Hospitality CV—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 CV. One was as messy and mismatched as the rooms at Shabby Motels, so it fit right in. So, how do you write a 5-star CV for hospitality jobs?

In this guide:

• A hospitality CV 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 CV guides:

• Hostess CV Sample
• Dishwasher CV Sample
• Lifeguard CV Sample
• Housekeeping CV Sample
• Restaurant Manager CV Sample
• Waiter/Waitress CV Sample
• Line Cook CV Sample
• Chef CV Sample
• Restaurant CV Sample
• Food Service CV Sample
• Bartender CV Sample
• Barista CV Examples
• Front Desk CV Sample
• Receptionist CV Sample
• Administrative Assistant CV Sample
• Executive Assistant CV Sample
• Office Assistant CV Sample
• Secretary CV Sample
• Call Centre CV Sample
• CV Samples for All Jobs

Hospitality CV Example You Can Copy and Use

That’s a hospitality CV that even the most hardened reviewer would rave about! Now here’s how to write your own:

1. Use a Professional Hospitality CV 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 CVs?

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. 

Hospitality CV Format

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

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

2. Ding Their Bell With Your Hospitality CV Objective or Summary

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 CV profile. What would really convince someone to hire you?

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

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

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

Hospitality CV Summary Example

Customer service focused front-desk receptionist with 7+ years of hotel experience dealing with 150+ guests daily. Maintained guest ratings of 99% plus throughout employment with Siam Continental, 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 Ellison International.

Experienced receptionist, skilled 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 generalisations. Refer to real achievements, and hit them with your strongest suit.

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

Friendly, fluent Portuguese and Spanish-speaking call centre representative. Received 98% positive customer survey results during three-month internship. Looking to apply my language and customer service skills as a front desk clerk at Premier Inn.

Recent University of Nottingham graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. I’m looking to work as a receptionist.

Expert Hint: How to make starting a CV easier? It is by far easiest to do this once you have completed the other sections of your CV 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 CV 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 CV words and use the STAR (Situation-Task-Action-Result) formula to help you out.

Hospitality CV Job Description

Front Desk Receptionist

Siam Continental, London

August 2016–Present

• Greeted, checked in and out, and assisted 150+ guests daily.
• Received 99% plus positive guest ratings based on metrics from checkout survey,
• Won ‘Employee of the Month’ award eight months in a row in 2019.
• Praised by guests for exceptional knowledge of the city and surrounding attractions.
• Prepared daily reports and handled up to £8,000 of cash at the end of the shift.
• Reduced the number of escalated guest complaints by 55%.

Front Desk Receptionist

White Hart Inn

• Always greeted customers with a smile and solved their problems.
• Gave great customer service all the time.
• 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 list those in a CV skills section, right under your work experience, or if you prefer, in a sidebar (in those fancy new CVs!)

Top Hospitality Skills for CV

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

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

Hotel CV Sample—Education

Education

BA in Public Relations, 2012-2015

University of Roehampton

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

5. Add Some Extras

To paint a full picture of your candidature, add some icing on the cake to your CV. 

Choose from:

• Volunteering
• Hobbies and interests
• Projects
• Languages
• Certificates

Make sure they’re relevant to your job, though. 

Hospitality CV—Extra Sections

Skills

• Multi-tasking
• CRM software
• Data entry
• MS office
• Tourist attraction knowledge
• Wine and food knowledge
• Conflict management

Languages

• Ukrainian—Native
• Russian—Native
• English—C2

Certifications

• CTH Level 2 Certificate in Hospitality Practice

Added Information 

• Speak Ukrainian, Russian, English
• CTH Level 2 Certificate
• 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!

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Remember the following pointers:

• Stick to the CV 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 CV examples helpful? Did we help you get your CV for hotel jobs right? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

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