Top 12 Waitress Skills to Put on Your Resume

Hospitality moves fast. Guests expect warmth, accuracy, and rhythm, all at once. A resume that hums with real waitress skills cuts through the noise. Below you’ll find twelve core abilities that sharpen service, lift check averages, and leave tables smiling as they wave goodbye.

Waitress Skills

1. POS Systems
2. OpenTable
3. Customer Service
4. Time Management
5. Multitasking
6. Sales Techniques
7. Conflict Resolution
8. Teamwork
9. Stress Tolerance
10. Memory
11. Flexibility
12. Detail-Oriented

1. POS Systems

A POS (Point of Sale) system is the digital backbone of service—taking orders, sending tickets, splitting checks, processing payments, and keeping the flow tight.

Why It's Important

A strong grip on POS cuts errors, speeds table turns, supports accurate billing, and frees you to focus on guests instead of fumbling with screens.

How to Improve POS Systems Skills

1. Master the flow: Learn order screens, modifiers, seat numbers, split checks, and comps. Shortcuts matter.

2. Go mobile: If your restaurant offers tableside ordering, practice it. Fewer steps, cleaner tickets.

3. Own payments: Be fluent with tap-to-pay, gift cards, partial payments, and splitting by item or seat.

4. Track changes: Stay alert to 86’d items and real-time menu updates so guests get accurate info the first time.

5. Keep learning: Ask for refreshers, quick tip sheets, and support contacts so hiccups don’t derail service.

How to Display POS Systems Skills on Your Resume

2. OpenTable

OpenTable is a reservation and table management platform that helps organize guest bookings, seating, and turn times.

Why It's Important

It reduces overbooking, trims wait times, and gives the front-of-house a live view of the room, which keeps the shift smoother and guests calmer.

How to Improve OpenTable Skills

1. Know the map: Learn the floor plan, table status colors, and pacing so seating stays balanced.

2. Work the waitlist: Quote honest times, update them, and notify promptly. Expectations make or break moods.

3. Capture details: Add notes on allergies, celebrations, and preferences so service feels personal.

4. Manage in real time: Adjust reservations, turns, and holds quickly when the room shifts.

5. Review reports: Check covers, no-shows, and seating patterns to improve future shifts.

How to Display OpenTable Skills on Your Resume

3. Customer Service

Customer service, for a waitress, means anticipating needs, communicating clearly, and guiding the dining experience from hello to goodnight.

Why It's Important

It drives repeat visits, word-of-mouth, and higher tips—plus a great reputation for the house.

How to Improve Customer Service Skills

1. Listen like it matters: Confirm requests and preferences out loud.

2. Know the menu: Ingredients, allergens, modifications, pacing. Confidence builds trust.

3. Set expectations: Quote wait times, check timing, and explain delays before they sting.

4. Mind your nonverbals: Eye contact, posture, and tone carry weight.

5. Check back smartly: Early bite-back, mid-meal touch, and pre-close pass make guests feel looked after.

6. Recover fast: Apologize, offer solutions within policy, and follow up to close the loop.

7. Invite feedback: Capture it, share it, improve it.

How to Display Customer Service Skills on Your Resume

4. Time Management

Time management means sequencing tasks—orders, runs, refills, payments—so everything lands hot, accurate, and on time.

Why It's Important

Better timing lifts table turns, trims stress, and keeps quality high across a busy section.

How to Improve Time Management Skills

1. Triaging: Prioritize by heat, distance, and guest impact. Urgent first, then important.

2. Batch errands: Combine trips—pre-bus, drop checks, run drinks—in one efficient pass.

3. Prep habits: Stock pens, sleeves, garnishes, and sidework tools so you don’t stall mid-shift.

4. Signal with the team: Call backs to expo, coordinate with runners, and trade tasks when double-sat.

5. Use cues: Timers, seat numbers, and mental checkpoints keep you ahead of the clock.

6. Ask early: When the wheels wobble, get help before things tip.

7. Protect stamina: Sleep, hydrate, move. A sharp brain saves minutes.

How to Display Time Management Skills on Your Resume

5. Multitasking

Multitasking is juggling multiple threads—taking orders, running food, answering questions—without dropping accuracy or hospitality.

Why It's Important

It keeps the floor moving and guests satisfied, even when the room surges.

How to Improve Multitasking Skills

1. One-touch rule: If you pick it up (task or item), move it forward before you set it down.

2. Two-minute resets: Use tiny lulls to restock, wipe, and reorganize so chaos can’t build.

3. Memory anchors: Lock seat numbers and pivot points to anchor orders.

4. Checklists: Short, repeatable lists reduce mental noise.

5. Calm the system: Box breathing or a single deep breath resets focus in seconds.

6. Drill the flow: Practice during slower shifts—fake double-sat sequences, timed runs, mock order-taking.

How to Display Multitasking Skills on Your Resume

6. Sales Techniques

Sales techniques blend hospitality with guidance—suggesting add-ons, framing choices, and matching tastes to menu highlights.

Why It's Important

Guests discover new favorites, checks rise naturally, and the experience feels curated rather than pushed.

