, protect customers' health, maintain a good reputation, and comply with legal standards.

How to Improve Food Safety Skills

Improving food safety in a restaurant involves adhering to key principles and practices that prevent foodborne illnesses. Here's a concise guide for restaurant workers:

1. Personal Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling food, after using the bathroom, and after touching garbage or cleaning supplies. CDC Handwashing

2. Cross-Contamination Prevention: Use separate cutting boards, utensils, and surfaces for raw and cooked foods. Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and ready-to-eat items. FDA on Cross-Contamination

3. Proper Cooking Temperatures: Cook foods to their recommended internal temperatures to kill harmful bacteria. Use a food thermometer to ensure accuracy. USDA Safe Minimum Temperatures

4. Safe Food Storage: Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods, and leftovers within 2 hours. Keep your refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) or below. FDA Refrigeration Safety

5. Regular Cleaning and Sanitizing: Clean and sanitize all kitchen surfaces, utensils, and equipment regularly. Use a sanitizing solution appropriate for food contact surfaces. EPA on Sanitizers

6. Food Safety Training: Stay informed about food safety guidelines and participate in regular food safety training programs. ServSafe Training Programs

By implementing these practices diligently, restaurant workers can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure the safety of the food served to customers.

How to Display Food Safety Skills on Your Resume

6. Multitasking

Multitasking for a restaurant worker involves simultaneously handling multiple tasks such as taking orders, serving food, clearing tables, and interacting with customers efficiently and effectively to ensure smooth operation and customer satisfaction.

Why It's Important

Multitasking is crucial for a restaurant worker as it enables them to efficiently handle multiple tasks simultaneously, such as taking orders, serving food, and attending to customer needs, ensuring a smooth operation and enhancing the dining experience.

How to Improve Multitasking Skills

Improving multitasking, especially for a restaurant worker, involves enhancing both physical and mental coordination. Here are concise strategies:

1. Prioritize Tasks: Identify which tasks need immediate attention and which can wait. Task Prioritization Techniques

2. Time Management: Allocate specific times for specific tasks. Using tools like Pomodoro timers can help. Time Management Tips

3. Develop a Routine: Establish a consistent workflow to handle tasks efficiently. Creating Effective Routines

4. Practice Mindfulness: Stay present and focused, reducing errors and improving efficiency. Mindfulness Exercises

5. Physical and Mental Exercise: Enhance your physical endurance and mental agility. Exercise for Mental Performance

6. Learn to Delegate: Understand when to ask for help and how to efficiently distribute tasks. Effective Delegation

7. Use Technology: Implement tools and apps designed for task management and efficiency. Technology in Restaurants

By incorporating these strategies and continually practicing, a restaurant worker can significantly improve their multitasking abilities, leading to a more efficient and stress-free work environment.

How to Display Multitasking Skills on Your Resume

7. Teamwork

Teamwork in a restaurant setting involves staff members collaborating effectively across different roles, such as cooks, servers, and managers, to ensure smooth operation, high-quality service, and customer satisfaction.

Why It's Important

Teamwork in a restaurant setting ensures efficient service, enhances problem-solving, promotes a positive work environment, and ultimately leads to higher customer satisfaction.

How to Improve Teamwork Skills

Improving teamwork, especially in a restaurant setting, involves clear communication, defined roles, mutual respect, and shared goals. Here are concise steps with relevant external resources:

1. Clear Communication: Establish open lines of communication. Use tools or meetings for daily briefings and feedback. Communication Skills

2. Define Roles: Ensure everyone knows their responsibilities. This prevents overlap and confusion. Defining Team Roles

3. Training and Development: Offer training sessions to improve skills and foster a culture of learning. Employee Training

4. Feedback and Recognition: Provide constructive feedback and recognize efforts to motivate the team. Feedback Techniques

5. Team Building Activities: Engage in activities outside work to strengthen bonds. Team Building Activities

6. Shared Goals: Set clear, achievable goals for the team to work towards together. Setting Team Goals

7. Conflict Resolution: Address conflicts openly and fairly to maintain a positive working environment. Conflict Resolution

Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance teamwork in a restaurant environment.

