How to Land Your First Restaurant Job with No Experience
by Buca Stoyanovich
724 words • 4 min read
Breaking into the restaurant industry can feel intimidating if you’ve never worked in food service before. You might be thinking:
“Why would a restaurant hire me if I don’t have experience?”
The truth is, many people start their careers in restaurants with little to no background. Managers know that most first-time applicants are just looking for an opportunity to prove themselves. What they really care about is whether you’ll show up, work hard, and be willing to learn.
If you’re ready to land your first restaurant job, here’s how to do it — even without prior experience.
1. Start with Entry-Level Roles
Not every job requires a background in food service. Many positions are designed for beginners and focus on reliability and attitude over skills.
Common first-time roles include:
- Host/Hostess – Greeting guests and managing reservations.
- Busser/Food Runner – Supporting servers and keeping the dining room running smoothly.
- Dishwasher – A behind-the-scenes role that’s essential to every restaurant.
- Cashier (fast casual/quick service) – Taking orders, handling payments, and helping with light prep.
These jobs are excellent starting points. Many experienced servers, bartenders, and even managers began in one of these roles.
2. Highlight the Skills You Already Have
Even if you’ve never worked in a restaurant, you likely have transferable skills that matter to hiring managers:
- Reliability & Punctuality – Being on time is one of the most valuable traits.
- Communication & Friendliness – Key for guest-facing roles.
- Teamwork & Work Ethic – Restaurants run on collaboration and support.
- Attention to Detail – Small things, like remembering an order or keeping a station clean, go a long way.
Tip: Think about times you’ve demonstrated these skills in school, volunteering, or other jobs. They belong on your resume, even if you’ve never stepped foot in a kitchen professionally.
3. Applying for Restaurant Jobs the Easy Way
Traditionally, people would walk into restaurants and hand out resumes. That can still work, but it’s not always efficient — especially if you’re applying to multiple places.
A simpler way is to search online for restaurants actively hiring entry-level workers. Restaurant Info lists open positions across different roles, and you can apply directly without guessing whether a place is hiring.
The benefit? You save time, avoid awkward cold calls, and connect directly with managers who are looking for people like you.
4. Build a Resume That Fits Restaurant Work
You don’t need a long resume to land your first job. A single page that highlights your skills and attitude is plenty. Include:
- Education (school, training, certifications).
- Customer service experience (retail, babysitting, volunteering).
- Transferable skills (teamwork, reliability, communication).
If you’re unsure how to format it, our Resume Builder can guide you through the process. It's especially helpful if this is your first time putting one together.
5. Nail the Interview with Attitude
Managers don’t expect you to know everything on day one. What they want to see is enthusiasm, commitment, and a willingness to learn.
During your interview:
- Show energy – Smile, make eye contact, and be positive.
- Emphasize reliability – Let them know they can count on you to show up.
- Be coachable – Say you’re open to training and eager to improve.
- Ask a thoughtful question – For example, “What qualities do you value most in new hires?”
Even if you don’t have experience, presenting yourself as reliable and eager can make you stand out.
6. Think Long-Term: Your First Job Is Just the Start
Remember, your first restaurant job doesn’t have to be your last. Many people use entry-level roles as stepping stones to bigger opportunities:
- Dishwashers become line cooks.
- Hosts become servers.
- Servers become managers.
- Some even go on to open their own restaurants.
The key is to get your foot in the door, then show up consistently and learn as much as you can.
Conclusion: Your First Step Into Restaurants
Getting your first restaurant job without experience is absolutely possible. Focus on beginner-friendly roles, highlight the skills you already bring to the table, and use online tools to make applying easier.
Everyone starts somewhere — and this could be the start of a rewarding career in hospitality.
Ready to explore openings? Check out entry-level jobs and take your first step today.