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Table of contents

Popular hospitality resumes
How to write a hospitality resume
Hospitality resume examples by experience level
Add a cover letter
Facts about the hospitality industry
Key takeaways for your hospitality resume
Frequently asked questions from job seekers

As a hospitality guru, you always aim to provide the best service. Whether you’re in the kitchen or front-of-house, you’re an essential ingredient in the tapestry of warm welcomes and memorable experiences.

But judging from the bustling hotel lobbies to fully booked reservations, the race for hospitality positions can be as competitive as the breakfast buffet during peak season.

This highlights the crucial need for a resume that truly stands out.

This guide will show out:

Examples of top-tier hospitality resumes.
How to craft a great hospitality resume.
Resumes catered to different stages of your career journey.
Why cover letters are the icing on the cake.
Key takeaways to guide your job search.

If you need a resume quickly, make your way to our AI Resume Builder. Choose a design that suits your taste and enjoy the tailored guidance, along with easy-to-edit, expert-curated content for each section.

Popular hospitality resumes

The secret lies in showcasing your hospitality expertise and experiences in a digestible and elegant resume that highlights your strengths. Here’s three examples that embody the professional touch, and they were whipped up in our Resume Builder.

Are you looking for a different job title? Check out our library of resume examples or find a specific job below:

Browse other popular samples

Director of Hotel Operations Resume Example

How to write a hospitality resume

Whether you’re trying to elevate your career or simply looking to land a job, your search starts with mastering how to write a resume. You can create a resume that captivates hiring managers with your guest-oriented finesse.

Begin by sketching a resume outline. Your outline should include:

Your contact information, positioned at the top.
An engaging, keyword-rich resume profile that welcomes the reader.
A section or two highlighting key skills.
Your industry experience, beginning with your most recent position.
Education, training or certifications relevant to hospitality in your education section.
Extra sections that make your resume more appealing.

Ready to dive deeper into each part? Let’s get started.

Step 1

Share your contact info

Your resume is like a ticket to the VIP guest list. You’d want the hiring manager to send you an invite to their event — the interview! Make their job much easier by including your contact info.

Here are the essentials to spotlight:

Your name — the main attraction!
Your phone number — so they can give you a ring.
Email address — keep it polished and professional.
Your city and state — show them where you’re based.

Lastly, presentation is everything in hospitality, and it’s best to keep your resume’s header clear. No need for lavish designs — think of it as setting a table. Simple elegance often makes the biggest impact. Remember, it’s about showcasing your skills and achievements.

Next, let’s talk about your professional summary or career objective.

Step 2

Summarize your career or goals in a few sentences

Your resume’s opening is the amuse-bouche of your professional journey — a bite-sized delight meant to entice.

Positioned front and center, this succinct section offers a taste of what you’d be like as an employee. Think of it as your chance to ensure event planners, hotel managers or restaurant owners understand they’ve stumbled upon a Michelin-star candidate.

Depending on how long you’ve been in hospitality, you can choose from a couple of profile types:

Seasoned hospitality workers might lean toward a professional summary. This is a powerful summation — only four to five sentences — that accentuates your top skills and most impressive achievements.
If you’re new to hospitality, either entry level or coming in from a different industry, a resume objective could be your go-to. This style clearly states what you aim to bring to the table and how it fits into your overall professional goals.

You know what would put you above the rest? Aligning your summary with the establishment’s mission statement, which you can usually find online. Highlight the unique techniques that make you the perfect choice for their kitchen or front desk.

Writing tip

Customize your summary or objective for every hospitality role you’re targeting. Every venue, be it a boutique hotel or a swanky eatery, has its own ambiance and guest expectations. By tweaking your resume for each role, you can emphasize the specific skills that will help you bypass their applicant tracking system (ATS) and make it into their venue.

Professional summary for hospitality resume example:

Dynamic professional with over five years of experience in bustling hospitality settings, from boutique hotels to upscale restaurants. Proficient in delivering unparalleled guest experiences, handling reservation systems and coordinating events. Skilled in upholding high standards of service, adapting to guest preferences and managing feedback. Proven expertise in team collaboration, achieving service benchmarks and aligning with brand standards.

Sample objective statement for hospitality resume:

As a recent graduate with a degree in hospitality management, I am eager to bring my theoretical knowledge to life in a dynamic hospitality environment. With a focus on enhancing guest satisfaction and operational efficiency, I aim to leverage my skills in guest service and event coordination. I am enthusiastic about joining a spirited team, exceeding service expectations and embracing the ever-changing dynamics of the hospitality industry.

Step 3

Showcase your hospitality expertise

The hospitality industry is all about creating memorable experiences and ensuring guest satisfaction. From coordinating events to serving guests with a smile, you have the skills that need to shine on your resume.