How to Display Teamwork Skills on Your Resume

8. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution in the context of a restaurant worker involves the process of identifying and addressing disputes or disagreements among staff or between staff and customers, aiming to find a satisfactory solution that maintains a positive dining experience and work environment.

Why It's Important

Conflict resolution is crucial for restaurant workers to ensure a harmonious work environment, maintain efficient service, prevent escalation of disputes, and enhance customer satisfaction by promptly addressing and resolving any issues that arise.

How to Improve Conflict Resolution Skills

Improving conflict resolution, especially for a restaurant worker, involves a few key strategies:

1. Active Listening: Ensure you fully understand the customer or coworker's issue by listening carefully before responding. Active Listening Techniques

2. Empathy: Show understanding and empathy towards the other person's feelings and point of view. Empathy in the Workplace

3. Clear Communication: Communicate your thoughts and solutions clearly and assertively without being aggressive. Assertive Communication Skills

4. Problem-Solving: Focus on finding a solution that satisfies both parties, rather than winning the argument. Problem-Solving Strategies

5. Seek Support: When necessary, don't hesitate to involve a manager or another team member to help resolve the conflict. Conflict Resolution Skills

By applying these strategies, restaurant workers can effectively manage and resolve conflicts, ensuring a positive experience for both employees and customers.

How to Display Conflict Resolution Skills on Your Resume

9. Inventory Management

Inventory management in a restaurant context involves tracking and controlling the stock of ingredients, beverages, and supplies to ensure that the restaurant operates efficiently, minimizes waste, and meets customer demand without overstocking or running out of items.

Why It's Important

Inventory management is crucial for a restaurant worker as it helps to ensure there are always enough ingredients to prepare dishes without overstocking, reducing waste and cost, and maintaining consistent food quality for customer satisfaction.

How to Improve Inventory Management Skills

Improving inventory management in a restaurant setting involves streamlining processes to ensure efficiency, reduce waste, and save costs. Here are concise steps for a restaurant worker to enhance inventory management:

1. Utilize Inventory Management Software: Adopt software designed for restaurants to track inventory in real-time, forecast needs, and automate orders. Toast and Restaurant365 are popular options.

2. Implement FIFO (First In, First Out): Ensure older stock is used before newer deliveries to reduce spoilage. FIFO Method explains this concept well.

3. Conduct Regular Audits: Regularly compare physical inventory with what's recorded in your management system to catch discrepancies early. TouchBistro offers guidance on conducting audits.

4. Train Your Staff: Ensure all staff members are trained on proper inventory management practices to maintain consistency and accountability. WebstaurantStore provides resources for staff training.

5. Optimize Your Menu: Analyze inventory usage to identify and eliminate underperforming dishes, streamlining your inventory needs. Menu Engineering can guide you through optimizing your menu based on inventory management.

6. Negotiate with Suppliers: Build good relationships with suppliers and negotiate for better prices or bulk purchasing discounts. Reliant Funding gives tips on negotiating with vendors.

7. Set Par Levels: Determine the minimum amount of each item you need on hand and reorder before dipping below this level. Square explains how to set and use par levels effectively.

By following these steps and utilizing the resources provided, restaurant workers can significantly improve their inventory management practices, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective operation.

How to Display Inventory Management Skills on Your Resume

10. Cash Handling

Cash handling, in the context of a restaurant worker, refers to the process of managing and processing all cash transactions, including receiving payments from customers, giving correct change, and ensuring the accuracy and security of the cash drawer.

Why It's Important

Cash handling is crucial for a restaurant worker to ensure accurate financial transactions, prevent theft, and maintain customer trust.

How to Improve Cash Handling Skills

Improving cash handling for a restaurant worker involves a few straightforward steps aimed at minimizing errors and enhancing security. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Use a Cash Counting Machine: Streamline the process and reduce errors by using a cash counting machine for larger volumes of cash. Cash Management Systems.

2. Implement a Drop Safe: Secure large bills and excess cash in a drop safe throughout the shift to minimize loss and theft. Drop Safe Practices.

