How to Build a Strong Food Handler Resume: Skills & Qualifications

A Food Handler resume is your professional snapshot for food service jobs. It shows employers that you have the necessary skills, certifications, and experience to handle food safely and provide great customer service. 

Whether you’re applying to a restaurant, café, school cafeteria, or catering company, a well-structured resume helps you stand out.

A Food Handler resume is your professional snapshot for food service jobs. It shows employers that you have the necessary skills, certifications, and experience to handle food safely and provide great customer service. 

Whether you’re applying to a restaurant, café, school cafeteria, or catering company, a well-structured resume helps you stand out.

What Should Be Included in a Food Handler Resume?

Hiring managers want to see a combination of food safety knowledge, hands-on skills, and reliability. Your resume should include:

• Contact information - name, phone number, email, city/state
• Professional summary - a short paragraph about your experience and strengths
• Certifications - including your Food Handler Certificate
• Work experience - list roles in food service, hospitality, or customer service
• Key skills - both technical (safe food handling, cleaning and sanitizing) and soft skills (teamwork and communication)
• Education - high school diploma, General Education Development (GED), or relevant training

What Essential Skills Do Employers Look for in Food Handlers?

Employers seek Food Handlers who can keep customers safe while maintaining efficiency. Top skills include:

• Knowledge of food safety practices
• Proper cleaning and sanitizing techniques
• Safe food storage and temperature control
• Attention to detail and organization
• Teamwork and customer service

How to List Certifications and Training on a Resume

Your Food Handler Certificate is one of the most important qualifications to include. Place it in a “Certifications”, “Qualifications” or “Licenses” section.

If you’ve completed additional training, such as Food Protection Manager Certification, list that as well.

5 Formatting Tips for a professional Food Handler resume

When applying for a food handling job, your resume is your first chance to make a great impression. A clear, professional layout helps employers quickly see your qualifications and experience. Here are some simple formatting tips to keep in mind:

1. Keep it to one page if possible
2. Use bullet points for clarity
3. Choose a clean, easy-to-read font
4. List experience in reverse chronological order (most recent job first)
5. Highlight achievements, not just duties (e.g., “Trained 5 new staff in safe food handling” instead of “Helped with training”)

Common mistakes to avoid on a Food Handler resume

• Leaving off certifications or letting them expire
• Using vague descriptions like “helped in kitchen” instead of specifics
• Including irrelevant personal details
• Submitting a resume with spelling or grammar errors

Sample Food Handler Resume Structure

Here’s a basic resume outline you can follow when applying for Food Handler jobs:

John Smith
City, State | 555-555-5555 | john.smith@email.com

Professional Summary

Dedicated Food Handler with 2+ years of experience in fast-paced restaurant settings. Skilled in safe food preparation, sanitation, and customer service. Certified in Food Safety and committed to ensuring customer wellbeing.

Certifications

• Food Handler Certificate - California (valid through 2027)
• Food Protection Manager Certificate - California (valid through 2027)

Work Experience

Line Cook - ABC Diner, Los Angeles, CA (2021–2023)

• Prepared and served meals for up to 200 customers daily
• Ensured compliance with food safety regulations during service
• Assisted in training new employees on safe food handling procedures

Education

High School Diploma - XYZ High School, Los Angeles, CA

Key Skills

• Food safety and sanitation
• Customer service
• Time management
• Team collaboration

Add Skills & Certifications to Your Resume

Userve offers several online certification and training programs that can strengthen your resume and ensure compliance with state and federal laws. Discover programs available in your state today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a Food Handler Certificate on your resume?

Yes. Listing your Food Handler Certificate shows employers you’re legally qualified to work with food and are committed to safety.

What if I don’t have food service experience yet?

Highlight transferable skills like teamwork, communication, or customer service from other jobs. Adding your Food Handler Certificate can make up for limited experience.

Should I include references on my Food Handler resume?

Not necessary. Instead, state “References available upon request” unless an employer specifically asks.

Can a Food Handler resume be more than one page?

For entry-level roles, keep it to one page. Only add a second page if you have extensive experience or multiple certifications.