The hospitality industry is highly competitive, with roles that demand a unique mix of customer service, management, and organizational skills. Whether you're applying for a position as a hotel manager, chef, server, or event coordinator, your resume needs to reflect your ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.
A standout hospitality resume does more than just list your job experience—it demonstrates your commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. In this guide, we’ll explore key strategies to help you craft a standout hospitality resume that gets noticed in 2024.
Start with a Strong Professional Summary
Your resume should begin with a concise and impactful professional summary. This section gives employers a quick overview of your skills, experience, and what makes you a strong candidate for the role. Focus on your most impressive achievements and highlight how your experience aligns with the hospitality industry's unique demands.
Example: "Experienced hospitality professional with over 7 years of managing high-volume restaurants and delivering top-tier guest services. Proven track record in increasing customer satisfaction, reducing turnover, and driving revenue growth."
Key tips:
Keep your summary between 3 to 5 sentences.
Use active language (e.g., “Managed,” “Led,” “Increased”).
Highlight any leadership or customer service skills, as these are key in hospitality roles.
Emphasize Relevant Experience
In the hospitality industry, relevant experience is crucial. Tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for, and make sure to emphasize past roles that align closely with the responsibilities of the new position. If you're applying for a hotel manager role, focus on your leadership, operations management, and guest services experience. For culinary roles, highlight your kitchen management, menu planning, and food safety expertise.
Be specific about your contributions. For example:
"Managed a team of 15 employees in a fast-paced restaurant environment, achieving a 20% increase in customer satisfaction."
"Reduced operational costs by 15% through optimized scheduling and inventory management."
Highlight Key Skills
Hospitality employers look for a specific set of key skills that demonstrate your ability to handle the pressures of the industry. While soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability are essential, you should also include technical skills such as POS systems, inventory management, or customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Key skills to highlight include:
Customer service excellence.
Team leadership and training.
Problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Time management and multitasking.
Event coordination or banquet management (if applicable).
Familiarity with hospitality software (e.g., Opera, Micros, Aloha).
Tip: Include a “Skills” section near the top of your resume to ensure these attributes are immediately visible to hiring managers.
Quantify Your Achievements
One of the best ways to make your resume stand out is by quantifying your achievements. Numbers give employers a clearer sense of your impact in previous roles. Whenever possible, use measurable outcomes to highlight your success.
For example:
"Increased restaurant sales by 25% over two years by introducing a new seasonal menu."
"Reduced guest complaints by 30% by implementing a new customer feedback system."
"Managed events with up to 500 guests, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate."
Numbers help paint a more tangible picture of your abilities and show that you’ve made meaningful contributions to past employers.
Tailor Your Resume for Each Application
While it might be tempting to use the same resume for every job application, you'll increase your chances of success by tailoring your resume to each specific job posting. Review the job description carefully, noting keywords and phrases the employer uses. Incorporate these terms into your resume to show that you’re a great fit for the position.
Example: If a job posting emphasizes "guest relations" and "event coordination," make sure those phrases are prominently featured in your resume if they align with your experience.
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes, so including keywords from the job posting can help ensure your resume makes it through the initial screening process.
Include Certifications and Training
The hospitality industry often requires specific certifications, especially for food safety, alcohol service, and management roles. Be sure to include any relevant certifications you’ve obtained, as they can set you apart from other candidates.
Common certifications in hospitality include:
ServSafe Certification (for food safety).
TIPS Certification (for responsible alcohol service).
Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) or Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) for management roles.
If you’ve taken part in any professional development or leadership training programs, include those as well.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
The format of your resume is just as important as the content. In the fast-paced hospitality industry, hiring managers often review many resumes in a short time, so it's important to ensure your resume is clear, easy to read, and professionally formatted.
Formatting tips:
Use consistent fonts and sizes (12-point font for body text, 14-16 for headers).
Avoid overly complex designs—keep it clean and simple.
Use bullet points to break up text and make it easier to scan.
Keep your resume to one page (or two if you have extensive experience).
Showcase Soft Skills
While your technical expertise is crucial, soft skills often determine success in hospitality roles. Hospitality is a people-centric industry, so showcasing your interpersonal skills can make a huge difference. Whether you're interacting with guests, managing a team, or resolving issues, these skills are vital.
Some key soft skills to highlight include:
Communication: Demonstrating your ability to interact with guests and colleagues professionally and clearly.
Adaptability: Showcasing how you manage unexpected changes or high-pressure situations.
Problem-solving: Providing examples of how you resolved conflicts or handled complaints efficiently.
Include Volunteer or Freelance Experience (If Relevant)
If you're just starting out in hospitality or looking to make a career shift, volunteer or freelance experience can be a great way to bolster your resume. Include any relevant experience where you honed transferable skills, such as event planning, guest services, or food and beverage coordination.
For example:
"Volunteered at a local food festival, managing vendor relations and guest services."
"Freelanced as a catering coordinator for private events, managing logistics and guest communications."
This shows that you're dedicated to building your experience and can handle hospitality responsibilities in real-world settings.
Creating a standout resume for the hospitality industry requires more than just listing your past jobs. It's about highlighting your customer service skills, quantifying your achievements, and showing how your experience aligns with the specific role you're applying for.
By following these steps—crafting a strong summary, emphasizing relevant experience, and tailoring your resume for each job—you’ll be well on your way to landing your next opportunity in the competitive hospitality field.