CV writing tips

Creating a compelling CV for hospitality work requires highlighting relevant experience, skills, and qualities that employers in this industry value.

Here are our top 10 tips to help you write a CV for hospitality work:

1. Tailor your CV to the job

Highlight experiences and skills that align with the job you are applying for.

2. Use a professional format

Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting to ensure your CV looks professional and is easy to read. Don’t forget to spell check!

3. Start with a strong personal statement

Begin with a brief description that outlines your career objectives, relevant experience, and key strengths. Make it specific to the hospitality industry.

4. Highlight relevant experience

Detail your work experience in reverse chronological order. Focus on roles in hospitality or related fields, and emphasise duties that demonstrate your customer service skills, teamwork, and adaptability.

5. Showcase your skills

Include skills relevant to the particular job you are applying for and include examples where possible.

Skills relevant to the role could include:

Chefs – Experience with menu design, recipe creation and inventory control, knife skills and food preparation techniques, attention to detail, leadership skills, health and safety practices, the ability to work well under pressure and use your initiative.
Waiting Staff – Ability to multitask, a detailed knowledge of food and drink, experience using point-of-sale systems, knowledge of food allergens and excellent customer service skills.
Kitchen Staff – Experience with food preparation, monitoring inventory, the ability to work in high-pressure environments, knowledge of health and safety, communication skills and the ability to take initiative.

6. Emphasise achievements

Instead of just listing job duties, highlight your specific achievements in each role such as "Managed a brigade of 10 in a high-volume restaurant” or “contributed to the conversion of first time customers to returning visitors in order to increase the restaurant's return rate by 7% through friendly, knowledgeable and fast service.

7. Include relevant certifications and training

List any certifications, training, or courses related to hospitality (food safety, first aid, customer service training etc). These demonstrate your commitment to the industry and ongoing professional development.

8. Proofread

Ensure your CV is free from spelling and grammatical errors. Ask a trusted friend or family member to read through your CV in case of any mistakes – a fresh pair of eyes may spot something you’ve missed!

9. Keep it concise

Aim for no more than 2 pages. Only include relevant information.

10. Use action verbs

Use words such as “managed”, “organised”, “developed” and “assisted” to convey your responsibilities dynamically.

By following these tips, you can create a compelling CV that effectively showcases your qualifications and makes a strong impression on potential employers in the hospitality industry.