The Pongo Blog
10 Ways to Describe Fast Food Experience on a Resume
May 11, 2010 (2:50PM) by Julie O'Malley, CPRW
Fast food service may be the classic stereotype of an unskilled job, but plenty of people have launched their professional lives by flipping burgers, making pizzas, or doling out donuts.
It might feel as if you're just pressing buttons and wrapping up greasy products while wearing a silly hat. But fast food experience is actually a good way to develop a variety of skills that can transfer into other fields.
Here are 10 resume-worthy descriptions of fast food skills you might not have considered:
- Maintained high standards of customer service during high-volume, fast-paced operations
- Communicated clearly and positively with coworkers and management
- Mastered point-of-service (POS) computer system for automated order taking
- Handled currency and credit transactions quickly and accurately
- Followed procedures for safe food preparation, assembly, and presentation
- Assisted management with inventory control and stock ordering
- Built loyal clientele through friendly interactions and consistent appreciation
- Resolved complaints promptly and professionally
- Cross-trained and coordinated scheduling with team members to ensure seamless service
- Took initiative to find extra tasks when scheduled duties were completed
It's not that you're trying to fool anyone. After all, as soon as someone sees Tastee McBurger Palace on your resume, they'll know what was in your job description.
But if you describe your experience in professional terms, you'll set yourself apart by showing that you understand—and possess—the skills and traits that can make someone a valuable employee in any field.
Are there other resume-worthy fast food skills that should be on this list? If you've made the transition from fast food into a different field, post a comment below to let us know what you think!
RELATED LINKS
Writing a Resume When You Have No Experience
Writing a Resume When You Haven't Worked for Years
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This is exactly the example I use in my resume workshops with students to illustrate using accomplishments (team won drive-thru efficiency award in October, won Secret Shopper customer service award, promoted to night shift supervisor with responsibility to cash-out registers) vs listing tasks (salted the french fries, loaded napkin holders, cleaned milk shake machine). Always gets a laugh but also seems to make an impression & drives home 2 points 1) every job has the possibility of positioning the seeker as a great candidate and 2) accomplishments speak about what the job seeker brought to the table.
I also recommend students include training i.e. if they were asked to train new employees. Most students don't think of that as an accomplishment.
Posted by: Charlotte Quigley | May 12, 2010 at 7:43 AM | Quote This Comment
@Charlotte Quigley
Those are some great examples, Charlotte. Training new employees should definitely be in that list, and as you say, any awards or promotions for sure!
Thanks! --Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | May 12, 2010 at 8:58 AM | Quote This Comment
Julie, wholeheartedly agree that one should not hide their fast food experience. As a former McD store manager that many years ago there is a lot to be said about the experience you gain. To add to your list, working in a dynamic, fast-paced, operating environment; customer service or customer relationship management (CRM); basic production skills, whether food or cars, you use the same basic production principles; team building and interaction... I would say to this day I can use in an interview how I formed my basic CRM skills from my McD. This is especially true for working with difficult customers--the adage the customer is always right I've changed by adding at the end "you have to teach them what you can or cannot do." Thank you.
Posted by: Ron Bransford | July 08, 2010 at 10:19 AM | Quote This Comment
@ Ron Bransford
Great points, Ron! I like your addition to the "customer is always right..." adage.
Thanks for commenting!
Julie
Posted by: Julie O'Malley | July 08, 2010 at 11:30 AM | Quote This Comment
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Posted by: Pizza delivery bags | September 22, 2011 at 5:09 PM | Quote This Comment
This was awesome information! I have been at the same job for the last three years and in that short amount of time i have seen the changes in resume building and i have felt so bad about not having an updated resume because i was, for lack of better words, scared. However, im learning that its not about what you know or your experience all the time, its how you present yourself to the employer. I am nervous because I want to leave my job, but I want a job that gives me similar pay and benefits. Its hard out here when you see everyday on the news all the tips to filling out apps and creating your resume. its very intimidating. So i just thank you for putting this information together for people like me who need help w/ resume building. God bless you!
Posted by: Dorothy | February 28, 2012 at 12:11 PM | Quote This Comment
Posted by: dwimley | April 13, 2012 at 2:20 PM | Quote This Comment