Top 12 Server Assistant Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's competitive hospitality industry, having a well-crafted resume is crucial for server assistants aiming to stand out. Spotlighting a practical blend of tech know-how and people skills, tuned to the real rhythms of the job, can lift your application and make hiring managers pause in the best way.

Server Assistant Skills

1. POS Systems
2. OpenTable
3. Tableau
4. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
5. Microsoft Excel
6. Reservation Management
7. Inventory Management Software
8. Food Safety Compliance
9. Bilingual Communication
10. Conflict Resolution
11. Time Management
12. Team Collaboration

1. POS Systems

A POS (Point of Sale) system is the digital hub for taking orders, sending tickets, processing payments, and tracking inventory. For a Server Assistant, it speeds up order entry, smooths table management, and keeps the front and back of house synced.

Why It's Important

POS systems cut errors, sharpen speed, and keep communication crisp between servers, support, and the kitchen—leading to faster turns and happier guests.

How to Improve POS Systems Skills

Build confidence and speed with a POS by focusing on:

1. Integration: Make sure the POS connects with inventory, accounting, scheduling, and loyalty tools so data stays consistent and work isn’t duplicated.

2. User-Friendly Interface: Learn shortcuts, customize quick buttons, and keep menus tidy to reduce taps and mistakes.

3. Mobility: Use handhelds or tablets for tableside ordering and payments to reduce wait times and double entry.

4. Customization: Tailor menus, modifiers, table layouts, and staff permissions to match the restaurant’s flow.

5. Security: Follow secure payment practices, update software regularly, and protect logins and access levels.

6. Support: Know how to reach help quickly and keep a basic troubleshooting checklist handy during service.

Do this well and the POS becomes invisible—just smooth, fast service.

How to Display POS Systems Skills on Your Resume

2. OpenTable

OpenTable is a reservation and table management platform that helps restaurants book guests, manage seating, and coordinate service. For Server Assistants, it clarifies which tables are coming up, what’s next, and where help is needed.

Why It's Important

It streamlines reservations and table assignments, trims wait times, and gives the team a live picture of the floor—so guests feel cared for and service runs tighter.

How to Improve OpenTable Skills

Turn OpenTable into a steady advantage with:

1. Live Status Updates: Mark tables as seated, coursed, or ready quickly to keep the host stand and servers aligned.

2. Smart Seating: Adjust floor plans and pacing in real time to handle large parties, walk-ins, and special requests without chaos.

3. Notes and Preferences: Add guest notes (occasions, allergies, seating preferences) so service can personalize without guesswork.

4. Automated Confirmations: Use confirmations and reminders to cut no-shows and smooth arrival waves.

5. Ongoing Training: Practice the features you use most—waitlist tools, turn-time estimates, and table optimization.

Make it a habit and the front door hums, even when it’s slammed.

How to Display OpenTable Skills on Your Resume

3. Tableau

Tableau is a data visualization tool that turns messy numbers into clear, interactive dashboards. In hospitality, it’s often used to spot patterns—peak hours, popular items, labor needs—so teams plan better.

Why It's Important

Understanding simple dashboards helps Server Assistants anticipate rushes, prep sections, and support servers where it matters most.

How to Improve Tableau Skills

Keep it practical and performance-minded:

1. Use Extracts: Work with clean, summarized data to speed up dashboards.

2. Record Performance: Identify slow worksheets and trim heavy filters or complex calculations.

3. Tune Caching: Balance freshness with speed for reports that don’t need second-by-second updates.

4. Right-Size Resources: Ensure dashboards used during service load quickly and are simple to read at a glance.

5. Security Basics: Limit access by role and protect any guest data.

6. Teach the Team: Share quick tips on reading key charts like covers per hour or item mix.

Fast, clear visuals mean fewer surprises and smarter prep.

How to Display Tableau Skills on Your Resume

4. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is the habit and toolkit for tracking guest interactions and preferences to deliver service that feels personal and consistent.

Why It's Important

It helps you remember names, anticipate needs, and turn one visit into many—without guesswork or gaps in communication.

