cv personal statement hospitality

Hospitality CV examples + CV template

Your CV acts as your first impression in the hospitality recruitment process, so it’s essential to stand out from the competition.

A balance between compelling content and a well-defined structure is key to grabbing recruiters’ attention, and enticing them to select you for interview stage.

This guide contains 7 hospitality CV examples for a range of jobs and career-stages, plus plenty of tips to support you in producing an eye-catching CV.

CV templates 

Waiter CV example

Hotel manager CV example

Restaurant manager CV example

Hotel receptionist CV example

Chef CV example

Sommelier CV example

Bartender CV example

The CV examples above demonstrate how to format your CV to accentuate your experience in the hospitality field, and highlight your marketable skills.

As this guide continues, I will teach you how to write a CV that displays why you’re the ideal candidate for hospitality roles.

Hospitality CV structure & format

Correctly structuring your CV is vital to emphasising your relevant experience and skills, enabling recruiters to quickly pinpoint key elements of your CV.

A clear, professional CV structure  will enable recruiters to navigate your details, facilitating ease of reading by breaking up information into separate sections.

This infographic gives you the basics on  how to write a CV , what sections to include and handy tips to help structure your experience.

Formatting Tips

• Avoid adding company logos or headshots, these take up space without adding value to your CV
• Keep to a clear, simple and professional CV design, overwhelming colours and difficult to read fonts will result in essential information being missed
• Bullet points, bold headers and defined sections should be used to aid ease of reading
• Your CV should be a maximum of 2 sides of A4, sufficient length to sell yourself without it becoming tedious to read

Structuring your CV

Use clear sections within your CV, enabling recruiters to easily navigate your details.

• Contact details – ensure you’re easily reachable by making your contact details stand out at the top of the page
• Profile – an opening paragraph that reflects why you’re the ideal candidate for hospitality roles at first glance, drawing recruiters’ attention
• Work experience / Career history – detailing your work experience, working backwards through your roles
• Education –  document any qualifications obtained, particularly those needed for hospitality roles
• Interest and hobbies – this section isn’t mandatory but can be used to verify your transferrable skills

I’ll now walk you through what to include within each of these sections.

CV Contact Details

At the top of your CV, document your contact details, only looking to include  vital information.

• Phone number (ideally a mobile number)
• Email address (add a professional email address)
• If you have one, add a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Quick Tip:  Avoid adding details that aren’t required in the decision making process such as marital status, date of birth, headshots or your full home address as the city you live within is enough information.

Hospitality CV Profile

Your CV profile is an opening paragraph between 5-10 lines, which summarises your CV at first glance, allowing recruiters to identify your suitability for roles.

Include your hospitality skills , experience and any sector specific qualifications, enticing recruiters to read further into your CV.

These tips will help you in producing your CV profile:

• Details such as your objectives or what you’re looking for in an employer should be kept for your cover letter
• Customise your profile to fit the hospitality industry, researching the sector and including keywords and sector specific skills
• Attract recruiters’ attention by selling your skills and avoid adding cliche phrases that make you blend into the crowd
• Keep this section concise, 5-10 lines is enough to showcase your relevancy without boring the reader

What to include in your hospitality CV profile?

• Types of areas you have worked in  – have you worked in event management, catering or worked as a hotel receptionist
• Hospitality qualifications – whether you’ve NVQ’s in Hospitality , event management degrees or vocational courses in customer service
• Technical skills – the ability to provide excellent customer service, organisational skills and the capacity to work in a fast paced environment
• Level of your experience –  have you recently began your career, are you experienced in the sector or even have management experience

Core skills section

Underneath your CV profile, include a core skills section made up of two to three columns of bullet points.

Allowing recruiters to access your core skills without having to dig through your CV, demonstrating your applicableness to the industry.

Tailor these skills to the hospitality sector, using your research as guidance or reviewing the vital skills section below for inspiration.

Work experience/Career history

Record your career history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or relevant positions.

Shorten your role descriptions as you work backwards through your experience, include internships, voluntary work as well as part time or full time employment.

See also: Restaurant manager CV

Structuring your roles

Break your role descriptions into three distinctive sections, allowing recruiters to clearly see the impact you had within each of your previous posts.

Provide context of your previous roles to recruiters, detailing the company you worked within, the department you were part of and the role you assumed.

“Working as a hotel manager, promoting customer satisfaction, ensuring all customers had a great stay.”

Key responsibilities

Record your key duties in the format of bullet points, adding any core relationships built.

• Check-in guests at the front desk, ensuring guests have everything they need for a pleasant stay
• Supporting housekeeping to clean and get rooms ready for new guests

Key achievements

Display the value you had within previous organisations, using numbers to boost and verify your achievements .

• Being able to process 200 new guests quickly and efficiently who were checked in to attend a wedding onsite

This section should first document the qualifications obtained that are related to the industry you’re applying to.

Look to add courses such as NVQs in hospitality or professional food and beverage services, or qualifications in similar fields such as customer service.

If you have room, look to also include GCSE’s, A Levels, additional degrees or any other vocational training.

