Hospitality Resume—Examples & Tips for Hotel Job Application

Hospitality jobs are as similar and alike as the guests you host. Which is not at all. The skills required are the same, the responsibilities too, so what’s the difference between the front desk clerk at Hilton and the one at Shabby Motels Inc.? 

Probably their hospitality resume. One was as messy and mismatched as the rooms at Shabby Motels, so it fit right in. So, how do ou write a 5-star resume for hospitality jobs?

In this guide:

• A hospitality resume example that gets the interview. 
• Tips on building your job description for maximum effect.
• Expert hints to increase the chances of your hospitality job application.

Let’s get checked in.

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Considering other positions in hospitality? See our dedicated resume guides:

• Bar Manager Resume Sample
• Concierge Resume Sample
• Hostess Resume Sample
• Hotel Manager Resume Sample
• Dishwasher Resume Sample
• Lifeguard Resume Sample
• Housekeeping Resume Sample
• Restaurant Manager Resume Sample
• Waiter/Waitress Resume Sample
• Server Resume Sample
• Line Cook Resume Sample
• Chef Resume Sample
• Restaurant Resume Sample
• Food Service Resume Sample
• Bartender Resume Sample
• Barista Resume Sample
• Budtender Resume Sample
• Front Desk Resume Sample
• Receptionist Resume Sample

Hospitality Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

That’s a hospitality resume ready for the spring, summer, autumn and winter! (Four Seasons, get it?) Now here’s how to write your own:

1. Use a Professional Resume Format

You wouldn’t present to guests in a creased shirt or with messy hair (unless you’re at Shabby Motels Inc., I guess!). You wouldn’t even go to the interview like that. So, why do so many people send disorganized, unclear hospitality resumes?

We don’t know why, but we know they do. And that is good news for you—because after you apply the following tips, you will stand out like a Louis Vuitton on the luggage cart. 

Here’s the business resume format:

Hospitality Resume Format

• Order your experience in the reverse-chronological resume format.
• Use presentable and legible resume fonts, like Arial, Calibri or Tahoma.
• Set 1-inch resume margins.
• How long should your resume be? Fit everything on a 1-page resume.
• Outline your resume like this: Resume Header, Objective, Education, Experience and “Additional.”
• Save your resume as a PDFto protect formatting, unless instructed otherwise. 
• Use a simple resume template, it’s more readable. 

Expert Hint: One of the worst resume mistakes you can make is to underestimate the importance of studying the job description and getting to know the employer before you send your resume. 

2. Ding Their Bell With Your Hospitality Resume Objective

If you had to complete your interview in an elevator by the time you got to the top floor, what would you say? That’s the best way to think about your resume profile. What would really convince someone to hire you?

Craft an attention grabbing professional summary by answering each questions concisely:

1. Who are you, what’s your experience (expressed as years+)?
2. What’s your most unique achievement?
3. What’s your most impressive/relevant achievement?
4. What can you do for this employer?

4-6 lines is plenty. Draw their attention and make them read the rest of your hotel resume.

Hospitality Resume Summary—Example

Personable front-desk clerk with 6+ years of hostel and hotel experience of dealing with up 200+ guests daily. Maintained 99% guest ratings throughout the 4 years with InTown Suites, reduced the number of complaints, and collected a range of awards. Seeking to apply proven skills to provide world-class service in a position with Hilton Treetop.

Experienced receptionist, good at solving customer problems quickly and making them happy. I save a lot of time for the managers and other staff with my work. I am very friendly and approachable, and would love to work for you.

Don’t hide behind empty statements and generalizations. Refer to real achievements, and hit them with your strongest suit.

Use the same approach when writing an entry-level resume. But instead of a summary, craft a career objective statement. In it, show transferable skills from internships, school or hobbies.

Hotel Resume Objective—Example

Friendly, fluent Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking call center representative. During my 3-month internship received 98% positive customer survey results MoM. Looking to apply my language and customer service skills as a front desk clerk at Motel 66.

Recent NC State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. I’m looking to work as a receptionist.

Expert Hint: How to make starting a resume easier? It is by far easiest to do this once you have completed the other sections of your resume for hospitality jobs, especially your job description.

