Hospitality CV—Examples & Tips for Hotel Job Application
Hospitality CV—Examples & Tips for Hotel Job Application
Ding! When you go to your next interview, that’s the last time you ring the bell, instead of answering it. This hospitality CV guide will make sure of it.
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert
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.
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
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.
Work Experience
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
Villeroy Suites, London
July 2014–August 2016
Achieved the best results for upselling extra services for 13 months in a row.
Volunteered for twice weekly shifts in the laundry room.
Awarded ‘The Most Cheerful Employee’ prize.
Education
BA in Public Relations, 2012-2015
University of Roehampton
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
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.
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?
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
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.
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
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!)
Expert Hint: If this is your first job out of school, you can find more guidance in our high school CV guide.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab CV builder now.
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:
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
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.
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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Roma Konczak is a career expert and a Certified Professional Resume Writer with a professional background in education and humanities. Passionate about helping others develop their skills, she writes articles that turn complex HR topics into simple and easy-to-follow tips based on meticulous research and data.