Interests and hobbies

Unlike other sections, this is an optional section that can be included to add value, showcasing the transferable skills your interests helped you acquire.

Interests such as charity involvement or being part of a sporting team can demonstrate your organisational skills and ability to work in a team and build rapport.

Avoid adding generic hobbies such as socialising, instead look to tailor your interests to the industry you’re pursuing.

Essential skills for your hospitality CV

Although each company will ask for slightly different skills, below are the core strengths you should be displaying in your CV.

Food and Beverage preparation  – supporting with preparing meals and drinks to customer requirements

Marketing skills  – being able to market services or events taking place at the catering organisation or hotel you work at

Commercial awareness  – looking to upsell items, understanding how to maximise profits

Hotel Operations  – insight into the inner workings of a hotel and how each function needs to work together

Writing your hospitality CV

When searching for new roles, you need a CV that highlights your marketable skills and sector specific experience.

A strong structure is key to bringing forward key aspects of your experience, drawing recruiters’ attention.

By following this comprehensive guide, you will be able to produce a CV that gets you one step closer to landing your dream career.

Good luck with your job search.

• • Managed team of 10 in preparing and serving high-quality meals for up to 150 daily patrons, ensuring varied menu options to cater to diverse preferences.
• • Designed a rotating meal plan that reduced food waste by 25%, saving the company significant monthly costs on ingredients.
• • Implemented enhanced hygiene protocols that exceeded industry standards, resulting in a 5-star hygiene rating from the local Food Standards Agency inspection.
• • Coordinated with suppliers to negotiate better pricing terms for bulk ingredients, achieving a 15% cost reduction while maintaining quality standards.
• • Spearheaded a customer feedback initiative that improved overall client satisfaction scores by 10% through direct engagement and swift resolution of service issues.
• • Organised and executed a successful ‘Culinary Week’ event that attracted media coverage and boosted the restaurant's footfall by 30% during the event.
• • Led a team of 15 in delivering exceptional guest services, contributing to a 20% increase in guest satisfaction survey results.
• • Coordinated cross-departmental efforts to assure seamless experiences for guests, cutting service times by 10% and increasing efficiency.
• • Oversaw the implementation of a new property management system, which improved booking processes and reduced the rate of overbooking incidents by 30%.
• • Initiated a training program for new hires, which decreased onboarding time by two weeks and improved staff retention by 5%.
• • Managed room allocations and upgrades for VIP guests, enhancing the hotel's reputation for premium service.
• • Orchestrated catering for events with up to 500 attendees, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality and presentation.
• • Negotiated contracts with vendors and venues, realising a 20% reduction in operational costs for the company.
• • Implemented a new inventory management system that reduced ingredient spoilage rates by 18%.
• • Cultivated relationships with key clients, resulting in repeat business and a 25% growth in the company’s client portfolio.

Hospitality CV Examples & Guide for 2024

Your hospitality CV must clearly showcase your customer service skills and your ability to maintain high guest satisfaction. Highlight your experience with measurable achievements to demonstrate your impact in past roles. Include your proficiency in any hospitality software or languages spoken, as this will set you apart from other candidates. Remember to detail your teamwork and problem-solving capabilities to illustrate how you effectively collaborate within the hospitality industry.

• CV Format Tips
• Summary or Objective?
• Experience on Your CV
• No Experience?
• Top CV Skills
• Education & Certifications
• Key Takeaways

One specific CV challenge faced by the hospitality sector involves the effective showcasing of diverse customer service skills in a concise format. Our guide offers tailored strategies to highlight your unique experiences, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers in this dynamic industry.

• Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
• Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
• Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
• Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.

If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.

• Coffee Shop CV Example
• Restaurant General Manager CV Example
• Restaurant CV Example
• Restaurant Manager CV Example
• Pastry Chef CV Example
• Sous Chef CV Example
• Assistant Restaurant Manager CV Example
• Chef CV Example
• Fast Food CV Example
• Waitress CV Example

Formatting your hospitality CV to meet the role expectations

• Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
• Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
• Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
• Your professional hospitality CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.

A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:

• plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.

When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around , most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.

Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.

The top sections on a hospitality CV

• Personal Statement details your passion for hospitality, giving employers a glimpse into your enthusiasm and commitment to the industry.
• Employment History showcases your previous roles and achievements, emphasising your experience in hospitality settings.
• Customer Service Skills highlight your ability to interact positively with guests, a core competency in hospitality roles.
• Hospitality Qualifications list relevant formal training, demonstrating your knowledge base and dedication to professional development.
• Languages Spoken is a valuable section indicating your ability to communicate with a diverse clientele, which is crucial in hospitality.

What recruiters value on your CV:

• Emphasise your customer service skills, showcasing times when you've provided exceptional service, resolved conflicts, or received positive feedback from guests or management.
• Highlight your ability to work in fast-paced environments, including specific situations where you've managed high volumes of customers efficiently without compromising service quality.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of health and safety regulations, particularly any certifications you hold such as food handling or alcohol service, which are vital in the hospitality sector.
• Showcase your adaptability and flexibility by providing examples of when you've covered multiple roles or adapted to unexpected changes, including taking on extra shifts or learning new skills quickly.
• Include language skills and any experience with international clientele, as fluency in multiple languages and cultural sensitivity are great advantages in the hospitality industry.

