A Waiter or Barista is the face of a café, restaurant, or bar, responsible for taking orders accurately, preparing and serving food and drinks, handling payments, and making every customer feel welcome. In a busy shift you might serve 80–150 covers or pull 200 espresso-based drinks, manage table turnover, upsell specials, and keep the floor spotless. The role demands speed, accuracy, and genuine hospitality. You report to a Supervisor, Floor Manager, or Head Barista depending on the venue.
Liam Murphy
Senior Waiter & Barista
📍 Edinburgh, UK✉️ liam.murphy@email.com
Summary
Enthusiastic hospitality professional with 3 years of experience in high-volume restaurants and specialty coffee shops. Known for excellent customer rapport, upselling ability, and latte art skills.
Work Experience
Senior Waiter at The IvyJun 2023 — Present
Serve 60+ covers per shift in fine-dining environment maintaining 4.8/5 guest satisfaction
Achieve highest upselling revenue in team averaging £400+ in wine recommendations per shift
Barista at Artisan Coffee CoSep 2021 — May 2023
Prepared 200+ specialty drinks daily maintaining consistent quality and presentation
Achieved SCA Barista Level 2 certification and won internal latte art competition
Waiter and Barista CVs need to show customer focus, reliability, and commercial awareness. Recruiters want to see the type of venue, covers per shift, and any evidence of upselling ability or service awards.
Key Skills to Include
Customer service, food and beverage knowledge, allergen awareness, POS systems, cash handling, upselling, barista skills, wine knowledge, and team collaboration.
Common Mistakes
Writing a CV that just lists duties. Every waiter takes orders and serves food. Show what makes you stand out: your upsell figures, customer feedback scores, or training responsibilities.
Formatting Tips
One page. Keep it concise and focus on your most recent and relevant roles. Include any food safety or barista certifications prominently.
Average Salary — Waiter / Barista
United States
$28,000 – $45,000
United Kingdom
$20,000 – $28,000
Germany
$22,000 – $32,000
UAE / Dubai
$18,000 – $30,000
Canada
$28,000 – $40,000
Australia
$38,000 – $50,000
Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.
Top 5 Interview Questions — Waiter / Barista
1How do you handle a customer complaint about their food or drink?
Lead with listening — let them explain without interrupting. Apologise sincerely, fix the problem quickly, and involve a manager if needed. Show you see complaints as a chance to recover loyalty, not a personal attack.
2Describe a time the venue was fully slammed and something went wrong at the same time.
Show your ability to stay composed under pressure. Walk through what happened, how you prioritised, and what the outcome was. A specific story is far more convincing than a claim that you work well under pressure.
3What coffee equipment have you worked with and what extraction variables do you adjust?
Name the machines — La Marzocca, Synesso, Victoria Arduino — and talk about grind size, dose, and yield. If you've dialled in single origins or managed a brew bar, say so. Specialty shops care about this.
4How do you handle a table who is clearly unhappy with the wait time?
Proactive communication is key. Acknowledge the wait before they complain, give an honest update, and where you can, bring something small while they wait. Show ownership without overpromising.
5What do you know about our menu or coffee offering?
Research the venue before the interview. Mention specific dishes, beans, or brewing methods they're known for. This question separates candidates who actually want this job from those who just want any job.
How to Tailor Your CV
Specialty chains like Blank Street Coffee and Caravan want latte art skills, knowledge of filter coffee, and a genuine passion for quality — mention any barista competitions or SCA training. Restaurants like Dishoom or Hawksmoor value upselling ability and experience in high-volume fine casual settings. Hotel groups such as Marriott or Hilton prioritise formal service training, silver service, and consistency with brand standards.