3. Regular Audits: Schedule regular cash drawer audits to ensure accuracy and deter theft. Cash Handling Best Practices.

4. Training: Provide comprehensive training on cash handling procedures, including proper counting methods, transaction recording, and counterfeit detection. Effective Cash Handling.

5. Clear Policies: Establish clear, written cash handling policies and procedures, accessible to all staff. Writing Policies.

6. Use POS Systems: Employ Point of Sale (POS) systems for tracking transactions, which helps in reducing errors and theft. POS Benefits.

By focusing on these areas, restaurant workers can significantly improve their handling of cash, making the process more efficient and secure.

How to Display Cash Handling Skills on Your Resume

11. Bilingual Communication

Bilingual communication for a restaurant worker involves using two languages to interact effectively with customers and colleagues, ensuring clear understanding and service efficiency in a diverse linguistic environment.

Why It's Important

Bilingual communication in a restaurant setting enhances customer service by allowing workers to effectively interact with a diverse clientele, meet their specific needs, and provide a welcoming and inclusive dining experience.

How to Improve Bilingual Communication Skills

Improving bilingual communication, especially for a restaurant worker, involves enhancing both language proficiency and cultural understanding. Here are concise tips:

1. Learn Key Phrases: Focus on learning essential phrases and questions in the target language related to the restaurant industry. 50languages offers basic phrases across many languages.

2. Use Language Apps: Utilize language learning apps like Duolingo or Babbel for regular practice and improvement.

3. Practice Active Listening: Improve understanding by listening to conversations, music, or podcasts in the target language. TuneIn provides access to radio stations globally.

4. Cultural Awareness: Understanding cultural nuances can enhance communication. Resources like Culture Crossing provide insights into cultural norms and practices.

5. Visual Aids: Use pictures, menus with photos, or gestures to aid communication when words fail.

6. Feedback and Practice: Regularly converse with bilingual coworkers or friends and ask for feedback on pronunciation and grammar.

By combining these strategies, restaurant workers can significantly improve their bilingual communication skills, leading to better customer service and workplace efficiency.

How to Display Bilingual Communication Skills on Your Resume

12. Tableau (for data analysis/reporting in management roles)

Tableau is a powerful data visualization tool that allows restaurant workers to easily create and share interactive charts and reports, helping them understand sales, customer preferences, and operational efficiency to make better business decisions.

Why It's Important

Tableau helps restaurant workers quickly visualize and understand their sales, inventory, and customer feedback data, enabling them to make informed decisions to improve service, optimize menu offerings, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.

How to Improve Tableau (for data analysis/reporting in management roles) Skills

Improving your Tableau skills for data analysis and reporting in a management role, particularly in a restaurant context, involves focusing on specific areas to enhance your ability to visualize and understand your business data. Here's a concise guide:

1. Learn Tableau Basics: Start with understanding the core functionalities of Tableau. Focus on data import, basic visualizations, and dashboard creation. Tableau Training and Tutorials offer a great starting point.

2. Understand Your Data: Know the key metrics that matter for a restaurant, such as sales trends, popular dishes, customer demographics, and peak hours. This knowledge will guide you in creating meaningful reports.

3. Advanced Visualization Techniques: Dive deeper into Tableau's advanced visualization tools like heat maps or time series analysis to uncover patterns or trends. The Tableau Visual Guidebook provides insights into powerful visualizations.

4. Dashboard Design: Learn how to design dashboards that are not only informative but also visually appealing and easy to understand. Focus on layout, color use, and interactivity. Dashboard Design Best Practices by Tableau is a valuable resource.

5. Data Storytelling: Master the art of data storytelling to make your reports compelling. This involves presenting data in a way that highlights key findings and drives action. Explore resources like The Big Book of Dashboards for inspiration.

6. Practice with Real Data: Apply your skills by working with your restaurant's actual data. Experiment with different types of analyses and visualizations to gain insights that can help improve business operations.

7. Join the Community: Engage with the Tableau Community (Tableau Community Forums) to learn from others, share your work, and get feedback.

8. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest Tableau features and best practices by regularly visiting the Tableau Blog.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your Tableau skills, enabling you to create more effective and insightful data reports for your restaurant management role.

How to Display Tableau (for data analysis/reporting in management roles) Skills on Your Resume