Your hard skills come to play when you’re managing reservations, coordinating events or handling specific hotel software. Meanwhile, your soft skills shine through every interaction with guests, team members and vendors.

The essence isn’t about distinguishing hard skills vs soft skills, but weaving them together to present yourself as the perfect ambassador of hospitality.

In hospitality, where every detail matters, from the crispness of sheets to the warmth of a welcome, your skills are key. Each interaction, each smile, each problem solved contributes to the tapestry of memorable experiences that guests cherish. So, make sure your resume is as inviting and impeccable as the service you aim to provide.

Writing tip

Guest testimonials and feedback can be a game-changer. If you’ve received glowing reviews or acknowledgments for your outstanding service, don’t hesitate to highlight them on your resume. It speaks volumes about your dedication and expertise.

Hard and soft skills for a hospitality resume

Hard Skills

Reservation systems

Event coordination

Knowledge of hotel software

Food and beverage management

Soft Skills

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving

Empathy and patience

Guest service excellence

Step 4

Elaborate on your work experience

If you’re a seasoned hospitality professional, your work history highlights your expertise in guest service, event management and operational efficiency. If you’re new to the business, you can focus on your transferable skills, such as communication and customer service.

In either case, your aim is to ensure your work experience on your resume stands out brilliantly.

Consider the following strategies to magnify your professional history:

Spotlight outcomes, not just tasks. Focus on quantifiable achievements like increased guest satisfaction scores or event attendance rather than just listing routine responsibilities.
Demonstrate career progression. Detail your roles in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the most recent, to highlight your growth and advancement in the hospitality field.
Use action words. Infuse your resume with words like “curated,” “executed” and “elevated” to inject dynamism into your work history.

Writing tip

Don’t neglect your technical skills. In hospitality, a mix of the interpersonal and the technical, like mastering hotel software or event planning tools, is vital.

Hospitality experience example:

Guest Relations Manager, Serene Stay Hotel
Daly City, CA
April 2019 – Present

Collaborated with the team on guest experience strategies, resulting in a 25% increase in guest satisfaction scores and achieving a 98% positive review rate.
Instrumental in refining room service operations, leading to a 15% increase in efficiency and higher guest commendations.
Developed and promoted a guest loyalty program, resulting in a 50% increase in return guest bookings.

Step 5

Spotlight your educational achievements

Your educational journey serves as a cornerstone when venturing into the hospitality industry, particularly if you’ve recently secured a degree or certification in hotel management, tourism or a related discipline.

Remember the countless hours you dedicated to learning about guest relations, mastering the intricacies of event planning or diving into international tourism trends? This is your moment to showcase these accomplishments, signaling to potential employers that you’re primed to thrive in the world of hospitality.

It’s also essential to earmark a special section for any specialized training or certifications. In the hospitality field, extra qualifications, like certifications in hotel operations or event management, can give you a distinctive advantage.

Hospitality education entry example:

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Tourism Management,
Hospitality University, Miami, FL | 2024

Certifications

Certified Hotel Operations Professional,
International Hospitality Association
Issue Date: July 2024

Step 6

Add extra sections to enhance your resume

Go deeper than work experience, education and primary skills for your hospitality resume. Have you been honored for exceptional guest service? Or maybe you’ve volunteered at local events or international retreats that underscore your commitment to the industry.

Here are some sections to consider:

Volunteer work: Highlight experiences such as assisting at local tourism events or participating in international volunteer programs related to hospitality. These can emphasize your dedication and passion.
Foreign languages: The hospitality industry thrives on diverse interactions. Proficiency in multiple languages can elevate guest relations, especially in popular tourist destinations or international chains.
Professional certifications: Did you attend a mixology workshop or gain a certification in event planning? These professional touches can set you apart from other candidates.

Writing tip

If you’ve pursued additional courses or took part in workshops related to hospitality management or guest relations, think about listing them in a “Continuous Professional Development” or “Additional Training” section. This showcases your commitment to excellence in the hospitality realm.

As you begin your job search, it’s essential to select an appropriate resume template that echoes both your unique style and the hospitality industry’s standards.

Templates vary widely, from simple resume designs suitable for upscale hotels or resorts, to more vibrant and creative resumes fitting for roles in hip eateries and boutique inns. Pick the one that encapsulates your essence and the image you want to project.

And don’t spend forever hunting for a template! We have an abundance of professional templates, plus free templates for Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Your aim should be crafting a clear, well-organized resume that gives shape to your professional history. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Choose what feels genuinely you and aligns with your career aspirations in the hospitality sector.