Recommended reads:

• Understanding the Different Sections in Your CV - Guide for 2024
• CV Icons: How & Where to Use Them

What information should you include in your hospitality CV header?

The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:

• Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
• Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.

Many professionals often struggle with writing their hospitality CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.

Examples of good CV headlines for hospitality:

• Executive Chef | Culinary Excellence | Menu Development | Health & Safety | 10+ Years of Diverse Experience
• Hotel General Manager | Operational Leadership | Revenue Management | Guest Satisfaction | Hospitality Management Degree
• Senior Event Coordinator | Corporate Events Specialist | Project Management | 7+ Years in Event Planning
• Front Office Supervisor | Guest Relations Expert | Multilingual | Team Leadership | 5 Years Front Desk Experience
• Housekeeping Manager | Quality Control | Staff Training | Resource Management | Hospitality Industry Veteran
• Bar Manager | Mixology Enthusiast | Inventory Control | License & Certification | Over 8 Years of Dynamic Experience

Choosing your opening statement: a hospitality CV summary or objective

At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:

• Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements . Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
• Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for

CV summaries for a hospitality job:

• With over 10 years of dedicated experience in luxury hotel management, proficient in leading high-performance teams to elevate guest satisfaction and operational efficiency, I have proudly spearheaded the turnaround of the Ritz-Carlton’s guest services department, increasing guest retention rates by 25%.
• Passionate culinary professional with 7 years of experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, I bring expertise in menu development and kitchen management, having successfully launched an innovative farm-to-table concept that boosted our restaurant’s reputation and increased annual revenue by 30%.
• Meticulous financial analyst with a decade of experience in the fast-paced securities sector, eager to apply a keen eye for detail and exceptional numerical skills to enhance the financial operations and strategic planning within the hospitality industry, aiming to contribute to sustainable revenue growth and cost control.
• Award-winning marketing manager transitioning from the competitive tech startup environment to hospitality, with an impressive track record of creating viral campaigns that bolstered user engagement by 70%. Dedicated to transferring storytelling skills and digital expertise to craft compelling brand experiences in tourism and guest services.
• As an ambitious individual with a vibrant passion for travel and a customer-centered mindset, I am eager to embark on a career in hospitality management. With a strong educational background in business administration and exceptional interpersonal skills, my objective is to contribute to creating memorable guest experiences while developing a deep understanding of the luxury hospitality sector.
• I am an enthusiastic graduate in International Relations, with a flair for languages and cross-cultural communication, seeking to enter the hospitality industry. Open to learning, I aim to leverage my organizational skills and adaptability to thrive in a dynamic environment and make a lasting positive impact on guest services.

More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your hospitality CV experience section

The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:

• Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
• Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
• Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise ;
• align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.

For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:

Best practices for your CV's work experience section

• Highlight customer service skills, showcasing specific instances where you enhanced guest satisfaction and addressed customer needs effectively.
• Detail your experience with booking and reservation systems, emphasising your ability to manage occupancy and maximise revenue through efficient room allocation.
• Include any experience with event planning and coordination, outlining your ability to handle logistics, catering, and guest accommodations seamlessly.
• Mention your proficiency in multiple languages if applicable, as this is a significant advantage in communicating with a diverse clientele.
• Describe your leadership experience, especially if you've managed teams, by mentioning how you motivated staff and maintained high service standards.
• Document your knowledge of health and safety protocols, particularly in food handling and preparation if relevant to your hospitality role.
• Exemplify your ability to handle financial transactions, balance registers, and manage budgets within the context of the hospitality industry.
• Showcase your adaptability and problem-solving skills, illustrating situations where you successfully managed unexpected challenges or guest complaints.
• Reference your experience with cutting-edge hospitality technology, such as property management systems, point of sale systems, or online booking platforms.
• Improved guest satisfaction scores by implementing a new customer engagement strategy which raised our hotel's rating by 15% on travel review platforms.
• Led a team of 20 hospitality staff, overseeing scheduling, training, and performance evaluations, which decreased staff turnover by 25%.
• Managed the coordination and execution of 50+ high-profile business conferences, enhancing the hotel's reputation for excellence in event hospitality.
• Directed the development and launch of a new loyalty program, increasing repeat customer visits by 30% within the first year.
• Negotiated with vendors to reduce costs for amenities and supplies by 20%, significantly increasing the profit margins for hospitality services.
• Spearheaded the renovation project of the guest lounges leading to an enhanced visitor experience and a 10% upsurge in lounge usage.
• Launched and managed a guest feedback system, collating over 1,200 responses and identifying key areas for service improvement.
• Orchestrated a staff upskill program that increased the team’s efficiency by 35%, resulting in a smoother guest check-in/out process.
• Developed a resource allocation plan that optimized the use of hospitality facilities, leading to a 20% increase in event bookings.
• Revitalized the hotel's breakfast service offering, yielding a 50% increase in breakfast up-sell rates.
• Conducted training for a multicultural team, improving communication skills and cultural awareness, and decreasing guest complaints by 40%.
• Implemented energy-saving measures across the hospitality department, cutting down utility expenses by 15%.
• Cultivated strategic partnerships with local tour operators to provide guests with unique experiences, enhancing the hotel's market position.
• Oversaw the introduction of a new property management system which increased operational efficiency by 25%.
• Managed budgeting for the hospitality department, consistently coming in under budget by 10% through careful cost control measures.
• Revamped the wine and dine experience, driving a 20% revenue increase in the hotel's in-house restaurant.
• Pioneered a staff incentive scheme that boosted employee morale and decreased absenteeism by 18%.
• Collaborated with IT to introduce a mobile app for guest services, which has been downloaded by 70% of existing guests, improving service accessibility.
• Organized and executed bespoke wedding packages, averaging 30 successful events a year, translating to a steady 20% year-on-year growth in the wedding segment.
• Enhanced employee training modules, which resulted in the team winning 'Best Hospitality Service' in a national competition.
• Drove a successful rebranding campaign for the hotel's lounge area, attracting a 25% increase in local non-resident clientele.
• Managed an international training exchange program, increasing staff cultural competence and language skills, contributing to a 10% boost in revenue from international guests.
• Orchestrated the transition to eco-friendly hospitality supplies, resulting in a 30% reduction in waste and a positive brand recognition in the market.
• Facilitated cross-training among staff to improve flexibility and service response times, achieving an all-time high staff versatility rating.