How to Improve Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Skills

Make CRM tangible on the floor:

1. Personalize: Note regulars’ favorites, allergies, seating preferences, and pace. Use those details next time.

2. Collect Feedback: Ask, listen, and log quick takeaways so the next visit is better than the last.

3. Sharpen Communication: Practice concise, warm phrasing and active listening.

4. Leverage Tools: Use the house CRM or guest notes consistently—clean, accurate, up to date.

5. Problem-Solve Fast: Own issues, fix them quickly, and follow up.

Great CRM feels invisible to guests but unforgettable afterward.

How to Display Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Skills on Your Resume

5. Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet tool for organizing, analyzing, and presenting data—useful for tracking inventory, prep lists, side work, sales, and schedules.

Why It's Important

It turns scattered notes into clean, clear reports and helps you spot patterns quickly—what’s low, what’s selling, what needs prep.

How to Improve Microsoft Excel Skills

Level up with the essentials:

1. Clean Data Entry: Use consistent formats, data validation, and basic shortcuts to move faster.

2. Core Functions: Get comfortable with SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, IF, and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP.

3. PivotTables: Summarize orders, items, and shifts with quick pivots.

4. Charts: Visualize trends with simple bar or line charts for easy sharing.

5. Conditional Formatting: Highlight low stock, overdue tasks, or outliers automatically.

6. Macros (Basics): Automate repetitive steps when it saves real time.

Practice with real data from service. Build tiny tools you’ll actually use.

How to Display Microsoft Excel Skills on Your Resume

6. Reservation Management

Reservation management is the art of organizing bookings, pacing the door, and setting the room for smooth service. For a Server Assistant, that means prepping tables to spec, syncing with the host, and staying ahead of the next wave.

Why It's Important

Done well, it trims waits, boosts turns, and lowers stress across the floor—guests notice the calm, not the scramble.

How to Improve Reservation Management Skills

Make the door and dining room work together:

1. Use a Solid System: Keep reservations, waitlist, and floor plan in one place with live updates.

2. Confirm and Remind: Reduce no-shows with confirmations, reminders, and clear policies.

3. Update Floor Plans: Adjust layouts on the fly for large parties, accessibility needs, and special occasions.

4. Coordinate Constantly: Share status with hosts and servers—pre-bus, reset, and stage tables before they’re needed.

5. Review and Improve: After shifts, note patterns (bottlenecks, pacing mismatches) and tweak procedures.

Predict the rush, and the rush gets easier.

How to Display Reservation Management Skills on Your Resume

7. Inventory Management Software

Inventory management software tracks stock levels, orders, and movement so the right items are on hand without piling up waste.

Why It's Important

For Server Assistants, it keeps pars honest, supports accurate 86s, and helps the team serve without awkward apologies.

How to Improve Inventory Management Software Skills

Raise accuracy and speed:

1. Integrate Systems: Connect POS, purchasing, and inventory so counts update automatically.

2. Automate Reorders: Set thresholds and reminders to restock staples before they run dry.

3. Use Simple Dashboards: Highlight low stock, fast movers, and variances clearly.

4. Design for Ease: Keep item names, units, and categories consistent; use barcode scanning if available.

5. Enable Mobile: Do counts and updates from the floor or storage, not after the fact.

6. Scale and Customize: Tailor locations, recipes, and vendor lists to match how your operation runs.

7. Protect Data: Set permissions and back up regularly.

Accurate counts mean fewer surprises and tighter margins.

How to Display Inventory Management Software Skills on Your Resume

8. Food Safety Compliance

Food Safety Compliance means following health codes and safe practices—clean hands, clean tools, correct storage, and tight temperature control—to prevent foodborne illness.

Why It's Important

It protects guests, shields the business, and builds trust. One slip can ripple through reviews, inspections, and morale.