How to Improve Sales Techniques Skills

1. Start with discovery: Ask what they’re in the mood for—light, bold, savory, sweet.

2. Tailor recommendations: Pair dishes and drinks that complement each other and the guest’s cues.

3. Suggest, don’t shove: “If you like X, you might love Y.” Natural, specific, upbeat.

4. Frame choices: Offer two appealing options to make decisions easy.

5. Close softly: Before checks, invite dessert, coffee, or a digestif. Timing sells.

6. Track results: Note what lands, refine what doesn’t, and share wins with the team.

How to Display Sales Techniques Skills on Your Resume

7. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is the art of turning friction—wrong orders, delays, mismatched expectations—into a repaired experience.

Why It's Important

Handled well, small problems stay small, guests feel respected, and the restaurant’s reputation stays polished.

How to Improve Conflict Resolution Skills

1. Hear first: Let the guest finish. Reflect back what you heard.

2. Stay steady: Calm tone, open posture, zero defensiveness.

3. Empathize: Name the feeling—“I get why that’s frustrating.”

4. Offer options: Remake, replace, alternative dish, or an on-policy comp. Choice restores control.

5. Loop back: Check satisfaction after the fix. Thank them for the chance to make it right.

6. Capture lessons: Share patterns with the team so issues fade, not repeat.

How to Display Conflict Resolution Skills on Your Resume

8. Teamwork

Teamwork means a tight front-of-house and kitchen rhythm—clean handoffs, quick support, clear signals.

Why It's Important

It prevents bottlenecks, speeds service, and makes the shift safer and saner for everyone.

How to Improve Teamwork Skills

1. Huddle up: Use pre-shift briefs to call specials, covers, and pinch points.

2. Define roles: Who runs food, who seats, who floats—clarity avoids collisions.

3. Hand off cleanly: When switching sections or breaks, transfer key notes and open tasks.

4. Back each other up: Run a tray, pre-bus a neighbor’s table, refill waters in passing.

5. Trade feedback: Short, specific, respectful notes—plus quick praise when something shines.

6. Cross-train: Learn expo, host flow, basic bar or coffee station to flex when needed.

How to Display Teamwork Skills on Your Resume

9. Stress Tolerance

Stress tolerance is staying clear-headed when the board is full, the line is long, and the timing is tight.

Why It's Important

Composure under pressure protects accuracy, tone, and guest trust, even in the weeds.

How to Improve Stress Tolerance Skills

1. Control the breath: Try box breathing—four in, four hold, four out, four hold.

2. Take micro-breaks: Ten seconds to reset posture, unclench the jaw, sip water.

3. Fuel wisely: Hydrate and keep a light, steady snack plan to avoid energy crashes.

4. Use a cue phrase: A quick mental script—“one table at a time”—cuts panic loops.

5. Decompress post-shift: Stretch, short walk, or quiet time to discharge adrenaline.

6. Know your limits: Flag a manager early when capacity is surpassed.

How to Display Stress Tolerance Skills on Your Resume

10. Memory

Memory is recalling orders, modifiers, faces, and preferences without breaking stride.

Why It's Important

Sharper recall equals fewer mistakes, faster service, and a more personal touch.

How to Improve Memory Skills

1. Map the table: Lock seat numbers and use pivot points for clean, accurate ringing.

2. Echo orders: Repeat back key details to the guest and yourself.

3. Chunk info: Group items—apps together, drinks together—to remember faster.

4. Visualize plates: Picture the dish as you ring it to confirm details mentally.

5. Write smart: When it’s heavy, jot concise notes. Pride is pricey; accuracy isn’t.

6. Protect your brain: Sleep, move, and hydrate—memory depends on it.

How to Display Memory Skills on Your Resume

11. Flexibility

Flexibility is adapting to shifting covers, menu changes, and last-second surprises—without losing pace or poise.

Why It's Important

Shifts rarely go to script. Flexibility keeps service seamless when the plan bends.

How to Improve Flexibility Skills

1. Warm up dynamically: Quick leg swings, arm circles, hip openers before the shift.

2. Stretch after: Hit hamstrings, quads, shoulders, and lower back—15–30 seconds each.

3. Try simple yoga: Routines with Downward Dog, Pigeon, and Cat-Cow build mobility and ease tension.

4. Mind ergonomics: Supportive shoes, balanced tray carries, and smart lifting.

5. Cross-train and pivot: Learn neighboring roles and stay open to schedule shifts.

How to Display Flexibility Skills on Your Resume

12. Detail-Oriented

Detail-oriented means catching the small stuff—temps, modifiers, allergen notes, table alignment—before it becomes big stuff.

Why It's Important

Precision avoids remakes, builds trust, and elevates the whole experience.

How to Improve Detail-Oriented Skills

1. Run a pre-drop check: Verify temps, sides, sauces, and seat numbers before you leave the pass.

2. Mind presentation: Wipe rims, align plates, and reset tables with intention.

3. Watch timing: Course pacing and ticket times deserve a constant glance.

4. Sweep for cleanliness: Menus, condiments, and corners—little shines go far.

5. Note the moments: Birthdays, anniversaries, regulars’ favorites—log and remember.

6. Stay current: Study menu updates and policy tweaks so details stay crisp.

How to Display Detail-Oriented Skills on Your Resume