How to ensure your hospitality CV stands out when you have no experience

This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:

• Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
• Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
• Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
• Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles , or projects you've participated in the past.
• A Comprehensive Guide to Action Verbs in CVs for Job Seekers
• CV Work Experience Section: Organizing, Tailoring, Examples To Use

Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.

Mix and match hard and soft skills across your hospitality CV

Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:

• hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
• soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills , e.g. leadership, time management, etc.

Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your hospitality CV? Use the:

• skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
• strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
• summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.

One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.

Top skills for your hospitality CV:

Customer Service

Food & Beverage Knowledge

Hospitality Management

Reservation Systems

Event Planning

Problem-Solving

Multitasking

Menu Planning

Housekeeping Standards

Point of Sale (POS) Systems

Communication

Flexibility

Attention to Detail

Conflict Resolution

Time Management

If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.

Further professional qualifications for your hospitality CV: education and certificates

As you're nearing the end of your hospitality CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:

• applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
• diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
• extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.

Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you . Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:

Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.

How to Include CV Coursework on Your CV

• CV Certifications - Tips, Examples & Template to Use in 2024

Key takeaways

What matters most in your hospitality CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.

• Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
• Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
• Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
• Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
• List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.

Looking to build your own Hospitality CV?

• CV Examples

Frequently asked questions about Hospitality CVs:

What should i include in my cv if i have no hospitality experience, should i include a photo on my hospitality cv, what font size and type should i use for my hospitality cv.

Here’s When You Should Or Shouldn’t Add a Photo on Your CV

The Age on CV Dilemma: How to Overcome Legal & Ethical Issues

How to Write a Powerful CV That Gets You Hired

14 Essential Questions to Ask at the End of Your Interview (And 3 to Avoid)

Modern CV Templates to Use & Download as PDF in 2024

• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• CV Templates
• How to Write a CV
• English (US)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

• CV and Cover Letter
• 5 tips to help you write a CV...

5 tips to help you write a CV for a hospitality job

7 min read · Updated on October 13, 2022

To land work in the hospitality industry, try these CV tips.

2020 was a challenge for us all. However, if you work in customer service, the pandemic may have hit you especially hard. In March 2020, more than 800,000 Brits unceremoniously lost their jobs , according to the BBC; the report suggests that the hospitality sector was one of the worst affected. Going from a busy schedule of shift-work to zilch is a difficult transition. Fortunately, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

With the British economy slowly but surely reopening, the hospitality jobs market is set to recover. Last month, Pizza Express announced that they would be creating 1,000 more jobs in the near future. Restaurants have opened up, and if all goes to plan, all social distancing restrictions will be eased as of 21 June.

So, are you looking for a new job? Ahead of these important milestones, you might want to start applying for hospitality roles. If you're ready to dust off your CV and give it a whirl, we've got you covered. Follow our advice on how to create a winning hospitality application.

1. Read the job posting closely

Not all hospitality jobs are created equal. Working in Costa may be quite a different experience (and require a different skill set) from working in a local cafe. Before you put figurative pen to paper and start writing your CV, you need to make sure you read the job posting closely. Look out for specific skills that the employer highlights and consider how your professional experience complements them. It may help to make notes whilst reading the job posting so you can refer to them when writing your CV.

Then, try using the exact phrases that you find in the job posting. For example, if the advert asks for a 'team player', use that phrase precisely, rather than saying that you're 'good at teamwork'. It's a small difference. However, if the employer is using an applicant tracking system , which uses keywords to filter applicants, this change could help you get past it. Put simply, that means you will have a better chance of landing that all-important interview.

