Restaurant Manager CV—Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

You’re writing a CV for a restaurant manager job.

However— 

Unlike a full dinner service, you don’t get a relaxing 2.5 hours to decide whether the experience was pleasant.

Rather, a restaurant owner will typically scan each CV for just 7 seconds, initially.

To score an interview, you’ve got to catch their attention immediately, hold it through to the end, and convince them to give you a shot.

No worries.

In this guide:

• The best restaurant manager CV sample to get the top food jobs.
• How to tailor your CV to the restaurant manager job description.
• How to write CVs for restaurant manager jobs that secure interviews.
• Expert tips and restaurant manager examples to improve your job chances.

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Searching for more restaurant or management-related CV examples? 

Have a look at these:

• Business Manager CV Examples
• Business Owner CV Examples
• Store Manager CV Examples
• Bartender CV Examples
• Waiter or Waitress CV Examples
• Barista CV Examples
• Fast Food CV Examples
• Hospitality CV Examples

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV samples.

Restaurant Manager CV Example to Copy and Use

Now— 

Here’s how to write a restaurant manager CV yourself:

1. Format the Restaurant Manager CV Template First

Mise en place— 

In French cuisine, this is the method of arranging all your ingredients before you begin to cook. It’s more organised, more convenient, and way more professional.

Do the same on a CV.

A proper CV format ensures everything is as organised and logical as your restaurant management approach.

Here is how to format a restaurant manager CV template:

• Go in a reverse-chronological order on a restaurant GM CV. Start with your most recent position, followed by the one before that, and so on.
• Choose the best font for CVs, and type your main text using 11–12 pt font size.
• Go with a one-inch border around all four sides of your CV for restaurant manager jobs.
• Select the best CV parts to include. Stick with info relevant to restaurant general manager jobs, and omit the rest.

Stick to these CV guidelines, and you’ll have a CV as clarified as butter. 

Expert Hint: Unless the restaurant’s job ad says otherwise, save the CV in the PDF format. The PDF version ensures your CV can be read on any device the restaurant owner chooses to view it on. A Microsoft Word document may look funny, depending on the screen.

2. Start with a Restaurant Manager CV Objective or Summary

At any fine dining establishment, you wouldn’t offer a guest their entree immediately. You’d suggest an appetiser, perhaps a soup or salad, to start them off.

However— 

On a CV, this opening statement can make or break your chances for an interview.

Known as an objective or summary, its purpose is to quickly pitch the restaurant owner as to why you’re the best candidate for the role.

What are the differences between a summary and objective?

Use the CV summary statement when you have a large stock pot’s worth of foodservice leadership experience.

The career summary outlines your restaurant manager experience with your background, skills, and other key points. A numbered accomplishment proves your expertise to really have them hungry to learn more about you.

Here’s how to write a restaurant general manager CV summary:

Restaurant Manager CV Examples of Summaries

The first one is cooked to perfection— 

It has details. It has skills. It has numbers. And, unlike the second one, it is tailored specifically to one job description.

Now— 

Don’t Have Any Experience in Food Service Management?

Use aCV objective statement when you have little to no experience in restaurant management jobs. 

Unlike the summary, the objective replaces your previous experience with a statement about your career plans and goals. Numbers are important here, as well.

Here’s how to write a restaurant general manager CV objective statement:

Restaurant Manager CV Objective Example

Aside from the bad example above being not-at-all personalised, it also commits the other top CV crime—no numbers as proof of your success.

Weak sauce. 

In the good example, however, we give quantifiable accomplishments and tailor it right to this one restaurant. On top of that, we took your most restaurant-related skills and duties, even though you’ve not yet had restaurant management experience.

Expert Hint: For a clean finish, write the CV heading statement at the end, even though it’s the first thing they’ll read. This way, you’ll better identify the right morsels of information that’ll be most effective to start with.

3. Write a Great Restaurant Manager Job Description and Restaurant Manager Skills Sections

We’ve now come to the employment history section, the main dish of the multiple-course dinner that is the CV.

And— 

Like any main dish, the restaurant manager job description on a CV is the largest portion and the likeliest to leave an aftertaste. 

Aim for a pleasant flavour balance over rancid taste profile by documenting it correctly.

Here’s how to craft a restaurant manager job description CV section:

• Use reverse-chronological order in the work history section of any restaurant general manager CVs. Latest position first, then the next, etc.
• List your job title, the dates you were employed there, the company’s or restaurant’s name, and their location. 
• Add 5 or 6 bullet points documenting your job responsibilities in a way that’s relevant to the restaurant manager position. Start each with action verbs, and use active voice.
• As in the restaurant assistant manager CV introduction, add achievements with numbers to verify your ability to lead their dining establishment to success.

Now, here are two restaurant manager CV examples of job descriptions:

Restaurant Manager Job Description for CVs

Though we’re exaggerating a bit on the bad example, the point is that you can’t just simply list restaurant duties.

That’s no good— 

They’ll slice this CV up Julienne style and toss it straight into the garbage disposal.

The good example, however, details previous work responsibilities and adds numbered achievements to show them you’re a top shelf choice. 

