An assistant manager typically works alongside the general manager and other senior-level management to help implement workflow procedures and run day-to-day operations. This may include supervising employees, providing customer service support, and completing additional tasks that support the workplace and team members each shift. 

Because as a restaurant manager you may fill in for the general manager or other staff in times of absence, you’ll want to format your resume and include many of the same or similar skills or experience that a restaurant general manager would. This is particularly important if you want to grow into a greater leadership role in the future. 

If you’re applying for an assistant manager position, knowing how to structure your resume and what you should list and call out, including education, skills, and objectives, can help your resume get noticed and selected and an interview scheduled. 

How to structure your assistant manager resume

When formatting your resume for an assistant manager position, you should include:

1. A summary/career objective

2. Education/certifications

3. Relevant work history, including the company, dates worked, and a brief description of the duties performed

4. Relevant skills for the role

When creating your resume, you’ll want to carefully read the job description to ensure you include all relevant keywords, skills, and experience that shows you are the best candidate. By tailoring your objective and resume to the job description, it’s more likely it will make it through any application tracking system software and to the hiring manager’s desk.

assistant manager job description

An assistant manager may be responsible for ensuring positive customer service and dining experiences, resolving problems, addressing employee concerns and conducting performance reviews, developing strategies for workplace efficiency and achieving goals, and assisting other restaurant staff whenever necessary. 

You may even be responsible for budgets, hiring and training employees, and providing direction to staff.

Assistant restaurant manager roles can look different depending on the business for which they work, the size of the facility, and the number of staff members. Generally, the job description for an assistant manager can include duties such as:

• Oversee day-to-day operations and work of staff, ensuring effective and efficient work and meeting of goals.

• Open and close the restaurant. 

• Schedule shifts and assign tables or sections to waitstaff. 

• Resolve customer questions and problems in a timely and professional manner, 

• Conduct payroll activities and ensure employees are paid on time. 

• Ensure everyone in the restaurant adheres to health, safety, food handling regulations, and codes. 

• Purchase ingredients, supplies, and equipment when inventory is low or damaged.

• Monitor and provide feedback to managed staff to help improve overall performance. 

• Liaise between managers, customers, and employees.

• Fill in for general manager (GM) in times of absence or need.

assistant manager education

While most assistant manager roles only require a high school education or GED, if your career goal is to be promoted into higher management positions, many companies prefer an ideal candidate to have a Bachelor’s degree or other post-secondary education in the areas of business administration, business management, finance or a related field.

You may want to outline your education on your resume like the following:

Education

XYZ College

City, State

Bachelor’s, business management 

ABC High School

City, State

High school diploma

When listing your education, here are a few tips:

• Consider leaving off the years you attended school or your graduation date. Typically, that’s not as important unless you’re still pursuing your degree. In that case, be clear your education is in progress. For example,

Bachelor’s of business management; anticipated completion May 2022

• List the order of your education with the highest level first. For example, if you have a Bachelor's degree and high school diploma, list the Bachelor’s degree first, followed by your diploma.

• If you have additional certifications or training, list them in their section with the heading “Additional Certifications.” Include the organization that provided the certification, the title, and the date of completion or renewal. 

What to include on your resume for a restaurant assistant manager

Typically, an assistant manager’s resume will list the education or formal training you have that makes you most qualified for the role. 

Then, in the work experience section, you’ll want to include duties related to the job description, such as:

• Implemented and ensured compliance with company policies and procedures regarding health, safety, and food handling. 

• Supervised a team of X employees, both in the front and back of the house, and assisted during busy shifts to ensure smooth shift operation. 

• Maintained customer relationships and supported positive dining experiences for an average of X customers per day.

• Prepared sales, finance, budget, and employee performance reports and shared with mid-and senior-level management every month.

• Managed restaurant inventory and vendor relationships, and ordered equipment and supplies every week. 

The experience and skills you list should be relevant to the job you’re applying for, especially if you have experience in a particular type of or area in the restaurant. Try to go beyond simply listing duties you’ve performed, and instead share both duties and achievements with examples or numbers to support the statements. 

assistant manager skills and traits for a resume

There are many skills and traits you could list on your resume for an assistant manager position. Here are a few to choose from to get you started:

• Organization

• Interpersonal skills

• Leadership skills

• Positivity

• Customer service

• Problem-solving

• Conflict management

• Time management

• Teamwork

• Communication skills

• Attention to detail

• Responsible

• Decision-making skills

• Financial planning and budgeting skills

• Approachable

• Friendly

• Responsible

• Reliable

• Flexible

• Able to work in a fast-paced environment

Many companies require a candidate to have worked in the industry or have supervisory or management experience for one to three or more years. Typically this experience starts with an entry-level role in the industry and is followed by promotions into a management role. Supervisory experience is usually strongly preferred. 

If you have this experience, be sure to list it on your resume. If you don’t have that many years of experience, you can still highlight work and skills you may have that make you a great candidate for the position. Look at the experience you have, either through employment or volunteering, and determine which of the above skills were learned or improved upon.

Action verbs to include on an assistant manager resume

• Accomplished

• Achieved

• Analyzed

• Changed

• Collaborated

• Partnered

• Performed

• Established

• Strategized

• Streamlined

• Trained

• Redefined

• Overcame 

• Ordered

• Assisted

• Served

• Resolved

• Maintained

• Scheduled 

• Opened/closed  

Should I include references in my assistant manager resume?

Your resume is a professional representation of your career qualifications and skills that make you an ideal candidate. As a general rule, avoid including references in your resume unless they are specifically asked for. This is information that tends to distract hiring managers from the information you want them to see, and it can take up valuable space on the page. 

If references are requested, you can include them on your resume or as a separate document. Be sure to list the name, job title, company, email address, and phone number for each reference. 

assistant manager resume objectives

A career objective, also known as a resume objective or summary, is a brief statement located at the top of your resume that explains your professional goals and intentions for applying to a job. In 1 to 3 sentences, you should mention the job title, add a couple of key skills, and share what you’re hoping to achieve in the job.  

Correct Examples:

• Seeking a position as an assistant manager to use effective communication and customer service skills to improve productivity and enhance revenue for XYZ restaurant.

• Dedicated and motivated industry professional with more than X years of experience supervising employees, providing exceptional customer service, and assisting in administrative restaurant functions seeking an assistant manager position with XYZ. 

• Results-oriented and supportive assistant manager with more than X years of experience providing direction and supervision in the industry to front and back of the house staff. The goal of helping attain organizational objectives and meet performance expectations.

Incorrect Examples:

• Looking to be promoted into a general management position or higher by starting as assistant manager for XYZ restaurant. 

While it’s great to have a future career objective and goals, you should share this during the interview process instead of in the resume objective (since the job you're applying for is ultimately assistant manager). Additionally, you should be sure your objective highlights a few skills or qualities that make you a great candidate or goals for the position should you be hired.

• Looking to work in the restaurant industry and excel as an assistant manager at XYZ restaurant. 

This is another example of when you should include additional skills, goals, or intentions for the role. For example, what qualities do you have that make you a strong assistant manager candidate? Additionally, this objective could be better by outlining any restaurant or previous management experience you have.

• Seeking a position as an assistant manager for XYZ restaurant. I used to be a server and am ready to move into a management position. 

Highlighting your previous experience in the restaurant industry is great for a resume objective, but can be even better if you include how many years you had this role and a few qualities or skills you learned or excel at that make you an ideal assistant management candidate.