2. Show some personality in your personal statement

Hospitality is all about personality. Therefore, showing that you're a people person on your CV is a smart way to stand out from the crowd. Luckily, you can use the personal statement towards the top of the document to do just that.

There are plenty of ways to slide in some personality and show a potential employer that you are the right person for the job. For example, you might want to include an interesting fact about your customer service experience or even a quote from a previous boss. Taking the time to make this statement creative ‒ rather than simply following a standard template ‒ could help you attract all the right attention.

3. Highlight hospitality-centric skills

Next up, let's take a moment to talk about the hospitality-centric skills you need to include on your CV. To give yourself the best chance of getting ahead, you should ensure that your skills section is peppered with all the traits a hospitality employer is looking for. Whilst these may vary from role to role, there are some core talents that you want to include, such as:

• Teamwork: A huge part of working in hospitality is being part of a team. Whether you're a waiter, barista or chef, you need to show that you have what it takes to be a team player and support your fellow co-workers well.
• Customer service: The customer is always right, or so the age-old saying goes. Show an employer that you're going to treat their customers with care and respect by listing this in your skills section.
• Cleaning and maintenance: In many hospitality jobs, you will be charged with cleaning up as you go. If you have prior experience of this skill, listing it on your CV helps an employer know they can trust you to be Mrs. Hinch.
• Attention to detail: It's all about the details when you work in this sector. Customers need to know that they can trust you to deliver the best possible level of service and never miss a trick.
• Organisation: Whatever job role you're working in, you will need to be as organised as possible. This skill shows that you can take care of a multitude of tasks without getting overwhelmed.
• Leadership: Have you got your eye on a management position? If so, make sure that you note your leadership skills on your CV. Showing off this trait could help you get places.

4. Mix and match hard and soft skills

Whilst we're on the topic of writing the skills section of your CV , there's an important thing to remember: You should highlight both hard and soft skills .

Hard skills are learned proficiencies that apply directly to the role at hand. They can include cleaning, organisation, table service and cooking. Soft skills, on the other hand, are more about your personality. These can include your leadership qualities, customer service style, being a 'people person' and having the motivation to work hard on every shift. It's important to strike a balance between these types of skills on your CV because they are all important.

5. Include experience (and explain gaps)

Of course, you will need to include your professional experience on your CV. Chances are, if you're a hospitality worker, you may have been on furlough or unemployed over the last year. That's completely understandable. 2020 was a year like no other, and potential employers will be expecting to see gaps in CVs when they are hiring again. Be sure to include all of your previous experience and employment up until that point. Additionally, you can include information on how you maintained your skill set whilst off the job.

For example, if you spent some of last year learning a new skill online , include that on your CV. Or, you may have spent some time volunteering in a local charity shop and bolstered your customer service skills. Alternatively, you could have completed a short course on promotions that you can bring to the table when you return to working in hospitality.

These extra details show potential employees that you are serious about your chosen career.

Bonus tip: Ask the important COVID-safety question

Of course, COVID-19 has changed the way that many of us view work and, indeed, socialising. The hospitality industry brings those two things together neatly. So, putting your safety first as you get back to work is crucial. With that in mind, when you start making conversation with a potential employer, don't be afraid to ask that burning question: 'How are you planning to protect both customers and staff?' The answer you get will give you a good idea of whether the role will be the right fit for you.

For more information on the current hospitality safety guidance, check out the government website here .

Ready to get into the hospitality industry? With things opening up all across the UK, it's a good time to start applying. As always, when writing your CV, make sure that you tailor it to each individual job posting and follow our advice here. Creating an application that turns employers' heads is the first step towards getting your next big job.

Be sure you show your best on your hospitality CV. Get a free CV critique for expert feedback.

Recommended Reading:

9 things you should always include on a CV

How to write a CV when you want to change careers

5 reasons a professional CV rewrite is worth it

Related Articles:

How to leverage ChatGPT for your job search in 2024

How to choose the best CV paper

Professional CV writing service cost in 2024

See how your CV stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & CV tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

Hospitality & Leisure CV Template

Build the perfect Hospitality and Leisure CV with our free template

Build the perfect Hospitality and Leisure CV with our free template [Full Name] [Home address] [Contact Number] • [Email Address]

Personal Statement

Stick to no more than four sentences in this section of your CV. “I am a professionally qualified chef with over 15 years’ experience. During this time I have worked in fine dining restaurants up to a 2 rosette standard and spent two years working for high society event caterers across Europe. I hold an up to date Level 3 Certificate in Food Hygiene, and am now looking for my first Head Chef role.”