Hospitality resume examples by experience level

Experience within the hospitality industry is the foundation of your resume. As you accumulate more accomplishments in guest services, events or hotel management, you open doors to roles with greater responsibility and prestige.

As your career advances, your resume’s structure might evolve too. Think about these three predominant resume formats suitable for different stages of your hospitality journey:

Hospitality newcomers might benefit most from the functional resume format.
Hospitality professionals with several years’ experience should consider a combination resume format.
Seasoned veterans in hospitality might lean toward the chronological resume format.

Check out these visual examples for each.

Functional resume format: Entry-level hospitality example

Functional resume entry level example catering server

Create your resume

What makes this an excellent entry-level hospitality resume?

Clear career objective
For those new to the hospitality world, a resume objective is key. It conveys how specific skills can enhance guest experiences or the establishment, especially if you’re light on direct experience.
Distinct skills sections
Divided skill sections show the full range of what you can do. Using bullet points enhances visual appeal and makes it easy to read.
Designed for minimal work history
Emphasizing skills and knowledge over limited job history, this candidate adeptly showcases their strengths, positioning themselves as a valuable addition to any hospitality team.

Combination resume format: Midcareer hospitality example

Combo resume mid career example hotel front desk receptionist

Create your resume

Why does this midcareer hospitality resume shine?

Compelling professional summary
The professional summary offers a chance to highlight significant achievements. This candidate accentuates their experience and skills in “guest relations” and “team leadership.”
Detailed skills section
Once established in hospitality, displaying niche skills becomes crucial. This candidate does so effectively, placing a skills section before their job history.
Illustrated career progression
Presenting roles in reverse-chronological order provides a clear picture of career growth, a trait that establishments in hospitality deeply value.

Chronological resume format: Expert hospitality resume example

Chrono resume experienced example housekeeper

Create your resume

What distinguishes this expert hospitality resume?

Emphasis on professional trajector
For hospitality veterans, the focus should be a rich career history. This resume, in reverse-chronological order, highlights accomplishments in each role.
ATS-friendly design
Many hospitality establishments employ applicant tracking systems (ATS) for sifting through resumes. Chronological formats often sync better with ATS due to their focus on roles and dates.
Consistent format illustrates growth
The chronological structure portrays consistent advancement in the hospitality sector, appealing to employers scouting for seasoned leaders.

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

Ultimately, a beautifully written cover letter could be your golden ticket in your hospitality dream job.

Your cover letter provides an opportunity to elaborate on details that may not fit into your resume. Perhaps there was a break in your career as you studied hotel management or maybe you’re branching into hospitality from another industry.

Need help getting started? Check out our guide on how to write a cover letter for insights on addressing these scenarios effectively.

When you’re ready and confident to craft your cover letter, browse through our expertly curated cover letter examples and our in-depth guide on cover letter formatting. Using these resources can make your application stand out in the competitive hospitality industry.

To guarantee your cover letter is impeccable, make use of our Cover Letter Builder. It generates sentences tailored for hospitality roles, providing the flexibility to tweak them to embody your unique voice.

Next, let’s review your career opportunities.

Facts about the hospitality industry

Curious about the potential pathways in your hospitality career?

Here are some insights into how your career in the hospitality industry underscores the significance of possessing an outstanding resume:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the hospitality business employed roughly 16.6 million people in July 2024.
Median salaries for job titles in this field:
- Lodging managers earn a median salary of $59,430 per year.
- Hotel desk clerks earn a median salary of $30,300 per year.
- Chefs earn a median salary of $50,160 per year.
Hospitality is expected to add 8.3 million jobs by 2031.

Key takeaways for your hospitality resume

Detail hospitality experience

Your hospitality experience should be the focal point of your resume. If you’ve worked in restaurants, hotels or resorts, detail these roles and your specific responsibilities.
Follow the formatting rules

Professionalism sets you apart. This means ensuring your resume is free of typos or grammatical errors and is presented in a clean, structured format.
Stress customer service achievements

Your record of customer satisfaction is pivotal in hospitality. If you’ve received accolades or positive feedback for your service, be sure to underline this.
Include relevant certifications

If you’ve undertaken any hospitality training programs or have relevant certifications, integrate these details into your resume.
Showcase a diversity of skills

From mastering inventory management to building rapport with customers, your range of soft and hard skills makes you a versatile asset to any retail establishment.
Carefully check your document

Overlooking errors could compromise your chances. Double-check your work, and perhaps get a second pair of eyes to review it too.
Complement with a cover letter

A compelling cover letter can make a significant difference. Utilize it to narrate a unique experience or scenario that underlines your fit for the role and the organization.

Frequently asked questions from job seekers

Last Updated: July 07, 2024

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.