3. Impress With Your Job Description and Skills

You can’t bore someone into giving you a job. You can only impress them into giving you a job. Therefore, don’t be a laundry list! A laundry list resume is what we call ones that only list responsibilities and duties of the job, without giving any perspective or achievements.

Sure, you’re in hospitality, you greeted and helped guests. How many of them a day? How well did you do? Did you get commended for anything? How did you stand out? When you tell them what you did at the previous job, they can imagine what you can do for them.

Start each line with powerful resume words and use the STAR (Situation-Task-Action-Result) formula to help you out.

Hospitality Resume Job Description

Front Desk Clerk

InTown Suites, Houston

December 2016—Present

• Greeted, checked in and out, and assisted 200+ guests daily.
• Received 99% positive guest ratings based on a check-out survey on the hotel website.
• Earned “Employee of the Month” award 9 months in a row in 2018.
• Distinguished by guests for exceptional knowledge of the city and surrounding attractions.
• Prepared daily reports and handled up to $10K of cash at the end of the shift.
• Reduced the number of guest complaints submitted to the manager by 65%.

Front Desk Clerk

White Ranch Hostel

• Always greeted customers with a smile and solved their problems.
• Voluntarily worked in the hostel laundry room.
• Just cheered up the place a bit, you know?

For the things that deserve a mention, but don’t deserve a full line, there’s a way. You can make a list of skills for a resume, right under your work experience, or if you prefer, in a sidebar (in those fancy new resumes!)

Top Hospitality Skills for Resume

• Building Customer Relationships
• Computer Skills
• CRM Software
• Data Entry
• MS Office
• Multi-line phone systems
• Office Supply Management
• VOIP phone systems
• XX WPM Typing Speed
• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Calm Attitude
• Collaboration
• Commitment
• Communication
• Computer Knowledge
• Conflict resolution
• Customer service
• Enthusiasm
• Flexibility
• Foresight
• Guest Service
• Hygiene and health and safety
• Interpersonal Skills
• Knowledge of Hygiene Issues
• Knowledge of Safety
• Leadership
• Multitasking
• Organized
• Physically Fit
• Presentable
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Thorough
• Time Management

Expert Hint: If this is your first job out of school, you can find more guidance in our high school resume guide.

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4. Include Your Education Section

Unless the job posting calls for specific education, leave it until last. Your work experience and skills are more of an argument for hiring you than high school grades. For your highest education level, just list the certification type, school name, and graduation date.

Here’s an example of how to list your education on a resume:

Hotel Resume Sample—Education

Education

Bachelor of Art: Public Relations, 2012-2015

University of Texas, Austin, United States

Expert Hint: If you are writing a resume with no experience in hospitality, you can add relevant coursework or scholarships to your resume, too.

5. Add Added Sections to Your Hospitality Resume 

Unlike most hospitality resume examples would have you believe, the end of your resume is not an ‘About Me’ section. Only relay information which is relevant to the position, or one that shows your multitasking and willingness to take on responsibility.

These extra sections can be relevant:

• Awards
• Certifications
• Foreign Languages
• Hobbies, Activities, and Personal Interests
• Volunteering
• Professional References
• Skills—if you haven’t included them as part of your other sections

Compare these two hospitality resume examples:

Hospitality Resume—Extra Sections

Skills

• Multitasking
• CRM Software
• Data Entry
• MS Office
• Tourist Attraction Knowledge

Languages

• Russian (fluent)
• Polish (intermediate)
• Czech (beginner)

Certifications

• CPR Certification (American Red Cross)

Added Information 

• Speak Russian, Polish, Czech
• CPR 
• Great with computers

Ding! Get used to that sound. You getting a hospitality job is unavoidable now. If the employer asks for one (they probably do), write a cover letter. Let someone else read your application to fish out any mistakes, and you’re set!

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Key Points

Remember the following pointers:

• Stick to the resume format guidelines—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
• Sprinkle your hospitality job description with achievements and numbers.
• Split up certifications, skills and other bonus sections properly. 
• Write a hospitality cover letter. 

Did you find our hospitality resume examples helpful? Did we help you get your resume for hotel jobs right? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

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