This is your chance to talk about your qualifications, academic and vocational. This is a particularly important section for those with little experience. You should give detail about what you studied, where and when, and list them in chronological order. If you have many of one qualification, such as GCSEs or professional qualification e.g. HND in Hotel Management/NVQ Level 3 Professional Cookery etc. you might find it useful to group them together. [University Name] [Date M/Y– Date M/Y] [Degree Class] [Degree Name] [College/School Name] [Date M/Y– Date M/Y] A-levels:

[Subject] – [Grade]

[Number] GCSEs, grades [range], including Maths and English

Work Experience

Try not to repeat yourself when you are bullet pointing each job. Mix it up, and try to think of different skills/styles of environment you’ve worked in. This should be brief and, as a general rule of thumb, focus on the last five years of your career, or last three roles, in chronological order with the most recent at the top. You should highlight your key achievements and use bullet points rather than lengthy descriptions. October 2010 – Present Senior Sous Chef, REED Restaurant, London, 3 rosettes

Brief overview: [state any promotions you’ve had and your responsibilities e.g. staff training, recruitment, stock/cost control P&L, marketing strategy, managing suppliers etc.]

Environment worked within: I worked in a [size of brigade/team] to produce [style of food] in a [establishment e.g. hotel/bar/restaurant] with [status e.g. Rosette, Michelin etc.]. Or I worked on [event/contract catering/food retail/production/New Product Development] with [result].

Worked/managed [different sections/departments/teams e.g. F&B, events, reception, general/kitchen, corporate or leisure sales, revenue management etc.]

Received a [include achievements e.g. Bib Gourmand/Rosette/Michelin/Trip Advisor score, increase in revenue etc.] for [reason]

Hobbies and Interests

If you are a chef, clients would expect to see that at least one of your hobbies relates to cooking or eating out. If you work front of house it would be advised to include interests in different styles of restaurants or bars, give examples of your knowledge. “I have a keen interest in craft beer and whisky, and have recently discovered The East London Liquor Company.” Make it relevant.

References are available upon request. Download our full hospitality & leisure CV template.

You may also be interested in...

Reed’s UK salary guides 2024

Use our salary guides to compare the UK average salary by sector - a resource for both employers and employees. Download the 2024 salary guides here.

Employee satisfaction: building a happier workforce

This eBook offers the latest insight and expert advice on what employee satisfaction means, how to understand it, and ways that organisations can achieve better levels of workplace happiness.

Build a more diverse and inclusive technology team: downloadable eBook

While many in the technology sector understand the importance of inclusion and diversity (I&D) in business, it can be challenging to know how to make a real impact. Download our free guide today to improve your inclusion and diversity strategy.

Find a Reed office

Our national coverage allows us to offer a recruitment service tailored to your needs, with accurate local market intelligence on salaries, competitors and the best professionals who can help your business thrive.

• Skip to main menu
• Skip to user menu

What to Include in Your Hospitality CV

• CV Templates & Advice
• Customer Service

When it comes to writing a fantastic CV, there are certain rules that everyone should follow no matter that type of job they’re looking for.

Every good CV should be succinct and to the point, there should be no spelling, punctuation or grammar errors, and you should ensure you include all the necessary contact information – you’d be surprised how many folk miss out a telephone number or email address.

For some industries, however, it’s worth tailoring your CV to that specific sector. Here, we look at how to write the ideal resume for a job in the  hospitality industry .

PERSONAL INFORMATION

This should include your name, address, telephone number and email address. You don’t have to include your date of birth or nationality.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Hospitality is all about people, an industry where customer service comes first, and where staff with a good personality are important. This personal statement is your chance to shine and stand out from the other applicants by detailing the skills you have that are relevant to the job. So, if you’re looking for bar work but your only past experience is working as a barista, focus on your experience of the service industry, dealing with the public, your excellent people skills and ability to work in a busy environment. If you’ve picked up any relevant experience or awards during college or through volunteering mention those here, too. Highlight what’s important to the hospitality industry – willingness to serve others, being a team player, a polite and friendly personality and being able to work under pressure. But remember it’s not your life story you’re providing here – stick to two or three lines.

List any previous jobs in date order, starting with the most recent. As well as dates and job titles, you should include a brief description of your duties for each position held. Even if previous roles were not within the hospitality sector, were there aspects relevant to the job you’re applying for? For example, if you previously worked in an office, emphasise times when you worked well as part of a team or managed to get results while working under pressure. If you don’t have any past work experience, it may be worth considering voluntary work. And don’t leave any gaps on your CV – if you took a year off to go travelling, make this clear on your CV.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Like any other CV, this is where you list your academic qualifications: Standard Grades, Highers, diplomas and degrees. It’s also a good chance to highlight any training you’ve had that could be beneficial to a career in hospitality, such as food safety certificates or first aid training.

Contact details for two referees should suffice and always remember to get their permission BEFORE including them as someone willing to provide a reference.

Now that you’ve got your CV sorted, why not check out the latest hospitality jobs  on Fish4jobs?

Related links

• 10 Tips for Writing the Perfect CV
• How to Make Your Personal Statement Pop
• The 3 Best CV Layouts According to Employers

Share this article

Related articles

New Year, New You: The 5 Top Industries on Fish4

The Fish4jobs Ultimate Jobseekers Guide

Investment Banker CV Template

Latest articles, optimising your job search: best application practices on fish4jobs, how to set up a job alert – optimise your job search with fish4jobs, from new hires to top performers: the key elements of successful talent onboarding.