How to Improve Food Safety Compliance Skills

Keep standards high, always:

1. Hygiene First: Wash hands properly, change gloves when needed, and don’t work sick.

2. Prevent Cross-Contamination: Separate raw and ready-to-eat foods; use dedicated tools and color coding.

3. Temperature Control: Log hot and cold holding, cooling, and reheating; calibrate thermometers.

4. Storage Discipline: Label, date, and store food correctly (FIFO, sealed containers, proper shelving).

5. Allergen Awareness: Know common allergens, avoid cross-contact, and communicate clearly with guests.

6. Train and Refresh: Take regular safety training and practice what you learn on the floor.

Safe habits baked into every shift. Non-negotiable.

How to Display Food Safety Compliance Skills on Your Resume

9. Bilingual Communication

Bilingual communication is the ability to serve and support guests and teammates in two languages, bridging gaps quickly and respectfully.

Why It's Important

It widens hospitality’s reach, reduces misunderstandings, and makes more guests feel at home—fast.

How to Improve Bilingual Communication Skills

Grow fluency where it counts:

1. Daily Practice: Speak both languages regularly; use real service scenarios.

2. Learn the Lingo: Focus on menu items, allergens, cooking methods, and hospitality phrases.

3. Cultural Cues: Understand etiquette and tone differences to avoid friction.

4. Invite Feedback: Ask coworkers to correct mistakes kindly and keep learning.

5. Use Tools Wisely: Keep quick references or translation aids for tricky moments.

6. Mirror in Writing: Offer bilingual materials—menus, signage, training notes—when possible.

Clarity beats speed. Respect beats perfection.

How to Display Bilingual Communication Skills on Your Resume

10. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution means tackling tough moments—between staff or with guests—calmly and quickly, so service keeps flowing.

Why It's Important

Handled well, small flare-ups end fast. The vibe stays positive, and guests feel looked after rather than stuck in the crossfire.

How to Improve Conflict Resolution Skills

Keep your cool and get to resolution:

1. Listen Fully: Let people talk without cutting in; paraphrase to confirm understanding.

2. Show Empathy: Acknowledge feelings and focus on shared goals—great service, fair outcomes.

3. Stay Neutral: Avoid blame; stick to facts and impact.

4. Be Clear: Use simple, direct language to reduce confusion.

5. Offer Options: Present workable solutions and choose the best fit together.

6. Follow Up: Check back to ensure the fix holds.

De-escalate first, solve second, document when needed.

How to Display Conflict Resolution Skills on Your Resume

11. Time Management

Time management for a Server Assistant is the daily juggle—prioritizing tasks, anticipating needs, and moving with purpose without dropping quality.

Why It's Important

It keeps the room humming, trims delays, and frees servers to focus on guests instead of fires.

How to Improve Time Management Skills

Work smarter under pressure:

1. Prioritize: Identify must-do tasks at the start of each shift; tackle high-impact items first.

2. Batch and Block: Group similar tasks (pre-bus runs, resets) and assign short time blocks.

3. Multitask Wisely: Pair compatible tasks (carry, wipe, reset) without sacrificing accuracy.

4. Communicate: Call needs early—water refills, expo backup, table turns—to avoid pileups.

5. Use Checklists: Keep simple side-work lists visible and updated.

A calm plan makes the busy feel manageable.

How to Display Time Management Skills on Your Resume

12. Team Collaboration

Team collaboration is tight coordination with servers, hosts, expo, and kitchen so guests experience one smooth service, not separate parts.

Why It's Important

Good collaboration shrinks errors, speeds turns, and builds a supportive culture that guests can feel at the table.

How to Improve Team Collaboration Skills

Help the team move as one:

1. Use Shared Tools: Keep communications clear with team messaging and simple task boards (e.g., Slack, Trello) if your workplace uses them.

2. Regular Huddles: Quick pre-shift and post-shift check-ins align priorities and surface issues early.

3. Define Roles: Clarify who handles what and when; document responsibilities where everyone can see them.

4. Encourage Openness: Invite ideas and feedback; fix processes, not people.

5. Train Together: Cross-train on basic tasks so coverage is easier when the rush hits.

When everyone shares the load, service feels lighter—and faster.

How to Display Team Collaboration Skills on Your Resume