How to add "waitress" to professional resume?

How to add "waitress" to professional resume?

by Jennifer
(Largo, FL)

I worked for 11 years in finance and have an MBA...but because of the recession, I have been a waitress for the past year. Should I add that experience to my professional resume (and how) to show potential employers that I have been working?

ANSWER: Well, I think it's always better to list even an unrelated job than to show an employment gap. It does show a certain strength and motivation to keep working. You would list it just like you list any other job. In your cover letter, you can explain why you took such an unrelated job. Good luck!

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How to add "waitress" to professional resume?

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Jul 10, 2010

Tie in the skills from waitressing that will matter
by: Joye

First of all, as a former recruiter I applaud you for taking a job during this tough economic time, rather than holding out for the ideal job. You've answered a key question to employers - that you are employable and are willing to work. When an employee has a long skills gap, it raises a red flag of WHY you've been out of work for so long.

As a gap can be for a lot of reasons besides the high unemployment rate, taking on any job is better than having no job with a long gap.

Now, what I am going to recommend to you is this: I want you to list under the waitress job, the transferrable skills you've gained during this time. More importantly, list accomplishments that matter. For instance, an obvious choice would be the customer service skills you've gained, or the financial skills you've kept sharped. Have you ever turned a bad customer service experience into an outstanding one for the guest?

Another factor; do you have a "regular" customer from that restaurant who asks for you as their waitress? Are you at a stage where that customer would be comfortable being a reference or to write a letter of recommendation for you (don't ask if this will damage your relationship).

Good luck to you. I admire people who are willing to do whatever it takes to make it through this difficult time.

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