Hospitality Manager CV Example

Cv guidance.

• CV Template
• How to Format
• Personal Statements
• Related CVs

CV Tips for Hospitality Managers

• Highlight Your Hospitality Qualifications : Mention any relevant certifications or degrees, such as a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management or a Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) credential. Include any specialized training in areas like food and beverage management, event planning, or guest services.
• Quantify Your Achievements : Use specific metrics to illustrate your impact, such as "Increased overall guest satisfaction scores by 20%" or "Reduced staff turnover by 15% through improved training and mentorship".
• Customize Your CV for the Role : Tailor your CV to the specific role and establishment, whether it's a luxury hotel, a bustling restaurant, or a popular event venue. Highlight relevant experiences and skills, such as managing large teams, overseeing high-volume service, or coordinating large-scale events.
• Showcase Your Industry Knowledge : Detail your familiarity with hospitality software, point of sale systems, and reservation platforms. Mention any experience with health and safety regulations, licensing requirements, or quality standards.
• Demonstrate Leadership and Customer Service Skills : Provide examples of how you've led teams, handled customer complaints, or improved service delivery. Highlight your ability to motivate staff, manage conflicts, and create a positive guest experience.

The Smarter, Faster Way to Write Your CV

• Directed a team of 20 hospitality staff, achieving a 30% increase in customer satisfaction ratings by implementing a comprehensive training program focused on service excellence.
• Managed the successful renovation of the hotel's dining area, resulting in a 15% increase in daily customer footfall and a 20% boost in overall revenue.
• Implemented a new inventory management system, reducing food waste by 25% and saving the hotel $10,000 annually in procurement costs.
• Coordinated the planning and execution of over 50 high-profile events, leading to a 40% increase in the hotel's event booking revenue.
• Introduced a new customer loyalty program, resulting in a 20% increase in repeat bookings and a 15% rise in overall customer retention rates.
• Collaborated with the marketing team to launch a successful social media campaign, increasing the hotel's online visibility and boosting website traffic by 30%.
• Managed the daily operations of a 100-room hotel, maintaining an average occupancy rate of 90% and consistently exceeding revenue targets.
• Implemented a new room service menu, leading to a 20% increase in in-room dining orders and contributing to a 10% rise in overall food and beverage revenue.
• Developed a comprehensive emergency response plan, ensuring the safety of guests and staff and reducing incident response time by 50%.
• Team Leadership and Management
• Customer Satisfaction Enhancement
• Training Program Development
• Project Management
• Inventory Management
• Event Planning and Execution
• Customer Loyalty Program Development
• Social Media Marketing
• Hotel Operations Management
• Emergency Response Planning

Hospitality Manager CV Template

• Coordinated with [teams/departments] to deliver [result, e.g., exceptional guest experience, successful events], demonstrating strong [soft skill, e.g., leadership, communication].
• Managed [hospitality function, e.g., room service, front desk operations], improving [process or task, e.g., check-in/check-out procedures, room allocation] to enhance [operational outcome, e.g., guest satisfaction, occupancy rates].
• Implemented [system or process improvement, e.g., new reservation software, revised housekeeping schedules], leading to [quantifiable benefit, e.g., 20% increase in efficiency, improved guest feedback].
• Key contributor in [project or initiative, e.g., hotel renovation, menu redesign], which resulted in [measurable impact, e.g., increased bookings, improved dining experience].
• Directed [type of analysis, e.g., customer satisfaction surveys, revenue forecasting], utilizing [analytical tools/methods] to drive [decision-making/action, e.g., service improvements, pricing strategies].
• Played a crucial role in [task or responsibility, e.g., staff training, compliance with health and safety regulations], ensuring [quality or standard, e.g., service excellence, regulatory adherence] across all operations.
• Major: Name of Major
• Minor: Name of Minor

100+ Free Resume Templates

How to format a hospitality manager cv, start with a strong profile summary, highlight relevant experience and achievements, detail education and certifications, emphasize soft skills and industry-specific skills, personal statements for hospitality managers, hospitality manager personal statement examples, what makes a strong personal statement.

Match & Compare Your CV to a Job Description

CV FAQs for Hospitality Managers

How long should hospitality managers make a cv, what's the best format for an hospitality manager cv, how does a hospitality manager cv differ from a resume, related cvs for hospitality manager.

Hotel Operations Manager CV

General Manager CV

Director of Restaurant Operations CV

Hospitality Management CV

Area Manager CV

Commercial Property Manager CV

Try our AI-Powered Resume Builder

• Applying to Uni
• Apprenticeships
• Health & Relationships
• Money & Finance

Personal Statements

• Postgraduate
• U.S Universities

University Interviews

• Vocational Qualifications
• Accommodation
• ​​​​​​​Budgeting, Money & Finance
• ​​​​​​​Health & Relationships
• ​​​​​​​Jobs & Careers
• ​​​​​​​Socialising

Studying Abroad

• ​​​​​​​Studying & Revision
• ​​​​​​​Technology
• ​​​​​​​University & College Admissions

Guide to GCSE Results Day

Finding a job after school or college

Retaking GCSEs

In this section

Choosing GCSE Subjects

Post-GCSE Options

GCSE Work Experience

GCSE Revision Tips

Why take an Apprenticeship?