If you have a track record as a Restaurant Manager, your CV should include specific, relevant facts and figures to demonstrate your management ability. For example:

• Given that the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics says that the employee turnover rate in the restaurant industry annually exceeds 70%, if you kept your own turnover below 25% that's a noteworthy accomplishment because hiring and training replacements eats up time and money.
• If your unit's sales increased 9% while menu prices remained steady, that's also notable.
• How about profits? Have they increased during your tenure? If so, provide the numbers.
• If your unit won any significant awards during your tenure, that also belongs in your CV.

One other thing— 

Larger restaurants, particularly chains, use a digital applicant tracking system, or ATS, to help them sort the many CVs they receive.

The ATS helps philtre through CVs by scanning them for specific CV keywords. 

Don’t have the keywords they’re looking for, you won’t get the job.

To find the right keywords, return to the job advertisement.

The restaurant manager job ad is like an ingredient list to bake the perfect CV. Head to the job responsibilities section to locate exactly the candidate they’re looking for (and the keywords you’re looking for).

Now— 

The CV skills section.

Skills on a CV are like drinks on a menu— 

Though it’s just a small section compared to the rest of the CV, choosing the right food service skills and restaurant management abilities can make or break the deal.

In the United States, food service managers, including fast food supervisors and diner assistant managers, will increase by 9% (27,600 jobs) by 2026.

How can your CV stand out in a sea of eligible job applicants?

With the perfect restaurant manager skills CV section.

Here are restaurant manager CVs samples of skills to include:

10+ Skills Restaurant Managers Must Have to be Effective

• Remain Calm in a Busy Environment
• Organisational Skills 
• Effective Management & Empathetic Leadership
• Excellent Verbal Communication Abilities
• Problem Solving Skills
• Finance & Budgeting Skills
• Food Safety & Protection
• Restaurant Organisation & Layout
• Kitchen and BOH Operations
• People Skills & Friendly Attitude
• Regional Cuisines
• Vendor Relationships
• Ordering Supplies & Food Products

However— 

As when you order foods to replenish your kitchen’s stock, don’t add unnecessary inclusions.

Select a few key skills by scanning the work responsibilities area to determine the talents and abilities they seek in a restaurant manager. 

Expert Hint: To cook up the perfect plate of restaurant skills and management abilities, throw in just the right amount of both soft skills (e.g., empathy, communication) and hard skills (e.g., managerial accounting).

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4. Turn the Restaurant General Manager CV Education Section Into the Reason You’re Hired

Many restaurant manager positions require some university education, even on a fast food manager CV.

So— 

Here is how to write a restaurant management CV education section:

Restaurant Manager CV Example of Education Section

And here’s the formula for a great education section:

• List your highest, most impressive degree first, also in reverse chronological order. 
• Include the major or diploma, the school’s name, its location, and the date of completion or expected completion.
• To stand out, add impressive (but relevant!) extras, such as associated coursework or academic honours.
• Don’t list high school on your CV if you’ve finished a university degree.

Expert Hint: Relevant coursework is always a helpful subsection to add in your education section. Remember that you can include both leadership classes and those related to food service.

5. Pair Your Restaurant Manager CV With Additional Sections

By now, your CV resembles a basic cake—it’s technically complete, but not so appealing. 

To really create a tempting dessert, add the frosting, the sprinkles, and the filling.

On a CV, these are extra sections. They help you stand out from the crowd of applicants by showing you’re a well-rounded restaurant management candidate.

Here are some restaurant manager CV samples of additional sections to include:

Licences and Certificates

• Manage First Professional, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
• ServeSafe Food Handler Certification
• ServSafe Alcohol Certification
• ServSafe Workplace Certification
• ServSafe Allergens Certification
• Certified Food and Beverage Executive, American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute

Restaurant Organisations & Associations

• Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA)
• The National Restaurant Association
• Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP)

Management Organisations & Associations

• American Management Association (AMA)
• National Management Association (NMA)
• American Leadership Development Association 

Related Hobbies & Interests

• Blogging about restaurants
• Food tasting and critiquing
• Volunteering at a soup kitchen

Foreign Language Proficiency Levels

• Catalan: Native Proficiency
• Spanish (Spain): Professional Working Proficiency
• Sinhalese: Intermediate Proficiency
• Amharic: Basic Conversational Proficiency

Expert Hint: No CV is complete without a restaurant manager cover letter. More than 80% of employers say it’s necessary, so you should submit a cover letter for restaurant manager jobs along with your job application. 

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Key Points

Let’s sum it all up— 

Here’s how to write a restaurant manager CV:

• Format the restaurant managers CV template before you get to writing. Choose a legible font, use a 1-inch margin, and prioritise CV sections by importance.
• Write a compelling CV heading statement for restaurant management jobs (objective or summary).
• Document your past working experience by listing the most relevant job responsibilities you had. Include numbered achievements to show the restaurant owner you rock.
• Jot down the most important skills you have related to foodservice and management work. Use the job ad to find the right keywords to use.
• Include a quick listing of your educational background. Don’t include high school if you have completed a university degree or graduated from a culinary institute.
• Add in an extra section or two to bring out the flavour on CVs for restaurant manager jobs, such as languages, certifications, and memberships.
• Never forget to include a restaurant management cover letter!

Looking for more restaurants manager CV examples? Need help writing a tailored restaurant manager job description for CVs? Leave a comment below, and we can discuss it. Thanks for reading!

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