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships Interviews

Apprenticeship Wage

Engineering Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Choosing an Apprenticeship

Real Life Apprentices

Degree Apprenticeships

Higher Apprenticeships

A Level Results Day 2024

AS Levels 2024

Clearing Guide 2024

Applying to University

SQA Results Day Guide 2024

BTEC Results Day Guide

Vocational Qualifications Guide

Sixth Form or College

International Baccalaureate

Post 18 options

Finding a Job

Should I take a Gap Year?

Travel Planning

Volunteering

Gap Year Guide

Gap Year Blogs

Applying to Oxbridge

Applying to US Universities

Choosing a Degree

Choosing a University or College

Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Guide to Freshers' Week

Student Guides

Student Cooking

Student Blogs

Top Rated Personal Statements

Personal Statement Examples

Writing Your Personal Statement

Postgraduate Personal Statements

International Student Personal Statements

Gap Year Personal Statements

Personal Statement Length Checker

Personal Statement Examples By University

Personal Statement Changes 2025

Personal Statement Template

Job Interviews

Types of Postgraduate Course

Writing a Postgraduate Personal Statement

Postgraduate Funding

Postgraduate Study

Internships

Choosing A College

Ivy League Universities

Common App Essay Examples

Universal College Application Guide

How To Write A College Admissions Essay

College Rankings

Admissions Tests

Fees & Funding

Scholarships

Budgeting For College

Online Degree

Platinum Express Editing and Review Service

Gold Editing and Review Service

Silver Express Editing and Review Service

UCAS Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Oxbridge Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

Postgraduate Personal Statement Editing and Review Service

You are here

Hospitality management personal statement example 1.

Hospitality Industry is one of the fastest-growing industries, whose great variety makes it very interesting area of working. I have never thought about the fascination and the opportunities which this industry offers until the day I started to work as a tourist manager assistant two years ago.

It was a summer job which was supposed to fill up my free time and increase my budget. I knew I was going to like it because I am keen on meeting new people and visiting tourist destinations, but I did not even suspect how much it would affect me.

As an assistant I was required to help the tourist manager accommodate the guests and organize different kinds of entertainment. This job gave me opportunity to become acquainted with the work of such people as hotel, club and event managers.

I was deeply impressed by their diligence to satisfy every need of their customers. I have realized the responsibility of their profession, but I have also understood how satisfied they are when their clients are happy. I will never forget the face of the tourist manager I worked with when the guests thanked him for the perfect holiday. His face was beaming.

Despite the fact I was only an assistant I felt satisfaction too seeing that the tourists were content with our work. This feeling of gratification and even happiness was the main reason why I decided to study Hospitality management. I am fond of knowing more about each sector of Hospitality industry, in which I see my future.

Every manager needs leadership skills. I think I have gained them by participating in diverse activities. I was one of the students chosen to stage a play for the hundredth anniversary of my primary school.

The most difficult task of the organization of the play was to make the children deliver an inspired performance. Eventually I managed to motivate them not only to be good actors but to enjoy acting itself. It produced positive response.

The passion I have for foreign languages ensured my successful participation in the English Language Festival of my school. In this way I have improved my organizational and presentation skills. Being a member of both Eco-club-Mathew and Interact club, the aim of which is charity, I have gained a sense of team spirit.

As a lover of nature the thing I like to do the most is to go hiking and on picnics. I find the nature of England very attractive and I am looking forward to going there and seeing its beauties. Dancing is my hobby too. I have been dancing a modern ballet for five years. This is my way to relax and keep fit.

I am reliable and positive person, who enjoys challenges and never gives up. I dream of managing a hotel, even a chain of hotels. I realise how great my ambitions are and how hard I must work to achieve them but I think it is most important to have a wish and will.

When one who has strong wishes is self-confident and self-motivated, when he is patient and determined he can fulfill them. I know that besides all these qualities I must also have skills in order to succeed in this industry in which there is such a competition. Studying hospitality management I will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to be a prosperous hospitality manager.

In ten years I imagine myself possessing a five-star hotel on the French Riviera and the first thing I should do to achieve my goal is to take this course at your university.

Profile info

This personal statement was written by kamell for application in 2008.

kamell's Comments

this personal statement helped me gain a place at the university of surrey,course-international hospitality management

Related Personal Statements

It looks too messy, you.

Thu, 17/07/2008 - 06:33

it looks too messy, you should clean it up a bit.

it seems very good, i've

Sat, 28/03/2009 - 19:44

it seems very good, i've browsed a fw paragraphs so far and that one looks best

did u actually get into a

Thu, 21/05/2009 - 15:32

did u actually get into a full time job in hospatality

A good personal statement, it

Thu, 04/08/2011 - 14:04

A good personal statement, it's helpful to me.

Very good personal statement

Tue, 08/11/2011 - 21:14

Very good personal statement thanks!

Add new comment